☀️ Lakeside Beach in South Lake Tahoe is one of those spots that makes you want to drop your bags and stay all day. With a wide sandy shoreline, crystal-clear water, and mountain views in every direction, it’s the perfect place to soak in that Tahoe magic.

This is a private beach—if you’re staying at certain nearby resorts, entry is included in your fees. Otherwise, you can purchase a day pass at the gate. Once inside, everything you need for a relaxing (or adventurous) lake day is at your fingertips:

🍴 Restaurant on-site for easy snacks, drinks, or a full meal.

🚤 Water sports & rentals if you’re up for kayaking, paddle boarding, or cruising the lake.

🪑 Chairs & umbrellas available so you don’t have to haul your own gear.

It’s family-friendly, traveler-friendly, and a great balance between convenience and natural beauty. Whether you’re lounging on the sand or paddling out into the clear blue, Lakeside Beach makes for a quintessential Tahoe experience.

📍 Tip: Get there early on peak summer days—spots fill up quickly, especially if you want a prime spot near the water!

If you’re craving a peaceful escape into varied terrain, Frog Lake offers just the right mix of forest, lake views, wildflowers, and adventure.

• Distance & Duration: We walked about 2.3 miles in to Frog Lake and back out. There is a larger loop to other alpine lakes as well.

• There is a parking fee here of $5 and a nice ranger station at the trailhead.

• Frog Lake is an alpine lake with views into the meadows and up to the snow capped mountains.

• The reviews of this trail boast excellent wildflower displays. We were pretty late in the season so we didn’t see the sprawling blooms while there.

Frog Lake is perfect if you want a hike that’s not overly strenuous but still gives you a sense of stepping off the beaten path — day hikers will appreciate the views and solitude; backpackers will love staying overnight under the trees beside the lake.

If you’re looking for one of the most scenic drives in the U.S., a loop around Lake Tahoe should be at the top of your list. Starting in South Lake Tahoe and heading west, the road hugs the shoreline and winds through alpine forests, lakefront towns, and breathtaking viewpoints.

✨ Highlights heading west from South Lake Tahoe:

• Tahoe City – a lively town on the north shore, great for shopping, dining, or strolling along the Truckee River outlet.

From there, the drive continues east along the Nevada side:

• Incline Village – home to beautiful beaches and luxury vibes.

• Sand Harbor – one of the most photographed spots in Tahoe, with turquoise waters and smooth granite boulders.

• Cave Rock & Zephyr Cove – a mix of dramatic rock formations and sandy beaches before looping back to South Lake Tahoe.

🚙 The full drive around Lake Tahoe is about 72 miles and takes around 3 hours without stops—but trust me, you’ll want to stop often. Plan for a full day, pack snacks or a picnic, and bring your camera.

📍 Tip: Parking can be limited at popular spots, so go early to snag a spot.

If you’re looking for a hike that blends Tahoe’s beauty with a dose of history, the Lake of the Sky Trail & Tallac Historic Site is a must-do.

This easy 1.9-mile loop begins at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center and meanders through Jeffrey pine forests, marshland, and along the shores of Baldwin and Kiva Beaches. With sweeping views of Mount Tallac and plenty of birdlife, it’s the kind of walk where you can slow down and take it all in. The flat terrain makes it family-friendly and ideal if you’re after a low-key adventure.

The real highlight comes at the Tallac Historic Site, where the trail links into grounds once home to Tahoe’s wealthiest vacationers of the early 1900s. Wander past restored estates, peek into cabins, and explore the Baldwin Museum for a glimpse into the Roaring ’20s at the lake.

If you’re a history buff (or just love stepping into the past), check out one of the site’s guided tours:

• Grand Estates Tour – Visit the Baldwin and Pope Estates, with insider access to the Pope House, honeymoon cabin, and more.

• Pope House Tour – A closer look at the main Pope residence and the lavish lifestyle of its owners.

• Children’s Tour – Kid-friendly exploration of what summers at the lake looked like in the 1920s.

Whether you go for the natural beauty or the peek into Tahoe’s golden resort era, this trail is one of those rare experiences where past and present live side by side.

Places to eat are plentiful in Lake Tahoe but here are a few of my faves.

Reno recommendations for lunch or dinner:

🍽️ Land Ocean Restaurant - Upon arrival to Reno, I recommend grabbing lunch here on the way to South Lake Tahoe. We had the BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato) sandwiches with side salad. It was a perfect stop before heading South.

South Lake Tahoe recommendations for lunch, dinner, and snacks:

🍽️ Riva Grill - This restaurant is right on the boat harbor and has tons of seating overlooking the water. The food was good here but the service was just okay.

🍽️ Base Camp Pizza Co. - We ate here twice we loved it so much. They have pizza, pasta, salads, and an extensive drink menu. I highly recommend the Mint Moscow Mule Mocktail.

🍽️ Tahoe Pops - These are available at many places, including Lakeside Beach Patio and Grill so look for them on the dessert menu. Our favorite flavor was the Watermelon Mojito (non-alcoholic).

🍽️ Jalapeños-Taaueria - Incredible authentic Mexican food. This spot is tiny so find a picnic table early and get seated. I recommend the ground beef tacos and chips and salsa.

🍽️ Scusa - Again, so good we ate here twice. An Italian forward menu with lots of outdoor seating. I recommend the fettuccini, angel hair pasta, and lobster ravioli. Save room for the brownie and ice cream for dessert.

🍽️ Lakeside Beach Patio Grill - We ate here at least three times. Located right on Lakeside Beach, this restaurant offers a walk-up Snack Bar and full menu in their restaurant. I recommend the watermelon salad and strawberry lemonade. 

Tahoe City recommendations for lunch, dinner, and snacks:

🍽️ Mountain Slice Tahoe - This pizza spot is located in Tahoe City. We stopped here for ice cream on our trip around the lake but the pizza looked PHENOMENAL.

There are tons of options for staying in and around Lake Tahoe - including chain hotels, boutique hotels, condos, and camping. We chose to make South Lake Tahoe our home base for a few reasons:

⭐️ Proximity to restaurants, shopping, and beaches within walking distance

⭐️ Proximity to hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities 

⭐️ Access to private beaches for fewer crowds

⭐️ Proximity to Reno-Tahoe International airport

⭐️ Recommended as good home base by locals

And we chose to stay at the Coachman which provided lots of amenities, including:

🛌 Flooring conducive to drying out gear (swimsuits, towels, etc.)

🛌 Full size MALIN + GOETZ bath products (which saved on packing)

🛌 Apple TVs

🛌 Mini-fridge

🛌 Blackout curtains

🛌 Free wifi

🛌 Free nightly s’mores

🛌 Pool and spa access onsite 

🛌 Cruising bikes

🛌 Onsite specialty coffee and dining 

🛌 Private beach access with discounts on chair and umbrella rentals within short walking distance from hotel (this amenity alone saved us hundreds in just the 5 days we were in Tahoe) 

🛌 Eco-conscious hotel (EV charging stations, refillable soap dispensers, plant-based utensils)

🗓 Day 1 – Arrival & Orientation

Airport: I recommend flying into Reno-Tahoe International Airport and getting a rental car for the hour drive to South Lake Tahoe. A rental car will give you the most flexibility to explore the area.

Base: South Lake Tahoe
Activity: Shopping around Lake Tahoe Blvd.

Highlights: Shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Grocery stores for anything you forgot or need to snack on.

🗓 Day 2 – Beach Exploration & Water Sports 

Activity: Swimming at Lakeside Beach

Highlights: Private beach (often included in Resort Fee at hotel), snack bar, beach restaurant, chairs/lounge chairs/umbrellas (seasonally), kayaking/paddle boarding (seasonally). If not included in your hotel amenities, this beach is $30 per adult/per day to access, plus cost of renting chairs/umbrellas, etc.

🗓 Day 3 – Hiking & Historical Tour

• Lake of the Sky Trail & Tallac Historic Site
   

⛰️ Easy | 1.8 mi loop | 59 ft elevation
📍 Trail available on AllTrails (look for future post about this hike specifically)
🏊‍♀️ Swimming: Yes — nearby Baldwin Beach and Kiva Beach
🕰 Explore Tallac Historic Site, picnic at the beach.

• Drive perimeter of Lake

⛰️ 72 mile drive
📍 Through South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City, and Incline Village
🏊‍♀️ Swimming: Yes — available at various beaches along drive.

🗓 Day 4 – Beach Exploration & Water Sports 

Activity: Swimming at Lakeside Beach

Highlights: Private beach (often included in Resort Fee at hotel), snack bar, beach restaurant, chairs/lounge chairs/umbrellas (seasonally), kayaking/paddle boarding (seasonally). If not included in your hotel amenities, this beach is $30 per adult/per day to access, plus cost of renting chairs/umbrellas, etc.

🗓 Day 5 – Alpine Lake Exploration right outside South Lake Tahoe

Activity:

• Winnemucca Lake Loop

⛰️ Moderate | 5.3 mi loop | 754 ft elevation
📍 Trail available on AllTrails (look for future post about this hike specifically)
🏊‍♀️ Swimming: Cold alpine lake — possible to wade/swim if you’re brave!
🕰 Start early to beat crowds; bring snacks for a lake picnic; $5 parking fee required.

• Return to Lakeside Beach for afternoon swim and sunset.

• Prepare for departure.

Look for future posts on where to stay, dine, and a deeper dive into hikes.

Over the next several weeks I’ll be sharing my adventures in Lake Tahoe, including a sample 5-day itinerary, stay/dine/shop recommendations, and of course, hikes.

But let’s start with an intro to the area.

⛵️Lake Tahoe is the second-deepest lake in the U.S. at 1,645 feet deep.

⛵️It sits on the California-Nevada border.

⛵️Contains 39 trillion gallons of water

⛵️Is notable for it’s crystal blue color and is 99.9% pure water

⛵️Is the largest alpine lake in North America and one of the oldest lakes of the world

⛵️The lake is about 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, and 72 miles in circumference 

⛵️And covers about 191 square miles

We chose to stay in South Lake Tahoe, which has plenty of shopping, casinos, restaurants, and beaches.

Other popular areas along the lake include - Tahoe City and Incline Village.