Spending a Weekend in the Jewel of the Sierras, Lake Tahoe

Sprawled out between California and Nevada and settled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, you can find one of the most beautiful gems on the West Coast. The stunning Lake Tahoe, land of the Washoe people, has been regarded as a sacred space for thousands of years. Coming in at an elevation of 6,225 ft, it’s one of the largest lakes in North America and second deepest in the country. Whether you’re looking to embrace breathtaking naturescapes or stroll the bustling main strip, Lake Tahoe offers plenty of fun for everyone.

As many of us have been trying to navigate how to enjoy our time with restrictions during this pandemic, people have become more aware of the beauty that surrounds them. This interest in exploring what lies in our own backyards have turned even the most frequent of flyers into local wanderers. 

The route you take will vary depending on your starting point, but with a groovy playlist and scenic drive to the lake, time will fly, and to be honest, it’s rather enjoyable. My family and I began our three hour excursion up north from the Central Valley of California to enjoy some days in the Jewel of the Sierras. We left early one hot summer morning and were in awe driving up Route 50 East. This scenic road is my favorite one to take to Tahoe. Between the tall Jeffrey Pine’s, winding road, and staggering landscape, it’s sure to get anyone excited for their adventure in the mountains. We spent most of our time on and by the lake, hiking, cooking, and we even took a mini road trip to visit nearby towns in Nevada. Here’s a mini guide to help you kickstart your weekend in Lake Tahoe.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) and Kayak on the Lake

For this trip, we decided to switch it up and rent some paddle boards and a kayak for the day. It was my first time trying SUP and I’ve never felt so connected to the blue water and surrounding mountains. The weather is typically hot during the summer, which makes falling into the water that much more enjoyable. You can rent a board or kayak at Sand Harbor Rentals, which is located at Crystal Bay.

Due to COVID you may have to register online a day in advance. Parking is limited inside the park so they recommend you arrive around 8 a.m day of rental. I suggest renting them out for a full day to get your money's worth. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced paddler, you can stay close to the harbor or paddle out as far as you’d like as long as you return everything before the sun sets.

Once you launch your board off the beach, paddle up the east shore and you’ll encounter Sand Harbor, which is made up of large rock formations, it’s quite a sight. Map out the points you’d like to see and rest at or just explore at your will, either way you’ll see why people rave about SUP on this lake.

Catch Some Sun on the Different Beaches

There are so many beaches to choose from. Crystal Bay, Secret Cove, Cave Rock, Emerald Bay, the options are limitless. I suggest going early to whichever one you decide to visit, they can get quite packed. If you decide to stay in South Lake Tahoe, the drive to any beach is about a 20 to 40 minute drive depending on the day of the week. Don’t forget to pack some sunscreen, good snacks, and an umbrella.

Go Hiking

I went on two family hikes during my stay. The first was to Tahoe Rim Trail and the second was Eagle Falls trail. They are both fun hikes to kick start your day and great for beginners. They aren’t too crowded so feel free to go at whatever pace feels most comfortable. There’s a list of trails that you can research on the All Trails website.

Take a Drive to Virginia City

You can easily spend every day on the water or on land by the lake, but it may be of interest taking a drive over to Virginia City. A 42 mile drive northeast of South Lake Tahoe towards Nevada, you’ll be transported to 1859. In classic boomtown fashion, you’ll get the opportunity to walk on wooden sidewalks, pass by old mines, and landmarks, some of which have been remodified due to the fire of 1875.

When you’re on highway 341 East, you’ll encounter hilly terrain as you drive towards Geiger Summit, which peaks at 6789 feet. Once you start nearing Virginia City the elevation will drop, but the view of the valley is picturesque and you can even spot wild horses on the hillside.

Make a Pit Stop in Carson City

Being that Lake Tahoe is situated in two states, it may be worthwhile getting to know more of the western portion of Nevada. Take a drive to its capital of Carson City, which is the sixth largest city in the state. A 40 minute drive northeast will bring you to a number of museums, casinos, parks, and antique shops. There’s a frontier vibe that still resonates with the city, as it used to be a hotbed for mining. So saddle up as you prepare to take in all the historical information that comes with this city.

Tasty Bites

Prior to arriving in Lake Tahoe, we bought groceries so we could cook as a family for most of our meals. We did schedule some days to try the local food.

Izzy’s Burger Spa: A family friendly joint that offers some tasty burgers. The menu is simple, but it’s the perfect spot for grub once you enter the city or if you don't feel like cooking lunch or dinner. Grab a seat on any of the benches or outdoor patio and enjoy.

Clyde’s Coffee Roasting Co: While I'm typically not a coffee drinking gal, I make an exception for Clyde's! My go-to drink is their chai latte. It's soothing, sweet, aromatic, and is the perfect kickstarter to your day. This local gem is not only for their coffee but their delicious baked goods.

Glazed and Confuzed Donuts: This was a fun shop to pick up some homemade donuts from. You can order your typical flavors such as glazed and maple, but can also purchase some specialty treats made up of peculiar pairings that taste well together .The space is hip, eclectic, and super 70s. The atmosphere is extremely inviting, which makes it easy to see why this shop is a favorite around town!

Empanash: While Lake Tahoe doesn't have vastly diverse cuisine offerings, we did stumble across Empanash. Specializing in handmade Argentinian empanadas, Empanash also offers some tasty vegetarian options. My favorite is the "Popeye" which is stuffed with spinach, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers. It's a great option for a quick bite on the go.

So Juicy: As we walked through Carson City, we stopped to quench our thirst (the dry heat is no joke) at So Juicy. This minimal juice bar was created to provide the community with fresh produce and ingredients, and strives to make healthy food accessible to all. I opted for a cold-pressed juice, which is made fresh daily. The “Green Island” provided me with the perfect amount of cucumber, pineapple, kale, and lemon to boost my energy.

Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory: If it weren't for the large sign in the parking lot, you could easily overlook the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory. But once you step inside, you're welcomed by the smell of fudge, which they make fresh daily. Barrels of different flavored taffy line the aisles as you walk through this candyland. It’s the perfect pit stop to pick up some local sweets before heading to your next destination.

Enjoy the Sunset by the Lake

There are so many lovely spots to watch the sunset from Lake Tahoe. You will however have to plan your evening around it. We didn’t want to get stuck hiking down a mountain after watching the sunset, so we decided to watch it from the Lakeview Commons, which is located off of Lakeview Ave in South Lake Tahoe. There are giant steps leading down towards El Dorado Beach. Avoid the crowds trying to get their perfect sunset picture by staking out your spot in advance, especially on the weekends. You can’t go wrong with ending your day with a beautiful sunset by the lake.

There you have it, just a few recommendations for visiting one of the gems of the west. Again, we went during the pandemic and tried to be as safe as possible, so we were more reserved with our outings. Once everything safely opens up, I would recommend walking the strip on Lake Tahoe Blvd. There you can visit some casinos, restaurants, and shops. There are other surrounding towns that are worth a visit, and loads of activities to partake in. I can’t wait to go back and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way. Enjoy and stay safe everyone!