THE TOP ACTIVITIES TO DO IN IV/CB THIS SUMMER

By: Kayla Anderson

In Incline Village/Crystal Bay, we went from the fourth winter to full-blown summer quickly, which makes it the prime time to get out and enjoy everything that the East Shore has to offer. Therefore, if you’re looking for ideas on family-friendly activities- outdoors or indoors- then here are some suggestions for things to do on this northeast corner of the lake:

1. Go on a nature hike with TINS (Tahoe Institute for Natural Science) Sticking to its motto, “We connect people of all ages to nature”, this Incline Village-based nonprofit works tirelessly in hosting events for the community yearround, because when you understand the Tahoe environment and its flora and fauna better than you are more likely to take care of it. Between butterfly counts, bird walks, and Native Species Day, there is always something going on with TINS. Most events are free, and donations are always appreciated, or you can become a member for just $35/year. Try to catch an early morning Bird Walk on Village Green if you can…you’re bound to learn something new. www.tinsweb.org/

2. Go golfing at the Championship Course or the Mountain Course. The greens are in great shape due to the natural snowmelt slow drip irrigation system, and IVGID’s Championship Course and the Mountain Course are open and ready to play. The 18-hole Championship Course located at the Chateau has long and challenging fairways with a few peeks of Lake Tahoe while the executive 18hole Mountain Course up on Wilson Way is better to work on your short game. If you don’t care about your score, then check out some of the golf courses’ signature events such as Nine & Wine on Thursday evenings at the Mountain Course and club demo days at the driving range on Fairway Boulevard. IVGID also maintains a pickleball/tennis center and disc golf course adjacent to the Recreation Center which also make for perfect summertime activities. www.yourtahoeplace.com

3. Rent some gear at Multisport Tahoe and take it to the beach. Bike, paddle, and kayak all in the same day with Multisport Tahoe, your premier place to rent gear that complements the Tahoe atmosphere. Owned by Incline Village native JP Donovan and his partner Belinda Quené, they will hook you up with whatever you need to have the perfect Tahoe day. Multisport Tahoe also offers guided tours, which are well worth the money if you want to learn more about the area and not deal with any traffic or parking hassles. tahoemultisport.wordpress.com/

4. Visit Thunderbird Lodge. Grab your friends and family and visit the iconic Thunderbird Lodge set on the grounds of former playboy George Whittell’s estate. You’ll meander through his mansion, go through secret tunnels, visit his card room, and peek at the legendary Thunderbird yacht resting in its own private boathouse (unless it’s out on a cruise). Visitors will also learn about Captain Whittell’s role in conserving a big chunk of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline and much more. Guided tours go out Tuesdays and Fridays; reservations are required, and shuttles depart from the Travel North Tahoe Nevada Welcome Center at 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. thunderbirdtahoe.org

5. Take a Tahoe Star Tour at Spooner Lake. Expert astronomer Tony Berendsen is expanding Tahoe Star Tours to include night sightings out at Spooner Lake where guests can use state-of-the-art Celestron telescopes to get an exclusive look at what shines brightest out in the dark sky. Lake Tahoe is unique in that there’s virtually no light pollution, therefore what you can see will be sure to amaze you. Berendsen has put on astronomy events in Lake Tahoe for more than 20 years, and he’ll be hosting Tahoe Star Tours at the Spooner Lake Visitor Center on select Thursday and Saturday nights starting in June. https://www.tahoestartours.com/

6. Ride the Flume Trail. Explore the East Shore and take in panoramic views of Big Blue on two wheels with the help of Flume Trail Bikes. Located on the east end of Incline Village behind the Tunnel Creek Café, Flume Trail Bikes rents mountain bikes, Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes to take on the Tahoe East Shore Trail, and a shuttle service to Spooner Lake and Tahoe Meadows. After your ride, grab a brew and a snack at Tunnel Creek Café and catch live music there every Saturday evening from 5pm-8pm. flumetrailtahoe.com/

7. Walk the Tahoe East Shore Trail. Speaking of the Tahoe East Shore Trail, you can simply park in the lot in front of Tunnel Creek Café and walk the paved path all the way to Sand Harbor State Park. The well-maintained path hugs the shoreline, allowing one to bike, roll, or stroll down to the beach. www.tahoefund.org

8. Go on a tour with TERC (UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center). Learn all about the ecology and clarity of the lake at Tahoe’s only science center located on Country Club Drive in Incline Village. Peruse the interactive exhibits, find out about the creatures that inhabit the lake, and hear about how it’s changing and what TERC is doing to help preserve the clarity of it. Tours are held throughout the summer on Tuesdays-Fridays at 11am, 12:30pm, and 2pm as well as on Saturdays at 11am and 12:30pm. Tickets cost $5-$10 per person; buy your ticket in advance through tahoe.ucdavis.edu/tahoesciencecenter.

9. Visit Bowl Incline. Someone once posted on social media asking where one could go in Incline Village to get a drink, enjoy a decent meal, and have some fun, and one person responded that there’s one place where you could do all three… and that’s Bowl Incline. Along with several brandnew bowling lanes, an outdoor patio has firepits, cornhole, and a bar. Inside, the Ohana Diner has a lunch and dinner menu designed by the famous Sam Choy along with signature cocktails that you can enjoy in bright retro-themed booths. There are pool tables, a full arcade, and flatscreen TVs while the second floor over the bowlers has an axe-throwing setup and lounge area. This place has something for everyone- no matter what the weather is like outside- and it’s also available to rent out for special events. www.bowlincline. com/