Reno to the Sierras: A Long Weekend Escape
- Lummis Helen
- May 22
- 5 min read
This past weekend, I was blessed to spend time with college friends of 20 years! How time flies. We opted for a fun, easy, and different itinerary to explore the area. As friends were flying into Reno late, we stayed in Reno on Friday. Saturday, we headed to Truckee for a delicious diner brunch, then headed North to Sierraville. In Sierraville, we lounged by a creek, grilled, played cards, soaked, and caught up.
Friday Night | Reno Lights
For Friday, we opted to stay at The Jesse Hotel & Bar in the 'Biggest Little City'. The Jesse is in an up-and-coming area of town. It's the type of place that speaks to my architect heart - a restored old brick building.
Down the street are several amazing mid-century motels that I hope will one day be restored. Reno has some amazing and kitschy architecture. Like the Momma Bears Lounge, which has now, sadly, been converted to an Irish pub. This type of architecture just makes you wonder about the stories told to the bartender with blue eyeshadow over bright neon and stiff drinks. What I would give to be a fly on the wall!
I like a city that doesn't take itself too seriously and still has space for whimsy, like the bus in the air coming out of the bus station. More of this everywhere, please!
The Jesse speaks to an earlier time, with its high ceilings, exposed brick, and double-hung windows root it in a sense of place. That place being an older western town. They left the hardwood floors with their patina. Trendy touches bring it into the modern era.
One of my favorite parts of the hotel was the patio. They have really made an oasis in the heart of downtown Reno. Greenery envelops the space, offering respite from the sun while mitigating noise from beyond the walls. The brick enclosure blends in beautifully with the surrounding architecture of the hotel. The night we were there, there was an awesome salsa class being hosted, bringing in a diverse group of people and a few families. There was a familiarity between the families, the staff, and others there to dance that was so beautiful to see. They host many fun events throughout the year. I applaud this level of programming.
No Friday night kick-off to a long weekend is complete without some beverages. The drinks were great and the staff was super friendly. The food was fun and different as well. It's not often in this neck of the woods that you see Halloumi cheese on the menu. This hotel is very well situated for Reno Aces ballgames. One caveat to the hotel is that it is loud. They thoughfully provide earplugs and sound machines. If you are looking for a special drink, a restful patio to sit under twinkle lights and greenery, or a fun place to stay, I'd recommend this spot.
A note on safety: Like many cities in the West, and many places in Central Reno, I'd recommend not leaving valuables in your car so that your car doesn't get broken into.
On Saturday morning, we woke up and grabbed coffee at the hotel. They also offer pastries and quiches from a local favorite: Beloved Bakery & Cafe. Then we hit the road to Truckee.
Saturday in the Sierras
Truckee is my 'town' as it sits 20 minutes away from Serene Lakes and Donner Summit. I 'go to town' more or less every day for work. It is a cute town that friends and family love. So, Saturday, we headed to Wagon Train Coffee Shop for a late brunch. I love everything about Wagon Train. I love the decor. I love their very large drinks. I love their food. And I especially love the wait staff.
After brunch, we visited word after word. This is the bookstore in town. Luckily, it is ever-so-lovely. The staff are knowledgeable and approachable and they carry a wide assortment of genres. Of note is their robust section on the sierras. After fueling up on diner food and books, we wound our way north to Sierraville.
Our destination: Constellation Creek. Constellation Creek offers small, charming cabins alongside a bucolic creek. While some of us love camping, it isn't easy to trek camping gear in your carry-on across the country. This offered the right mix for city slickers and country mice alike. The cabins come with small, equipped kitchens. There are communal gas grills, yard games, and lots of picnic areas and loungers set up by the creek. The weather was one of those cold fronts of late May. So our plans of soaking up the sun and reading our new books were thwarted. Nevertheless, we had a lovely time grilling, playing cards while overlooking the creek, and admiring the stars around the campfire.
This special spot is open year-round. I'd love to go back in the winter and cook a cozy bolognese after a day of cross-country skiing and read a book by the cozy gas fireplace. I wouldn't mind returning in the height of summer to take advantage of the hammocks around the property and warmer weather. I was woken up each morning by the sunlight filtering in through the mature aspens as the sun made its way across the narrow valley. It was heavenly.
Sunday Soak
Waking up on Sunday, we found that the temperature had dropped further. So, a sunny day by the creek was not to be had. It actually snowed a little bit throughout the day, which thrilled my friend who lives in Texas. So, we headed to the Sierra Hot Springs, which you can read more about here. It was a great time. I will say more people opted for clothing-optional than on previous visits. The valley was beautiful and green, and even though it was windy and the sky sent down occasional snowflakes, the promise of spring was in the air.
After soaking, we decided that the best way to replenish the salts we'd lost was to get margaritas with salted rims and Mexican food just down the road. Off to Los Dos Hermanos in Sierraville we went. Ok. As a born and raised Texas girl, I miss Tex-Mex. Los Dos Hermanos served up great chips, salsa, and a cheese enchilada, rice, and beans that made me feel right at home. The margaritas were just right, the waitstaff was friendly, and they were wonderful with kids. I will drive an hour each way for these cheese enchiladas again.
After Mexican, we headed back for more cards and a campfire. Feeling refreshed and relaxed, it was time to spend one more night listening to the creek after stargazing.
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