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What Are the 'Don't Miss' Places in Lake Tahoe?

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by kathiemc23, Jul 24, 2019.

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  1. kathiemc23

    kathiemc23 Low-Roller

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    Sorry about the hi jack here ... I'm headed to Tahoe for the first time in a few days. I will only be there 2 days, do you (or anyone reading) have any don't miss places for the first visit?
     
  2. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    When will you be there? How active are you? Do you play golf? Do you like boating or other lake fun? From which direction are you getting to the lake?

    One must for all is the Heavenly gondola.
     
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  3. kathiemc23

    kathiemc23 Low-Roller

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    Driving from Vegas on Monday (7/29) and will be there until Thursday when we will drive back to Vegas. I hike a couple of days a week, but that's about. My guy is less active. I don't golf. I think we are going to go on a glass bottom boat. We will be staying at Harrah's Lake Tahoe (if that helps with the direction question).
     
  4. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    NOTE: I've split this off from @luck.ofthe.draw's Trip Report so to not clutter it up.

    If you are only there for two days, focus on South Lake Tahoe. If you have a car, take a day to drive and explore around the lake. Take the gondola up to the top of Heavenly for the views. Get down to the beach to be close to the water. Maybe take the boat tour out in the lake to see how clear and beautiful it is.
     
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  5. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    I like the guided kayak tours and there are several outfitters. Harrah's puts you in a good spot, so make sure you do the gondola. There are several brewpubs around the lake, though Stateline to me is the least compelling. Just head to SLT and hit South Lake or Cold Water. A drive around the lake is de rigueur, too. Northstar has a great mountain bike park and lessons and good beginner terrain if you've ever wanted to try that. It's a longer drive but I think it is worth it going n/b to head from Vegas to Death Valley and then up 395. Well worth it. Hiking abounds. Have fun.
     
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  6. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    I found the gondola event at Squaw Valley to be not only a better value, but the whole of the Squaw Valley village was more of a destination than Heavenly. Squaw Valley also has a display of 1960s Olympics memorabilia.... more than a display, less than a museum.
     
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  7. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Squaw doesn't give you close to the same on-top-of-the-lake effect, however. But it is one hell of a ski hill!!!
     
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  8. luck.ofthe.draw

    luck.ofthe.draw VIP Whale

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    If you are staying at one of the casinos, an easy hike down to Nevada Beach is fun! And the beach wasn't crowded when we went there: https://tahoesouth.com/thing-to-do/hiking/lam-watah-nature-trail/

    If you plan to go hiking up near Fallen Leaf Lake, Emerald Bay, or other areas up there, some places will charge you for parking. Some areas you can park for free on the street but those spots fill up fast. It is best to get there before 8:00am or 9:00.

    There are several areas for horseback riding, which we didn't get to do, but I think that would be fun! Camp Richardson and Zephyr Cove come to mind.

    For food, I recommend Tep's Villa Roma for Italian, and the Cork & More for sandwiches during lunch. Even the half size sandwiches (usually on special for $5 with a yummy pickle spear) are a pretty good size! https://thecorkandmore.com/

    http://www.tepsvillaroma.com/our-restaurant/
     
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  9. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    It's also worth getting over to Edgewood Tahoe for sunset dinner or at least lunch and afternoon drinks outside. Great spot. (And though you don't golf, a FUN course.)

    https://www.edgewoodtahoe.com
     
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  10. Burnsie

    Burnsie VP Low-Roller

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    Do a drive around the entire lake, and do it clockwise.

    This way you can easily pull in and pull out of all the terrific scenic view parking lots, which will be on the right as you drive. My favorite is Emerald Bay.
     
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  11. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I agree that Squaw Valley is great. I was focusing more on South Tahoe area. Plus, like Ken said, the Heavenly gondola has much better views of the lake. but that Olympic memorabilia is something to see if you're in the area. Although I'm not much of a pool person, the pool up at High Camp is something else. I've rarely been in a pool at 8500 feet, or whatever it is. :) There are some great restaurants in the Village too. And they have some reasonable hikes for all fitness levels at the top of the gondola. Well, provided the altitude doesn't kick your butt like it does mine.
     
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  12. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Indeed, Squaw passes for the most notably alpine-style village around the lake.
     
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  13. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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  14. kathiemc23

    kathiemc23 Low-Roller

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    This looks like my exact golfing ability .....
     
  15. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    The Hyatt Regency in Incline is to me the cat's meow of casino-resorts up there.
     
  16. LVisBeautiful

    LVisBeautiful High-Roller

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    Restaurant - Sprouts (been there since 1995, when I worked in Tahoe as a Snap dealer); if you are a healthy eater, this is your mecca.
    Kingsbury Grade - just an amazing drive, especially on a motorcycle
    Vikingsholm - the castle
    At Sunrise - drive around the lake, park and watch it come up, breathtaking, nothing like that.
    Skiing - Alpine Meadows or Squaw; Squaw for the experts, Alpine for everyone else.
    Drunk eating -Red Hut Waffle Shop
    Casinos - Skip them all, until they quit charging for parking, which is ridiculous in Tahoe, and go to Reno for gambling instead.
    Locals Gambling - Lakeside Inn
    Beach- Kings Beach North Shore..dang its cold; Lakeshore drive (free parking!) South Shore.
    Nude Swimming - I think that's gone now, its definitely family-fied..but in the 90s it was there..in between North and South Shore, randomly parked cars and hike down.
    2nd Lake area - Emerald Bay, great place to mountain bike
    OK so you have to go to a casino and pay for parking? - The Party's at Harveys..at least it is for me..still..but a LOT of things have changed.
     
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