Shopping in Truckee

Shadows from drifting kayaks spill across the bottom of the lake, the clear water offering almost no interference in the view of the lake floor. Guests float on the pristine waters as expert guides lead them through miles of waterways filled with wildlife views on guided tours. Beginners can practice their skills in an outdoor pool during lessons that cover basic paddling techniques, ocean safety, and mermaid etiquette. Guests who fall in love with the peaceful sport may purchase their own kayak or stand up paddle board at the store, or rent one and take advantage of the free instruction and gear that comes with each rental.

Squaw Valley's venerated mountainsides and proximity to the northern part of Lake Tahoe make it a premier destination for outdoor recreationalists. Just outside Olympic Village Inn, beyond the mess hall where the 1960 Olympians ate, sits an open-air promenade of shops and restaurants known as the Village at Squaw Valley. The village's broad cobblestone paths meander between clapboard and stone buildings with chalet-inspired rooflines. Come happy hour, diners flock to Mamasake for specials on beer and plates of Mama's Balls, tempura-fried morsels of seafood salad, tofu, and sriracha. A quick walk north of the village, the aerial tram climbs 2,000 feet to High Camp, where panoramic views and challenging inclines attract hikers or skiers, depending on the season.In nearby Tahoe City, Truckee River Raft Co. rents rafts big enough for families, couples, and the egos of demoted sea captains. The river's burbling waters float vessels 5 miles downstream for a mostly gentle two- to three-hour self-guided journey with beer or wine available for purchase beforehand. Here and there, squeals resound as crafts pass intermittent rapids, which may toss passengers overboard into the chilly but shallow waters.Twenty minutes southeast of the inn, rings of pine and spruce and the soaring peaks of the Sierra Nevadas border north Lake Tahoe's deep alpine waters. Tahoe Sailing Charters depart daily from Tahoe City Marina for two-hour cruises aboard a 50-foot-long 1982 Santa Cruz sailboat. Passengers seated at the prow of the ship can let a toe drag in the cool water, and padded benches near the stern provide drier, more stable seating suitable for sipping complimentary beer and wine. Further north, standup paddleboards and kayaks launch from Carnelian Bay's pebbly beachfront, where folding chairs cradle idle sunbathers.

Super, fun, casual pottery studio. You choose what you want to do; glass fusing, pottery painting or clay. We'll show you how.

NO experience or appointment needed-

Classes in wheel throwing, handbuilding, glass fusing and Art-rageous techniques available.

Shoe's modish heel coddlers outfit men, women, and children with a seasonally shifting, cosmopolitan cornucopia of designer shoes and accessories. Among its lustrously polychromatic walls, multiple styles of Geox shoes await anxious toes ($58+), vying for attention with the Corso Como shoes selection ($104+). Further embellish ankles with a duo of cashmere tights ($85), or ornament jugulars with one of Shoe's panoply of scarves ($130+). Accessories, such as Eyebobs spectacles can decorate perceptual disabilities ($85+), and Bing Bang earrings ($55+) can make lobes look good, even if they fail at helping the ear hear the flapping wings of an oncoming butterfly swarm.

Nestled on the banks of scenic Lake Tahoe, family-owned Tahoe Mountain Sports outfits adventurers for any outdoor excursion in gear and accessories from top brands such as The North Face, Merrell, K2, and Mountain Hardwear. Fight wintry flurries with Mountain Hardwear's Nitrous hooded jacket ($149.97), and prepare for strenuous hikes up homemade water slides on the side of the garage with Sorel’s Joan of Arctic boots ($118.95). Winter-sport fanatics can protect vision orbs with the boutique’s selection of goggles ($21.95+), whereas aquatic adventurers and castle architects can suit up with beach accessories ($6.95+). In hopes of protecting the outdoor space that sustains its business, Tahoe Mountain Sports also supports eco-friendly practices by supporting Leave No Trace and stocking products from environmentally conscious businesses.

As an offshoot of Sierra Trading Post, Derailed.com holds fast to the same business model as its parent company: bargaining with top brands to procure overstocks at heavily discounted prices. But like a youngest sibling taking up juggling cats, it strives to differentiate itself from its older counterparts. It stands out with a youthful vibe thanks to skate, surf, and SUP apparel and the staff's laid-back attitude. They'll happily answer questions and make recommendations on their throngs of camping gear, running shoes, collegiate attire, and bicycle accessories from brands including Hurely, Billabong, and Teva. Though their merchandise boasts an average discount of 48% off the retail value, shoppers can save even more—customers receive a $10 coupon when they sign up for emails, and clients of the Give & Go Referral program get a $20 egiftcard when the friend they referred uses their own $10 email coupon.