Truckee, California

Truckee's hometown brewery on the historic downtown strip. Small-batch ales brewed at 6,000 feet with Sierra snowmelt. Their taproom is where ski bums, bikers, and locals collide after a day in the mountains. Opened in 2014 and immediately became the town's living room.

Splitboards and snowboards designed by legendary rider Jeremy Jones in Truckee. Built for the backcountry.

Creative coworking space and maker collective in Truckee's historic lumber mill. Artists, designers, and craftspeople share studio space in a building that once processed the timber that built the Transcontinental Railroad. Gallery shows and pop-up markets throughout the year.

Community makerspace in Truckee with woodshops, metalworking, 3D printing, textiles, and ceramics studios. A nonprofit where mountain-town tinkerers, artists, and builders share tools and teach each other. The garage every maker wishes they had.

Handbuilt and thrown ceramics — vases, bottles, vessels — from a home studio in Big Sur. Belgian-born Anemone Delvoie moved to California in 2011. Her work is carried at General Store and Phloem Studio.

Wood-fired bakery and restaurant tucked into the redwoods along Highway 1. Artisan breads, pastries, and seasonal dishes made from local and foraged ingredients. A Big Sur institution since 2003 — part bakery, part gathering place, entirely unforgettable.

Handmade fine jewelry since 1964, when Karl Lee began working gold at Esalen Institute. Now in its third generation — son Ali Lee and daughter-in-law Carrie Armstrong carry on the tradition with high-karat gold, platinum, and gemstones.

Nephrite jade hand-collected from the Big Sur coastline and crafted into jewelry and polished stones. Kirk Brock has been diving and hunting jade in the Sur since the 1990s. Each piece comes from a specific beach or underwater reef along the wildest coast in California.

Boardshorts handmade in Santa Ana since 1961. Founded by Carrie Birdwell Mann, every pair is double-stitched with SurfNyl fabric and a brass buckle that was designed before Velcro existed. Three generations later, they're still sewn in the same factory.

Handmade ceramic vessels and tableware by Michelle Johnston. Born in Quebec City, trained at Sheridan School of Craft and Design, moved to Carmel in 2013 and never left.

Handcrafted solid wood putters, cutting boards, and serving pieces by Larry Shattuck — a retired Army colonel and former West Point professor who traded the classroom for a wood shop.

Renowned artist, filmmaker and professional skier creating expressive paintings celebrating mountain culture.

Climbing lifestyle apparel with roots in Ventura since 1982. Mike Graham invented the original climbing pant. The G-Short is still the most comfortable pair of shorts ever made.

Succulent nursery and art studio perched on the Big Sur cliffs. Handmade ceramics, driftwood planters, and living art arrangements made from plants propagated on site. A tiny creative oasis on Highway 1.

Craft brewery at 8,000 feet, brewing with snowmelt from the Eastern Sierra since 2009. Their IPA 395 is named for the highway that connects every mountain town from Reno to LA. Taproom on Lake Mary Road with views of the Sherwin Range.

Consignment outdoor gear shop in Mammoth Lakes stocked by locals who upgrade every season. Skis, bikes, climbing gear, and backcountry equipment at mountain-town prices. The shop where pro athletes offload last year's gear and weekend warriors find deals.