Location: South Lake Tahoe
Top Things to do in South Lake Tahoe
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10 Things to do in South Lake Tahoe That You Shouldn't Miss
South Lake Tahoe is the only destination in the country that combines two
strikingly different worlds: The spectacular beauty of a national park, and all the desirable amenities of a world-class resort. Here you can enjoy a full range of exhilarating outdoor activities – from skiing and snowmobiling,
snowshoeing, sleigh rides and sledding to hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, fishing, swimming, and golf - alongside the excitement of 24-hour nightclubs, fine dining, gaming and entertainment.
Restaurants in South Lake Tahoe
1. Rubicon Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By TravellingJan - San Carlos, United States
This is the most beautiful trail with gorgeous views of the turquoise water and interesting rocks, etc...We have to do this hike every time we come up to Tahoe. So incredible! And an easy hike too
2. Vikingsholm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 778 reviews
Built as a summer home in 1929, this grand castle on Emerald Bay is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the Western Hemisphere.
Reviewed By 8-drank-was-merry - Naples, United States
Vikingsholm is a Scandinavian styled mansion/castle nestled down in the trees below highway 89, lakefront at the tip of Emerald Bay. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight had it built in 1928/1929 with inspiration of ancient buildings she saw on a trip to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The Mansion is open for tours late May to late September, from 10:30 am - 3:30 pm on the half hour. The tour costs $15 for adults and $12 for students, kids under 7 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center building on the trail just past the mansion/castle. In the center of Emerald Bay there is a small island, currently known as Fannette Island. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight reportedly took guests out to the island for high tea. If you would like to visit the island, you can rent kayaks at the lake shore (for 1 or 2 hours). The tour of the mansion is short, but informative and supports a good cause - renovation and revitalization of the structure. The hike down to the park is gorgeous and it is recommended to make a day long experience in the area. A hike up to Eagle Falls and Lake is wonderful with gorgeous views. Or just relaxing and hanging out around Emerald Bay.
3. Taylor Creek Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 440 reviews
Reviewed By Chowhound1242 - South Lake Tahoe, United States
Wonderful to watch salmon return which brought the bears to feast. Mid Oct hit the trifecti: fall color changes of the Aspens, returning salmon, bear viewing. Rainbow Trail is great for all ages and an easy paved walk.
4. Tallac Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 573 reviews
A Historic Site made up of 3 Estates built between 1894 and 1930. Each Estate has something different and exciting for visitors to do and see! Learn the amazing history of this area in the free museum, then stroll through the former summer homes and gardens of four wealthy gilded-age families. Guided, self-guided, and private tours are available.
Reviewed By Allfunallthetime - Twin Falls, United States
My wife and i used to live in this area so we always like to bring newbies here for some exploring. Parking is easy to find, right off 89. Typically the lot is packed in the summer but not so much in the fall. A short, flat walk towards the beach will get you to the old "estates" which are fun to photograph and peruse. I've never taken the tour not have I ever been inside any of them, but it is doable. Depending on water level, the beach could be very small or nicely large. It is always beautiful though. This part will take you about an hour at most. One thing we like to do is hike from the parking lot towards 89, cross the highway, and head towards Fallen Leaf Lake. The trail starts at 89 where Taylor Creek crosses under. There is a road sign for a Sno-Park where the trail starts. Stay on the dirt road to the right, about a half mile of walking will take you to a small parking area. At this point, go through the cutout in the fence and you are on your way to the lake. The trail pretty much stays next to Taylor Creek most of the way. It is fairly flat and easy to navigate. On this trip we did see a mother bear with her Cubs, so be advised. Great family hike. About 30 minutes at most from Tallac Historical.
5. Pope Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 310 reviews
Wide sandy beach, popular with families.
Reviewed By DIRECTORACE
Best Beach in Lake Tahoe just off hwy 89 before camp Richardson. Go early otherwise you will not get in or have to wait in a long lines of cars. 8.00 entrance fee but worth it for upkeep of this beautiful area. Staff are wonderful people who make this run smoothly every day. Long sandy beach with plenty of shade if needed. Picnic tables and rentals of kayaks, paddle boards, etc. usually a food truck in parking lot as well. Plenty of bathrooms and clean shoreline with exceptionally clear waters. Great for small children and families. Sorry no pets allowed at this beach, you can take them to Baldwin beach further down road if needed.
6. The Gondola at Heavenly
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,336 reviews
Hop aboard an 8-passenger glass cabin and be whisked 2.4 miles up the side of a mountain for breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Riders can hop off at an observation deck, located half way up, for even more spectacular sights.
Reviewed By ginaa117 - Baltimore, United States
Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is just a ride up the mountain and back! There’s so much to do on this journey in the gondola. There’s a map by the area where you pay/enter. Go check it out to see all of what can be done. There are trails, cafes, restaurants, etc. up on the mountain. The ride itself up was great. Stop off at the observation deck which is about 2/3rds the way up. Get off and take some pics. There’s even a cafe there. When done exploring, jump back into the gondola and continue up to the top. There’s more trails, a restaurant, kids jungle gym, and even a roller coaster! Be warned as there was over an hour wait for the coaster (we didn’t pay extra for this & heard another family stating how long the wait was). We did do the extra 900ft up ski lift from the top where the gondola drops you off. Be sure to fill out your waiver even if only doing the gondola ride so that you can have the option of riding the ski lift as well to go to the very top(it’s free with the purchase of the gondola ride). This was a fabulous day activity and you can easily do this with kids. There were some things like the restaurants that were closed for Covid, but they still offered drinks, chips, prepackaged sandwiches, etc. We even saw people that brought their own lunches and sat at one of the picnic tables at the tippy top. This place is like its own town up on the mountain. They did a great job with cleaning things as well. People were spraying the picnic tables and they had clean/dirty signs on them, spraying down each gondola, etc. We didn’t encounter one employee that wasn’t friendly or that didn’t thank us for visiting!!! It’s is worth the money. Such friendly staff and just a great adventurous day full of great views.
7. Mt. Tallac Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Reviewed By j0hnstevens1 - Sacramento, United States
The US Forest Service map says it's 4.7 miles to the top of Mt. Tallac. In fact, it's about 5.7 miles so be prepared. It's a 3000' elevation gain through wooded forest at the lower levels, and across long rugged boulder fields at the higher elevations. The hike is tough, but the views are spectacular...of Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake and the mountains surrounding the Tahoe Basin. The first 2.7 miles takes you to small Cathedral Lake with a trail that's moderately steep and rocky in places. But once you leave Cathedral Lake the trail becomes very steep and rocky. 3/4 of a mile from the flat "saddle" along the Tallac ridge begins a harrowing hike across angular irregular boulders that requires good balance and steady feet. Good hiking boots are a must. At the saddle, the trail turns toward the top of the mountain which is several more hundred feet in elevation and roughly 1.1 miles further to "the post"...a signpost "Mt. Tallac" with an arrow pointing the way to the last .2 mile to the top...but the trail ends 200 yards below the top...you have to scramble over boulders without any trail to ascend to the very top. Check the weather, allow lots of time (some of the trail can be hiked at 25 minutes/mile, other sections may take nearly an hour a mile), and take plenty of water. It's tough by the payoff in views is spectacular.
8. Van Sickle Bi-State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 234 reviews
Reviewed By karls640 - Dallas, United States
Van Sickle is easy to get to and features some beautiful hiking. The entrance is behind the Marriott Vacation Club so you can walk to it from anywhere in town. There's a nice hike up to some quaint falls that will provide breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area. And there's a longer loop hike you can do if want to log more time on the side of the mountain.
9. Lower Eagle Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 298 reviews
Reviewed By 313steveno
What an amazing set of waterfalls, right on the beautiful scenic highway. Easy walk to both waterfalls and well worth it
10. Lakeside Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 155 reviews
Reviewed By 64cathyc
Easy access from our hotel. Very clean, nice sand, well kept up. Lots to see and do from the beach. Great place to put in a kayak.
