Summer days are in full swing in Tahoe. Sunny SUP adventures on Lake Tahoe, exhilarating downhill mountain bike rides, shady forest hikes, and slow Tahoe City strolls are all waiting for you. A rewarding cool off is the best way to cap off a day of summer fun. Whether you’re hiking, biking, or shopping ‘til you drop, we’ve got some great ideas!
Bike and Swim Lake Tahoe’s East Shore
Incline Village is home to one of the most scenic bike rides in the nation – dubbed “America’s Most Beautiful Bikeway”. Don’t have your own wheels? Rent a bike (or try an ebike) for your cruise down the 3-mile paved trail. Flume Trail Tahoe offers rentals right behind the Tunnel Creek Cafe, so you can grab a coffee before your cruise. Flume Trail Tahoe also offers mountain bike rentals and shuttles in case you want to add some downhill riding on the Flume Trail to your day of biking.
The picturesque Tahoe East Shore Trail hugs the east shore of Lake Tahoe from Incline Village to Sand Harbor. Once you get to the state park, it’s time to kick back and enjoy the water and views. Cool off in the crystal-clear water, walk the long sandy beach, or enjoy snacks at one of the picnic tables nestled under the shade of cedars and Jeffrey pines.
Hike, Dip, and a View
A fun and scenic hike in the Olympic Valley is a great way to take advantage of summer’s beautiful weather. The Shirley Canyon trail offers a mix of shaded forest and open sky sections, with plenty of cool spots to take a break. If you’re hiking with the whole family – including your furry 4-legged friend – you can opt for a short hike along Shirley Creek. Stroll along to pick the best shady spot to kick off your shoes and dip your feet in the refreshing water.
If you really want to break a sweat and gain some elevation, we recommend tackling the challenging 3-mile hike up to Shirley Lake. Be sure to bring lots of water and snacks for the trek. At the lake, dip your toes in the water or dive right in for a refreshing break. Next up, you can push through the final two miles to reach High Camp. Once there, toast your hike with a cold beverage before riding the scenic tram back down to the village, enjoying spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierras along the way.
Tahoe City Cool
With lots of shopping, restaurants, and beautiful views, Tahoe City is a great basecamp for a summer day and offers lots of ways to cool down. Take a refreshing dip in Lake Tahoe at Commons Beach, after a picturesque stroll along Tahoe City’s lakeside trail. Hop on a cruiser bike for a ride along the peaceful and paved Truckee River Bike Trail. Head indoors to beat the heat at the Tahoe Art Haus for an afternoon or evening showing of the latest movie. Or, with an ice cream cone in hand, find a shady spot to simply kick back, relax, and take in the lake view.
July in Tahoe means long sunny days stretched out before you in the ultimate summer playground. Whether you’re visiting for a family summer vacation, a fun-filled friend weekend, or just escaping solo, there’s no shortage of things to do. Race downhill on a mountain bike, SUP on Lake Tahoe, stroll and shop in Tahoe City, or just enjoy the view from your deck, summer here is simply the best! We’ve put together our idea of the “Perfect Tahoe Summer Day” – from morning until night.
Hello Sunshine
Good morning! First things first, breakfast! Whether that means a morning cup of joe with a view on the deck of your vacation rental, a quick caffeine and pastry run to Tree House Cafe in Kings Beach or a visit to Sugar Pine Cakery & Cafe with a pitstop for some morning lake views from Skylandia Park, or a long leisurely breakfast at Fire Sign Café, let your stomach be your guide.
Dive into Fun
Let’s head to Kings Beach and get out on the water! Rent a kayak or paddleboard from Adrift Tahoe and spend a few hours exploring Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters. Stop at a beach, practice some SUP yoga, and enjoy the sun. Or, for those looking for more of a thrill, North Tahoe Water Sports offers parasailing. You’ll get a unique and memorable bird’s eye view of the lake and the beautiful Sierras.
If biking is more your speed, Northstar California has miles of single track, cross-country, and downhill trails. You can rent bikes and gear on-mountain, plus you can take lessons if you’re new to the sport. Whether you take a leisurely bike ride through the beautiful surrounding forest or if you get your adrenaline pumping through the downhill course full of technical descents and jumps, it will be a day well spent.
Hungry after all that biking? Head to the Village at Northstar to grab some food and a well-deserved cold beverage at one of the many restaurant options or add another activity to the day with some roller skating in their 9,000 square foot rink.
Relax and Unwind (or Add One More Adventure)
As the shadows get longer and the day starts to wind down, maybe you’ll choose a leisurely stroll or bike ride? Cruise along the lake or the slow-moving Truckee River on Tahoe City’s Multi-Use Trail System, offering miles and miles of fun. End the evening with some food and a drink with a view at Jake’s on the Lake as the sun goes down.
Or, why not take in the beautiful sunset from the middle of Lake Tahoe? Take a Tahoe Adventure Company Sunset Kayak Tour or join an other-worldly Kayak Star Tour where you’ll meet up with award-winning astronomer Tony Berendsen at a viewing spot to learn about the night sky. What a perfect way to end a summer Tahoe day!
We might be biased, but we think Tahoe is the ultimate summer destination! This time of year means endless adventures under the summer sun – from mountain biking and hiking our beautiful trails to SUP and kayaking explorations on Lake Tahoe. But beyond the natural beauty and fantastic activities, summer brings an exciting lineup of live outdoor entertainment. Read on for some of our favorite music and theater offerings.
Music by the Lake
As anyone that’s spent time in Tahoe in the summer will tell you, Sundays mean free music lakeside at Commons Beach. Tahoe City is host to one of our favorite parts of summer – the 12-week Concerts at Commons Beach concert series happening every Sunday afternoon from June 16 through September 8. Check out the amazing lineup and then mark your calendar. When Sunday arrives, all you need to do is bring your beach chairs and then sit back and enjoy the show.
Sand between your toes and live music make for the perfect combination to end a summer week in Tahoe. Every Friday night, June 14 through August 30th, head to Kings Beach for their free weekly Music on the Beach series. We recommend that you spend at least one Friday night watching the sun setting over Lake Tahoe with free live music providing the soundtrack.
Make Mountain Music Memories
The lake isn’t the only spot to be in the summer time, the mountains bring the music, too! Palisades Tahoe, which opens for summer operations on June 7th, has a couple summer music series of its own. From June 18th to August 27th, make your way to the mountains for the Bluesdays concert series every Tuesday evening. Bring your dancing shoes and low back chair for a night of free music capped off with dinner at one of the village restaurants.
After a Friday of hiking Shirley Canyon, get ready for an amazing après-hike scene. The Sunsets Live Music Series runs every summer Friday in July and August in the Village at Palisades Tahoe.
Lakeside Theater
For the ultimate summer lakeside entertainment, get your tickets to one of the amazing Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival performances on Lake Tahoe! This summer see the battle of the sexes play out in Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. Or, bring the whole family to one of the free one-hour Young Shakespeare program performances.
The Sand Harbor lakeside venue also hosts an exciting Showcase Series that sells out quickly. The 2024 lineup features evenings with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, the Sierra Nevada Ballet and other fantastic nights of music. Here’s to another spectacular summer in Tahoe!
The sunny weather has arrived and this beautiful time of year makes getting outside extra exhilarating. One of our favorite activities to take advantage of warm weather is stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Lake Tahoe is an idyllic setting for both beginners and experienced paddlers with its crystal-clear water and the views of the surrounding Sierras. We’ve put together some local spots to rent or buy a SUP, where to get out on the lake, and where to unwind après-paddle with views of Lake Tahoe. Let’s dive in!
Get your SUP
It probably won’t come as a surprise that Tahoe has plenty of spots to rent or buy SUP gear for a day on Lake Tahoe. Kings Beach’s Adrift Tahoe is “Tahoe’s Original Surf Shop” with a curated selection of SUP boards for rent or purchase plus all the gear and sun protection you need. Another stop in Kings Beach is Wild Society which is the first clear SUP rental company in the area and offers exciting guided SUP adventures.
Heading out on the water along the West Shore? Tahoe City Kayak & Paddleboard has you covered with rentals, retail and (calling all beginners!) lessons. If your crew needs to grab some boards and hit the lake, Willard’s Sport Shop offers SUP rentals including paddles, life jackets & whistles. With three locations along the west shore – Homewood, Sunnyside & Sugar Pine Point State Park – West Shore Sports offers rentals and retail to get you out on the water.
Time to Paddle!
Now that you’re all set up it’s time to get out on the water! While there are countless spots to launch your SUP, did you know that there are SUP “trailheads” on Lake Tahoe? The Lake Tahoe Water Trail is a 72-mile route with public launch and landing sites. One especially beautiful launch spot is Sugar Pine Point State Park. You can SUP and then relax on the beach or head out on the miles of hiking and nature trails.
Ready for something new? Try SUP Yoga! If you have a group of friends that want to give it a try, call Tahoe Adventure Company for a custom SUP tour and SUP yoga lesson. When summer arrives, Mountain Lotus Yoga in Tahoe City offers SUP Yoga 7 mornings a week. Along Lake Tahoe’s north shore, Tahoe Waterman offers SUP Yoga classes in Carnelian Bay.
Après SUP
After a day of paddling, you might be ready head back to your vacation rental with a view. Or, maybe you want to make a stop for an après beverage by the water? Some lakeside warm-weather après spots we love are grabbing a drink on Sunnyside’s fantastic deck or ending the day with a Chambers Punch at Lake Tahoe’s oldest bar, Chambers Landing. If you want to relax with the sound of running water, après at a riverside deck. River Grill in Tahoe City has fantastic outdoor seating and live music or lounge by the Truckee River at River Ranch Lodge.
The days are getting longer, the snow is starting to melt, and we are all dusting off our spring gear. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to put away the ski gear! It just means you have more outdoor options when spring arrives in Tahoe. While the skiers and snowboarders make slushy turns in the sun, the trails are being revealed and the lake is ready for fun. From skiing to hiking to kicking back in the sun, spring means fun in Tahoe!
Spring Skiing & More
In case you didn’t know, Palisades Tahoe is the “Spring Skiing Capital”! Fast morning groomers give way to slushy snow mid-day and you’ll see goggle tans and smiles all around. From Alpine Bowl to Sun Bowl and down to the lively village below, this resort knows how to do spring skiing right. From there, it’s just a leisurely bike ride along the Truckee River to Lake Tahoe where you can end your day with a sunset view from Commons Beach.
Or, if you want to get your two sports as close as possible, head to “where the mountains meet the lake”! Not only does Homewood offer great skiing, but it is just 280 steps from lift-to-lake. After a day of skiing with unparalleled views of Lake Tahoe, take the short stroll to Lake Tahoe for some SUP boarding or kayaking. After your two-sport day, make your way to Sunnyside and kick back for drink on the lake’s biggest deck!
Another option is to squeeze in two winter sports in one day before the season ends. Spend the first half of the day skiing at Northstar, then stop at 2:00pm to grab a free glass of champagne and enjoy a Tōst with a view, before making your way to the village for some ice skating with the whole family. Finish off your dual day with some live music and s’mores around one of the rink-side firepits.
Sail on Lake Tahoe
As the temps get higher and May arrives, make plans to get a different view of this beautiful area. For locals and visitors alike, nothing beats getting out in the middle of Lake Tahoe on a beautiful spring day. With multiple departures from Tahoe City each day, Tahoe Sailing Charters offers an exhilarating way to take in the breathtaking views of North Lake Tahoe from the middle of the lake on a 50’ sailboat. Book a calm and serene morning cruise, an afternoon cruise with the sun high overhead or a sunset cruise to watch the alpenglow over the mountains with a drink in hand.
Lakeside Dining
If you want to skip all of the sports and just enjoy some food, North Lake Tahoe has you covered. From Californian and Hawaiian flavors at Jake’s on the Lake to mouthwatering BBQ at Moe’s Original BBQ to the iconic Gar Woods to an evening of fine dining at Lone Eagle Grille, all of these restaurants shine once the warm weather hits with their delicious food, outdoor dining and epic views of the lake. Enjoy!
March in North Lake Tahoe offers a unique blend of winter with the first hints of spring, creating an ideal backdrop for snowy family fun. Our area has lots of activities for the entire family, especially when the snow flies. From learning how to snowshoe to drinking hot cocoa by a crackling fire to speeding down the slopes (on skis or a sled) together, you’ll be making lasting memories with lots of smiles and laughter. All that outdoor fun usually works up an appetite, so whether you’re ready for some lakeside dining, grab and go meals or a family-friendly outdoor table, Tahoe has the spot for you. Read on for our list of family activities and meals to fuel you along the way.
Skiing & Eats at Alpine Meadows
If you run out of time to feed everyone before you head out the door for a day of skiing on the Alpine Meadows side of Palisades Tahoe, we’ve got you covered! On your way up Alpine Meadows Road make a quick pit stop at The Crest Café for some coffee and breakfast burritos to go or sit down and enjoy fluffy pancakes and waffles. If you’re hungry after a morning of powder turns, our favorite family-friendly spot for lunch is The Chalet. After a lap on Yellow Chair, grab an outdoor picnic table and delicious Bavarian-style lunch. Enjoy the sun slopeside with giant pretzels, Bratwurst and a cinnamon roll for dessert.
Family Sledding & Hot Cocoa at Granlibakken
Did you know Granlibakken has some seriously amazing sledding? While Tahoe is known for some great sledding spots, Granlibakken’s sled hill takes the cake. With perfectly groomed snow, two slopes to choose from (green for young kids & black for teens), and a helpful staff, you’ll all have a fantastic time. Book a 90-minute session for the whole crew – sledding saucer rental is included – get bundled up and hit the slopes. After your sledding session, head into Cedar House Pub for a cozy dinner or kick back with a hot chocolate or a beer next to the wood-burning fireplace at Rusty’s, with views of the ski and sledding areas.
The Perfect Family Après Does Exist
After a day of skiing at Northstar, maybe you aren’t ready for the winter action to end? The perfect spot to make memories and keep the outdoor fun going is in the Village at Northstar. From gathering around firepits to grabbing pizza to playing with the kids at the family snow play zones to ice skating under the lights, there is lots of après fun to be had. If you’d like to kick back while the kids speed around on the ice, you can do it right next to the rink on a comfy couch in a cabana with an après drink in hand. Looking for some more adventure as the sun goes down? Book tickets for a sunset Mountain Family Dinner, complete with a gondola ride, live music, kid’s indoor activities and a chef-prepared dinner followed by a movie and popcorn.
February in Tahoe means powder turns, après ski fun and cozy fireplaces. The mountains are covered in snow and the winter season is in full swing. Whether you’re relaxing with a good book as the snow falls outside or hitting jumps in the park or breaking a sweat on a cross-country trail, this time of year is full of snowy adventures. With Valentine’s Day in the middle of the month, it’s also the perfect month to indulge in some sweet treats. From pastries before first chair to dessert at your favorite restaurant, we’ve got the cure for your February sweet tooth.
Sunrise Sweets in Tahoe City
If you’re headed out early for an outdoor Tahoe adventure, why not sweeten up your morning? Tahoe City has you covered with two delicious options. The Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet has been a morning tradition since 1977. With everything baked right in house, you’ll have your pick of chocolate croissants, muffins, apple strudel and more, plus your favorite caffeinated hot beverage. Or, make a morning pitstop at locally-owned Sugar Pine Cakery & Cafe. Get there early because their fresh baked pastry offerings are limited and delicious…and don’t forget to add a breakfast burrito or veggie frittata to your order.
Midday Goodies at Palisades Tahoe
After a morning of carving turns at Palisades Tahoe, it’s time to fuel up with some lunch. The perfect sweet ending to any lunch (or breakfast or really any time of day) is waiting for you at Wildflour Baking Company. Everything they make is delicious, but don’t leave without trying at least one of their heavenly chocolate chip cookies. OR, if you want to keep things cold, swing into Euro Sweets for a gelato or frozen yogurt.
Après Ski at Northstar
Maybe you want to drink your dessert instead? There’s no better way then a free glass of sparkling wine (or apple cider) at Northstar Ski Resort’s daily Tōst. Get in line at 1:30pm and then by 2:00 you’ll be kicked back on the snow enjoying the view and your free glass of bubbly. Or, if you want to ski all day, just make your way to the village for a tasty glass of wine next to the outdoor fire pit at Petra Wine Bar. Cheers to February!
Evening Indulgences along the West Shore
Something sweet after dinner might just be the perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth. Tahoe City Chocolates has a huge selection of handmade chocolates and other sweet treats. Or, if you’re going out to eat, might we suggest ending your meal with the Sticky Toffee Pudding at Sunnyside or try the Dark Chocolate Truffle Medallions at Spoon or head down to Tahoma’s The Dog and Bear to end the night with a glass of red wine and their Salted Caramel Panna Cotta and Oysters!
The most wonderful time of the year is almost here for Tahoe music lovers…Winter Wondergrass Tahoe! This year marks the eighth annual WinterWonderGrass Tahoe festival at Palisades Tahoe. The tunes and brews will be flowing April 5-7th.
If you haven’t been to this festival yet, this is the year to do it. With delicious beverages to sample, world renowned music acts and amazing views of the stunning tram face at Palisades Tahoe, you’ll be glad you made plans to attend. Just be sure to dress for the weather at this outdoor event.
Fun Fact: This festival was created when the founders realized there were great beer festivals with bad music and amazing music festivals with bad beer…so they fixed that problem and created a 3-day event full of delicious beer and amazing tunes!
Who’s Coming to Tahoe this Year?
This year’s headliners are Sierra Ferrell, The Devil Makes Three, The Infamous Stringdusters and Paul Cauthen, along with a full slate of fantastic bluegrass, jamgrass, Americana and roots-music performers. The performers will be playing on the main stage plus don’t miss the heated tent side stages or additional concerts like the “Grass After Dark” concerts, the free “Pickin’ in the Plaza” concerts in the Village at Palisades Tahoe and on-the-snow jams on both Saturday and Sunday.
Three-day festival passes include complimentary beer, spirits, wine and spiked-seltzer tastings from independent, local brewers, daily from 2 to 5 p.m. and a complimentary commemorative WinterWonderGrass mug.
Don’t forget to bring the kiddos along if you’d like as this is a family-friendly event. Children and their parents are welcome to enjoy activities at the Kids Zone and, of course, dance along to the music!
Support for the Tahoe Community
The WinterWonderGrass team works closely with and supports local nonprofits. For their Tahoe festival, those two nonprofits are the McConkey Foundation (that supports epic causes that protect kids, wildlife, and our planet) and the Tahoe Food Hub (that provides access to sustainably grown food from small family farms within 150-miles of North Lake Tahoe). A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to each organization.
Sustainability Efforts
WinterWonderGrass is happy to celebrate a 70% diversion rate away from landfills at last year’s concerts. They partner with Minimal Impact, a sustainable lifestyle company, to take all the possible steps they can to reduce the environmental impact at Palisades Tahoe. Plus, the festival supplies reusable cups and bans single-use plastics. Do your part and keep Tahoe beautiful for generations to come.
See you at this year’s WinterWondergrass Tahoe festival!
While skiing and snowboarding take center stage when the snow starts to fall, there are still plenty of other exhilarating ways to enjoy time in the outdoors this winter. From the serene crunch of snowshoes underfoot to the rhythmic glide of cross-country skis along our miles of groomed trails to gliding across the ice with the whole family, Tahoe offers exciting options beyond our ski resort’s slopes. It’s time to book your visit to enjoy Tahoe’s winter wonderland!
Look to the Lake for Winter Fun
While there are lots of great trails to snowshoe, one of our favorite spots is on the snowy beaches of Lake Tahoe. From Commons Beach in Tahoe City to Sand Harbor State Park in Incline Village, the lake makes a gorgeous backdrop for any snowy stroll. Or, head off on the trails for a snowshoe to Spooner Lake on their maintained trails in Spooner Meadow and up to Marlette Lake. This area is great for beginners, so feel free to bring the whole family. Or, if you’d like to let someone else make the plans, book a guided snowshoe tour (including sunset and full moon tours) with Tahoe Adventure Company.
Glide Through Nature
Next up on our list is Nordic Skiing. With Cross Country ski centers sprinkled throughout North Lake Tahoe, you won’t have to travel far to get out on the snow. From Tahoe XC to Royal Gorge to the trails around Northstar and through the Tahoe City Winter Sports Park, you’ll have plenty of groomed trails to choose from with sweeping winter vistas along the way. Whether you’re a beginner picking up a new sport or an expert wanting to experience Tahoe’s finest trails, you’ll love Tahoe’s pristine winter beauty and miles of trails.
Ice Skating with the Whole Family
For some family-friendly winter fun, make your way to one of Tahoe’s ice skating rinks. Whether you’re taking the little ones for their first time or your family are all seasoned skaters, Tahoe’s outdoor rinks offer the perfect snow-covered backdrop. Take a spin at the Tahoe City Winter Sports Park’s ice rink, where you can find skate rentals for the whole family, and afterwards head inside to warm up and grab a bite at Café Zenon. Over in the Village at Northstar, their 9,000 square foot ice rink might just be our favorite. With ice skating in the heart of the village surrounded by firepits where you can enjoy your favorite après ski beverage, this might just be the perfect spot to end a winter’s day.
Looking for an Indoor Adventure
Maybe “the weather outside is frightful” and you’re looking for something to do inside? The Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema is the perfect spot. With gourmet popcorn along with beer and wine available for purchase, you’ll be sure to enjoy your movie showing of the newest ski film or Hollywood blockbuster.
The fall colors and sunny days are here in North Lake Tahoe and we’re enjoying the last of our beautiful autumn weather. But, as the nights get colder and our fireplaces blaze, we can’t help but get excited for this month’s ski resort openings. As the first dustings of snow hit the mountain tops, we start to dream about powder turns, lodge lunch breaks and après beers with friends because winter is almost here! Whether you’re a seasoned 100+ days per season skier or you’ve decided this is the season to learn, get excited because the 23/24 ski season in North Lake Tahoe kicks off this month.
Blackjack to Black Diamonds
Towering over Reno, Nevada on one side and Lake Tahoe on the other, Mt. Rose Ski Resort’s summit elevation at 9,700 feet means it gets the first snow each year. Make plans to drive the Mt. Rose Highway and take in the views along the way. With a November 9th opening date, you’ll be making turns across their 1,200 acres before you know it. If you’re looking for an après ski destination, Incline Village has some great options for you from fine dining to breweries.
Nevada’s other North Tahoe resort sits above Incline Village and is known for its small resort charm and epic Lake Tahoe views. If you haven’t skied here yet, this is the year to make some turns at community-owned and affordable Diamond Peak. Their opening date, weather depending, is set for December 7th.
California Powder Cruisin’
Over on the California side of the lake, ski resorts are ramping up for another snowy ski season. Nestled between Truckee and the shores of North Lake Tahoe, Northstar California has announced a November 17th start to their season, as long as the weather cooperates. Recently, Northstar was named the “premier family destination” by Travel + Leisure magazine. So, make plans to bring the whole family to enjoy this family-friendly winter wonderland. In other news, the new My Epic app means that your phone becomes your lift ticket so be sure to download the app before your day of skiing at Northstar.
Next up is Palisades Tahoe who has announced an expected opening date of November 22nd, as long as the snowfall and conditions cooperate. Whether you’re excited to make some turns or just want to take in the views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains with a scenic winter aerial tram ride to High Camp, Palisades Tahoe is the place to be. If you haven’t already gotten the chance to ride it, the Base to Base gondola between Alpine Lodge and the Village at Palisades Tahoe offers 6,000 skiable acres to explore…making it the largest ski resort in California!