Loving Reno: 2024

Hey Everyone,

Kat here. It's been a busy and eventful summer so far with my three little ones keeping me on my toes... or maybe it's the other way around, haha.

There are tons of awesome summer events coming up, and I wanted to quickly share some with you. Follow the linked Instagram accounts + websites for more details on each event.

Some events have limited tickets, so grab yours soon if interested. Also, stay tuned as I update my list with more events. For those who like to plan ahead, check out a more comprehensive list on the right side of this blog.

Many of these events and activities are free and open to the public, offering unique experiences you won't find just anywhere. With our town centered around a river and our proximity to diverse landscapes, there are endless possibilities for adventures. Get out there and have some fun!

Hope you're staying cool and enjoying the summer. While it's been super hot, let's be grateful there haven't been any major fires (knock on wood), and nothing beats a refreshing dip in the water.

Peace, Love, & Kindness,

Kat

Icecycle Creamery. Come here for the most unique & adventurous flavors in town. Sandwiches & soups also available. Love the new Owner.

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

-Beach Days: Enjoy the sun and sand at one of the many amazing beaches in Lake Tahoe. Bring a picnic, swim, and soak up the breathtaking views. Round Hill Pines & Lakeside for limited crowds (fees regulate crowds), King's, Lakeside, & Common Beach all have playgrounds, restrooms, and nearby eats.

-Cold Treats:

Black Rock Dessert - Milkshakes are beautiful and made with house ice cream. The owners Marlon & Lesly are seriously some of the nicest owners in town

Cosmo's Snack Bar - Dole Whip & specialty soft serves

Thania's Organic Juice Bar - We're so lucky to have an this spot. Clean smoothies, juices, & acai bowls. No added sugars. I love the chunky monkey smoothie and the juices are so fun and flavorful.

Everbowl - acai bowls & smoothies (love their variety of bases)

Jus - smoothies, acai bowls, & juice

Tahoe Natural Cafe - Tahoe Pops (craft popsicles), juices, smoothies, & acai bowls. They also have a full menu of other nourishing foods like sandwiches, soups, & salads. I always come here for the eats & popsicles.

Rita's Italian Ice & Custards - intense flavors, smooth, creamy, refreshing (particularly for those with a sweet tooth). Right next to one of my favorite burger joints - Inclined Burgers & Brews.

Icecycle Creamery - Try the most unique craft flavors here like Thai tea and mango sticky rice. Get one of their flights and make it a foodie adventure. They also have yummy sandwiches & soups. Love the new owner.

Rolled Mountain Creamery - a top pick. Freshness & quality. Ice cream made right in front of you.

Little Truckee Ice Creamery - another top spot and a necessity of summer. I die for Truckee Trails. They always have a non-dairy option on hand. Brick n morter is located next to Donner Lake. Trucks located in downtown Truckee and Tahoe City at Cobblestone shopping center.

Great Basin Co-op - juices, smoothie bowls. Tahoe Pops in frozen section. The cutest local grocery shop in town.

Yogurt Beach - service is always friendly, flavors fun, & toppings endless

Shaved Ice - The Sno Flo - fluffly, Hawaiian style. located in Carson City. Snoasis -food truck. Ice more on the traditional course side. Super kind service.

Boba - Num Num Boba (they also have soft serve) fun shop with tons of options, Dim Sum Hut, 1 2 Tea (they're connected to a bomb asian restaurant, Ijji Noodle House & Poke Don at their South Reno location), Teaspoon, Ding Tea

Gelato - Bouchee Confections Handmade by a talented chocolatier. Rich & creamy

Mexican Treats - Paletas de Angel, Anotjitos Colibri. Can't beat the freshness. Mexican treats always hit the spot.

Misc Non-alcoholic & Non-caffeinated - Noodle Box Kitchen, Sip of Saigon, Black Rabbit Mead Company has an impressive mocktail menu, Coffee N' Comics (fruity pebble, reese's, oreo frapps). Play Super Nintendo here.

Agua frescas (fruit waters) from Paletas de Angel. They're super fresh, but don't skimp on the sweetness. Let your ice melt for a more tamed agua fresca.

-Reno's Summer Festivals: We have tons to enjoy. Biggest Little Wing Festival, Northern Nevada Pride, Artown, Hot August Nights, The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off

-Hiking: Beat the heat by hiking early mornings at Mount Rose Summit, Galena, Davis Creek, and Lake Tahoe. The cooler temperatures and scenic views are worth the early start.

-Gardening: Summer is perfect for growing zucchinis, tomatoes, & cucumbers. Visit local nurseries like Old Stone House & Moana Nursery for seeds, seedlings, and guidance.

-River Tubing: Float down the Truckee River for a relaxing and fun summer activity. Lots of people like to park a car at Mayberry Park (start) & Wingfield Park (about 3.5 miles, 2-4 hrs.)

-Outdoor Reading: Find a shady spot at Wingfield Park with a good book from Grassroots Books or The Radical Cat. The park’s serene atmosphere is ideal for getting lost in a story.

-Mini Golf: Magic Carpet Golf on South Virginia St. is a charming, old-school spot that's tons of fun, featuring beautiful landscaping and plenty of shade trees. Coconut Bowl in Sparks offers a small indoor neon-lit course and a much larger outdoor fun course. Be sure to buy the unlimited band on weekdays for great value—it includes unlimited mini golf and much more. King's Beach Miniature Golf is a favorite in Tahoe City due to its prime location next to King's Beach and Tahoe Time ice cream, as well as its beautiful course shaded by majestic evergreen trees.

-Cycling: Explore the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail, the longest and most significant in Reno. Start at Mayberry Park or GSR and enjoy the scenic ride along the river.

-Bird Watching: Summer is great for bird watching at Virginia Lake Park, Damonte Ranch Wetlands, Swan Lake Nature Study Area, Rosewood Nature Study Area, and Washoe Lake State Park.

-Outdoor Movies: Watch classic films under the stars at the West Wind El Rancho Drive-In (Carson City) or outdoor movie nights at various parks around the city. Check out The Village at Rancharra & The RED Experience District for their summer movie schedules.

-Plan Fall Adventures: Start planning fall trips to nearby destinations like Lassen Volcanic National Park, Hope Valley, Apple Hill, Yosemite National Park, Donner & Fallen Leaf Lake.

-Farm Visits: Summer is a great time to visit local farms like Andelin Farm for their Sunflower Festival. U-pick flowers and tons of activities for the family. Open August 1 - 23

-Water Activities: Rent a kayak or paddleboard at Donner Lake & Lake Tahoe. Early mornings and evenings are the best times to avoid the midday heat and crowds.

-Stargazing: Clear summer nights are perfect for stargazing. Head to Davis Creek Regional Park, Jack C. Davis Observatory, or Fleishman Planetarium for minimal light pollution and stunning views of the night sky.

-Local Music: Reno has an abundance of talented and inspiring musicians. Check out The Reno Scene and Bandsintown for the latest concerts and performances in town.

-Nearby Roadtrips:

*Yosemite National Park (3.5 hrs. from Reno): Renowned for its stunning granite cliffs, waterfalls, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Closest entrance from Reno - Tioga Pass. Reservations required during summer.

*Virginia City: Step back in time to the Old West with historic buildings, museums, and scenic views of the Comstock Lode.

*Lake Tahoe: Explore the various towns around North and South Lake Tahoe for outdoor activities, beaches, hiking trails, and stunning lake views.

*Truckee: A charming mountain town with a historic downtown area, outdoor recreation opportunities, and proximity to Donner Lake. They have the cutest downtown loaded with eats and shops.

*Genoa: Nevada’s oldest settlement, offering historic sites, quaint shops, and nearby access to hiking and hot springs. Super small town that packs a big punch. Beautiful park with a huge lawn ideal for picnics. Visit the bakery for delicious Italian baked goods, David Walley restaurant for a rustic dining experience + hot springs, the courthouse for an amazing museum highlighting the history of Genoa and NV, and Genoa Bar & Saloon, NV's watering hole.

*Carson City: Nevada’s capital city with historic landmarks, museums, outdoor recreation, and the nearby scenic beauty of Lake Tahoe. King's Canyon Waterfall, Nevada State Museum, Railroad Museum, Shat's Bakery, Axohelado, Tacos Los Compas, Bob McFadden Plaza, Levitt AMP Concert Series

*Downtown Davis: A charming college town with bike-friendly streets, local shops, and the UC Davis Arboretum. There are a tons of great eats in this area and so many cuisines to choose from.

*Sacramento: California's capital city known for its historic Old Sacramento district and diverse cultural attractions.

*San Francisco: Famous for its iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and vibrant cultural scene.

*San Diego: Offers beautiful beaches, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, and a relaxed atmosphere.

-Farmer's Markets: Enjoy fresh, seasonal produce, delicious food offerings, talented craft vendors, a vibrant atmosphere buzzing with life, scenic road trips, and so much more.

My Favorite Farmer's Markets

-Riverside Farmer's Market: An amazing year-round market offering a wide array of clean, nourishing, and tasty eats, produce, and craft vendors. Located in the prime spot of Idlewild Park, it features plenty of shade, lawns, and live entertainment.

Idlewild Park

Open Year-Round

Sundays, 8am - 1pm (time changes seasonally)

2055 Idlewild Dr, Reno, NV 89509

Instagram

-Sparks Methodist Church Farmer's Market: Sparks Methodist Church Farmer's Market is on the smaller side, but it packs a big punch.

Sparks Methodist Church
Tuesdays, 8am-1pm
1231 Pyramid Way, Sparks, NV 89431

Enjoy fresh handmade French donuts from @hausofbeignets, inspired by a passion for New Orleans culture and its beloved treat. 🤤 You can also savor different yet delicious donuts from M & M's Southern Cafe and @bussin_beignets.

Don't miss the new @frostgiantcreamery. Ice cream making started at home with a $1k machine, and during tough times, the passion turned into a business. You must try these craft ice creams: chocolate, orange (d)reamsicle, & a new flavor made in collaboration with the best apple pie in town by @silverstatepieco, which also offers impressive savory hand pies.

@mwintsoph has watched my 3 rascals grow up over the span of 10 years. Fausta, the lean, mean baking machine, is behind all the baked goods you’d think were made by a team. Every market and event, you can expect to find her with cookies, baklava, & handmade loaves—all delicious, & all at unbeatable prices.

Visit @grindzcoffeecompany for their cute truck, friendly service, fresh baked goods, refreshing smoothies, and a good cup of Joe to get your morning off to the right start.

Other features include local produce, local craft vendors, a welcome stand with warm people from the church (&free water), & live entertainment.

Notes:
-Arrive early for parking and to beat the heat. While the lot may appear full, parking is usually not an issue as people don’t tend to stay too long.
-limited shade
-no tables or seating available
-Porta potty available

-The Village Farmer's Market: Located at The Village parking lot, next to House of Bread, Deleon Mexican Restaurant, Mix Bakeshop, and 1,2, Tea.

Village Shopping Center

Saturdays, June 1 - October 5

8am - 12pm

1119 California Avenue, Reno, NV 89509

-Tamarack Junction Farmer's Market: Held in the Tamarack Casino parking lot. DC restaurant in the casino has great breakfast & everyday value meal deals at $7.99/meal.

Tamarack Junction

Saturdays, June 1 - September 28

8am - 12pm

13101 S. Virginia St., Reno, NV 89511

-Incline Village Farmer's Market: The north shore of Lake Tahoe is so underrated and includes this gem of a market every summer, offering a variety of fresh produce, local crafts, and artisanal goods. It's a favorite among locals and visitors alike for its scenic setting and community vibe. The drive up from Reno on Mt. Rose Highway to this market is always fun and scenic.

Incline Village Library

Thursdays, 3pm - 6pm

845 Alder Ave, Incline Village, NV 89451

-Tahoe City Farmer's Market: Found in Tahoe City at Common's Beach, this market showcases a range of local produce, specialty foods, handmade crafts, and artwork. It's situated near the shores of Lake Tahoe, providing a picturesque backdrop for shopping and socializing. Playground, tables, restrooms, kayak & paddle board rentals available. Across the street you'll find super cute Cobblestone Shopping Center, home to one of my favorite ice cream trucks in all of our area - Little Truckee Ice Creamery. Parking lot is super small so make sure to make it out early to snag a spot. Otherwise, there's free 2 hr. street parking nearby.

Common's Beach

Thursdays, May 16 - October 21

8am - 1pm

400 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145