Most of us don’t think twice about getting ON Interstate 80. But what about getting OFF the freeway and enjoying the long way around.
Loomis to Auburn. Auburn to Meadow Vista. Meadow Vista to Colfax. We get on, drive a few exits, get off and go about our day.
But what if we didn’t?
For this drive, we’re exiting in Loomis and not getting back on the highway until we reach Colfax.
Loomis
Let’s start with coffee at Smithville or Mug & Company, because every good road trip begin this way.
Stop for local meats, ice cream and delicious frozen pies at the local Ace Hardware. Who knew? High Hand Nursery is so much more than a nursery, with its restaurant, café, art gallery, brewery and quaint shops along the interior of the boardwalk. And there are vintage shops for reminiscing—and possibly adopting a new-to-you, unique piece to take home.
From here, we’re taking Taylor Road.
Penryn
It doesn’t take long before we’re in Penryn, one of those places you can miss even when you’re looking for it.
There is a lot of history here. Granite, orchards and old buildings are reminders of the people who worked this land long before Interstate 80 divided our communities into exits.
Stop at the historic Griffith Quarry to stretch your legs, take some pictures and visit the museum. All in less than an hour, if you’d like.
Newcastle
Continue along Taylor Road and we arrive in Newcastle.
Tiny, a little quirky and still very much an old foothill town, Newcastle was once fruit country connected to the rest of the country by railroad.
Today, you can sip local wine at Dono dal Cielo, enjoy a farm-style beer at Hillenbrand Farmhaus Brewery, pick up something delicious at Little Bitty Farm, or sit down for sammie at The Newcastle Cheese Shop.
And next, we’re going to Auburn. Just not the way we normally would.
Auburn
Walk Old Town. Find lunch. Wander into a shop. Download the Quail Trail App and explore Old Town and Downtown, finding points of interest along the way.
Then keep going, because somewhere beyond Auburn, this drive begins changing again.
Meadow Vista
The oaks start mixing with more pine. There is more shade. Houses sit farther apart.
Stop for something to eat at The Tin Lantern, play a round at Winchester Country Club or grab picnic provisions at Holiday Market.
We still aren’t getting on I-80.
Colfax
Eventually, we arrive in Colfax.
Visit the railroad museum, find a local restaurant, or keep going to the Bear River Fishing Access
Camping is no longer allowed at the campground, but the river still flows through peacefully. You’ll find gold panners, people floating the river and plenty of places for a picnic. There is plenty of lodging on route, too, from upscale Marriott lodging to vintage stays after a fun day of discovery.
And there you have it.
Loomis to Colfax without the highway—and perhaps a few places you didn’t know were there.
Let’s take the long way … more often.
It’s just far enough away from the office to feel like you’ve gone somewhere, and for longer trips, still a hop, skip and a jump from Sacramento International Airport. There are plenty of places to meet, stay, eat and get outside.
And perhaps that’s the best part. The meeting doesn’t have to be the entire experience.