10 Budget-friendly Things to do in South Lake Tahoe That You Shouldn't Miss

September 8, 2021 Matilde Konrad

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. Discover Lake Tahoe - Scenic Bus Tours

Excellent
87%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 138 reviews

Discover Lake Tahoe - Scenic Bus Tours

Discover Lake Tahoe offers scenic bus tours of Lake Tahoe and Beyond. We have a weekly schedule Monday - Tour to San Francisco, Tuesday - Around the Lake Tour, Wednesday - Wine Tour, Thursday - Tour to Virginia city, Thursday - Tour to Yosemite We also offer bus charters for all occasions. Weddings, airport transfers, corporate outings, ski shuttle, etc...

2. Tahoe Amore

Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 121 reviews

Tahoe Amore

Venetian Gondola cruises through the Tahoe Keys Marina. Great for date nights, girls night out, families, friends, loved ones marriage proposals, anniversaries, and even just time on the lake!

3. Tahoe Photographic Tours

Excellent
96%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 611 reviews

Tahoe Photographic Tours

Tahoe Photographic Tours is the first and most experienced personalized Scenic Guide and Photographic Service in Lake Tahoe. Our tours concentrate on showing you the very best of Tahoe. We take you to not only must-see Tahoe locations, but off the beaten path as well. We know the best spots, and when to be there. Whether you are a skilled photographer seeking out the most Photographic locations, an aspiring photographer, or just starting out; Tahoe Photographic Tours will help optimize your vacation time. Showcasing some of the best locations, you will see beautiful waterfalls, pristine forests, back country lakes, wildlife, high mountain vistas, and of course Lake Tahoe. Stunning photo opportunities abound. Since our tours are semi-private, we believe in letting you experience Tahoe at your pace. We allow plenty of time at each stop for you to relax and immerse yourself in the beautiful landscape around you and capture memorable images if you desire. From your first contact with us, you can expect excellence in service, photographs you will cherish for a lifetime and down-to-earth Tahoe hospitality.

4. Anderson's Bicycle Rental

645 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150-6502 +1 530-541-0500 [email protected] http://www.andersonsbicyclerental.com/
Excellent
88%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 167 reviews

Anderson's Bicycle Rental

Opening Day April 1st 2021 - BEST OF TAHOE Open April thru November Only bike rental at the BEGINNING of the National Forest bike trail, which is paved, safe and away from traffic! Park and ride directly to the trail from our location, never having to access any busy streets or highways. Through the National Forest, to the best beaches and attractions along the way... even stop and have lunch at the Beacon Bar and Grill, or pick up sandwiches at the General Store, Across the Ice Cream too (Summer) Watch our video on YouTube: Anderson’s Bicycle Rental (Shows all there is to see and do) Maps, Helmets and Locks provided FREE of charge. It’s a GREAT time from the BEST location Family owned and operated since 1978. Hope to see you soon!! Sue, Bailey and Danny Anderson and our wonderful crew!

Reviewed By Parris - San Clemente, United States

We wanted to rent a bike and see some of the areas of South Lake Tahoe. My hubby found Anderson’s Bike Rental on TA. It’s the perfect location to pick up a bike. The only negative is due to Covid the parking is on the street which was no problem since we found a spot easily. The Bikes were nice with a lock included if you wanted to stop and have lunch. This is a very nice family owned and run business. The young lady who set us up with our bikes was very friendly and gave us a map with great ideas of what to see and do. It’s a easy short ride to the path. When you enter the parks on bike there is no fee which saved us quite a bit of money visiting by bike. The path is nice and mostly flat. ( a few ups and downs but easy). We really enjoyed our day riding around and stopping at all the parks. Return was easy. I highly recommend this company.

5. The Loft Theatre

1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150-7068 +1 530-523-8024 http://thelofttahoe.com/
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 168 reviews

The Loft Theatre

The Loft Theatre-Lounge-Dining is South Lake Tahoe, California's only live performance theatre, high-end lounge, and restaurant which offers a full array of exquisite homemade, handcrafted Italian cuisine from award-winning Chef Lisa Devincenzi-Miller, along with a full-bar, and award-winning wines from around the world. Don't miss our strolling close-up magicians during your dining/lounge experience seven nights a week. You may make real-time reservations at here on our website or on OpenTahoe. The Loft Theatre presents Magic Fusion starring Magician of the Year, Tony Clark nightly (show dark Wednesday). Show times are: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday, one show nightly at 7:30p. Saturday and Sunday, two shows nightly at 4:30p and 7:30p. The show is approximately 75 minutes long, and appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $27.95 (+tax/fees). Reserved seating is available here on our website, or in-person starting at 4p daily from our Box Office located at the main ground floor entrance of The Loft in the Heavenly Village Shops, right next door to the Toy Shop, and a few doors down from Starbucks. We highly recommended buying your tickets in advance through our website, as demand for the show is high year-round. Magic Fusion producers Paul Reder and Tony Clark are well-known in the regional entertainment circuit and have produced more than a dozen magic-based shows including the award-winning blockbuster "Illusion Fusion" that was rated Lake Tahoe's No. 1 attraction on both Trip Advisor and Yelp. The Loft Theatre-Lounge-Dining is open seven days a week, from 4pm-2am.

Reviewed By Mariepb138

This is the first review I write in my entire life but I do it because it’s so worth it!!! If you have a chance to spend some time in Lake Tahoe, don’t miss the opportunity to go watch the Magic show. Our show was hosted by Robert Hall and we shared a amazing moment thanks to his talent and professionalism while remaining accessible and so funny! Thank you again to this great man. Forget the clubs or the casino, go to the magic show! A very good invest for couple, family or with friends You’ll thank me later ????

6. Rubicon Trail

D.L. Bliss and Emerald Bay State Parks, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 +1 530-525-7277 http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=505
Excellent
88%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 109 reviews

Rubicon Trail

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

7. Glen Alpine Falls

Glen Alpine Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 34 reviews

Glen Alpine Falls

8. South Lake Brewing Company

1920 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150-6307 +1 530-578-0087 [email protected] http://www.southlakebeer.com
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 27 reviews

South Lake Brewing Company

Reviewed By StorkRN1 - Roseville, United States

I actually went twice! I had to get the flight on a ski my first visit, and then just chose my fave the next time. The large ski flight includes every beer they have on tap! Glad I returned because the second time, the barkeep was much friendlier! Nice, fun ambiance and space!

9. Vikingsholm

Hwy 89 at Emerald Bay State Park, South Lake Tahoe, CA +1 530-583-9911 http://www.vikingsholm.com/
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 778 reviews

Vikingsholm

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.

10. Taylor Creek Visitor Center

Hwy. 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 +1 530-543-2674 https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/Pacific_Southwest/TaylorCreek/index.shtml
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 440 reviews

Taylor Creek Visitor Center

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.

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