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Lake Tahoe
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Lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay, Clear Water and Sierra Ski Slopes

Plan this trip
2 daysIdeal stay₹14,270From / night₹4,760Food / day₹1,710Entry

A deep, clear alpine lake 1,897 m up in the Sierra Nevada, shared by California and Nevada. South Lake Tahoe, the base here, has most of the rooms, Stateline's casinos and the gondola up Heavenly; Emerald Bay and its Vikingsholm mansion (tours from late May to September), Eagle Falls and the Rubicon Trail are on the west shore, and Sand Harbor's boulders and the East Shore Trail on the Nevada side. Kayaks and paddleboards in summer; skiing at Heavenly, Kirkwood and Palisades Tahoe from about December to April, when chains are often required on the mountain roads. Three and a half to four hours' drive from San Francisco, or an hour and a half on the South Tahoe Airporter from Reno's airport.

Highlights

  • Emerald Bay from Inspiration Point
  • Vikingsholm on the Emerald Bay shore
  • Rubicon Trail along the west shore
  • Sand Harbor's boulders and coves
  • Kayak or paddleboard on the lake
  • The lake from the top of Heavenly
  • Skiing at Heavenly or Palisades Tahoe (winter)

Things to do

  • Emerald Bay overlooks and the walk down to VikingsholmJun–SepMorning · 3h
  • Eagle Falls and Eagle Lake trailAfternoon · 2h
  • Rubicon Trail in D.L. Bliss State ParkJun–SepMorning · 3h
  • Sand Harbor and the Tahoe East Shore TrailAfternoon · 3h
  • Kayak or paddleboard from a south-shore beachJun–SepMorning · 2h
  • Ski or snowboard at Heavenly, above the lakeDec–MarMorning · 6h
  • Heavenly Mountain observation deck above the lakeAfternoon · 2h
  • Sunset from a south-shore beachEvening · 1h 30m
  • Dinner and the casinos at StatelineEvening · 2h

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Lake Tahoevia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Lake Tahoevia Klook

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When to go

Best time: June – September; December – March for skiing

Worth knowing

Wildfire Season

Late summer and autumn are California's wildfire season: fires and smoke can close parks, roads and wineries at short notice, and dry autumn winds (Santa Ana, Diablo) bring power shut-offs. Check the CAL FIRE incident map and air quality (AirNow) each morning, and keep plans flexible.

Worth knowing

Snow and Chain Controls

Winter storms bring chain controls on US-50 over Echo Summit and I-80 over Donner Summit, and close Highway 89 above Emerald Bay at times. Carry chains or rent a car with four-wheel drive, and check Caltrans QuickMap before driving up. Emerald Bay's Vikingsholm tours run only from late May to September.