Emerald Bay State Park

A small sheltered section on the west shore, the Emerald Bay State Park is one of the loveliest areas of Lake Tahoe. Emerald Bay is surrounded by forested hillsides of glacier-carved granite and dotted with a tiny islet at its center. Because the bay is slightly shallower than the rest of Lake Tahoe, the waters take on a striking blue-green color. Along the rugged shoreline of Emerald Bay are serene hiking trails with breathtaking panoramic vistas. Two favorite hikes are Cascade Falls Trail and Bayview Trail. Be sure to also visit Inspiration Point, 600 feet above Lake Tahoe, with paved pathways that offer amazing bird’s-eye views of Emerald Bay. Hikers can also take the four-mile Rubicon Trail, a popular lakeside walking path that follows the water’s edge from D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay.

Alpine Ski Resorts: Winter and Spring Seasons

During wintertime, Lake Tahoe is a popular destination for alpine skiing prized for its extensive terrain, sunshine, and powdery slopes. The area has several world-renowned ski resorts, including Squaw Valley, where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held and Heavenly, with 4,800 acres of gorgeous ski terrain with stunning views. Even those who don’t ski will appreciate the Heavenly Gondola Ride, a glorious 2.4-mile scenic ride that stops at an Observation Deck at 9,123 feet and offers sweeping views of Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley, and the Desolation Wilderness. For those planning a day trip from San Francisco, the closest and most accessible resort is Sugar Bowl. Intermediate skiers love the runs at Northstar, while more advanced skiers prefer Kirkwood and Mount Rose for the challenging runs.

Tallac Historic Site

In a beautiful forest location, the Tallac Historic Site includes three historic estates: Baldwin Estate, the Pope House, and the Valhalla Estate. During the summer, the entire site is open to visitors daily. Tourists can visit the Pope House to see how Tahoe’s wealthy residents lived during the 1920s. Every year in August, the Pope House hosts a two-day Great Gatsby Festival that draws crowds for elegant Roaring Twenties social gatherings. The Valhalla Estate is a favorite local venue for private events and weddings. Every summer, the Art, Music & Theatre Festival takes place at the Valhalla Estate. The Baldwin Estate has been converted into a historical museum, an attraction that gives visitors a peek into life at Lake Tahoe in the past century. Exhibits include a 1930s-era kitchen, vintage children’s games, and toys.

Kings Beach

Sheltered by a forest of Jeffrey Pine Trees, this large, sandy beach is an ideal place for sunbathing, swimming, and boating during summertime. Kings Beach is in the North Shore of Lake Tahoe and enjoys direct sunshine from the early morning until the late afternoon. Well-designed for visitors, the Kings Beach State Recreation Area has public restrooms, picnic tables in a shaded area, barbecue pits, a playground, and a half-size basketball court. Fishing is allowed but requires a license. The few blocks around Kings Beach are lined with many shops, restaurants, and street vendors.

Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

The Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park extends along Lake Tahoe for nearly two miles, with densely wooded forests of aspen, fire pine, and juniper trees. The property was owned by the wealthy financier Isaias W. Hellman and later by his daughter, Florence Hellman Ehrman, from 1897 until 1965. The family’s opulent vacation residence, the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion was completed in 1903. Designed as a summer home, the casual yet elegantly rustic mansion was equipped with the most modern conveniences of the time. The dining rooms feature redwood paneling and the guest rooms are decorated with Navajo rugs. The estate stands in a tranquil pine and cedar grove on 2,000 acres of woodlands. The grounds include a flower garden with a gazebo, which is often used as a wedding venue. The Hellman-Ehrman Mansion is open to the public for tours from late May until the end of September. Near the mansion is Nature Center with interesting exhibits about birds, lake ecology, wildflowers, trees, and other environmental topics.

D.L. Bliss State Park

Duane L. Bliss was a lumber baron who made his fortune in banking, logging, and railroads during the late 19th century and early 20th century. In 1929, the Bliss family donated 744 acres of private property to the California State park system. Today, visitors can enjoy the beauty of this public park with its abundant hiking trails, picnic areas, and pleasant lakeside areas. On hot days, the sandy Lester Beach and Calawee Cove are the places to go. Swimmers enjoy the crystal-clear waters and sunbathers delight in basking under the warm summer rays. Both Lester Beach and Calawee Cove sites offer opportunities for water sports including kayaking, canoeing, and paddle-boarding. Visitors also come to D.L. Bliss State Park for the scenery, especially the Rubicon Point trail that offers sensational views of Lake Tahoe. Other favorite hikes are the Lighthouse Trail and the Balancing Rock Nature Trail. During summertime, D.L. Bliss State Park campground makes available 150 family campsites.

Sand Harbor State Park

In North Lake Tahoe on the Nevada side, the Sand Harbor State Park offers miles of sandy beaches as well as hidden coves and shady pine forests. The 55-acre park offers opportunities for swimming and scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Sailing and boating enthusiasts appreciate the dock and Boat Launch Point as a place to begin boating adventures. Hikers enjoy exploring the park’s vast wilderness. Noteworthy hikes are the Sand Point Nature Trail, a short hike with sweeping panoramic views of the lake, and the Sand Harbor to Memorial Point Trail, a half-mile trail with access to secluded beaches and rocky coves.

Eagle Rock Hiking Trail

The Eagle Rock Hiking Trail is a spectacular hiking trail on Lake Tahoe’s west shore, just four miles away from Tahoe City. Eagle Rock is a dramatic volcanic outcrop, perched at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet, which is a few hundred feet above Lake Tahoe. This short easy hike is about a half-mile long and can be completed in 20 minutes, however it rewards with magnificent panoramic views.