Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite things to do and see while traveling in Lake Tahoe, California. Located on the border of the states of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is without question one of the best places to visit with your family if you are into swimming, hiking, skiing, or just about anything else outdoors. Besides having fun outside, this gorgeous area of the world also provides you with plenty of different opportunities for shopping at world-class boutiques, eating at gourmet restaurants, and so on. There are dozens of small towns, even alpine villages, that sit nestled on the banks of Lake Tahoe. Traditional log cabins can be found tucked away behind the pine trees that travelers can rent or you have countless hotel options as well. As a result of all of these wonderful experiences, any trip to Lake Tahoe is bound to forge wonderful memories. If you are thinking that you want to head out west, the following are the five best things for you and your family to experience while there:
Head To Emerald Bay State Park
Emerald Bay State Park is home to numerous different attractions, including Fannette Island, which is the only island located in Lake Tahoe. There is also the heavily Scandinavian influenced mansion Vikingsholm that is also incredibly cheap to explore. Finally, there is the Emerald Bay Hiking Trail, which drops five hundred feet in elevation.
Ski At Squaw Resort
The Lake Tahoe area is also well known for its numerous high quality ski resorts and one of the best is the Squaw Ski Resort, which is located just ten miles north of Tahoe City. If your family is really into skiing, this is one ski resort that you will absolutely not want to miss, because it is considered to be one of the best ski resorts in the entire world (it was also chosen to host the 1960 Winter Olympics).
With a variety of different skiing trails resting on over four thousand acres of excellent terrain, the Squaw Ski Resort is a perfect choice for beginner, intermediate, and expert skiers alike. Each skiing trail is actually specifically rated for different levels, so you can quickly discriminate between which trails will be good for you.
Swim At King’s Beach
If you want to go swimming in the lake during the hot summer months, the best place to go will be King’s Beach. This is a thirteen acre park that is located on the northern shore of the lake, and is home to the largest beaches in the Sierra Nevada area.
You can do everything at King’s Beach from swimming to boating to jet skiing to sunbathing and so on. The only real downside to King’s Beach is the fact that it is enormously popular with both tourists and locals alike, so it can often be a pain to find a parking spot. The best advice will be to arrive earlier before everyone else.
Visit The Donner Memorial State Park And Emigrant Trail Museum
If you are interested in learning more about the history of the Sierra Nevada area, you will want to take your family to the Emigrant Trail Museum, where you will find numerous exhibits and dioramas depicting the history and development of the area.
You can also visit the Donner Memorial State Park, which honors the infamous Donner Party exhibition who, in the late 1840s, traveled through the Sierra Nevada region, but faced a frigid winter and tragically had to resort to cannibalism over the deceased in order to survive.
Relax At D.L. Bliss State Park
The nearly seven hundred and fifty acre D.L. Bliss State Park contains some of the most breathtaking and scenic vistas in the entire Sierra Nevada region. There are a countless number of beaches, campsites, and hiking trails here.
Two of the most notable qualities of the D.L. Bliss State Park are the fact that the deepest area of Lake Tahoe is located in the park and the two hundred and fifty thousand pound Balancing Rock (a massive boulder that balances over granite).
Explore Lake Tahoe
There are a lot of things to do and see in Lake Tahoe and it definitely is one of the best outdoor family destinations on the western side of the United States in general. From fancy resorts to skiing to hiking to swimming to boating and so on, your trip to Lake Tahoe is almost guaranteed to be an adventure of a lifetime!
Please keep in mind that traveling in this moment remains uncertain, thus always make sure your safety and the safety of others is your #1 priority. If you are indeed comfortable with traveling, ensure you travel responsibly and within regulation. You travel at your own risk.
Here are some recommendations should you travel:
- Wear a face mask.
- Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands on a regular basis.
- Check official websites before your trip for the latest updates on policies, closures, and status of local businesses. Be aware you might have to self-quarantine upon arrival.
- Book a hotel with free cancellation in case you need to change your plans at the last minute.
- Be patient and calm. Remember we are all trying to do our best and are in this together.
Through it all, you will get to experience truly fantastic scenery and panoramic vistas of crystal blue lakes and tall forested mountains visible in all directions. Regardless of whether you plan on visiting during the summer or winter, Lake Tahoe has it all.
