We recently got back from a three-day trip to South Lake Tahoe and immediately fell in love with Tahoe!
South Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places we have visited as a family. You are sure to be enchanted by the crystal-clear lake and views from the top of the majestic mountains.
It’s the perfect destination for nature lovers and family adventure but you’ll also find a variety of restaurants, bars, and entertainment to enjoy as well.
Why visit Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is the largest freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada and it’s the second-deepest lake in the United States. Lake Tahoe is known for summer and winter activities and there truly is something for everyone to enjoy.
Most of the summer activities are centered around the lake. You can enjoy clear kayak tours and paddle boarding through Clearly Tahoe.
If relaxing is more your thing, you can just hang out at one of the many beaches.
In the winter, Heavenly Village comes to life as a ski resort, and you will find all of your usual snow activities right in the center of town.
We visited South Lake Tahoe in the fall and while we couldn’t take advantage of summer or winter activities, it is still a beautiful time to visit and experience the beautiful fall foliage.
Fall is also a great time for nature lovers to visit to enjoy the hikes with cooler weather.
No matter what season you decide to visit, you are sure to fall in love with everyone about South Lake Tahoe.
Getting around South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe sits right on the border of Nevada and California.
If you plan on flying into Lake Tahoe, your closest airport is Reno, Nevada. From there, you can take the South Tahoe Airporter, which drops off at a few centrally located destinations in South Lake Tahoe. The drive is about an hour long and well worth it.
Once you are in South Lake Tahoe, it’s very easy to get around by walking or you can hop on one of the many scooters that are located near the hotels.
Lake Link is also a wonderful resource.
Lake Link provides free rides among South Lake Tahoe (we always leave a tip). You can download the app and schedule a pick up from various places in town. Plan ahead as sometimes you may experience a wait for a shuttle during peak hours.
Where to Stay
Staying near Heavenly Village will make your trip a lot more accessible by walking.
We stayed at Basecamp Tahoe South and loved our accommodation. The hotel is family and pet friendly and has a lot to offer.
We really enjoyed having access to a coffee shop and breakfast in the lobby. Trailfolk Coffee served up delicious juices, acai bowls and avocado toast too!
We also really enjoyed the Beer Garden that was located at Basecamp. South of North Brewing Co. had a variety of local beers on tap, outdoor games for the entire family and live music. There were fire pits outside, making it a great place to hang out after a day of exploring.
Basecamp is about a 7 minute walk to Heavenly Village and we were able to walk to our dinner reservations in the Village easily.
Outdoor Adventures
South Lake Tahoe is known for its outdoor activities, and you will find something for everyone.
You’ll want to experience a hike or nature trail when visiting South Lake Tahoe. You can find a variety of trails based on difficulty at Visit lake Tahoe.
Be sure to pack your hiking/walking shoes because the views from the top are worth it!
We opted for an easy hike that the entire family would enjoy and loved exploring Van Sickle Bi-State Park. The 725 acre park has a variety of trails you can take and is open for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
There are many switchbacks at Van Sickle and we chose the waterfall hike.
There are plenty of markers along the way to guide you to the top and you’ll see some beautiful views along the way. The hike is 2.5 miles round trip and my 6 and 9 year were able to keep up just fine.
Other hiking trails you might enjoy in South Lake Tahoe include:
- Rubicon Trail
- Emerald Point Trail
- Tahoe Rim Trail
- Eagle Rock Trail
You can get more information on hikes and nature trails here.
Entertainment & Dining Recommendations
One of the things I did not think to expect when visiting Lake Tahoe is how good the food scene would be!
We truly enjoyed eating and drinking at some of the local hotspots. When traveling to new destinations, I always enjoy trying the local beer/wine and most of the bars in town serve beer from local breweries.
There are also a lot of options for family-friendly dining.
Flatstick Pub is a brewery that also serves up tacos. We had so much fun playing mini golf here that we even went back for a second game before heading home on our trip.
Note that they are very family friendly but after 8 p.m. you do need to be 21 & over. It’s a great place to play some games and grab some drinks!
The Loft is a must if you are looking for a truly unique experience in South Lake Tahoe.
Located right in the heart of Heavenly Village, The Loft serves delicious American tapas. We tried grilled cheese dippers, filet mignon, ceviche and more. It’s a great way to try many different dishes. You’ll also want to stick around for the magic show.
The magic show was incredible, and the kids even got to participate in one of the tricks! This is a must-do activity when in Lake Tahoe.
Craving pizza? Base Camp Pizza Co. is a great option for pizza and Italian food!
The pizzas are delicious and great for families to share after a day of exploring. Base Camp Pizza Co. is located in Heavenly Village. You can also enjoy live music while you dine!
Helpful tips
The weather in South Lake Tahoe can change quickly throughout the day. Be sure to wear layers when visiting in the Fall or Winter.
When visiting South Lake Tahoe, you can skip purchasing water bottles and just bring a reusable water bottle with you.
The tap water in Tahoe is 99% pure and you can find a spot to refill your water bottle nearly everywhere. It’s a great way to help contribute to sustainable travel!
You can follow along with our travel adventures on Instagram.
You can find our other travel guides here.
