Lake Tahoe
A lake 35 km long at 1,897 metres above sea level, straddling California and Nevada, 501 metres deep and so clear that from a kayak you can make out rocks several metres down. Summer is spent on its granite beaches and clifftop trails, winter on the slopes of Heavenly and Palisades Tahoe, which hosted the 1960 Olympic Games.
By PierrickLocal Guide ★8 · 14M+ views on Google MapsBy PierrickLocal Guide ★8 · 14M+ Maps views
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Lake Tahoe · Photo Stephen Leonardi / Pexels
Things to do in Lake Tahoe in 7 days
Day 1
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A narrow emerald bay with Fannette Island, the lake's only island, and Vikingsholm, a 1929 Scandinavian-style mansion reached by a steep 1.6 km path from Route 89.
💡 Park before 9am in summer, as the Route 89 car park is full after that, or take the summer shuttle from South Lake Tahoe. The guided tour of Vikingsholm leaves every half hour from late May to late September, with no booking needed. Price: about $10 for parking, or €9, and $18 for the tour, about €15.
Day 2
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Tahoe's finest lakeshore trail runs 7.2 km above turquoise water from D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay, past the Rubicon Point lighthouse and granite coves for swimming.
💡 Start from D.L. Bliss and arrange your return by the Emerald Bay shuttle or with a second car, or do the round trip to the tip of Rubicon Point, 3 km. Lester Beach at the start is for swimming. Price: $10 per vehicle for entry to D.L. Bliss, about €9.
Day 3
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South Lake Tahoe's ski area straddles California and Nevada, with a gondola from Heavenly Village to an observation deck over the basin, and summer zip line and hiking.
💡 In winter, buy passes online several days ahead, as they cost considerably less than at the ticket window. In summer, go up in the late afternoon for the light on the lake. Price: varies by date and season, book on the resort's official website.
Day 4
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A Nevada beach where rounded granite boulders rise from clear, shallow, Caribbean-coloured water, with a boardwalk, a kayak cove and an open-air Shakespeare festival in July and August.
💡 From 15 May to 30 September, entry by car before 10.30am requires an online reservation on ReserveNevada, with a $5 fee, about €4, except for a same-day booking; after 10.30am, you can enter without a reservation while spaces last. On foot via the Tahoe East Shore Trail, no reservation is required. Spaces go early on summer weekends. Hire a kayak on site to paddle along the boulders. Price: $15 per vehicle not registered in Nevada, about €13.
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A gentle 4.8 km paved path for walkers and cyclists from Incline Village to Sand Harbor, high above granite coves, with steps down to small beaches.
💡 Set off early from Incline Village, as parking spaces are scarce at the start and parking along Route 28 is forbidden. Hire a bike in Incline Village for the round trip, then swim in the coves below. Price: free.
Day 5
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The north-west shore town where the Truckee River leaves the lake, with Fanny Bridge, the Gatekeeper's Museum and lazy summer floats downriver by tube or raft.
💡 Hire a raft in the morning, before the afternoon rush, with the return shuttle included by the rental outfits. Commons Beach hosts free open-air concerts on some summer evenings. Price: walking is free, rafts and bikes are paid for at the rental outfits.
Day 6
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The resort of the 1960 Winter Olympics, known for steep chutes and deep snow, with the Aerial Tram running all year to High Camp and its small Olympic museum.
💡 The resort is part of the Ikon Pass. In summer, ride the Aerial Tram up to High Camp then walk back down via the Shirley Canyon trail if you are sure-footed. Price: varies by date, book on the resort's official website.
Day 7
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A Sierra railway town north of the lake, with the brick and timber facades of Commercial Row and Donner Memorial State Park, which tells the story of the Donner Party.
💡 The Donner Memorial visitor centre and its pioneer monument can be seen in an hour, then swim or paddleboard on Donner Lake. Truckee is often cheaper than the lakeshore for accommodation. Price: town centre free, paid entry to Donner Memorial State Park.
"Book" (hotels) and "via GetYourGuide" (activities) are affiliate links (Booking, GetYourGuide). Prices, times and distances are approximate.
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Good to know before you go
🍽️ Must-try food
Burgers and barbecue
brisket and ribs cooked low and slow, done differently in every state.
Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl
the classic lunch on the San Francisco waterfront.
Mexican food
tacos from a truck in Los Angeles, a Mission burrito in San Francisco.
Pancakes and weekend brunch
a national habit, generous to the point of excess.
Craft beer, and California wine from Napa and Sonoma.
Dishes to look for in the good places: Lake Tahoe.
⚠️ Best avoided
- Tipping is not optional: add 15 to 20% in restaurants and bars.
- Prices on menus and in shops exclude sales tax, which is added at the till.
- Do not plan more than four or five hours of driving a day: the distances are larger than they look on the map.
- Never travel without health insurance. A night in hospital can cost thousands of dollars.
- In summer, do not hike down into the Grand Canyon in the heat of the day: the climb back out is where people get into trouble.
Have you thought of…?
The little details that make all the difference once you're there.
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📄 See the full guide: Lake Tahoe, detailed month-by-month weather, budget, what to avoid and FAQ.