Resorts
Local Ski Resorts or Summer Activities
Our family's favorite local resort. This is in the Vail network, so your Epic passes will work here!
315 locals recommend
Northstar California Resort
5001 Northstar DrOur family's favorite local resort. This is in the Vail network, so your Epic passes will work here!
Formerly Known as Squaw Valley, now as of summer 2021 has been renamed to Palasades Tahoe. Great resort for the individuals or family that have experience skiing or riding. This resort is in the Alterra Mountain Company Network, and will work with your IKON Pass.
389 locals recommend
Squaw Valley Adventure Center
1960 Squaw Valley RdFormerly Known as Squaw Valley, now as of summer 2021 has been renamed to Palasades Tahoe. Great resort for the individuals or family that have experience skiing or riding. This resort is in the Alterra Mountain Company Network, and will work with your IKON Pass.
Palisades Tahoe (aka Squaw)'s little sister mountain. Also in the Alterra Mountain Company network, and your IKON pass will work here.
128 locals recommend
Palisades Tahoe at Alpine Meadows
2600 Alpine Meadows RdPalisades Tahoe (aka Squaw)'s little sister mountain. Also in the Alterra Mountain Company network, and your IKON pass will work here.
This is a great independant family resort, with a family vibe in Incline Village, NV. Low cost day tickets. Perfect for a day trip, spectacular views of the lake from the top of the mountain, and the begginer terrain provides a great learning experience for a family trip.
169 locals recommend
Diamond Peak Ski Resort
1210 Ski WayThis is a great independant family resort, with a family vibe in Incline Village, NV. Low cost day tickets. Perfect for a day trip, spectacular views of the lake from the top of the mountain, and the begginer terrain provides a great learning experience for a family trip.
A great local family resort that offers ski instruction, snowboard instruction, tubing, rentals etc. If you are looking for a family oriented resort for first timers, this location is close to our North Lake Loft, visibile for parents to watch kids from the side (or bottom) of the trail, and is cost effective.
28 locals recommend
Granlibakken Tahoe
725 Granlibakken RdA great local family resort that offers ski instruction, snowboard instruction, tubing, rentals etc. If you are looking for a family oriented resort for first timers, this location is close to our North Lake Loft, visibile for parents to watch kids from the side (or bottom) of the trail, and is cost effective.
Great family fun, zip lines and ropes course for (almost) all ages and all abilities. A 15 minute drive from North Lake Loft. Bring your sun screen, bug spray and water. There is a spot to picknic if you plan to spend several hours.
It's best to plan your trip ahead, since this books up quickly on weekends.
78 locals recommend
Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks
725 Granlibakken RdGreat family fun, zip lines and ropes course for (almost) all ages and all abilities. A 15 minute drive from North Lake Loft. Bring your sun screen, bug spray and water. There is a spot to picknic if you plan to spend several hours.
It's best to plan your trip ahead, since this books up quickly on weekends.
Sightseeing
Lake Tahoe
Stateline Lookout is located on the north end of the Tahoe Basin, above Crystal Bay.
16 locals recommend
Trail Head for Stateline Lookout
Lookout RoadStateline Lookout is located on the north end of the Tahoe Basin, above Crystal Bay.
64 Acres Tahoe Rim Trail Trailhead
Tahoe Rim Trail
https://tahoerimtrail.org/maps-trail-info/
Beautiful Lake Tahoe Cruises. The wind typically picks up after 1PM, and then dies down early evening. Plan accordingly
19 locals recommend
North Tahoe Cruises - Tahoe Gal
952 N Lake BlvdBeautiful Lake Tahoe Cruises. The wind typically picks up after 1PM, and then dies down early evening. Plan accordingly
Blue lakes, colorful wildflowers and a variety of wildlife are just a few attractions this wilderness has to offer. Nestled between the Carson range and the Great Basin is the 30,000 acre Mount Rose wilderness, named after the highest peak in the Carson Range. The Tahoe Rim Trail, a scenic trail that circles Lake Tahoe, runs for approximately 7 miles through the Mount Rose wilderness, and offers magnificent views of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The strenuous 12 mile round trip hike to the summit of Mount Rose (10,776 feet) is popular among those seeking a wilderness challenge. The Mount Rose Wilderness offers great scenery and a memorable wilderness experience.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=11768&actid=51
Mt. Rose Wilderness
Blue lakes, colorful wildflowers and a variety of wildlife are just a few attractions this wilderness has to offer. Nestled between the Carson range and the Great Basin is the 30,000 acre Mount Rose wilderness, named after the highest peak in the Carson Range. The Tahoe Rim Trail, a scenic trail that circles Lake Tahoe, runs for approximately 7 miles through the Mount Rose wilderness, and offers magnificent views of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The strenuous 12 mile round trip hike to the summit of Mount Rose (10,776 feet) is popular among those seeking a wilderness challenge. The Mount Rose Wilderness offers great scenery and a memorable wilderness experience.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=11768&actid=51
Great Family Hike / Stroll along a paved north lake path. Incredible views and stops along the way.
73 locals recommend
Tahoe East Shore Trail
1924 Tahoe BlvdGreat Family Hike / Stroll along a paved north lake path. Incredible views and stops along the way.
Incredible views, and a low key hike for the family. Parking at the beach does cost, but it is worth the price of admission.
http://parks.nv.gov/parks/lake-tahoe-nevada-state-park
290 locals recommend
Sand Harbor Rentals
Incredible views, and a low key hike for the family. Parking at the beach does cost, but it is worth the price of admission.
http://parks.nv.gov/parks/lake-tahoe-nevada-state-park
Food scene
Incline Village
Great restaurants, good shopping
Truckee
Great ski town, shopping , restaurants and the train station
Waterman's Landing
5166 N Lake BlvdGreat Breakfast and coffee stop during your stay.
Old Post Office Coffee Shop
5245 N Lake Blvdhttps://www.oldpostofficecafe.com/
Jiffy's Pizza
7019 N Lake Blvdhttps://jiffyspizzatahoevista.com/
Great Sandwhiches, and convient market.
https://www.tahoecentralmarket.com/
77 locals recommend
Tahoe Central Market
8487 N Tahoe BlvdGreat Sandwhiches, and convient market.
https://www.tahoecentralmarket.com/
Classic lakeside cabin / steakhouse with a great family atmostphere.
https://www.steakhousetahoe.com/
49 locals recommend
Old Range Steakhouse
7081 N Lake BlvdClassic lakeside cabin / steakhouse with a great family atmostphere.
https://www.steakhousetahoe.com/
Pizza, Burgers, Beer / Wine close to North Lake Loft
https://cbsbistro.com/
64 locals recommend
CB's Bistro
5075 N Lake BlvdPizza, Burgers, Beer / Wine close to North Lake Loft
https://cbsbistro.com/
Classic Diner Car restaurant in Truckee! Great for breakfast, burgers and the Milk Shakes are BOMB!
63 locals recommend
Jax At The Tracks
10144 W River StClassic Diner Car restaurant in Truckee! Great for breakfast, burgers and the Milk Shakes are BOMB!
Dock Restaurants
Good food and beautiful views of the lake
A great place to enjoy cocktails in the bar, or a nice evening out. If you come by boat, you can pull up to the dock, have lunch, then back to the water.
This is a short walk from North Lake Loft, and a great place for boatspotting!
275 locals recommend
Gar Woods Grill & Pier
5000 N Lake BlvdA great place to enjoy cocktails in the bar, or a nice evening out. If you come by boat, you can pull up to the dock, have lunch, then back to the water.
This is a short walk from North Lake Loft, and a great place for boatspotting!
Great Cozy restaurant within a 15 minute drive of North Lake Loft. Great food, great drinks, and excellent spot for boatspotting!
266 locals recommend
Sunnyside
1850 W Lake BlvdGreat Cozy restaurant within a 15 minute drive of North Lake Loft. Great food, great drinks, and excellent spot for boatspotting!
Supplies
Anything that may help you enjoy your adventure outdoors. Equipment, tackle, groceries etc.
Swigard's Ace Hardware
Great hardware store with everything hardware, home decor and fishing!
The best grocery store on North Lake! Great health conscious food choices, and even has a pizza bar upstairs!
32 locals recommend
Raley’s O-N-E Market
10001 Soaring WayThe best grocery store on North Lake! Great health conscious food choices, and even has a pizza bar upstairs!
Classic “everything outdoors” hardware store. You can find camping equipment, climbing equipment apparel, shoes, board games and so much more. It’s worth stopping by.
57 locals recommend
Mountain Hardware and Sports
11320 Donner Pass RdClassic “everything outdoors” hardware store. You can find camping equipment, climbing equipment apparel, shoes, board games and so much more. It’s worth stopping by.
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Top Rated Yelp Restaurants in North Lake
Here is a link, including my preferred filters, to find the highest rated yelp listings for restaurants surrounding Carnelian Bay:
https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=restaurants&find_loc=North+Lake+Tahoe%2C+CA&l=g%3A-119.95630032261498%2C39.26658513123628%2C-120.24537808140404%2C39.13116048918174&sortby=rating
For one of the best views of the lake while dining, Sunnyside is one of our favorites: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sunnyside-tahoe-city-2?hrid=rF3YXYAVezqT6L2_ItGVBQ
Customs and culture
Bear Safety
Please be highly aware of bear activity in the area. Bears are known to rummage through Dumpsters, Cars and even houses looking for food. Please make sure to lock your doors for the unit, or your vehicle when visiting the area. Also remove any food from your vehicle or the unit, and secure it in a bear-box or a locked dumpster.
Getting around
General Winter Parking Tips in Lake Tahoe
Winter parking can be challenging in Lake Tahoe. Snowbanks and drifts can often clog the streets, and there is no where for the snow to be pushed. This also means that street parking is reduced, and sometimes parking lot availability is reduced. If you cannot find a spot to park around town or a landmark, please come back later. There is no need to risk your safety or anyone else.
Customs and culture
Events in North Lake Tahoe
Tahoe City Events:
https://tahoe.com/tahoe-city/nightlife-events
North Lake Tahoe Events:
https://www.gotahoenorth.com/events/