LAKE TAHOE VISITOR GUIDE SUMMER/FALL
Publisher & Editor Chaco Mohler
Art Director Allison Monroe
Distribution Mitch Landaburu
Inquiries: chaco@c2m.media
There are a multitude of reasons to visit Tahoe in summer— beaches, boating, biking and much more. But whatever brought you here, Tahoe’s natural beauty is the icing on its cake of fun. On long summer days and fall evenings, sky and wind paint the lake in ever-changing hues and textures. At night, a brilliant, star-filled universe reflects in the water’s calm surface, framed by granite and forest.
Preservation of Tahoe’s unique scenic beauty has been supported by Americans of all stripes for decades. U.S. Congress members, governors and presidents of both parties have joined together numerous times to fund Tahoe Basin restoration. But “Keeping Tahoe Blue” is an on-going effort. Visitors can help in a variety of ways. Park your car and take advantage of FREE, door-to-door micro-transit in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee (page 11), also available between Stateline, Nevada and South Lake Tahoe neighborhoods. Cycle or scooter to nearby beaches and picnic spots on beautiful bike paths. Fill your water bottles with Tahoe’s exceptional tap water and save on single-use plastic.
Please don’t litter and pick up after your pets. Food or garbage bags left unattended outdoors are quick pickings for ravens and other wildlife. Don’t leave food of any kind in a vehicle parked overnight—Tahoe’s Black Bear have a keen sense of smell and are adept at opening car doors or breaking windows. Snow may remain this spring on the mountain peaks well past June, but fire danger this summer and fall will likely remain high; please help us keep our communities safe.
On the pages that follow is information on a wide variety of regional activities, popular sites, and a pull-out, Summer Recreation Map (page 16) to guide your journeys. We hope your visit surpasses your expectations! Enjoy your Tahoe time.
Invasive Species Boat Inspections tahoeboatinspections.com TAHOE
Wine Tasting on Classic Yacht Lake Cruises tahoetastings.com
TRANSPORTATION
OF TRUCKEE/CALIFORNIA WELCOME CENTER 530.587.8808 truckee.com
INCLINE VILLAGE CRYSTAL BAY VISITORS BUREAU 775.832.1606 gotahoenorth.com
TAHOE CITY VISITORS CENTER 530.581.6900 gotahoenorth.com
TAHOE SOUTH VISITORS CENTER 775.588.4591 tahoesouth.com
Tahoe’s iconic view, Emerald Bay is surrounded by steep mountain sides and dotted with an island topped by a stone tea house. Highway 89 hugs the cliffs above the lake, with parking in 3 lots, plus a few highway-side spots. Eagle Falls tumbles down cliffs below the road into Emerald Bay State Park. A 1.7-mile hike leads to the lakeshore and Vikingsholm “castle,” constructed in 1929 and one of the finest examples of historic Scandinavian architecture in the Western Hemisphere.
A marvelous combination of protected cove, rocky point, giant granite boulders and a long, sandy beach, this state park fills its parking lot quickly on many summer days. Transport alternatives include free micro-shuttles hailed by TNT-TMA app and bike trail from Incline Village.
Lake Tahoe’s only outlet is the Truckee River in Tahoe City, where a dam controls the top ten feet of the lake. Lean over the railing of “Fanny Bridge” to watch the giant trout below. Bike paths and sidewalks lead from Gatekeeper Museum throughout this sceni town of unique shops, restaurants and “watering-holes.”
This beautiful alpine valley was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Palisades Tahoe Village features outdoor dining spots and a spectacular aerial tram, traveling up 2,000 vertical feet to a high mountain lodge with a small Olympic museum.
This park gives a glimpse back in history with its lovely Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, surrounding grounds and boat houses. But it is also features a beautiful shoreline and trails through a forest populated with its name-sake tree.
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Paved bike and walking paths are found throughout the region. Long stretches include South Lake Tahoe to Tallac Historic Site and nearby beaches, Tahoe City to Meeks Bay or down the river to Olympic Valley, the lakeside trail from Incline Village to Sand Harbor, and the Legacy Trail from Truckee along the river to Glenshire. Relatively level dirt trails are found at Sugar Pine Point State Park, Donner State Park, Tallac Historic Site and behind Meeks Bay Resort.
From spring through late-fall, Tahoe has perfect hikes for most every day and every mood. Emerald Bay State Park has a scenic lakeside trail. Tahoe Rim Trail encircles the lake on surrounding peaks and can be accessed at 12 trailheads, including Tahoe Meadows above Incline Village, Brockway Summit off Highway 267, Echo Lakes near Interstate 50, and Spooner Lake near Interstate 50 on Tahoe’s East Shore. A stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail traverses from Donner Summit through Desolation Wilderness, accessed at over 7 trailheads in the Tahoe region. Desolation is the nation’s most visited wilderness area, requiring permits for overnight stays but not for day hikes.
When exploring Tahoe’s mountains and forests, always carry a fully-charged cellphone, adequate water and extra clothing. Turn to the Recreation Map on page 16 for more trail information.
Dogs on a lease are welcome on Tahoe’s bike trails, and on lease or under voice command on most hiking trails. Hikes with plentiful water include Meeks Bay creek trail, Glen Alpine trail, Five Lakes trail, Shirley Canyon in Olympic Valley, Truckee River Legacy Trail and Donner Memorial State Park.
Spring and fall, migratory birds linger in the larger wetlands of the Upper Truckee River, Carson Valley and Little Truckee River. Around Lake Tahoe, look for osprey, red-tail hawk and bald eagles. Or have mountain chickadee eating out of your hand on “chickadee ridge,” a short hike east of Nevada Highway 431 in Tahoe Meadows.
Tahoe’s beaches are narrow this summer due to high lake levels following strong winter snowfalls. But many lovely meetings of sand and water can still to be found around Tahoe’s 72-mile shore. Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park is a scenic gem with 3 unique beaches. However, its parking lots fills quickly on most summer mornings, which then requires taking a shuttle from Incline Village or trekking down a three-mile bike path to reach the park. In South Tahoe, wide Nevada Beach and Baldwin Beach are both good bets. Nearby, Pope Beach was recently named one of America’s top beaches, but high water this summer will make it harder to find a secluded, sandy spot.
On the North Shore, Kings Beach, Moon Dunes and Tahoe City’s Commons Beach have a variety of sand, lawns, playgrounds and shallow water. Tahoe’s West Shore has two outstanding beaches. Meeks Bay is a sheltered cover and a large beach and calm water for swimming and paddling, but requires an entrance fee. The beaches at D.L. Bliss State Park are among Tahoe’s prettiest. Near Truckee, West End Beach at Donner Lake features large lawns and shade trees and shallow, warm water.
Turn to page 16 for more information.
Dog-friendly beaches include Kiva Beach in South Tahoe, Zephyr Cove on East Shore, Coon Street Beach in Kings Beach, Patton Beach in Carnelian Bay or Hurricane Bay on the West Shore. Don’t be surprised to see locals bring their dogs to other of Tahoe’s beaches, but that is often against local regulations and fines are given out.
The lake is chilly in the early summer, but the surface temperature warms to near 70 degrees Fahrenheit by August and September. The warmest water is found in the shallows off South Tahoe’s beaches, Sand Harbor, Kings Beach and Tahoe Vista. Put on swim goggles or mask and
snorkel to enjoy Tahoe’s water clarity. The lower Truckee River also has clear cool water and numerous swimming holes.
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Smoothly paved and separated from vehicle traffic, lovely bike paths are found throughout our region. South Lake Tahoe’s network includes fun rides to several beaches. Incline Village’s path to Sand Harbor has stunning views and accesses several small coves. Tahoe City is the center of over 19 miles of connected bike paths, including the popular route along the Truckee River to Olympic Valley and a 12-mile stretch down the West Shore to Sugar Pine Point State Park and Meeks Bay. Truckee’s network of paths includes the Legacy Trail, a 4.4-mile ride along the Truckee River.
The Northern Sierra is a mountain biking mecca of single-track and fire road fun, including newly built routes that curve and flow down mountain sides. Flume Trail is the most iconic Lake Tahoe single-track, a breathtaking trek along mountain ridges and cliff side that follows an old lumber flume. Turn to the map on page 16 for more information on popular trails.
For riders at ease cycling on narrow mountain roads, this region is full of challenges. Chief among them is the infamous Death Ride circuit, winding over steep mountain passes south of Tahoe. Or try the 4,400-foot ascent from Reno over Hwy. 431 that leads to a 2,500-foot descent to Incline Village. Less strenuous, but still a belt-notch Tahoe ride, is the 72-mile journey around the lake (turned into a “century” with an out-and-back to Truckee). The lakeshore highway has mostly singlefile shoulder but also stretches of little to no shoulder on East Shore and Emerald Bay. Highway 89 from Olympic Valley to Truckee has wider bike lanes and connects to a scenic 3-mile, 1200 vertical foot climb up Old Highway 40 and over the Sierra Crest.
Truckee has an excellent bike park with beginner to expert jump lines. Incline Village and South Lake Tahoe have public bike parks with pump-tracks and beginner to intermediate flow lines. Boreal Mountain and Northstar California bike parks have numerous features, single-track, and ski lifts to carry you and your bike back up the mountain.
Heavenly’s gondola travels from South Lake Tahoe straight up the mountainside to spectacular views of Lake Tahoe, trails and rides. Palisades Tahoe’s large aerial tram travels up 2,000 vertical feet from Olympic Valley to the resort’s High Camp lodge.
Edgewood Tahoe at Stateline is the “Pebble Beach” of the mountains, site of nationally televised American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. South Tahoe has three
Heavenly gondola has unsurpassed views.
three additional public links.
In North Tahoe, historic 9-hole circuits are found at Tahoe City Golf Course and Old Brockway in Kings Beach.Incline Village has two beautiful courses. Truckee and Northstar boost seven courses, including the Jack Nicklausdesigned Old Greenwood and Peter Jacobsondesigned Grey’s Crossing.
Find mini-golf fun at Kings Beach Miniature Golf or Magic Carpet Golf locations in South Lake Tahoe and Carnelian Bay. Heavenly Village lays out summer-only holes on its plaza.
Tahoe museums include Donner Emigrant Trail Museum outside Truckee, Gatekeepers Museum in Tahoe City, Tahoe Environmental Research Center in Incline Village, and Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum, South Lake Tahoe. Nearby, Virginia City is a living museum with well-preserved downtown, steam train, and tours of the historic Comstock Lode mines. The Nevada Museum and Nevada Railroad Museum are in Carson City. Reno boosts the Nevada Museum of Art and National Auto Museum.
Tee-up at the historic Tahoe City Golf Course. Enjoy golf with a view, bocce ball, dining at Café Zenon, walking distance to downtown Tahoe City and Commons Beach. JOIN US!
