Lake Tahoe, the second deepest lake in the United States is deep enough to submerge the Willis Tower in Chicago by 195 feet. It is the largest alpine lake in the United States and the second largest in the world. It’s one of the most pure lakes in the world at 99.994%. Distilled water is 99.998% meaning its pretty dang pure.
As someone who has never skied, I can confidently say that summer is the best time to visit. The water is crystal clear with hues of blue that match the sky on a sunny day. The windy roads simulate your wildest rollercoaster ride (in a fun way) and the smooth boulders within the water make for perfect sunbathing.
Lodging:
North Tahoe- mom and pop, small hometown feels. I stayed in an airbnb near Kings Beach and really enjoyed my stay. The owner was accommodating and the hot tub was a very nice amenity! Perfect spot to read or stargaze. I spent most of my time on the east side of the lake so this was a quick and easy drive.
South Tahoe- resorts, spas, skiing etc. This is for you.
What to do:
Go Kayaking. ClearlyTahoe offers guided tours with CLEAR kayaks. There are several options but I chose the “Crystal Cove Tour” which took us by Bonsai Rock. The visibility is insane! I highly recommend this tour and our guide, Ethan (a fellow Ohioan) was chill and knowledgable. They also have night time kayak tours for stargazing and I think that is something I will have to try next time!
Rent an e-bike. Vista Trail Bikes, located in the same building as ClearlyTahoe, offers electric bikes for ~$29/hour or $99 for the day. The bike trail that follows the shore is stunning. Parking is nearly impossible and biking made it easier to find those quiet, secluded areas. The bike will come with a lock so no worries on parking and taking a break along the shore. This will definitely be my primary mode of transportation next time I visit.
Hike. I chose the most basic hikes because my time was limited but the options are endless. Monkey Rock is a quick hike with a panoramic view of the Lake. Google maps will take you up a road that does not allow through traffic. Type in “1115 Tunnel Creek Rd” to find parking which runs along the road in front of the Tunnel Creek Cafe, although you will have to pay to park. You’ll then hike up the road behind the cafe and continuously follow the trail to the left. I suggest downloading an off-line google map (I do this EVERY TIME I travel) that way you can follow the trail, regardless if you have service or not.
I also hiked to “Balance Rock” near Emerald Bay. Apparently there is a balanced rock near Emerald Cove as well. The Balance Rock I visited looks like a content baby whale.
Food:
Lanta’s Italian Food was just what I needed. I was given warm bread with soft, creamy butter as soon as I sat down. This is always my first impression that the food is going to be good. There is nothing worse than cold, cubed butter that won’t spread nicely on bread. NOTHING. The servings were hefty enough that I was able to take some home for leftovers.
Sage Leaf, also in the same building as ClearlyTahoe and Vista Trail Bikes (how convenient), was a perfect lunch spot with French toast, salads and brunch dishes.
Safeway grocery stores are available in most towns along the lake. Its not HEB but it’ll do 😉
Driving around the lake will take nearly 1.5-2 hours with 72 miles of windy roads.
Truckee, a small town slightly North of Lake Tahoe has several dining and shopping options. Its quaint vibe reminded me of Bend, Oregon. Its like taking a step back in time (in a good way.. not the creepy political way we are heading). The shops are connected, brick buildings with wild flowers in every direction.
Lake Tahoe has managed to maintain its beauty by reducing pollution and putting nature first. We as humans are the nuisance. The wildlife (bears, deer, fish, chipmunks, etc) are viable in our ecosystem. Generationally, bears have lost their instinct to hibernate due to humans leaving garbage and food within reach. Mothers are no longer teaching their cubs to hibernate because trash is accessible all year round. Trash and food particles should be locked up and kept out of reach. Another common problem within Lake Tahoe are the non-native fish that normally arrive by humans dumping them in the water. For example: goldfish! You’ve probably heard the rumor “goldfish will grow as big as their bowl”… well Lake Tahoe is as big as it gets.
Keep Tahoe Blue