Geographic Significance
Lake Tahoe is an all-season, two-state destination. Despite how beautiful it is, the lake itself defines Nevada's and California's borders on either side.
The lake's surrounding towns, shorelines, beaches, and parks, generally referred to as "Tahoe," all offer outdoor activities in the spring, summer, and fall.
Featuring winter sports including skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing at some of the best ski resorts in the United States.
After all, Lake Tahoe is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada range. So, the mountains and forests are just as spectacular as that crystal-clear lake itself (which – by the way – never freezes in the winter despite a heck of a lot of snow)!
Weather and Seasons
From May through October, you’ll usually find the most excellent weather for hiking, bike riding and water activities. With temperatures moderate enough (or very warm in the heart of summer) for you to feel comfortable walking around outside.
Always dress in layers, because even with lots of sunshine, the temperatures can drop quite low in the mornings and evenings. As a deep alpine lake, the waters of Lake Tahoe never truly warm up. You’re lucky if the lake makes it to 68-degrees at its absolute warmest during the summer!
Exploring Beaches and Shorelines
Words of advice. With each beach and shoreline around Lake Tahoe being completely unique, and each location containing its own personality, don’t make the mistake of thinking that if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.
Also, in the summer season, almost all of the beaches offer rentals for everything you need for a day of sun and sand, including beach chairs, umbrellas, paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and larger boats
Here’s a list of some of the best things to see and do around Lake Tahoe
1. Tour historic Thunderbird Lodge (New Washoe City, NV)
It's the only way to enter this lakeside mansion's private road and gates to see inside and roam the grounds. The only other way to even catch a glimpse is by boat. The stories of the eccentric man who once owned the property (including a room to house his pet elephant, a secret tunnel leading to the poker room, and a wooden speedboat that remains the talk of the town) are interesting enough as it is. But the views from the property are like none you’ll see anywhere else on the lake.
You do have to sign up and pay a larger-than-standard fee for the tour. But proceeds go to the nonprofit that keeps the mansion and boat up and running. Tours leave from the North Tahoe Welcome Center just down the road in Incline Village.
2. Embark on a Camp Richardson Rum Runner or Sunset Cruise (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
Boarding a yacht is one of the best ways to see Lake Tahoe and the gorgeous:
Emerald Bay – a ‘teardrop’ cove of the lake
as well as,
Fannette Island – the only island on the entire lake.
Boats depart from the very popular Camp Richardson summer beach resort pier.
Camp Richardson also offers log cabin rentals in the woods along the shoreline. They also have an indoor/outdoor restaurant & bar right on the sand overlooking the lake. Oh, and don’t miss the adorable general store on your way into or out of Camp Richardson!
3. Set sail aboard the M.S. Dixie II paddle-wheeler steamship (Zephyr Cove, NV)
This large, old-fashioned riverboat takes you around Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay, and Fannette Island. Cruises depart from the gorgeous beach resort of Zephyr Cove. Where you can also play volleyball or rent a log cabin in the woods along the shoreline.
There’s a restaurant and general store here, too, making it one of the most popular beach resorts around Tahoe.
4. Visit Sand Harbor (Incline Village, NV)
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This is a well-loved, picturesque beach that is truly one of the most incredible places you’ll see in all of Tahoe. Walk the Nature Trail across from the Visitor Center – a boardwalk that meanders in and out of coves along the lake, bursting with wildlife and views for miles. It’s so pretty that you may literally shed a tear, and that is not an exaggeration.
This park is actually made up of three beaches, each with completely different landscapes and rock formations. The granite boulders at the edge of the lake waters add such depth and character that it feels as if you’ve been transported to another world. There’s also a nice cafe next to the Visitor Center, where you can sit outside overlooking the lake for lunch.
And if you’re lucky enough to score tickets for Sand Harbor’s Shakespeare Festival in the summer season, you’ll get to spend an evening on a beach chair in the sand overlooking the lake, while enjoying a top-notch theatrical performance.
RELATED: SUMMER IN LAKE TAHOE
5. View the lake from two stunning overlooks: Logan Shoals Vista Point (Hwy. 50, NV) and Inspiration Point (Hwy 89, CA)
These are two of the best vantage points for heart-stopping views of Lake Tahoe because they’re hundreds of feet above the lake. And you can drive to them, rather than having to hike. These two spots are also super popular for wedding and engagement photos for couples who want that million-dollar background. And those sunsets!
Logan Shoals is located on the east shore of Lake Tahoe near Zephyr Cove.
Inspiration Point is located in South Lake Tahoe and overlooks Emerald Bay and Fannette Island from 600 feet above.
From this vista point, you can see that Emerald Bay lives up to its name. The water in this cove is – indeed – emerald green and a sharp contrast to the turquoise color of the rest of the lake.
6. Drive through Cave Rock tunnel and head down to Cave Rock Beach (Hwy. 50, NV)
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Cave Rock is the most recognizable formation around Lake Tahoe. It’s a humongous, jagged volcanic remnant right on the edge of Lake Tahoe. And before a tunnel was drilled through it, you couldn’t drive all the way around the shoreline of the lake. Although the cave is cool to see from your car, it’s best to head down to the beach right ‘under’ the cave.
This way, you can admire it without having to try and snap a photo while you’re in a moving vehicle. Cave Rock Beach has a small swimming cove and picnic tables on one end, and a boat launch on the other. Request to pay just a couple of bucks for a ten-minute photo opp, and then you can continue on your way.
7. Visit Nevada Beach (Elks Point Road, NV)
Just north of Stateline and the border of California, this beachfront is amazing. Each soaring tree looks like it was strategically manicured and planted in the sand with just the right space between it and the next one.
Grab a bench, and sit for a moment to enjoy the way the mountains envelop the lake. If you aren’t lugging beach gear, you can park further out along the wooden fence line on Elks Point Road and walk the beautiful paved path down to the water.
8. Heavenly Village and Heavenly Gondola (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
Heavenly is the largest ski mountain directly on Lake Tahoe. (There are lots of other wonderful ski resorts around Tahoe for winter fun, including:
- Palisades Tahoe
- Mount Rose
- Northstar
- Kirkwood
But in the summertime at Heavenly, you can ride the enclosed ski gondola up the mountain for an indescribable experience viewing the lake.
In fact, all of Heavenly Village is bustling with summertime activities including ropes courses, a coaster down the mountainside, and lots of other activities and entertainment, including a ton of shopping and dining options.
9. Walk the grounds of the Tallac Historic Site (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
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Made up of old-money summer estates from a bygone era, this property is now part park, part museum. Stroll paths through the forest to see one-of-a-kind homes and fancy log cabins that overlook the lake, and perhaps tour the Baldwin estate and museum. In the heart of summer, you may even catch reenactments, performances, and festivals in the old Valhalla Theatre on site.
10. Hike the Taylor Creek Nature Trails (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
The four trailheads begin near the forested Taylor Creek Visitor Center (one of which leads to the Tallac Historic Site). Experience a special viewing center (the Stream Profile Chamber) along the Rainbow Trail, which allows you to glimpse what’s happening beneath the surface of the creek.
And if you’re here during spawning season, you might just witness the bright orange salmon swimming upstream into Taylor Creek from Lake Tahoe!
Ready for a travel adventure like no other? Our exclusive audio tour of Lake Tahoe is your ticket to the ultimate travel experience.
11. Hike to the top of a waterfall at Eagle Falls (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
Located between Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point, the water roars its way over granite that is thousands of years old on its way down to Lake Tahoe. But take note – the waterfall is at its strongest (and loudest) when the snow is melting off of the surrounding mountains.
The best time to experience this is from late spring to mid-summer. Otherwise, you may only see a trickle of water. You reach the top of the falls by hiking the Eagle Falls forested trail, which is quite popular.
12. Hike down to Emerald Bay State Park to visit the hidden castle (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
You can’t drive to Vikingsholm Castle. It sits along the Emerald Bay shoreline, and the only way to reach it is on foot or by boat (hence the cruises mentioned above).
The wide, well-worn path to the castle is kind of steep but doable. It’ll take you at least 20 minutes (each way) and you’ll want to pace yourself, especially if you aren’t used to the altitude.
(Remember – the lake itself is over 6,000 feet above sea level, and you’d be starting this hike at a higher elevation than that.)
It's really worth the trip to tour the inside of the castle. No reservations are required. Once you get down there, walk past the castle to the small cabin that serves as a tiny museum and gift shop for tickets.
While you’re down there, spend some time enjoying the pristine Emerald Bay shoreline and up-close view of Fannette Island. Or, rent a kayak from there and enjoy a short paddle to the island to hike up to an old tea house!
RELATED: 15 BEST HIKES AROUND LAKE TAHOE
13. D.L. Bliss State Park, Balancing Rock and the Rubicon Trail (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
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There are two really great reasons to drive down the long and windy road through the forest of this park – three if you count cozy Lester Beach. Balancing Rock is a humongous boulder that is somehow (still) balanced on a mere fist of granite.
Who knows how much longer ‘til it topples, but the short hike up to see this monstrosity in person is a must. Note: once you’re up close to it, walk around the entire formation, because it looks different from every angle. A little further down the road from Balancing Rock is Lester Beach, and then comes the Rubicon Trail.
This is one of the most popular hiking trails in all of Tahoe. From this trailhead, you can hike all the way to Vikingsholm Castle and beyond – over five miles in each direction (with a secondary trail to an old and decrepit lighthouse).
But even if you don’t take this hike in its entirety, you might want to try at least a small portion of it, because the trailhead starts off high above the lake for a stupendous lake view framed by the forest. But be sure and pay careful attention to your footing – because where there are trees, there are roots!
14. Walk the grounds of the Hellman-Ehrman Estate at Sugar Pine Point State Park (Tahoma, CA)
There is such beauty and history here. Take a tour, or just meander the lakefront estate. (There’s even a QR code near the Nature Center building in case you’d like to take a free self-guided tour around the perimeter of each and every building on the grounds.) Be sure and climb the steps to the mansion’s enormous porch for the view overlooking the lawn and lake.
This lawn is a popular picnic spot. Walk around the property and step out onto the long pier over the lake. Also, be sure and walk south along the shoreline for just a few minutes until you reach a photo-worthy spot – the railroad tracks that disappear into the lake. With water so clear, you can practically see to the bottom!
15. Stroll around Tahoe City, CA
This cozy, one-light town on the north side of Lake Tahoe is walkable from end to end. Stroll along the main street of the town to peruse shops and restaurants, and walk out along the public pier. You can see all the way across the lake – about 22 miles – to Heavenly Mountain! There’s also a sweet lakeside path.
Other wonderful things to see in Tahoe City include the giant sculpture of a mama bear and her cubs with fur made entirely of pennies! (It’s named Ursa Mater but if you ask anyone where to find “Penny Bear,” they’ll know what you’re talking about.) Next to the statue is Watson Cabin, the oldest log cabin in the area, which is now a tiny museum.
Lake Tahoe Dam, Shutterstock Image
There are also some wonderful restaurants right on the lake at this end (the east end) of town. On the other (west) end of town, be sure and check out Fanny Bridge (look down at the water to spot the giant trout) and the Lake Tahoe Dam. Next to that is the Gatekeeper’s Museum (which also houses the Basketmakers Museum).
Rent a bike at Willard’s and pedal along the crystal clear waters of the Truckee River Bike Path. This river is the only outlet for Lake Tahoe water (hence the teeny tiny dam)!
16. Walk or pedal along the Tahoe East Shore Trail (Incline Village, NV)
The trail runs from the Tunnel Creek parking lot, past Memorial Point Overlook, all the way to Sand Harbor Beach – three miles each way.
These are some of the most glorious views of Lake Tahoe that you will ever see and this trail has been called the most scenic bike path in the western U.S.
Grab a bike rental at Flume Trail Bikes (no reservation necessary) behind the Tunnel Creek Cafe (a nice place for lunch, by the way).
If you don’t have the time or inclination for a bike ride, you can drive down Hwy. 28 from Incline Village to Memorial Point Overlook, where there is 20-minute free parking. This will give you a chance to walk down to the East Shore Trail, take in the views, grab some photos or walk a small portion of the path. (Just make sure you get back to your car before your 20 minutes is up.)
17. Visit Kings Beach, CA
Located on the north side of Lake Tahoe, this small but popular town has its own vibe and a large (and often crowded in summertime) swimming beach. But the best thing to do in Kings Beach is much higher up (over 7,000 feet above sea level, actually).
It’s the Historic Stateline Fire Lookout. You actually drive your car up most of the way along paved residential roads, then park.
Lastly, hike a semi-paved trail for what is, hands-down, one of the most sweeping birds-eye views you’ll get of Lake Tahoe from the north side of the lake. (It’s the equivalent of Inspiration Point, the overlook all the way on the other side – the south side – of Lake Tahoe.)
The Historic Stateline Fire Lookout is mind-blowing. If you pace yourself, the hike up to the top is doable (quite similar to the grade of the trail to Vikingsholm). You’re really high up once you reach the top, which could leave you literally (and figuratively) breathless. If you’re visiting Tahoe from sea level, you may or may not have adjusted to the altitude around Tahoe yet.
So take it slow. You’ll take a thousand photos from the top and may run into a bride and groom since this is another one of those priceless spots for memory-making. To get there, follow the directions in the link. (This is a favorite place for locals, but not well-marked for tourists, which makes the Shaka Guide driving app that much more valuable.)
18. Shaka Guide Lake Tahoe Tour
If you’re looking for a self-driving ‘tour guide’ to help you navigate the ins and outs of a trip around Lake Tahoe, download Shaka Guide’s Lake Tahoe Tour app. It’s chock full of ideas and options, detailed information and navigation, as well as entertaining stories about the area and its history. Plus, fabulous driving music!
Honorable Mentions:
The list above is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all of the things that you can see and experience around Tahoe, and are centered around that big, blue lake itself. But if you are willing to drive a few miles further in any of several directions, other recommended sites include:
- Olympic Valley and Olympic Village at Palisades Tahoe
- Donner Memorial Park
- The historic railroad town of Truckee
- The historic mining town of Virginia City
- Historic downtown Carson City
- The winding road up Mount Rose Highway from Incline Village to Reno!
Here’s to many days spent in paradise at this magical place called Lake Tahoe. Expect to fall in love with it – chances are, you’ll find it difficult to leave.
Visiting Lake Tahoe? Download Shaka Guide's Lake Tahoe Driving Tour!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Lake Tahoe Itinerary and Know Before You Go article.
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