William and Ann’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Neighborhood walk to the lake leads you to the local park overlooking the water. Less than 15 minute walk.
If you walk about 10 min from the house down San Francisco to Argonaut Ave, there’s an entrance to the meadows. You can also take Stanford to get to Upper Truckee Marsh and take Lake Valley Trail that treks through the meadows down to the beach.
30 locals recommend
Thomas F Regan Memorial City Beach
3199 Sacramento AveNeighborhood walk to the lake leads you to the local park overlooking the water. Less than 15 minute walk.
If you walk about 10 min from the house down San Francisco to Argonaut Ave, there’s an entrance to the meadows. You can also take Stanford to get to Upper Truckee Marsh and take Lake Valley Trail that treks through the meadows down to the beach.
It's a beautiful beach situated just a 45 minute drive from South Lake Tahoe, on Lake Tahoe's east shore. There is a new paved 2.5-mile Eastshore Tahoe trail from Sand Harbor to Tunnel Creek Cafe near Incline Village. It's a great place for a bit of respite and to grab a beer.
290 locals recommend
Sand Harbor Rentals
It's a beautiful beach situated just a 45 minute drive from South Lake Tahoe, on Lake Tahoe's east shore. There is a new paved 2.5-mile Eastshore Tahoe trail from Sand Harbor to Tunnel Creek Cafe near Incline Village. It's a great place for a bit of respite and to grab a beer.
Open late Spring to early Fall. Scenic trail along the water that connects DL Bliss and Emerald Bay. Option to do a smaller loop for a less extensive hike. $10 parking. Just under a 30 minute drive to DL Bliss State Park
14 locals recommend
Rubicon Trailhead
Open late Spring to early Fall. Scenic trail along the water that connects DL Bliss and Emerald Bay. Option to do a smaller loop for a less extensive hike. $10 parking. Just under a 30 minute drive to DL Bliss State Park
Great for first-timers. This can be a quick photo op or you can make it a day's adventure. Option to hike down to the beach where the Vikingsholm historic castle is located. You can rent a kayak to circle around the island or simply have a picnic at the beach. Parking can be difficult, so arrive early!
80 locals recommend
Emerald Bay
Great for first-timers. This can be a quick photo op or you can make it a day's adventure. Option to hike down to the beach where the Vikingsholm historic castle is located. You can rent a kayak to circle around the island or simply have a picnic at the beach. Parking can be difficult, so arrive early!
Arrive early to park near the trailhead. You can also cross the highway for a view of Emerald Bay.
23 locals recommend
Eagle Falls Trailhead
Arrive early to park near the trailhead. You can also cross the highway for a view of Emerald Bay.
Great views without much effort. Where mountains, forest, and waters meet.
15 locals recommend
Kiva Beach
Great views without much effort. Where mountains, forest, and waters meet.
Open late Spring to early Fall. Recommend the unpaved trail (Lake of the Sky Trail) to Kiva Beach and Tallac Point along the south shore of Lake Tahoe for views of the water, marsh, and mountainous landscape. Option for the easier paved trail (Rainbow Trail) that meanders through the marsh and creek. This latter trail also has an underground viewing chamber to see trout and spawning salmon in early October. Free parking.
Taylor Creek SNO-PARK
Open late Spring to early Fall. Recommend the unpaved trail (Lake of the Sky Trail) to Kiva Beach and Tallac Point along the south shore of Lake Tahoe for views of the water, marsh, and mountainous landscape. Option for the easier paved trail (Rainbow Trail) that meanders through the marsh and creek. This latter trail also has an underground viewing chamber to see trout and spawning salmon in early October. Free parking.
Local hike about 10 minutes away, just before you reach Heavenly village, that borders the Nevada-California stateline. Partial view of the lake.
42 locals recommend
Van Sickle Bi-State Park
30 Lake PkwyLocal hike about 10 minutes away, just before you reach Heavenly village, that borders the Nevada-California stateline. Partial view of the lake.
See cascading falls near Fallen Leaf Lake about 30 minutes away. There's also a trail for a more extensive hike.
13 locals recommend
Glen Alpine Falls
1580 Glen Alpine RdSee cascading falls near Fallen Leaf Lake about 30 minutes away. There's also a trail for a more extensive hike.
You can hike on the boulders and through the wooded trails along the rushing stream. There's also some small pools for a little dip. First half is friendly for beginners but gets tougher higher up.
24 locals recommend
Horsetail Falls
You can hike on the boulders and through the wooded trails along the rushing stream. There's also some small pools for a little dip. First half is friendly for beginners but gets tougher higher up.
Food/Drink scene
Our go-to place for comfort, flavorful food. We often get their momos, shrimp biryani, lamb tikka masala, and garlic naan. Note, service and wait times can be long. For takeout, we recommend calling 60-75 min in advance!
7 locals recommend
SHANGRILA HIMALAYAN KITCHEN
1142 Ski Run BlvdOur go-to place for comfort, flavorful food. We often get their momos, shrimp biryani, lamb tikka masala, and garlic naan. Note, service and wait times can be long. For takeout, we recommend calling 60-75 min in advance!
Mediterranean/Greek food. Their seasoned fries are a must when it’s freshly fried.
57 locals recommend
Artemis Mediterrean Grill
2229 Lake Tahoe BlvdMediterranean/Greek food. Their seasoned fries are a must when it’s freshly fried.
Cozy lobby to grab a drink. You can also come here during the day for coffee. The contractors that worked on our house also constructed the hotel.
The Coachman Hotel
4100 Pine BlvdCozy lobby to grab a drink. You can also come here during the day for coffee. The contractors that worked on our house also constructed the hotel.
Great place for beers and a spacious outdoor space. You can bring your own food or order from the food truck if it's present. Check their instagram ahead of time to see if a food truck is available.
24 locals recommend
The Hangar Taproom and Bottleshop
2401 Lake Tahoe BlvdGreat place for beers and a spacious outdoor space. You can bring your own food or order from the food truck if it's present. Check their instagram ahead of time to see if a food truck is available.
Freshly baked, plush bagels. They have breakfast bagel sandwiches if you need to fill up before embarking on a day’s hike or adventure. Also, if you order a day in advance, you can try their skillet jalapeño banana bread.
Dragonfly Bagel Co.
3358 B Sandy WayFreshly baked, plush bagels. They have breakfast bagel sandwiches if you need to fill up before embarking on a day’s hike or adventure. Also, if you order a day in advance, you can try their skillet jalapeño banana bread.
Cozy coffee shop with locally roasted coffee. Very limited parking. You can either go inside or go to their walk-up window and casually sit outside. They offer breakfast sandwiches, breakfast bagels, avocado toasts, etc. They also offer a variety of coffee, teas, and matcha drinks. We tend to get their vanilla-cardamom latte.
14 locals recommend
Black Cabin Coffee
3894 Pioneer TrailCozy coffee shop with locally roasted coffee. Very limited parking. You can either go inside or go to their walk-up window and casually sit outside. They offer breakfast sandwiches, breakfast bagels, avocado toasts, etc. They also offer a variety of coffee, teas, and matcha drinks. We tend to get their vanilla-cardamom latte.
Our go to place for pizza. Expect long wait longs since it's at Heavenly Village. You can also order in advance for take out orders.
148 locals recommend
Base Camp Pizza Co.
1001 Heavenly Village WayOur go to place for pizza. Expect long wait longs since it's at Heavenly Village. You can also order in advance for take out orders.
Colorful dishes with vegetarian options. We typically order golden beet poke salad, mussels, and hand rolls.
Yūgen Cuisine
1132 Ski Run BoulevardColorful dishes with vegetarian options. We typically order golden beet poke salad, mussels, and hand rolls.
We like the mushroom ravioli and seafood options. Note: entree portions are large.
11 locals recommend
Izabella Ristorante Italiano
3967 Lake Tahoe BlvdWe like the mushroom ravioli and seafood options. Note: entree portions are large.
Sprouts Café
3123 Harrison AveHealthy food and smoothie option that's within walking distance.
Pretty decent sushi. Recommend Maui Wowie and the sushi sliders that don't have rice. (Note - we haven’t gone since the covid pandemic)
76 locals recommend
The Naked Fish
3940 Lake Tahoe BlvdPretty decent sushi. Recommend Maui Wowie and the sushi sliders that don't have rice. (Note - we haven’t gone since the covid pandemic)
Coffee shop within walking distance that also has an outdoor area. Also serves wine. We like their sour cream coffee cake here.
17 locals recommend
Revive Coffee & Wine
3135 Harrison AveCoffee shop within walking distance that also has an outdoor area. Also serves wine. We like their sour cream coffee cake here.
Sno-Flake Drive-In
3059 Lake Tahoe BlvdWalking distance. We typically go for the soft serve!
Recommended brunch place. (Note, we haven’t gone since covid pandemic)
62 locals recommend
The Getaway Cafe
3140 US-50Recommended brunch place. (Note, we haven’t gone since covid pandemic)
A place to grab a drink and enjoy the sunset along the water. We haven’t gone but it was recommended by another guest. Also, there’s occasional yoga classes on Tuesdays/Thursdays if you go to www.mtnyogi.com
9 locals recommend
The Idle Hour
3351 Lake Tahoe BlvdA place to grab a drink and enjoy the sunset along the water. We haven’t gone but it was recommended by another guest. Also, there’s occasional yoga classes on Tuesdays/Thursdays if you go to www.mtnyogi.com
Groceries
Whole Foods Market
3600 Lake Tahoe BlvdSafeway
1020 Johnson LnCommunity natural food store where you can support the locals.
43 locals recommend
Grass Roots Natural Foods
2030 Dunlap DrCommunity natural food store where you can support the locals.
Raley's
1040 Emerald Bay RdFriendly and knowledgeable local butchers that have high quality meats and seafood. Daily specials vary. For example, they have offer poke on Fridays.
29 locals recommend
Overland Meat & Seafood Company
2227 Lake Tahoe BlvdFriendly and knowledgeable local butchers that have high quality meats and seafood. Daily specials vary. For example, they have offer poke on Fridays.
Winter Activities
Book lift tickets online days in advance for a discount.
299 locals recommend
Heavenly Mountain Resort
4080 Lake Tahoe BlvdBook lift tickets online days in advance for a discount.
Good stop in between the Bay Area and South Lake Tahoe. Lift tickets are less expensive compared to Heavenly Ski Resort.
124 locals recommend
Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort
1111 Sierra-At-Tahoe RdGood stop in between the Bay Area and South Lake Tahoe. Lift tickets are less expensive compared to Heavenly Ski Resort.
Fall Colors
Hope Valley