Truckee, California

Now that summer is creeping upon us (at a surprisingly slow pace this year), time to think about some weekend getaways or even some great vacations spots in the vicinity. Truckee is a favorite vacation town that is roughly two hours away from the Greater Sacramento area and offers the perfect cool spot to escape the imminent summer heat. Favorites ways to enjoy Truckee include camping along the Truckee River in the numerous state and county campground littering the banks going both north and south up or down the river toward Tahoe where it begins. Some campgrounds are first-to-come, first-to-serve so you won’t need reservations if you manage to arrive early enough. Others are reservation-only and you may need to have you travel agent research those ones. You may also find a rental home in and around Truckee. Truckee-Donner area offers numerous sized and types of homes to rent. If you want to feel out in the woods, avoid renting a home that backs up onto other homes in the development. Look for a house with a natural greenbelt behind it. Activities in the area include hiking, biking, rafting along the Truckee River, swimming at the public pool or in Donner Lake or the river (be careful of the current). Shopping is mostly limited to Old Truckee, which offers numerous boutiques and restaurants. A fun vacation is to take Amtrak from Sacramento and get off in Truckee and stay. The train ride is enjoyable for families with children who can get up and down and explore the train.