Below
is a list of our favorite things to show friends and family
when they come visit us in Lake Tahoe. Visit our local
links and biz page for various numbers and contacts to
obtain more information about these places.
Emerald
Bay
Home
to Lake Tahoe's only island (Fanette Island) and pristine
turquoise water, Emerald bay is the most popular feature
in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The three mile by one mile bay
is also home to many birds of prey including the Bald
Eagle which is a common site when visiting the bay by
water. The drive to Emerlad Bay from the south shore will
follow 89 north through several hairpin turns offering
amazing views of the lake and bay. Its about a 20 minute
drive from the south shore.
Angora
Lakes
Angora
trail can be accessed off Tahoe Mountain Rd which would
be the only left you could take on Fallen Leaf Lake Rd.
The dirt road climbs up to a fire lookout which is pretty
sweet in itself. Follow the road till it ends at a designated
parking area. Follow the rest of the hikers and bikers
past a series of alpine lakes leading to Upper Angora
Lake. At the upper lake granite peaks form a semi circle
around the back half of the small circular lake creating
what looks like an amphitheater backdrop. This is a favorite
local spot for cliff jumping. Cliff heights range from
10 feet to 70 feet. Many injuries and even deaths have
made jumping prohibited on occasion.
Fallen
Leaf Lake
Fallen
Leaf Lake is a smaller lake to the south west side of
Lake Tahoe. It sits about 90 feet higher than Tahoe and
drains into Tahoe through Taylor Creek. Fallen Leaf Lake
is surrounded by dramatic mountain views and sprawling
meadows. Several movies scenes have been filmed around
Fallen Leaf. The lake is not that wide lending to an amazing
view of the tallest peak in the south shore, MT Tallac.
Great for a ride or mountain bike ride.
Hope
Valley
This
is a great place for easy hiking or taking your dogs for
a long walk. It is about 25 minutes from South Lake Tahoe,
but well worth the drive. The valley is wide open with
aspen and pine trees scattered across sprawling meadows.
The peaks are really steep and and a bit different than
the mountains you see around the lake. This is really
unbelievable in the fall as the aspen change colors. In
the winter you see kiteboarders and kiteskiers taking
advantage of the meadows and the wind. To get there you'll
take 89 south towards Markleeville. 89 with intersect
hwy 88 in the middle of the valley.
Grover
Hot Springs
This
natural hot spring is soooo therapeutic. The 102 degree
run off empties into wading pools for relaxation and is
only $5 for adults. The springs are adjacent to a well
maintained campground with all sorts of fishing and hiking.
Its located in Markleevile which is about 30 minutes from
South Lake Tahoe. Take 89 south and follow signage to
Markleeville. In the center of town bust a right on Hot
Springs Road and keep your eyes peeled for the hot spring
sign.
Zephyr
Cove
No
matter how old you are, hanging out a Zephyr Cove will
make you feel like you are back at spring break. Summer
weekends at Zephyr Cove are...we'll say it, the funnest
thing you could do if you are visiting Tahoe with a group
of friends. Bring a cooler full of adult beverages, its
Nevada and Nevada doesn't have open container laws. Bring
your ID too cause the towel side cocktail service is hard
to resist. Get a Mai Thai, you deserve it.
Sand
Harbor
Located
on the north east side of Tahoe, Sand Harbor is a gorgeous
beach. The beach is divided by a small peninsula with
a walkway winding through it. The walking path offers
access to both sides of Sand Harbor, each side offering
their own kind of experience. One side looks like the
Caribbean only with pine trees instead of palms. The opposite
side of the peninsula is scattered with rock croppings
that you can swim back and forth to. Take 28 off of 50
east towards Incline Village. About 9 miles past the intersection
of 50 and 28 you'll start seeing the side.
Eagle
Falls
Located
adjacent to the 89 turnout for Emerald Bay viewing, Eagle
Falls is an easy access sight via a car. If you get ambitious
hike down to into Emerald Bay where you can really see
the falls dumping all that melting snow into the lake.
Follow eagle falls trail head in the opposite direction
of Emerald Bay to Eagle Lake and Desolation Wilderness.
It's all worth your time and energy.
Tahoe
Keys
The
Tahoe Keys are a maze of finger channels leading to the
lake on the south shore. Driving through the neighborhood
is cool if you like to see some amazing houses. By boat
riding through The Keys is a great time. On busy weekends
its like cruising the strip. BBQ's and other boaters everywhere.
The shallow water in the keys has tons of fish which make
The Keys a prime location for seeing Ospreys and Eagles
hunt for food.
D.L.
Bliss State Park
Just
north of Emerald Bay on 89 is D.L. Bliss offering great
views on the lake from Rubicon Point. From the trails
hikers have visibility of the lake floor up to 100 feet
in depth. That is clarity! From the water boaters will
notice a large rock cropping most likely with other boats
anchored just off shore. The big rock is a common jump
spot. We're not saying jump off the rock, but we have
seen a few first graders do it. The rope swing adjacent
to the jump rock is way dangerous, so if it is still there
definitely avoid.
Top
of the Heavenly Gondola
Skiers
and snowboarders experience one of the best views in skiing
and snowboarding just riding up the Gondola. It truly
is one of the best perspectives of the lake you can get.
If you don't ski or snowboard, or you come in the off
season you can still access the Gondola for scenic rides.
Summit
Village
This
is the neighborhood at the top of Kingsbury Grade. The
only true landmark in the village is Heavenly's Stagecoach
Lodge and Boulder Lodge. The other characteristic we like
about the summit is the awesome views of the Carson Valley.
Sunrises on one side of the summit and sunsets on the
other side. The two lodges located in the village give
access to the NV side of Heavenly which we like much better
on busy days.
Truckee
An
old railroad town on the north shore of Tahoe, Truckee
has preserved much of its old west look. The saloons and
restaurants give you a feeling that Billy The Kid could
turn the corner and pop a cap in you. That is a bit dramatic
but it really is a very unique and fun little old west
town.
The
Godfather Estate
The
"Fleur du Lac" estate is featured in Francis
Ford Coppola's The Godfather Part II. The stone
mansion is not accessible from the land and not open for
tours. The estate, located on the west shore, is easily
seen and approachable by water. If your accompanied by
a local or you are aboard a guided tour you'll see it.
Desolation
Wilderness
Over
130 alpine lakes scattered amongst huge granite peaks
and hundreds of hikeable trails. Several trail heads start
at nearly the lake shore and wind back into thousands
of acres of wilderness. The most popular entry points
are Eagle Falls trail head near Emerald Bay and from Fallen
Leaf Lake Rd. Permits required for parking, so if you
are hiking out to camp, don't build a fire and make sure
to pay the park service drop box.
72
Miles Of Shoreline
Lake
Tahoe has 72 miles of shoreline. Much of this shoreline
rests on a shelf that is no more than 30 feet deep creating
visibility to the lake floor just about everywhere. Our
favorite spot is just outside the north opening to Emerald
Bay. Huge rocks are scattered everywhere on the lake floor
giving the impression that your boat's prop is in trouble.
Rocks that appear 5 feet under the boat are really 20-30
feet below. There are so many great spots like this if
you explore the shoreline a bit.
