Lake Tahoe Travel Guide

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Lake Tahoe Tourist Attractions

So many things to do, so little time. 

Lake Tahoe's #1 attraction is of coarse the Lake itself.  With a maximum depth of 1,645 feet, it is the second deepest lake in the United States — trailing only Crater Lake in Oregon.  It is approximately 22 miles long and 12 mile wide — creating 72 miles of shoreline that vary from beautiful golden and white sandy beaches on the South, West and North side of the Lake to rugged rock outcrops on the eastside.

Lake Tahoe
Main Tourist Attractions

Beaches – Lake Tahoe has 72 miles of shoreline – ranging  from beautiful golden and white sandy beaches on the South, West and North side of the lake to rugged rock outcrops on the eastside. 

Casinos – Tired of Lake Tahoe's fresh air and natural beauty? Hot entertainment, great food, and games of chance await you at Tahoe top casinos.  Are you feelin" Lucky?!  

Desolation Wilderness – The Desolation Wilderness is made up of 63,960 acres of subalpine and alpine forest, granite peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. Located west of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50 in El Dorado County, the  Desolation Wilderness is jointly administered by both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. More >>

Gondola Ride at Heavenly Valley – Heavenly Valley, CA

4080 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150    (800) 432-8365

Located one-half block west of California & Nevada Stateline, the Lake Tahoe Gondola puts the serenity of an alpine mountain within minutes of six casinos and nearly 5,000 hotel rooms. When guests arrive at the Gondola's "The Deck" – a 14,000 square foot mid-station observation platform – they are treated to views of the Carson Valley, Desolation Wilderness and shore-to-shore views of Lake Tahoe.

Hot Air Balloon Rides

Lake Tahoe Hot Air Balloon Flights   (800) 872-9294   (530) 544-1221

The company has successfully operated flights over Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley for well over a decade. Our Company is committed to providing Lake Tahoe Visitors and locals alike with a world class adventure by placing a very high emphasis on customer service, safety and quality.

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival

948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451    (775) 832-1616

An evening at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival provides you with the opportunity to enjoy time with your friends and family. Come experience first class entertainment at Lake Tahoe’s premier outdoor lakeside setting complimented by fine dining and beverage selections offered by Shakespeare's Kitchen.

Lake Tahoe Paddle Boats Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina,

760 U.S. Hwy 50, Zephyr Cove, NV   (775) 589.4906

A trip to Lake Tahoe is not complete without a cruise upon its crystal-clear blue water. Lake Tahoe Cruises and Zephyr Cove Resort share a proud tradition of offering the widest variety of entertaining cruises on this magnificent alpine lake aboard the Tahoe Queen and M.S. Dixie II.

Sugar Pine – Ed Z'berg – Sugar Pine Point State Park contains one of the finest remaining natural areas on Lake Tahoe. With nearly two miles of lake frontage, the park has dense forests of pine, fir, aspen and juniper.

Another attraction at Sugar Pine is the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion (also known as Pine Lodge), a summer home built in 1903 in a grove of pine and cedar. From the turn of the century until 1965, the lands of what is now Ed Z'berg – Sugar Pine Point State Park were owned by financier Isaias W. Hellman, and later by his daughter Florence Hellman Ehrman. The mansion provides an interesting view into the lifestyles of the wealthy on Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe Basin OverviewLocated in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe's beautiful, sapphire-blue waters are straddled by the California-Nevada state line. The Lake's elevation averages 6,225 feet, and is surrounded peaks reaching heights of up to 10,880 feet.

The area's #1 attraction is the Lake.  With a maximum depth of 1,645 feet, it is the second deepest lake in the United States — trailing only Crater Lake in Oregon.  It is approximately 22 miles long and 12 mile wide — creating 72 miles of shoreline that vary from beautiful golden and white sandy beaches on the South, West and North side of the lake to rugged rock outcrops on the eastside.

Tallac Historic Site

Located approximately 3 miles north of South Lake Tahoe on the lake side of Highway 89.   (530) 544-7383

A century ago, what is now the Tallac Historic Site held the "Grandest Resort in the World" and the summer retreats for three of San Francisco Bay Area's socially elite families.  Today, the remains of the resort and the restored estates attract  thousands of visitors annually to recapture this bygone and significant era in Tahoe's history.  

Taylor Creek Visitor Center

Located 3 miles north of South Lake Tahoe on the lake side of Highway 89.    (530) 543-2674

The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is located on the south shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe. The visitor center is also the hub where four fascinating self-guided trails start and the home of the Stream Profile Chamber, a primary attraction at the visitor center complex. 

Valhalla

#1 Valhalla Road, Highway 89 (Emerald Bay Road), South Lake Tahoe, CA  96151     (530) 541-4975

The Heller Estate, east of the Pope Estate, is known as Valhalla: the Viking heaven. Valhalla is managed as the Community Events Center for the site and is operated under a Special Use Permit by the Tahoe Tallac Association. The main building is available for meetings, weddings and other event rentals and presents art exhibits daily.

Vikingsholm Castle – Vikingsholm is located at the head of Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe, California. This magnificent "castle" is a unique blend of Nature's spectacular beauty and man's architectural ingenuity.  For information call (530) 525-7277 More >>

Virginia City, Nevada – Virginia City is a famous Ghost Town known for gold and silver mining from 1857-1877. Colorful shops, museums and saloons, including the world famous Delta, Silver Queen, and Bucket of Blood Saloons, the Chollar Mine, Mark Twain Museum, Piper Opera House and the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.  (775) 847-0311 More >>

 

What’s on Tap

Events

Lake Tahoe Festivals & Events:

 

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival—7/8 – 8/21

North Lake—Imagine your toes in the sand, a fantastic bottle of wine nearby, a gourmet meal in hand and first-class entertainment before you…

Labor Day Lake Tahoe Fireworks Extravaganza—9/4/16 @ 08:30 PM

South Lake—This pyrotechnic exhibition explodes over Lake Tahoe after dusk and features a variety of patterns, shapes, and designs.

Big Band Jazz Concert at the Sugar Pine Point State Park—9/4/16

West Lake—Concert goers are encouraged to bring a picnic, low-back chairs, blankets, and be prepared to have fun.

The Great Reno Balloon Race—9/9 – 9/11/16

Reno—This is the 35th year for one of Reno’s most colorful and spectacular events! It attracts nearly 100 hot air balloons

For more event information, click on our Festivals & Events page for Half Moon Bay.
  
  

Attractions

Top Attractions:

Winter Outdoor Activities  – 2015/16

The ski areas were finally blessed with SNOW! The recent drought took its toll, but finally were seeing some action…

Summer Outdoor Activities – 2016

Lake Tahoe  – In a couple of months, Lake Tahoe will be bursting with outdoor activities!

Desolation Wilderness Area 

Awesome hiking from late spring to late summer. 

 

For more information on local attractions, click on the Lake Tahoe Attractions or Recreational Activities.
  
  

 

Advisories

The Region’s Fall Advisories:
  

Traffic Conditions. During the summer months, Lake Tahoe is inundated with tourists making driving challenging. Another issue, is the warm summer months are the best to complete road work. This combination can create very long delays in certain sections. Go to www.caltrans.com to learn about road conditions. 

Yes, It’s Still Water! California’s extreme drought has created some long-term consequences. If you are planning a lake vacation be sure to check about water levels. That rafting trip, fishing, or skiing may be impacted. It has also create EXTREME fire conditions, so be sure to check with local authorities about campfire and camp stove regulations.   

The Plague! It sounds medieval, but chipmunks and squirrels around Lake Tahoe can carry the Plague and health officials urge caution. Click here to learn more.

Yellow Jackets! I don’t know why it’s so bad this season, but from Tahoe City south  along the beaches the bees are everywhere! Click here to learn more.
  
  

  
  
  

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