The city of South Lake Tahoe, California, is defined by its location, perched on the southern shores of North America’s largest alpine lake. Impossibly blue and astoundingly big, Lake Tahoe covers 191 square miles and is 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, and 1,645 feet deep at its deepest point. There is so much to do on just one three-day South Lake Tahoe weekend.
In summer, you can swim, kayak, paddleboard, sail, or zip around on a boat. You’ll be wowed by its waters and pampered by the town of South Lake Tahoe. Winter impresses, as well. World-famous Heavenly Ski Resort offers 4,800 acres of powder, nine high-speed lifts, 111 trails, and the highest skiable peak in the Lake Tahoe region.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Explore the Shoreline
Pack breakfast (and snacks) to start your South Lake Tahoe weekend aboard the Heavenly Mountain Gondola. Nab a stunning eagle’s-eye view of Lake Tahoe without breaking a sweat.
Disembark at the Observation Deck for awesome group selfies; then hop back on to finish out the ride.
The year-round gondola whooshes up the slopes to an elevation of nearly 9,150 feet. As you ascend and descend, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the steadily widening scene, with Lake Tahoe’s aquatic sapphire gleaming at center stage.
Now that you’ve surveyed Lake Tahoe, drive to Emerald Bay to study it more closely. From the high overlook at Inspiration Point, gaze wistfully across the water. Then lace up your boots to explore some more.
Choose between two hiking trails starting at Bayview Campground. Eagle Falls is a gentle, almost 2-mile trail that travels through a fir-and-granite wonderland before reaching the top of a 200-foot waterfall fed by snowmelt. Alternatively, take a steep, 4.3-mile uphill route to the forested shores of Granite Lake and the exceptional views from (your choice of) the twin mountains of Maggies Peaks. Come winter, strap on snowshoes or traction cleats and tackle either trail.
Next, get a feel for Lake Tahoe’s fascinating history at the Tallac Historic Site, where wealthy San Franciscans constructed opulent lakeside mansions between 1894 and 1930. See the still-standing estates where magnates once hosted movie-star guests and glamorous parties.
After getting a feel for the historic scene, attend a concert at the lakefront Boathouse Theatre, or at Valhalla Grand Hall’s many performance spaces or great lawn.
Cap off the day in 21st-century luxury with a date-night dinner at Evan’s American Gourmet Café. In this cozy mountain cabin on the shores of the lake, chefs pair contemporary California cuisine with pristine white tablecloths and impeccable service.
Saturday: Try an Outdoor Adventure
A South Lake Tahoe weekend has nonnegotiables that depend on the season. A summer trip requires a day on the lake, while winter demands a day on the slopes. Either way, you should fuel up with some coffee at Cuppa Tahoe, where you can also pick up a lakeside read from the multipurpose cafe-bookstore.
If it’s lake time you’re after, rent a paddleboard and test your balance at El Dorado Beach. Afterward, walk over to Sprouts Café for a meal filled with fresh vegetables — whether you pick a salad, sandwich, burrito, or grain bowl.
Then drive up Emerald Bay Road and hike the 1-mile trail to Vikingsholm, a stone-and-timber mansion on the shore of Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay. This magnificent, 38-room, circa- 1929 structure replicates the style of a 1,200-year-old Viking castle.
Later, head over to Tahoe Keys Marina to kick back on a lake cruise. There are several boat tour options, but wine lovers should book ahead for a wine-tasting cruise on the Golden Rose, a 1953 Chris Craft Venetian water taxi with Tahoe Tastings.
If you’re in South Lake Tahoe in the wintertime, skiers and boarders should snag Heavenly Ski Resort lift tickets for an epic day on the mountain. Carve up the slopes on gentle green runs, smooth blue runs, or double-black-diamond routes. With Heavenly’s unfiltered view of Lake Tahoe, the backdrop can’t be beat.
When your legs wear down, it’s time for dinner. Head over to Ski Run Marina to feast on souvlaki or moussaka at Mediterranean Artemis Lakefront Café.
Sunday: Adventure Around Town
You’ve already experienced South Lake Tahoe from a variety of perspectives — now see it from the seat of a bike.
Rent wheels at South Shore Bikes (make it a snow bike if there’s snow) and ride the Pope-Baldwin Bike Path through groves of sugar pines, white firs, and aspens. You’ll pass three major public beaches along the way — Pope, Kiva, and Baldwin — so pack a bathing suit and picnic supplies on summer days.
The afternoon is a good time to check out South Lake Tahoe’s craft brewery scene. This small city is saturated with breweries and taprooms. Try a few of up to 16 beers on tap at South Lake Brewing Company or join the biergarten fun at The Hangar — a playground of picnic tables, string lights, and food trucks.
Play cornhole on the lawn over fresh brews and snacks at South of North Brewing Company. Alternatively, pull your own pints and relax by the outdoor fire pits with a wood-fired pizza at Lake Tahoe AleWorx.
If your taste buds prefer pinot noir to pilsner, get a lakefront seat at the Idle Hour, a lakefront wine bar with outdoor terraces. Or if you’re ready for dinner, stroll around the Shops at Heavenly Village, a mountainside stone-and-timber shopping plaza with eateries, boutiques, and pubs.
Share plates of creative tacos at Azul Latin Kitchen, split a great pie from Base Camp Pizza Co., or head over to Taste at the Loft for seasonal American small plates and tapas.
Before your Lake Tahoe weekend comes to a close, take a lingering look at the lake shimmering in the moonlight and wave goodbye until your next trip.
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