Have an Outdoor Adventure
Summer and fall offer wonderful opportunities to get
into the forests and mountains around the lake. Most of
the region is a National Forest, and we suggest you begin
by checking out the information available at the U.S.
Forest Service Lake Tahoe Visitor Center, on Highway 49.
It's located on Highway 89, northeast of South Lake
Tahoe. It is close to Kiva and Pope beaches, and provides
access to several trails (see
Outdoors). Also available is information on the
many campsites on federal lands along Highway 49, between
South Lake Tahoe and Truckee, and north of Truckee at two
major recreation areas.
For information from the Forest Service, call (916)
252-7232. For Nevada State Parks information, call (775)
831-0494.
Another great spot to enjoy the outdoors while
relaxing is Grover
Hot Springs State Park, at Markleeville. There is a
large hot pool, and the park features walking trails,
camping, fishing, and picnicking. You may want to book a
camping reservation during the busy summer months, by
calling (800) 444-PARK.
Water fun is available almost everywhere around the
lake. South Lake Tahoe has a variety of places to enjoy
beaches and take part in water activity, including Camp
Richardson, where you can rent paddle boats and other
craft. Zephyr Cove Marina, and Timber Cove Marina also
offer rentals. South shore swimming and sunning places
include Baldwin Beach, Pope Beach, Kiva Beach, Regan
Beach, El Dorado Beach, and Nevada Beach.
Drive Around the Lake
A drive of 72 miles takes you around the lake,
providing a fine way to see much of the prime scenery and
attractions in the Tahoe Basin. The drive is made more interesting if you listen to an audiocassette,
available at the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of
Commerce, or the Tahoe-Douglas Chamber (located at Round Hill Mall - north of Stateline on
Highway 50). The two-hour tape -- packaged with a map --
describes the highlights of this scenic drive.
Cruise Lake Tahoe
Two paddle wheelers, the MS Dixie II, and the Tahoe Queen, offer scheduled cruises on the lake.
This is a great way to spend half a day with the family
while seeing some of the finest scenery in the Sierra.
Both boats leave the south shore, to cruise to beautiful
Emerald Bay. The boats have glass bottoms, often
displaying marine life in the clear water. Think about an
evening cruise -- the paddle wheelers schedule sunset
dinner and dancing cruises.
Another option is to take a sail on a catamaran or
trimaran. Two boats are berthed on the North Shore, at
Incline Village and Crystal Bay. For information, call
the Sierra Cloud Catamaran, at (775) 832-1234., or the
Woodwind at (775) 588-3000. Or, rent a party boat for a
fun time on the lake. Tahoe Keys Marina is a good place
to book your group cruise.
Ride Up a Mountain
Two trams take you to near the top of the major ski
resorts -- Squaw Valley and Heavenly. The Heavenly
Tram takes you a mile up the mountain at South Lake
Tahoe/Stateline (over 8,000 feet elevation) with a
restaurant at the top. For information, call (775)
586-7000.
The huge cable car at Squaw Valley takes you to
High Camp, a fascinating recreation spot near the peaks,
overlooking the lake and the surrounding mountains. A
large swimming pool, restaurants, and even a bungee jump
are located at High Camp, and trails cross the high
meadows. The cable car building, at the base parking
area, has a 45-foot climbing wall. Look for the Squaw
Valley USA entrance on Highway 89, north of Tahoe City
and south of Truckee. Information: (916) 583-6985.
Visit Vikingsholm
Emerald Bay State Park is a must visit for
Tahoe visitors, and it's only a short walk from the
elevated parking lot to lakeside and Vikingsholm, a
reproduction of a Norwegian castle built by Mrs. Lora
Knight, a wealthy Chicago matron, in 1928. Fannette
Island, the lake's only island, is in Emerald Bay, and is
the site of a stone play house, built by Mrs. Knight.
Explore Tallac Historic Site
The 74-acre site was the location of the old Tallac
Resort, and includes two large summer homes, owned in the
early days of the 1900s by the Pope and McGonagle
families. The resort was owned by Elias J. Baldwin, and
contained a casino, two hotels, and a lot more. Valhalla has been converted into a community and
arts center and the Tallac Museum. The annual Valhalla
Festival of Arts and Music is held here. Tours of the
site are available for a fee of $2.50, (616) 542-4166.
The museum contains memorabilia of the Baldwin family and
the resort, and the Washoe Indian Cultural Foundation
Exhibit. The site is on Highway 89, northeast of South
Lake Tahoe.
Enjoy Shakespeare at Sand Harbor
July and August bring William Shakespeare's plays to
the beach at Sand Harbor, just south of Incline
Village. The festival is managed and performed by the
excellent Foothill Theatre Company of Nevada City. The
early evening performances are held at the outdoor
amphitheater at Sand Harbor State Park, on Highway 28.
One- and two-week Shakespeare camps are held each summer,
for children ages 8 - 17.
For camp information, call (530) 265-9320.
General information: 1-888-730-8587 -- Website
Learn Something
In the Truckee area, kids can learn while enjoying
Tahoe area history. the Sierra Nevada Children's
Museum (11400 Donner Pass Rd.) has a wide range of
exhibits and lots for kids to do. Admission is $2 and the
museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, (916)
587-KIDS.
Donner Memorial State Park, at Donner Lake,
near Truckee, offers movies, exhibits, and slide shows
about the Donner Party tragedy. It's open daily from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $2.00, and kids under 6 are
free. Call (916) 582-7892.
The Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum is
found at 3058 Highway 50, in South Lake Tahoe. It offers
an extensive collection of pioneer artifacts including
early farm implements, plus photo collections, and Washoe
Indian baskets.
Take a Ride
Camp Richardson Stables offers seasonal riding
activity, including summer hay rides, winter sleigh
rides, and trail rides including excursions that lead to
breakfast and dinner beside Fallen Leaf Lake. Highway 89
near the Forest Service info center.
Zephyr Cove Stables is found along Highway 50,
near the boat dock for the MS Dixie II. Trail rides are
conducted through the Tahoe forests. Rides with meals
(breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are also available.
Sunset Corral is on U.S. 50, near the airport
and Myers, offering easy rides on the mountain meadows,
with an hourly rate.
