Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the United States, offers everything from boating to hiking to skiing (and water-skiing!) – and across two states, as well! It can be overwhelming to decide what to do in the area, and hopefully you’ll have a chance to come back at different times of year to enjoy the spectacular scenery and variety of activities that change throughout the year. But with just a weekend in Lake Tahoe – in this case, either spring or fall – here’s your guide to making the most of the hikes and views on the California side.
Day 1 – Mt. Tallac and South Lake Tahoe
12pm – If you drive in from the Bay Area or Sacramento, US-50 will take you right to the south end of Lake Tahoe and the town of South Lake Tahoe. Grab a quick lunch or some groceries in town if you need to, and then head to the Mt. Tallac trailhead.
The Mt. Tallac trail is about 10 miles round trip, with 3000 feet of elevation gain. But even if you’re not up for the whole thing, there are beautiful views all along the way – first, of Fallen Leaf Lake below you, and then Cathedral Lake along the way, and finally out to Tahoe from the ridge even if you don’t make it to the peak.
5pm – Get dinner and stay in South Lake Tahoe – there are plenty of spots to choose from, and also lots of campgrounds nearby.
Day 2 – Lake Aloha and Emerald Bay
8am – Get ready for the day at Crazy Good Bakery & Cafe or one of the may coffee shops in South Lake. Then head to the Glen Alpine Trailhead.
9am – Wander up the trail, first to Glen Alpine – an interesting historical site – and then beyond to Susie Lake, Heather Lake, and Lake Aloha, or take the shorter trail to Gilmore Lake. Make a full day of it if you like, potentially connecting with the Pacific Crest Trail. Or, explore for a few hours and then head back to spend some time exploring the Tahoe lakeshore!
1pm – After grabbing a snack or lunch in Lake Tahoe (check out Grass Roots Natural Foods for a quick stop at the intersection of 89 and 50), head north along the west side of the lake to Emerald Bay State Park. Check out the views from Inspiration Point, or park at the Upper Eagle Point Campground and take the Rubicon Trail around the edge of the bay.
2pm – Don’t miss checking out Vikingsholm, a 1929 Scandinavian-style home right on the shore of Emerald Bay. You can walk a mile down to Vikingsholm from the parking lot just past the Eagle Falls trailhead, or reach it from the Rubicon Trail. You can tour the inside of the home during the summer (June 15 – September 17, 2023) but the exterior is worth seeing at any time of year! During the summer, you can also rent a kayak from the Vikingsholm beach and venture out to the teahouse on Fannette Island (also built by the Vikingsholm owner).
4pm – Keep driving north along the lake, enjoying the views and stopping as you like. Stay tonight toward the north side of the lake, in Tahoe City, Dollar Point, or Kings Bay. Each city has plenty of food and lodging options.
5pm – Cross the state line into Nevada, and park just off the highway for a quick walk up to the Historic Stateline Fire Lookout. Enjoy the views, but keep an eye on the sunset timing – it’s worth going just a little further around the lake! If you make it just a bit past Incline Village, you’ll be able to look back west for the best sunset views.
Day 3 – Truckee
9am – On your way out of town, check out the town of Truckee. Browse and window-shop along the historic main street, and try the Coffeebar Bakery for breakfast. Then take Hwy 80 over the infamous Donner Pass, stopping at viewpoints as you like, and back to Sacramento or the Bay Area. You’ve made the most of a weekend in Lake Tahoe!
