Shopping in Truckee
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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.
Like a shimmering blue stone, Lake Tahoe is one of our last precious gems, and the Bigelow family wanted to honor the view from their front window by naming their jewelry business “Bluestone.” Their Tahoe City store is an exceptional blend of jewelry, glassworks and photography with an emphasis on the very best value.
We are a local, fresh, handmade bath & body shop. We offer handmade soaps, body lotions, facial products, bath bombs (we offer bombs with toys inside for the kids), Cupcake Bubble Bath, fizzy cupcakes for your bath, bubble bath, soy candles, premade gift packs and Oprah's favorite pajamas, BEDHEAD PAJAMAS!
Adrift Tahoe transforms Lake Tahoe into one giant playground, all the way from its sandy shores out into its glistening waters. In the morning—with the sun rising over the Sierra Nevada mountains—standup-paddleboard instructors lead groups out on tours of the lake, floating atop serene waters and along tree-lined banks. Similar journeys happen midday, at sunset, and at night, when the stars guide paddlers across the water and the moon looks on enviously, wishing it had water of its own.
Other members of Adrift Tahoe's team lead paddleboard fitness, while more still stay on the shore to teach yoga. Beyond these guided activities, Adrift Tahoe sells and rents aquatic gear, including paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes.