17481 Highway 50 5,000 SF Retail Building Twin Bridges, CA 95735 $1,899,000 ($379.80/SF)

Strawberry Station is a rare, high visibility commercial property and fully operating destination located on U.S. Highway 50 in historic Strawberry, California, a gateway community on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada and a primary corridor into the Tahoe Basin. The property sits in a town that has served travelers since the 1850s, first as a Pony Express remount and rest stop and later as a key stop along the Lincoln Highway. Today, Strawberry remains a vital hub for recreation, tourism, and mountain travel.
The property is surrounded by some of the most iconic outdoor recreation in Northern California. Nearby Lover’s Leap is internationally recognized for world class rock climbing, featuring hundreds of established routes on dramatic granite walls that draw climbers from around the globe. The area is equally well known for winter ice climbing, backcountry skiing, hiking, rafting along the American River, and year round access to public lands. Sierra at Tahoe ski resort is located just minutes to the east and has become a favored destination for skiers and riders approaching from the west who want to avoid Tahoe Basin congestion.
Strawberry Station benefits from consistent year round traffic generated by recreation, tourism, and second home ownership throughout the American River corridor. Numerous cabins and legacy properties line the west slope, and with limited lodging currently operating in Strawberry, the Station functions as an essential service stop and gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
The property includes an established general store and café offering convenience retail, specialty coffee, food items, and cold beverages. An on and off site beer and wine license allows patrons to enjoy beverages outdoors at picnic tables in the sun or during seasonal live music events held at the on site stage. The operation has become a social and community anchor, particularly during peak summer and winter seasons.
Upstairs space supports a well developed rental and service operation offering climbing gear, ski and snowboard equipment, snowshoes, and tuning and waxing services. The upstairs area also includes office space for ownership or management and offers flexibility for future residential style use, employee housing, or expanded commercial operations, subject to buyer verification and approvals.
A portion of the building is occupied by the United States Postal Service, providing approximately 446 square feet of space and generating approximately $10,000 per year in lease income. This ancillary tenancy provides steady supplemental income and enhances the overall operating profile of the property.
Operational infrastructure at Strawberry Station is extensive and thoughtfully built out. The property features a drive through chain up station that services vehicles during winter storms, a custom woodworking shop with built in cabinetry and a freestanding wood burning stove, and a diesel backup generator capable of powering the entire site. Upper level mezzanine storage exceeding 1,200 square feet provides substantial additional utility and presents future expansion possibilities.
The site also includes specialized equipment and improvements, including a car lift located within the chain up area that could support mechanical or service related uses, as well as a front end loader used for snow removal and property maintenance. These features allow the operation to function efficiently in demanding mountain conditions.
Looking ahead, Strawberry Station offers meaningful long term optionality. The property may support future additions such as electric vehicle charging, expanded food and beverage service, fueling infrastructure, lodging components, or additional rental and service offerings, subject to county and regulatory approvals. Its location across from the long dormant Strawberry Lodge creates the potential for coordinated revitalization and a reimagined village center serving recreation driven travelers and destination visitors.
Current ownership has cared for and improved the property continuously since acquiring it in 2012. Long time locals and avid climbers themselves, the owners are deeply connected to the Strawberry community and surrounding region. The property has been maintained with an exceptional level of organization, cleanliness, and pride of ownership, and reflects years of hands on stewardship and ongoing reinvestment.
Strawberry Station represents a rare opportunity to acquire a landmark Highway 50 commercial property with established operations, supplemental lease income, deep community roots, and significant future potential in one of the Sierra Nevada’s most iconic and recreation rich corridors.