Top Things to do in Lake Tahoe Area
Top Hotels in Lake Tahoe Area
10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Lake Tahoe Area That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Lake Tahoe Area, Lake Tahoe Area including Emerald Bay State Park, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, Sand Harbor, Diamond Peak Ski Resort, Vikingsholm, Inspiration Point Vista, D.L. Bliss State Park, Alpine Meadows, Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum, Thunderbird Lake Tahoe.
Restaurants in Lake Tahoe Area
1. Emerald Bay State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 883 reviews
This spectacular bay in Lake Tahoe is best approached by hiking trails.
Reviewed By Alacrout - Los Angeles, United States
You really can’t go wrong with any part of Lake Tahoe, as the whole thing is surrounded by stunning mountain views. The views can get a little hazy during bad fire seasons, but still a beautiful area. Hard to pick a definitive “best” part of the Lake, but Emerald Bay is certainly up there as one of the best parts. The color of the water lives up to the name of “Emerald.” In the middle of the Bay, there’s a cute little island that is the ONLY island in Lake Tahoe. You can kayak, canoe, or boat to the island (NOT swim) and see the ruins of “Tea House,” where a quirky captain lived in the 1800s. Inspiration Point is a necessary stop on your way through the park—it gives you one of the best views of the entire Bay. Be sure to check out Vikingsholm too! :)
2. Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 228 reviews
A number of areas for visitors along Lake Tahoe, with the most popular being Sand Harbor.
Reviewed By G2055DWpatriciah - Denver, United States
We planned the tour at the beginning of our trip so we would have an idea of where we might want to return. The tour was more fun and informative than we ever imagined. It was literally one of the best parts of our trip! Jim was an amazing guide.
3. Sand Harbor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 757 reviews
Rocky coves and boulders to jump off of are the primary features of this beach.
Reviewed By RevfromCA - Sacramento, United States
This is a beautiful state park well worth the $10 entrance fee along the east shoreline of Lake Tahoe. You can use the entrance fee the same day to visit Cave Rock state park as well which is closer to South Lake Tahoe. The walking paths along the shore of Sand Harbor are very nice and the scenery is excellent. Check out the visitors center as well.
4. Diamond Peak Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
Diamond Peak is a community-owned resort with breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe; miles of welcoming, uncrowded runs; easy access from the parking lot to the slopes; a dedicated Child Ski Center for the littlest skiers and snowboarders; and a great Ski & Ride Center for older skiers/riders. All of this and affordable lift ticket and season pass prices makes Diamond Peak Tahoe’s best value, year after year.
Reviewed By elaineb312 - Salem, United States
We had a great experience with two children ages 6 and 9 and one adult. All had never skied downhill before. Took lessons in the morning and skied the rest of the day for 3 days. Nice choice of slopes. Very well organized parking, check in, and equipment rental.
5. 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.
6. Inspiration Point Vista
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 342 reviews
Look out over Emerald Bay.
Reviewed By MaryLynnD_13 - Laguna Vista, United States
Breathtaking scenery! Don’t miss it. Be careful driving up the winding road. Not a lot of guardrails!
7. D.L. Bliss State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
This state park in the Lake Tahoe region features one of the finest beaches in the area and several popular hiking trails.
Reviewed By JillClardy - Redwood City, United States
We did not camp here, but visited Lester Beach, and were glad that we arrived before 11:00 a.m. because they stopped letting people in once the parking lot was full. This was the most beautiful of the north and west coast Lake Tahoe beaches that we visited, with clean, fine white sand, a fairly sheltered cove, shallow clear water, clean restrooms and convenient parking lot. It was well worth the $10 per car day use fee!
8. Alpine Meadows
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
Intermediate and advanced skiers and riders will most enjoy this resort, known for its especially long season.
Reviewed By Kaydfw888 - Dallas, United States
Beautiful ski area. Designed for the more advanced skier - lots of blues and black runs. Only 2-3 green runs. This is not a large resort - much smaller than neighboring Squaw Valley but really nice. We enjoyed our day here a lot. Great views of Lake Tahoe from the top of the Lakeview lift.
9. Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 595 reviews
This museum documents the fascinating and tragic history of the Donner Party's journey to the west coast.
Reviewed By librarianlorraine - Riverside, United States
First, avoid the $10 parking lot charge by parking along the street if you can. The museum is well worth a stop, as it gives a good overview of what the emigrants faced on their trip west. There is a 26-minute film, and there are well maintained walking trails.
10. Thunderbird Lake Tahoe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Thunderbird Lodge Nat'l Historic Site. Peek into Lake Tahoe's past with tours of this historic estate built by the eccentric Capt. George Whittell Jr. See the 600-foot tunnel, animal pens, the Castle-in-the-Sky, and the incomparable THUNDERBIRD yacht: 55' of waterborne elegance powered by twin WWII fighter aircraft engines and capable of speeds of up to 70mph.
