In my previous post “How Portland Became A Place We Call Home” I mention that we moved from Truckee California. Living in Truckee California had been a dream of ours for quite some time. It became a reality when I was hired by Renown Health to work on their web team in the Marketing department. Truckee is where we bought our first home, started our businesses, and enjoyed the life of the little mountain had to offer.
Where is Truckee California?
Truckee is located in the north east mountains of California. It is a small town right off of highway 80 on your way to either Lake Tahoe or Reno Nevada. It is conveniently located off the highway to stop and enjoy the quaint mountain town restaurants, shops, Donner Lake, and the variety of fun activities all throughout the year.
Some Of My Favorite Places
I have several favorite coffee shops, restaurants, and stores in Truckee that I recommend you try sometime when you are in the area.
Coffee Shops
Wild Cherries Coffee House is one my all time favorites! We started going there years ago when we would visit Truckee. We love the food, Eric loves the coffee, and they have free wifi if you like to work from a coffee shop like we do. I would have to say what I love most about Wild Cherries is Yvonne! She is the manager of the coffee shop and I look forward to seeing her there because I really enjoy talking with her. The coffee shop is a busy spot but Yvonne always makes you feel welcome when you are there!
The Dark Horse Coffee Roasters is a great little place downtown. I love it there because of it’s location and the cozy environment. They have great coffee and tea. It’s a quiet low key coffee shop where you can enjoy good conversation or getting some reading in.
Restaurants
Marty’s Cafe is one of my favorite places to grab breakfast! The food is fantastic, the portions are huge, and it’s a cozy inviting place to start your day off in downtown. The restaurant is located right next to the railroad tracks and right in the middle of downtown. It is a great location to get something to eat for breakfast or lunch and then go shopping in historic downtown! Marty is the owner and chef at Marty’s Cafe and he really knows how to create fantastic food!
Squeeze In is another great place for breakfast or lunch! The service is always fantastic, the food is delicious, and it is located in downtown next to all the shopping. The Squeeze has tons of personality and you will leave there happy and satisfied. Nicole is the manager at the Squeeze and we just love her! She makes you feel welcome and at home. While you are in the Squeeze make sure to check out the walls and all of the interesting decorations!
Full Belly Deli serves breakfast & lunch and I am not sure which is my favorite time to go because I love all the food I have ordered there. The food is delicious and the portions are enormous! We love to go out to breakfast get their breakfast burritos and breakfast sandos! For lunch they have the best home made soups and sandwiches!
Tacos Jalisco is a great Mexican restaurant we would go to often for lunch. They serve lunch and dinner in their restaurant that is located in the shopping center next to the Seven Eleven. You wouldn’t know it from the outside but there is plenty of seating once you walk in the door!
Jax on the Tracks is the great diner experience in Truckee! We have had breakfast, lunch, and dinner there. The food is fantastic all American that is delicious, huge portions, and served by friendly staff. In the summer time you can sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather and see and hear the trains go by the restaurant.
Zano’s Italian restaurant is a great place to get Italian food (pizza, spaghetti, lasagne) for lunch or dinner. It is very family friendly, great staff, and the food is delicious. The restaurant has lots of seating to hold large groups as well as a bar where you can watch sports. We enjoyed sharing many meals there and when we didn’t share we definitely had left overs to take home!
Shopping
California 89 is a fantastic shop to buy cool clothes that have the fun highway 89 sign on them! Lisa the store owner has a great selection of clothes to choose from! My favorite items from there are my beanie, hoodie, and the fleece blankets. They carry a variety of men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing. There is definitely something for everyone in this shop!
Tahoe Sports Hub is the go to place in town for all your sporting needs no matter what time of year! Rob & Wren are the owners of the store and they have a great selection of skis, snow boards, paddle boards, kayaks, and clothing. Rob, Wren, and their staff are very helpful you should stop by and let them know that Justine sent you!
Bespoke is a cool little shop with a variety of things including hand made cards, clothing, books, candles, and jewelry. I love going into this shop for the inspirational quotes you will find on the cards, pillows, and decorations. Definitely stop by and check this shop out.
La Galleria is owned by Brooke and she has one of the most eclectic shops in town. It’s a small shop but has so many great things to choose from. If you are looking for something interesting to take home for your self or for a gift this is the place to go!
Activities
There are plenty of activities throughout the year to enjoy in Truckee no matter what time of year!
Donner Lake is a fantastic lake to hang out on the dock and enjoy the sunshine, swimming, boating, stand up paddle boarding, boating, and kayaking. Eric and I would take a picnic lunch and grab a dock so we could go swimming or stand up paddle boarding. My favorite memory of the Donner Lake is when we grabbed a pizza headed to the lake and watched the sunset hanging out on the dock. It is a beautiful lake and worth the stop!
Truckee Thursdays is a huge weekly festival located downtown where you will find food to eat, fresh produce to take home, art, jewelry, clothing, and other unique items you would not find anywhere else. The downtown streets are set up with booths for you to peruse as well as a beer garden with live local bands playing music for you to enjoy!
Whether it is summer or winter the ski resorts are just a hop skip and jump from Truckee! If you want to ride your snow board, go skiing, take the kids tubing, or just hang out at the resorts enjoying a hot toddy I have plenty of good suggestions for you!
Here are the list of resorts:
There are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the scenery in and around Truckee! Including hiking, biking, camping, swimming, snow shoeing, skiing, snow boarding, canoeing, kayaking, and my favorite paddle boarding! On your next trip up to Lake Tahoe or Reno stop off and find out for yourself!
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