Tour stop
Lake Tahoe Driving Tour
About The Tour
Lake Tahoe is a region of breathtaking natural beauty, and Shaka Guide’s driving tour covers the entire lake — in both Nevada and California. Get up close to the crystal clear waters of the lake itself, along with the stunning mountain scenery that surrounds it. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy along this tour, including options to hike, bike, visit historic castles, mansions, and cabins, and set foot on several idyllic beach fronts along the lake’s shoreline. Additionally, you’ll get to enjoy Tahoe’s vibrant museums, landmarks, shops, and restaurants with stops in the mountain towns and villages that surround the lake.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour:
• Visit Sand Harbor Beach and hike Tahoe East Shore Trail to Memorial Point
• Stop at scenic Emerald Bay and nearby Vikingsholm Castle
• Hike Balancing Rock Nature Trail at D.L. Bliss State Park
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour:
• Visit Sand Harbor Beach and hike Tahoe East Shore Trail to Memorial Point
• Stop at scenic Emerald Bay and nearby Vikingsholm Castle
• Hike Balancing Rock Nature Trail at D.L. Bliss State Park
About the tour
Lake Tahoe is a region of breathtaking natural beauty, and Shaka Guide’s driving tour covers the entire lake — in both Nevada and California. Get up close to the crystal clear waters of the lake itself, along with the stunning mountain scenery that surrounds it. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy along this tour, including options to hike, bike, visit historic castles, mansions, and cabins, and set foot on several idyllic beach fronts along the lake’s shoreline. Additionally, you’ll get to enjoy Tahoe’s vibrant museums, landmarks, shops, and restaurants with stops in the mountain towns and villages that surround the lake.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour:
• Visit Sand Harbor Beach and hike Tahoe East Shore Trail to Memorial Point
• Stop at scenic Emerald Bay and nearby Vikingsholm Castle
• Hike Balancing Rock Nature Trail at D.L. Bliss State Park
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour:
• Visit Sand Harbor Beach and hike Tahoe East Shore Trail to Memorial Point
• Stop at scenic Emerald Bay and nearby Vikingsholm Castle
• Hike Balancing Rock Nature Trail at D.L. Bliss State Park
STARTING POINTS
- Reno, NV, starting on Hwy 431/Mount Rose Hwy
- Reno, NV, starting on Hwy 341 through Virginia City
- Pollock Pines, CA, starting on Hwy 50/El Dorado Fwy
- Truckee, CA, starting on I-80
RECOMMENDED START TIME: Before 8:00 a.m.
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
- Reno, NV, starting on Hwy 431/Mount Rose Hwy
- Reno, NV, starting on Hwy 341 through Virginia City
- Pollock Pines, CA, starting on Hwy 50/El Dorado Fwy
- Truckee, CA, starting on I-80
RECOMMENDED START TIME: Before 8:00 a.m.
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
• Tours never expire
Your browser does not support HTML5 audio.
Your browser does not support HTML5 audio.
Your browser does not support HTML5 audio.
Your browser does not support HTML5 audio.
Your browser does not support HTML5 audio.
Your browser does not support HTML5 audio.
Your browser does not support HTML5 audio.
Your browser does not support HTML5 audio.
Your browser does not support HTML5 audio.
Now Playing
1. Welcome to the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour Preview
0:00
Now Playing
2. About the Tour - Mount Rose Hwy 431
0:00
03:00
Now Playing
3. A Man, An Elephant, And A Lion
0:00
01:45
Now Playing
4. The Bear Slides
0:00
06:00
Now Playing
5. RTN End of Tour - Hwy 50
0:00
03:53
Now Playing
6. Those Pesky Beavers
0:00
04:00
Now Playing
7. The Donner Party
0:00
05:15
Now Playing
8. Fata Morgana
0:00
04:15
Now Playing
9. Cal Neva
0:00
01:03
Lake Tahoe Driving Tour Map
Explore Tour Map
Lake Tahoe Driving Tour Stops
Things to do on the Tour Include:
Tour stop
Historic Stateline Fire Lookout
Tour stop
Kings Beach
Tour stop
Tahoe City and Commons Beach
Tour stop
North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center
Tour stop
Olympic Village at Palisades Tahoe
Tour stop
Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point
Tour stop
The Rubicon Trail
Meet the Creators
Phil Schoen
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Creators behind the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour
Phil Schoen
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Rita Fowers
Writer/Editor
Favorite Quote:
"What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him." - Viktor Frankl
Rayne Warne
Writer & Managing Editor
Favorite Quote:
"Stories are machines inhabited by a god." - Bonnie Friedman
Lizzie Gerecitano
Writer
Favorite Quote:
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, to experience it to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Jack Chance
Producer
Favorite Quote:
“Just remember you don't always get what you go after, but you do get what you wouldn't have got if you hadn't gone after what you didn't get.” - Blaze Foley
Purchase Options
1.
Lake Tahoe Driving Tour
$ 16.99
Gift A Tour!
Gift the joy of travel! During checkout, select "Gift this Purchase" to schedule your delivery and write your personalized message.
Don't worry - they'll get a gift receipt, not the bill. No pricing information included.
Lake Tahoe Driving Tour FAQS
Information
Conditions can change fast. Please check these links for closures, alerts, and local conditions before your trip. Stay informed so you can ensure a smooth ride.
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- More than a map and directions — your tour, fully guided
- Audio storytelling that plays as you drive
- Music and immersive sound to upgrade your drive
- Human-created, professionally narrated tours
- Pre-planned route with turn-by-turn directions
- Itinerary mapped out with must-see stops
- Expert travel tips
- Offline access – works without data or wifi
- Flexible, self-paced experience
- One purchase per vehicle (not per person)
- Lifetime access (tours never expire)
- Reliable customer support
Exclusions:
- Private transportation (use your own or rental vehicle)
- Meals
- Attraction admission or park entrance fees
- Parking fees
- Live tour guide or in-person services
- Trip planning or booking services
- Fully customizable navigation like Google or Apple Maps
- On-demand route planning or custom directions
- Open-ended navigation tools
Tour FAQs
1. Where does the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour go?
This tour has 22 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, here’s what you need to know before you go!
2. What should I pack for the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour?
Car cell phone holder
Car cell phone charging wire
Hiking Boots or sneakers
Jacket/rain jacket
T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirts for layering
Swim Suit
Sunscreen
And include hats, scarves, and gloves if you’re coming in any month other than June through August.
Car cell phone charging wire
Hiking Boots or sneakers
Jacket/rain jacket
T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirts for layering
Swim Suit
Sunscreen
And include hats, scarves, and gloves if you’re coming in any month other than June through August.
3. What should I budget for the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour?
What you budget depends on what you do, but most beaches and parks cost about $10-$15 for parking. Below is a budgeting breakdown of all the major tour stops:
Sand Harbor State Park: $10 - NV residents, $15 non-NV residents per vehicle
Cave Rock: $10 - NV residents, $15 non-NV residents per vehicle
Zephyr Cove: $12/ Day for parking (summer only - no fee in winter)
Nevada Beach: $10 - NV residents, $15 non-NV residents per vehicle
Heavenly Gondola: $69 for adults, $34 for children
Camp Richardson: $12 to park
Tallac/Baldwin Museum: Free!
Eagle Falls: $5 to park
Emerald Bay: $10 per vehicle for the day, or $3 per vehicle for one hour
Vikingsholm Castle: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, under 7 Free
D.L. Bliss: $10 to park
Sugar Pine Point State Park: $10 to park
Hellman Ehrman Mansion: $10 parking, $10 Mansion Tour/ person
Gatekeeper’s Museum/Indian Basket Museum/Watson Cabin: $10
Kings Beach: $10 to park
Sand Harbor State Park: $10 - NV residents, $15 non-NV residents per vehicle
Cave Rock: $10 - NV residents, $15 non-NV residents per vehicle
Zephyr Cove: $12/ Day for parking (summer only - no fee in winter)
Nevada Beach: $10 - NV residents, $15 non-NV residents per vehicle
Heavenly Gondola: $69 for adults, $34 for children
Camp Richardson: $12 to park
Tallac/Baldwin Museum: Free!
Eagle Falls: $5 to park
Emerald Bay: $10 per vehicle for the day, or $3 per vehicle for one hour
Vikingsholm Castle: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, under 7 Free
D.L. Bliss: $10 to park
Sugar Pine Point State Park: $10 to park
Hellman Ehrman Mansion: $10 parking, $10 Mansion Tour/ person
Gatekeeper’s Museum/Indian Basket Museum/Watson Cabin: $10
Kings Beach: $10 to park
4. What are the hours of operation for the stops on the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour?
Sand Harbor State Park: 8 am - 8 pm
Cave Rock: Sunrise to sunset - boat ramp hours vary, check the website in advance.
Zephyr Cove: 9 am - 5 pm
Nevada Beach: 8 am - 8 pm
Heavenly Gondola: 9 am - 4 pm
Camp Richardson: 8 am - 5 pm
Tallac/Baldwin Museum: 10 am - 4 pm
Taylor Creek 8 am - 4 pm
Eagle Falls: 6 am - 6 pm
Emerald Bay: Sunrise to sunset
Vikingsholm Castle: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
D.L. Bliss: 7 am to 8 pm
Sugar Pine Point State Park: 8 am - 7:30 pm
Hellman Ehrman Mansion: 10 am - 4 pm
Gatekeeper’s Museum: Wed - Sun 11 am - 4 pm
Kings Beach: Dawn to dusk
Cave Rock: Sunrise to sunset - boat ramp hours vary, check the website in advance.
Zephyr Cove: 9 am - 5 pm
Nevada Beach: 8 am - 8 pm
Heavenly Gondola: 9 am - 4 pm
Camp Richardson: 8 am - 5 pm
Tallac/Baldwin Museum: 10 am - 4 pm
Taylor Creek 8 am - 4 pm
Eagle Falls: 6 am - 6 pm
Emerald Bay: Sunrise to sunset
Vikingsholm Castle: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
D.L. Bliss: 7 am to 8 pm
Sugar Pine Point State Park: 8 am - 7:30 pm
Hellman Ehrman Mansion: 10 am - 4 pm
Gatekeeper’s Museum: Wed - Sun 11 am - 4 pm
Kings Beach: Dawn to dusk
5. Can I join the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour en route?
Yes! Feel free to join the tour along the route. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting from. If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.
6. Can I take the Lake Tahoe Driving Tour in the opposite direction?
This tour makes a clockwise loop around the lake regardless of which tour starting point you choose. This tour does not work in the opposite direction.
7. How is Shaka Guide Different from Other Navigation Apps?
Shaka Guide isn’t just about getting from point A to point B — it’s like having a tour guide in your car, sharing stories and local insights as you drive. Unlike other navigation apps, we’ve planned the route for you, so instead of focusing on directions, you can focus on the experience. This means you can’t customize the route, but that’s kind of the point. You’re still in control though, you can skip stops, go at your own pace, and explore freely. It’s not just about getting there; it’s about enjoying the journey.
8. Other Questions? Contact us!
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.