An idyllic family getaway up north
By Nora Heston Tarte
Lake Tahoe is a place dreams are made of with crystal clear turquoise waters lapping at the sandy shores and snowcapped Sierra Nevada mountains towering in the background; expansive pine forests stretching for miles from peak to peak filled with dirt trails and backwoods adventures; and fresh powder slopes accessible by gondola and lift. It’s a playground every time of year, catering to families looking for a new place to explore. And while summers here are warm, peak temperatures hover in the 70s and 80s during the hottest time of year.
The simple fact that the landscape is both diverse and extremely different from Arizona makes visiting Lake Tahoe feel like stepping into another world, one where alpine lakes cool sweaty bodies climbing mountain peaks and late evening sunsets are enjoyed with a scoop of locally made ice cream against sunburned faces. Whether you’re coming in shoulder season (between peak and off-season) when the mild weather can sometimes accommodate both beach trips and ski days or waiting for the allure of summer on the lake, you won’t regret a visit to the picturesque high-elevation destination.
Logical Lodging
There are so many adventures to have in Lake Tahoe. Rentable Airbnbs and VRBOs are great for family lodging, especially if you have multiple generations or a gaggle of friends under one roof. However, some prefer to book rooms at the South Lake Tahoe resorts, enjoying amenities like swimming pools, fine dining, arcades and even gambling.
If you go the resort route, we have a few suggestions. Margaritaville screams summer, even in the winter months. This Jimmy Buffet estate owned property is a converted Embassy Suites, so it has all of the charm of the brand with the convenience of an all-suite resort. In addition to multiple dining options—including a poolside snack shack and lobby bar—there is an indoor pool and hot tub. This is also a non-gaming resort just steps from the beach. Fun fact: Margaritaville sits on the California side of the city, but it’s just next to the state line so you can walk from Nevada to California simply by crossing the street.
Across the street, Harvey’s is a more typical Nevada casino experience. Inside, however, foodie kids will get excited about Gordan Ramsay’s famous Hell’s Kitchen restaurant. If you can score a reservation—weekenders should book in advance—head over for dinner and consider stopping by the arcade to burn off some energy. There’s also a Cinnabon and ice cream shop for those packing a sweet tooth.
In summer, more rustic accommodations can be found at Camp Richardson, which recently underwent an extensive remodel.
Outdoor Activities
Pack for full days on the beaches, which we admit can get crowded in peak season, but are surely worth it. These are the days you came to Lake Tahoe for, stretching out on the iconic Sand Harbor beachfront (where a playground caters to the little ones) or stepping out of your front door at Camp Richardson to grab a spot on the small shore, pick up rentals from the nearby shop and grab snacks from The Grove Beach Bar & Grill.
By trekking toward North Lake, you can visit King’s Beach, which is a family favorite with docks you can jump off of when the water is high. Or choose laidback Zephyr Cove, which also happens to be an ideal spot to pick up a boat tour and see Lake Tahoe’s most famous landmarks.
When you’re not swimming, consider hiking. While Tahoe is known for some seriously epic hikes along the Tahoe Rim Trail and some mountain peaks you may want to summit, there are also family friendly treks. Monkey Rock clocks in at 2.6 miles out and back with the main event being a gorilla-shaped rock overlooking the lake (and plenty of boulders to climb for a better view). Connecting the Monkey Rock trailhead (and the Tunnel Creek Café, a rustic, cabin-like environment serving crowd pleasers) to Sand Harbor beach is the Tahoe East Shore Trail, three miles in total along a paved road ideal for biking (and six miles if you walk there and back). If you head toward Incline Village, closer to Reno, you’ll find Chickadee Ridge, a 2.3 mile out and back hike that takes you to an overlook brimming with tiny birds happy to eat from your hands if you packed birdseed, which we highly recommend).
Close to the tunnel in South Lake there’s an entrance point to Cave Rock, a less than one-mile, easy hike most popular at sunset.
While on the lake, don’t skip the water activities. In addition to kayak and paddleboard rentals, you can take a tour with Tahoe Adventure Company, go parasailing right on the lake or even launch from a yacht in a hot air balloon.
Magic Carpet Golf opens seasonally—typically after the snow has melted off—and offers an old-school mini golf experience. With multiple courses to choose from, kids like the colorful creatures including an oversized goldfish and long neck dinosaur. After you play, there’s a snack bar and video game arcade inside.
If you’re staying in South Lake, you’ll certainly spend time around Heavenly Village. The expansive food, shopping and entertainment district is close to the Heavenly Gondola, which offers rides year round and includes ski slope access in the winter and an adventure park in the summer. Here you’ll find award-winning restaurants like Base Camp Pizza, which was recently named the 12th best pizzeria in the nation. You can also shop western wears, find funny socks and fun toys, play mini golf or ice skate depending on the season, harness into giant bungees atop a trampoline or see a show at the local theater.
In the summer, Harvey’s runs a summer concert series that sees many top name headliners in an outdoor amphitheater.
Indoor Activities
If you ever tire of the outside, there are some places to cool off and catch your breath. Tipsy Putt is an indoor golf course that keeps family-friendly hours until 7 or 8 p.m. You can play the course, try a new sport called duffleboard and eat lunch in front of the TV.
We also recommend grabbing some ice cream because what summer vacation is complete without it? The Baked Bear serves ice cream sandwiches made with homemade cookies while Castle Rock Creamery in Stateline (near the state borders) specializes in unique flavors.
Whether you choose to dine indoors or out, restaurants on the water are preferred, and nowhere is more famous than Riva Grill on the Lake. Parents will enjoy the Wet Woodys while kids enjoy the views and easy, shareable fare.
Other family-friendly activities indoors include axe throwing and escape rooms.
Lake Tahoe is undoubtedly the idyllic summer vacation spot. It’s bustling in the summer, but somehow with a laidback allure that never seems to leave the destination, even when it’s overrun with tourists. As one of the most popular places to book a summer stay, many are surprised to experience the California/Nevada bordertown’s ease every time of year.
Nora Heston Tarte is a travel writer and mother to a 10-year-old boy. You can follow her travels and other adventures @wanderlust_n_wine
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