It’s June which means it’s time for lazy days on the shores of the lake, e-biking down the east shore, hiking Tahoe’s gorgeous trails, tubing down the Truckee River, leisurely afternoons of shopping and late evening sunsets lighting the sky with alpenglow. There is nothing like summer in Tahoe and it’s finally here. Not only does our area offer endless outdoor adventures but it also transforms into a vibrant hub of summer events. Have you made your vacation rental reservations yet? If not, you’ll want to keep summer events in mind when you plan your trip to Tahoe. We’ve put together a sampling of some of our favorites.
Calling all Music Lovers
Concerts at Commons Beach: What says summer more than Tahoe City’s weekly Sunday evening event? Bring your chair, the whole family and your cooler stocked with food and drinks, then kick back and enjoy the tunes and lake views.
Bluesdays Concerts: Summer Tuesdays in the Olympic Valley mean Bluesdays in The Village at Palisades Tahoe. Mark your calendar for this fun, free and family-friendly concert series. Come early to shop and eat or even do some hiking before the music starts.
Tahoe’s Summer Cultural Events
Photo: The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival [/caption]
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival: This year’s summer lineup on the lakefront stage includes the Little Shop of Horrors, Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, Young Shakespeare putting on As You Like It, Sierra Nevada Ballet and more. Check out the calendar and get your tickets soon. Watch the moon rise over Lake Tahoe and enjoy an evening of entertainment.
Lake Tahoe Dance Festival: This 11th annual July event includes outdoor dance performances throughout North Lake Tahoe. From a sunset performance including hour d’oeuvres and drinks in Incline Village to a bring-your-own-chair dance performance at Truckee’s West End Beach to the Opening Night Gala in Tahoe City, you’ll be wowed by talented dancers performing with gorgeous Tahoe views all around.
Something for Foodies
Photo: Tahoe City Food & Wine Classic[/caption]
Tahoe City Food and Wine Classic – On June 10th check in at Boatworks Mall or the Siren Arts Building between 12:30 and 3:00pm to receive your glass, wristband and, most importantly, your map of all of the pouring stations. Enjoy a delicious afternoon of fine wine and fun.
Looking for fresh ingredients to cook a summer feast? The Tahoe City Farmers Market has already kicked off for the season. Catch it until October 19th on Thursdays at Commons Beach. Over in Truckee, buy your food at both the Truckee Certified Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays and the Truckee Saturday Farmers Market.
It’s February in Tahoe which means both snowflakes and romance are in the air. With Valentine’s Day coming up and snowy days in the forecast, there will be lots of opportunities to cozy up with your sweetie. From spa treatments for two to powder-filled ski dates to dinner by the shores of Lake Tahoe, we’ve got lots of ways to turn up the romance. Whether you’re a Tahoe local looking for date ideas or a visitor coming up for a couple days with your love, we’ve put together a list of some of our area’s best winter date ideas.
Powder Turns for 2
Photo: Palisades Tahoe
Tahoe’s ski resorts are sprinkled with 2-seater chairlifts which are a perfect addition to a skiing date day. But, when the snow piles up, we recommend making your way to Alpine Meadows for some romantic powder turns. With tree turns on your mind and your date at your side, point your skis to the Alpine Bowl chairlift. The two-seater accesses some steep and very fun powder terrain and lets you cozy up in between runs. After some morning laps the snow will start to get tracked up which means its time to ski over to Yellow Chair. This cozy chair has been known to hide some untracked powder stashes well into the ski day. End your ski date day with après at The Crest Café. Enjoy a couple well-earned beers with views of the Truckee River.
Spa Day with your Valentine
After a day of skiing on the mountain, nothing feels better than a professional massage. One of our favorite spots to both ski and get a massage is at Northstar California. After a day of turns with your sweetheart and a free champagne Tōst (every day at 2:00pm) with a view, book a massage slope side at the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe spa. With winter friendly highlights like cozy fireplaces in the relaxation areas, a eucalyptus steam room and a heated outdoor lap pool with views of the ski resort, you’ll be sure to have a spa experience to remember. Call today to book your February appointment for their signature “Tranquility for Two” couples massage.
Romantic Lakeside Dinner Spots
There are lots of outdoor and active date options in Tahoe, but sometimes it makes sense to stick with the classic – a dinner date. But not just any dinner date, a table for two with a view of Lake Tahoe. Make your way to Tahoe City for a trio of our favorite lakefront restaurants. For a memorable fine dining experience with views of the moon rising over the lake, make reservations at Christy Hill. For mouthwatering Alabama-style BBQ paired with live music, choose Moe’s Original BBQ. Or, for a great Happy Hour with some Hawaiian-themed specialties on the menu, Jake’s on the Lake doesn’t disappoint.
As we all know, there are countless ways to get out and explore North Lake Tahoe. But, what are your favorite types of ways to get out and experience everything this place has to offer? Do you like to sit back and relax while you take in the view, eat your way through one of our adorable towns or villages or maybe you like to charge ahead at full speed? We’ve put together a list for you of the best ways to explore North Lake Tahoe.
By Food & Drink – Calling all foodies
Explore North Lake Tahoe by tasting Tahoe…in craft beer form. With locations in Incline Village and Truckee, stop in at Alibi Ale Works to taste one of their delicious beers on tap made from Lake Tahoe water. They’ve even been known to ferment a brew with wild yeast from their very own beehives. Cheers to locally brewed beer!
Ready to explore our area’s locally grown food? The Tahoe Food Hub works with family farms, ranches and specialty food producers within a 100-mile radius of North Lake Tahoe to bring fresh food to the people of Tahoe. Whether you stop in at their retail store, The Farmacy in Truckee, to pick up produce to make a delicious, locally sourced dinner at home or visit one of the restaurants they supply, you’ll have fun exploring Tahoe with your tastebuds.
By Boat – Feel the wind in your hair
Now it’s time to explore by water and take in gorgeous Tahoe views as you sail or speed across the lake. Have a need for speed? Rent a powerboat or jetski and race across the water taking in the views as they fly by. Or, looking for someone else to take the wheel and take a relaxing cruise instead? Our favorite Lake Tahoe cruise company is Tahoe Sailing Charters. From a relaxing two-hour sunset cruise on their 50-foot sailboat to an exclusive full day private sailing cruise complete with charcuterie and champagne, they will make exploring Lake Tahoe a breeze!
By Helicopter – Views like no other
See the beauty of Lake Tahoe’s many shades of blue from high above. Book a helicopter tour to explore our breathtaking area by air. South Lake Tahoe’s Tahoe Helicopters has tours from 10 to 60 minutes. The one-of-a-kind tour will fly you over breathtaking Lake Tahoe highlights like Emerald Bay, Crystal Bay and Sand Harbor and beyond to Fallen Leaf Lake, area waterfalls, and the Desolation Wilderness. This memorable bird’s eye view adventure will be one to remember.
By Tram – Take your vacation to new heights
Photo: Palisades Tahoe
Another exploring option with a view from above is a ride on the Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram. You can hike to High Camp via the Shirley Canyon Trail and make a day of it, climbing over 2000 feet over 5 miles from start to finish. After taking in the views from the top you can ride the Aerial Tram back down to the village below. Or, skip the hike and ride both ways, enjoying views of Lake Tahoe, the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountain range and the Palisades Tahoe ski resort along the way. Why not elevate you exploration?
There are countless ways to fill your summer days with fun in North Lake Tahoe. Whether you are an active explorer, a diehard foodie or simply like to take in the view, we’ve put together a list of our favorite ways to spend a summer day.
West Shore Adventure
One of the most gorgeous views around Lake Tahoe is at Emerald Bay. While you can’t drive down to the lake at this location, there are several viewpoints to take in the scene as well as hiking trails. If you’re interested in seeing Vikingsholm, there’s a steep two-mile round trip trail you can take to get down to the beautiful Scandinavian house below. Be sure to snap an iconic picture before you head home with Lake Tahoe’s only island, Fannette Island, taking center stage in this beautiful inlet.
As you drive back up the west shore on Highway 89, be on the lookout for one of the best summer stops on the lake. Chamber Landing is a bar and restaurant that sits over Lake Tahoe and is the lake’s oldest bar. Grab a seat as the sun goes down and enjoy one of their famous signature drinks, the Chambers Punch.
Day or Night at Sand Harbor
Nothing beats a day on the beach at Sand Harbor. Get their early to snag a spot on the sand and spend your day swimming, paddleboarding and reading your favorite book. Or, if you want to add some more activity and gorgeous scenery to your day, bike to Sand Harbor on the Tahoe East Shore Trail, dubbed “America’s Most Beautiful Bikeway”. Rent a bike and snag a parking spot at Flume Trail Bikes in Incline Village and ride the paved 3 miles to Sand Harbor, stopping along the way to take in the view of Lake Tahoe.
When the day is done, did you know Lake Tahoe is a fantastic spot to stargaze? After all of the day trippers have left Tahoe’s beaches, stay on to see the sunset and then watch as the stars come out. Whether you book an organized tour with a company like Stargaze Tahoe or simply sit back and gaze up at the sky, it’s the perfect way to end a Tahoe summer day.
Bike Riding along the Truckee River
If you’d like to spend part of your day cruising on a bike, check out the picturesque Truckee River Trail. Start your morning by grabbing a coffee and pastry at Coffeebar in the Village at Palisades Tahoe. Take in the views of KT-22 from their deck before making your way down the Olympic Valley bike trail for the 8-mile ride to Commons Beach in Tahoe City. Spend the day lounging on the beach, shopping and eating your way around Tahoe City or use the Tahoe City bike trails to explore by bike. If you want to try out an e-bike, in the Olympic Valley, you can rent one at Truckee River Bikes or the Parallel Mountain Sports in the village.
While all four seasons in our area are fun-filled and exhilarating with endless outdoor options, we can all agree that there’s something special about the magic of a Tahoe summer day. Whether you spend the day in a river or on a lake or on the trails or shopping in one of the downtown areas, you’re going to be hungry. From mountainside to lakefront, no matter where you go you’ll be sure to have an awesome dining experience with delicious grub and gorgeous views.
Tahoe City
Photo: Paul Hammill via Visit Tahoe City
Why not start with some Tahoe City flavors? If you’re looking for a lake view and some killer BBQ after a morning of shopping, make your way to Moe’s Original BBQ. Dig in to some Alabama-style pork on the deck or order a couple southern fried catfish sandwiches to go and take your meal down to Commons Beach for a picnic with your toes in the sand.
Or maybe it’s date night and you want to impress your sweetheart? Make a reservation for two at Christy Hill. Just 100 feet above Lake Tahoe’s shoreline, you can watch the moon rise over the lake as you finish up your dinner with a glass of wine and dessert. Whether you enjoy scallops on the deck or trout seated inside, you’ll have a memorable (and delicious) evening.
Incline Village
Photo: Lone Eagle Grille
Our next stop for delicious food is Incline Village. A local favorite for grab and go sandwiches to take on your lake or hiking adventure is Mountain High Sandwich Co. Try the house smoked tri-tip sandwich along with their potato salad and you’ll be fueled for the day. Or, if you’ve spent the morning biking the East Shore Trail or the Flume Trail, park your bike and pull up a chair on the deck at the Tunnel Creek Café for a late lunch and a pint of beer.
With a private, white sand beach and a truly spectacular view of Lake Tahoe, you can’t go wrong choosing the Lone Eagle Grille for dinner. With huge windows and a two-story stone fireplace, you can sit back, relax and enjoy one of the best dinner views on the lake whether you dine alfresco on the patio or inside next to the fireplace.
Mountain Villages
Photo: Northstar California
After you’ve had your fill of lake views, it’s time to dine with mountains as your backdrop. If you’ve finished your hike up Shirley Canyon and are ready for lunch, swing by the deck at Rocker in the Village at Palisades Tahoe. We love digging into a plate of their nachos with a frosty tap beer to enjoy while taking in the view of the tram face and world-famous KT-22 chairlift.
One of Northstar California Resort’s claims to fame is that it has Northern California’s largest mountain bike park. After a day in the park and lift assisted downhill biking, you’ll be ready to relax with a glass of wine and delicious food. Pair your wine with dinner at an outside table in the heart of the village at Northstar at Petra Restaurant & Wine Bar. Cheers to summer in Tahoe!