Itinerary 1 itinerary
Day 1
Meet at meeting point: Start counterclockwise on Lake Tahoe Blvd near 4110 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe 96150 (Heavenly Gondola/Explore Tahoe Visitor Center) on your right as you head north. Suggested start; we're not affiliated and staff won't have tour info. Audio starts automatically—check email/text.Meet at meeting point: Start counterclockwise on Hwy 28 near 7842 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe Vista, CA 96148 (Safeway lot), with Safeway on your right and North Tahoe Beach on your left. Suggested start; we're not affiliated and nearby staff won't have tour info. Audio starts automatically—check email/text.
Your tour of Lake Tahoe begins at the Tahoe South Visitor Center in South Lake Tahoe. From here, you'll embark on a scenic journey around the lake which some have called the most beautiful lake in the United States. Along the way, you'll pick up essential history, pass top notch hiking trails, and of course have plenty of opportunity to visit the lakeshore! NOTE: The tour is over 65+ miles long, with more than 70+ audio stories, and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. 5 min(s)
Attractions and Activities: Tallac Historic Site (Free entry How to visit:No indoor visits) The Pope Cabin owes its name to its eccentric former owner, George Pope. Pope called this home the Vatican, and would bring celebrities out for all kinds of crazy parties. While Pope and his family vacationed here, they hired a retinue of 35 servants!
Attractions and Activities: Pope Beach (Free entry How to visit:No indoor visits) Pope Beach is one of Lake Tahoe's 40 public beaches. It's defined by dunes and pine trees and makes for a perfect swimming, boating, or picnicking spot. Entry is $8 most days, but can go up to $20 on peak holidays.
Attractions and Activities: Vikingsholm (Free entry How to visit:No indoor visits) Like Valhalla, Vikingsholm is built to emulate the architecture of Scandinavian castles. This 38-room mansion sports Norse carvings around the entrances and Nordic dragons on its roof. It also boasts a view that rivals any of Norway's fjords!
Attractions and Activities: Emerald Bay State Park (Free entry How to visit:No indoor visits) Emerald Bay gets its name for the lovely green hue created by the sun shining on the bay's crystal clear waters. At Emerald Bay State Park, you'll have the opportunity to embark on all manner of activities in this water, from kayaking to scuba diving and beyond. If you didn't bring your own gear, don't worry, the park offers rentals!
Attractions and Activities: Eagle Falls (Free entry How to visit:No indoor visits) Eagle Falls Trail leads to the only waterfall that flows into Lake Tahoe. This moderate, 2-mile hike is a hugely popular stop, and for good reason. The trail boasts not just the beautiful waterfall at the end, but also some splendid views along the way.
Attractions and Activities: Meeks Bay Trail (Free entry How to visit:No indoor visits) Meeks Bay features a pristine white sand beach that's perfect for lounging lakeside. The water also remains shallow for a long way out, making this a great spot for families. This beach can get pretty crowded in the summer, so it's important to plan ahead.
Attractions and Activities: Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park (Free entry How to visit:No indoor visits) An optional detour can take you to Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. As the name would suggest, sugar pines dominate this park. Interestingly, a huge portion of this 2,500-acre park is new growth forest due to heavy logging in the 1800s.
Attractions and Activities: Olympic Valley (Free entry) If you're visiting in the winter, you won't want to miss this detour. Olympic Valley, high in the Sierra Nevada, offers some of the best skiing areas in the region. It has actually hosted the Winter Olympics, hence the name! 5 min(s)
Attractions and Activities: Tahoe City Visitor Information Center (Free entry How to visit:No indoor visits) The Tahoe City Visitor Information Center marks just how far you've come. Located on the north side of the lake, it's a great place to pause, find restrooms, and pick up snacks for the final leg of your journey.
Attractions and Activities: Carnelian Bay (Free entry) Carnelian Bay is a popular, picturesque spot which was once famous for something besides its postcard beauty. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, this was a major destination for boat racing! Today, it's a great spot for fishing, paddleboarding, and all sorts of other activities. 5 min(s)
Attractions and Activities: Kings Beach (Free entry) Kings Beach is one of the warmest beaches on the lakeshore, so if you're wary of the chilly alpine waters, this is the spot for you! The recreation area also features a playground and a basketball court, and there are plenty of well-shaded picnic tables here as well. It's got a little something for everyone. 5 min(s)
Attractions and Activities: Memorial Point (Free entry) Memorial Point Trail is an easy half-mile hike along the lakeside. It offers some seriously unbeatable views, so make sure to keep your camera at the ready! 5 min(s)
Attractions and Activities: Sand Harbor State Park (Free entry How to visit:No indoor visits) Sand Harbor isn't just another beach. It features unique rock formations that make it a favorite spot among scuba divers, and has some of the clearest water of anywhere on the lakeshore. It's also where you'll find the trailhead for the fully accessible Sand Point Trail.
Attractions and Activities: Logan Shoals Vista Trail (Free entry How to visit:No indoor visits) Logan Shoals is hands down one of the best vistas of Lake Tahoe. It rises 300 feet above the lake, offering panoramic views of the water and the lush greenery all around. There's a reason this is a hugely popular wedding spot!
Cave Rock, also known as the Lady of the Lake, is the remnant of an old volcanic core. This three million year old rock was very important to the Washoe people. Today, it's a popular sunbathing spot and fishing hole. This is the last stop along your tour route, but there are plenty more optional stops to keep the journey going. 5 min(s)
Guests leave on their own: End the tour on your own and bring your trip to a happy conclusion Start counterclockwise on Lake Tahoe Blvd near 4110 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe 96150 (Heavenly Gondola/Explore Tahoe Visitor Center) on your right as you head north. Suggested start; we're not affiliated and staff won't have tour info. Audio starts automatically—check email/text.
Guests leave on their own: End the tour on your own and bring your trip to a happy conclusion Start counterclockwise on Hwy 28 near 7842 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe Vista, CA 96148 (Safeway lot), with Safeway on your right and North Tahoe Beach on your left. Suggested start; we're not affiliated and nearby staff won't have tour info. Audio starts automatically—check email/text.
*Itinerary times are in the local time of the place of visit and may be subject to changes due to weather conditions, road conditions, and other factors. We appreciate your understanding.