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First Trip to Lake Tahoe

R

rpluskota

TUG Member
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Hi Everyone,

Planning our first trip to Lake Tahoe in the summer months with no kiddos. Looking for any suggestions: Must Do activities, day trips, restaurants, and any overall suggestions to make it a awesome trip! We will be staying at Timber Lodge. Thanks!
 
When will you be there? We go on Saturday for three weeks! Timber Lodge is our favorite resort and I think the best place to stay on Tahoe.
 
Tram

rpluskota said:
Hi Everyone,

Planning our first trip to Lake Tahoe in the summer months with no kiddos. Looking for any suggestions: Must Do activities, day trips, restaurants, and any overall suggestions to make it a awesome trip! We will be staying at Timber Lodge. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Take the tram up the mountain, drive around the lake, go to the house and park at the one end of the lake. Several small places to eat breakfasts at that get packed with locals because they have the best food (ask at desk).
Bart
 
Kirkwood

I am making my second trip to Lake Tahoe, but first in summer. What do people think about making a drive to Kirkwood? I have heard it is a special ski resort and I would imagine very pretty in all seasons. How long a drive would it be in summer from Timber Lodge?
 
dansimms said:
I am making my second trip to Lake Tahoe, but first in summer. What do people think about making a drive to Kirkwood? I have heard it is a special ski resort and I would imagine very pretty in all seasons. How long a drive would it be in summer from Timber Lodge?
Click to expand...

The scenery is similar all around the lake, so I'm not sure it's worth making a special drive over there. It's probably an hour or so. That road is a high mountain pass - very steep and winding, with sheer drop offs - are you comfortable with that kind of driving?
 
dansimms said:
I am making my second trip to Lake Tahoe, but first in summer. What do people think about making a drive to Kirkwood? I have heard it is a special ski resort and I would imagine very pretty in all seasons. How long a drive would it be in summer from Timber Lodge?
Click to expand...
Pretty easy drive in the summer, I would say 30-40 minutes...but, not really that special compared to the incomparable Lake Tahoe. Check out Emerald Bay on the west shore too. Some great hikes are quite accessible as well. Enjoy!
 
I'm a bit partial to the Marriott Grand Residence Club, but that is where I own... :)

In my opinion, the best time to summer time visit is early June (before about June 21) and then after about August 15. Mid-June to early August is peak summer time.

If you are going in the off-season, check the schedule for the Heavenly Gondola. Sometimes it only runs on the weekends. But, it is a spectacular ride.

Take the MS Dixie II or the Tahoe Queen for a day-time lake tour to Emerald Bay. It is a great way to see Emerald Bay.

Drive around the lake. Make sure you stop at some of the overlooks around Emerald Bay, in Tahoe City, and at Sand Harbor Park (on the east side)

In the Heavenly Village complex in South Lake Tahoe (where the Timberlodge and Grand Residence are located), check out Fire+Ice, Base Camp Pizza, and Driftwood Cafe.

If you golf, the Edgewood Golf Course is beautiful...

The casinos can be kinda fun. Though, for me, "big losses" is $10.

Harvey's has been lining up some impressive summer time entertainment in their outdoor arena. So, if you are a concert goer, do a search for Harveys Tahoe.

If you go in the summer and want a bit of culture, they do a Shakespeare play each year for about a month at Sand Harbor. Search for Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.

Here is the South Lake Tahoe Visitors site:
http://tahoesouth.com/

A day drive to Reno (about 2 hours) might be fun. Also a drive down to Carson City can be nice.
 
we've always enjoyed going to Virginia City. Interesting old Western town.

Donor State Park, site of the ill fated Donor Party is interesting.

If you want to make a little drive you can go over to Sutters Mill in CA, site of the gold strike that set off the California Gold rush.

There are a couple of horse back riding area's.

Fallen Leaf Lake is nice. Drive a little further past the lake and there's a stream with some nice water falls.

Across from the Emerald Bay overlook is a short loop trail. You can go further if you want, eventually coming to a plateau with a wonderful overlook of the lake.
 
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Great Advice, thanks everyone! Looks like we will be going right at the end of peak season in mid August. Any other tips keep them coming!!!

Has anyone taken a day trip to Calavareras Big Tree State Park, to see the redwoods? I would like any opinions on that also.

Thanks again!
 
best spot on tahoe to have dinner- and hang out

Though a 45 minute drive from the Marriott Timberlodge- IMO the best scene all around the lake is at the Lone Eagle Grill- across from the Hyatt- in Incline Village. Though the food is only above average, and a bit overpriced as you would expect at a place like this- there are spectacular views from indoors or outdoors, many nights they have live music, fire pits, etc. I am a Reno/Tahoe local, and have not been anywhere that compares to the overall scene at Lone Eagle Grill.
 
I think it was Camp Richardson where we enjoyed the horseback riding the most. I can say we weren't overly thrilled with the horse trails at Zephyer Cove.

There is also the Castle that you can hike down too at Emerald Bay.
 
Bike and hike the trails
Gamble
Sunbathe on the beach
Go for a little lake cruise
Kayak or paddle board etc
Stargaze
 
I usually go to Lake Tahoe about every other year in the summer for a weekend.
If you like easy hikes: Fallen Leaf Lake, Lower Echo Lake, and take the trail at Emerald Point down to the house on the beach. Any of those could easily take 3 hours of time.
Go see the old western town at Carson City. About a 90 mnute drive from South Lake Tahoe.
 
I think you mean Virginia City. Carson City is the Capital of Nevada, and it's about 30 min. from Lake Tahoe.
 
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A friend of mine rented a piloted glider who flew him over the lake and surrounding areas. When I go back, I'll be doing this too.

I'm also a bit of a history nut and I visited Donner Pass to see where the original Transcontenental Railroad was built through the High Sierra at Donner Pass. The original tunnels are still there to be explored. You might do this along with a visit to Donner Pass State Park and to Truckee.

I would also suggest a day hike in the Desolation Wilderness where there are many alpine lakes and peaks to be explored.
 
We found this really nice hike right at the resort. It is at a park called Van Sickle Bi-State park. It is located right behind the Raley's shopping center. It was about 3 miles round trip. The actual trail part was only .8 miles round trip. You could hike further 3.4 miles (I think one way) to the Tahoe Rim Trail. There was a great view of the lake from the Vista point at about .4 miles. It is basically a trail that is under the Heavenly Gondola. It appears new as of 2011, there was a fire in 2001. They had a story board about it. You can also drive up to the parking lot to make the hike shorter but there weren't a ton of parking spots.

I also second the Virginia City idea. Love that place...

Other short hikes are Cascade Falls, Eagle Falls, Eagle Rock... pretty much all on the West side of the lake. Just arrive early to get a good parking spot plus less people. Normally, we pick a hike and have a light breakfast before hand then, go hiking and afterwards go to our favorite café in Tahoe City called Fire Sign Café.
 
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A really fun trip is to take the historic steam train from Carson City to Virginia City - you have to make a reservation: http://www.virginiatruckee.com/
 
cp73 said:
I usually go to Lake Tahoe about every other year in the summer for a weekend.
If you like easy hikes: Fallen Leaf Lake, Lower Echo Lake, and take the trail at Emerald Point down to the house on the beach. Any of those could easily take 3 hours of time.
Go see the old western town at Carson City. About a 90 mnute drive from South Lake Tahoe.
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I think you meant Virginia City and its about 55min from our resort. Our favorite Lake Tahoe resort for last thirty years and still is The Ridge Tahoe Resort.:whoopie:

PHILL12 :wave:
 
Get yourself a copy of 'Around Tahoe' by Darin Talbot (amazon link - ebay link) for the drive around the lake. Make sure to take the turnoff to Reno up by Incline Village and stop at the viewpoint!!!

If you're into photography, or just want a great day tour, check into these guys - I really enjoyed it: http://tahoephotographictours.com/.

Emerald Queen was definitely worth the money. Make sure if you're gambling in Stateline, to sign up for the players cards. You get discounts and free play. Montbleu had the best food deals :)

Here are a few of the pics I took when there this last April ...

http://www.evanlee.photography/lake-tahoe/

and

http://www.evanlee.photography/waters-of-lake-tahoe/

Enjoy yourselves - it's a beautiful area!
 
Thank you for all the suggestions and different opinions. Lake Tahoe sounds like a beautiful place, were really looking forward to it! If anyone has any other opinions they think of, keep posting as I will continue to check the post.
 
bjones9942 said:
Get yourself a copy of 'Around Tahoe' by Darin Talbot (amazon link - ebay link) for the drive around the lake. Make sure to take the turnoff to Reno up by Incline Village and stop at the viewpoint!!!

If you're into photography, or just want a great day tour, check into these guys - I really enjoyed it: http://tahoephotographictours.com/.

Emerald Queen was definitely worth the money. Make sure if you're gambling in Stateline, to sign up for the players cards. You get discounts and free play. Montbleu had the best food deals :)

Here are a few of the pics I took when there this last April ...

http://www.evanlee.photography/lake-tahoe/

and

http://www.evanlee.photography/waters-of-lake-tahoe/

Enjoy yourselves - it's a beautiful area!
Click to expand...

Great Photos......Photography Day tour might be a great option...my wife loves to take photos....
 
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