Active Pursuits

Bicycling

Miles of paved bicycle paths surround the lake. Incline Village has a scenic, easy, 2 1/2-mile path along Lakeshore Boulevard (a safe choice for younger children). In Tahoe City you can follow the path in three directions. The one that follows Truckee River is a relaxing, beautiful ride. On the South Shore, the Pope-Baldwin bike path runs parallel to Highway 89 through Camp Richardson and the Tallac Historic Site. Nearby, in South Lake Tahoe, a paved pathway runs from El Dorado Beach along the lake, paralleling U.S. 50. The Tahoe City trails are my favorites, especially the Truckee River section. You can rent a bicycle from any of the shops listed below.

A dizzying choice of mountain biking trails awaits mountain bikers in Lake Tahoe. For maps and information, check with one of the bicycle-rental shops. In North Lake Tahoe, try the Olympic Bike Shop, 620 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City (tel. 530/581-2500; www.olympicbikeshop.com); Tahoe Bike & Ski, 8499 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach (tel. 530/546-7437; www.tahoebikeski.com). In South Tahoe, try Anderson's Bike Rental, 645 Emerald Bay Rd. (tel. 530/541-0500), or Lakeview Sports, 3131 Hwy. 50, at El Dorado Beach (tel. 530/544-0183).

Another great choice is Cyclepaths Mountain Bike Adventures, 1785 W. Lake Blvd. in Tahoe Park, a few miles south of Tahoe City (tel. 800/780-BIKE or 530/581-1171; www.cyclepaths.com), where you can arrange a guided off-road tour. Whether you're into hard-core downhill single track or easy-going scenic outings, the expert guides will provide you with the necessary gear, food, and transportation.

Boating, Kayaking, Parasailing & Watersports

Nothing beats getting out on the lake and seeing the 360-degree view of Lake Tahoe -- either by taking a guided tour or going off on your own to motor, sail, or paddle around. And plenty of companies around the lake would love your business. Zephyr Cove Marina (tel. 800/238-2463; www.zephyrcove.com) is the lake's largest marina and home of the paddle-wheeler MS Dixie II. Here you can parasail, charter sport-fishing trips, or take guided tours. You can also rent motorized boats, pedal boats, kayaks, canoes, water-ski equipment, and jet skis. Tahoe City Marina (tel. 530/583-1039; www.tahoecitymarina.com), at 700 N. Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City, rents motorized boats, sailboats, and fishing boats. This is also the location for Lake Tahoe Parasailing (tel. 530/583-7245). Tahoe Paddle and Oar, North Lake Beach Center, 8299 North Lake Blvd., Kings Beach (tel. 530/581-3029; www.tahoepaddle.com), is a good place to rent kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and windsurfing equipment. Paddling around in the clear waters of Crystal Bay is great fun. Other companies that rent kayaks and provide a variety of guided tours -- Emerald Bay tours, East Shore tours, sunset tours, moonlight/astronomy tours, to name a few -- include the Tahoe Adventure Company (tel. 866/830-6125; www.tahoeadventurecompany.com) and Tahoe City Kayak (tel. 530/581-4336; www.tahoecitykayak.net).

Action Water Sports rents boats, kayaks, jet skis, paddleboats, and other water toys; parasailing and guided tours are also available. Action Water Sports has two locations: 3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd. at Timber Cove Marina, South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/544-5387; www.action-watersports.com); and across from the Hyatt in Incline Village (tel. 775/831-4386). Camp Richardson Marina, 1900 Jameson Beach Rd., off Highway 89 on the South Shore (tel. 530/542-6570; www.camprichardson.com), on a long sandy beach, rents power- and ski boats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboats. It also offers fishing charters, ski school, and raft and kayak tours to Emerald Bay. SunSports, 3564 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/541-6000), provides rentals, tours, and lessons for kayaking, rafting, sailing, and scuba diving.

A Sailing Tour of Lake Tahoe -- I can't imagine a better way to spend an afternoon in Lake Tahoe than relaxing on a beautiful sailing yacht, sipping a cold beer or chardonnay while soaking in the sunshine and incredible scenery. That's why I think you should call Tahoe Sailing Charters and join them on one of their scenic 2-hour afternoon or sunset cruises aboard the Tahoe Cruz, a sleek 50-foot Santa Cruz-class yacht with a 12-foot beam and plenty of elbowroom. Guests can take turns at the helm or relax and let captain and crew sail the deep blue. Complimentary refreshments and snacks are included. The Tahoe Cruz sails daily from the Tahoe City Marina on Lake Tahoe's North Shore; rates are $50 for the afternoon sail and $60 for the sunset cruise. For departure times, reservations, and information, call tel. 530/583-6200 or log on to www.tahoesail.com.

Camping

If you have an appetite for the great outdoors, here are a few of the many good campgrounds at Tahoe:

D. L. Bliss State Park, on the western shore (tel. 530/525-7277), has 168 campsites, fine beaches, and hiking trails.

Sugar Pine Point State Park, open year-round on the western shore (tel. 530/525-7982), has 175 campsites, a picnic area, beach, nature center, and cross-country skiing.

Campground by the Lake, 1150 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/542-6096), features 170 campsites, a boat ramp, a gym, and a history museum.

Zephyr Cove RV Park and Campground, at Zephyr Cove Resort on U.S. 50 (tel. 775/589-4907; www.zephyrcove.com), has a beach, a marina, and complete facilities.

Fishing

The cold, clear waters of Lake Tahoe are home to massive kokanee salmon and rainbow, brown, and Mackinaw trout. Fishing here is a challenge in the deep water, so most anglers opt to use a guide or charter boat. Dozens of charter companies offer daily excursions. Rates run about $65 for a half-day to $95 for a whole day (bait, tackle, fish cleaning, and food included). On the North Shore, try Mickey's Big Mack Charters at the Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay (tel. 800/877-1462 or 530/546-4444; www.mickeysbigmack.com). On the South Shore, try Avid Fisherman, Zephyr Cove (tel. 775/588-7675); Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters, Tahoe Keys Marina (tel. 530/544-6552; www.blueribbonfishing.com); or Tahoe Sportfishing, 900 Ski Run Blvd. (tel. 800/696-7797 or 530/541-5448; www.tahoesportfishing.com). If you'd rather try your hand at fly-fishing, the Northstar-at-Tahoe resort (tel. 530/582-5393; www.northstarattahoe.com) has a private 10-acre reservoir stocked with hundreds of rainbow trout, reserved for catch-and-release fly-fishing only. Equipment is available for guests at no extra cost and there's a guide on-site daily to provide helpful hints.

The "Heavenly Flyer" Zip-Line Thrill Ride

If you're looking to add some high-adrenaline thrills to your Lake Tahoe vacation, head over to the Heavenly Mountain Resort on the South Shore and take a ride on their new Heavenly Flyer, the longest zip line in the lower 48 states. Located at the top of the Heavenly Gondola's Adventure Peak, the Heavenly Flyer is sort of like a flying chair attached to a thick 3,100-foot-long cable that runs from the base to way up the mountainside. You buckle in at the take-off deck, and then descend 525 feet through the pine trees at an exhilarating 50 mph. Heck, the views of Lake Tahoe alone are worth the ride. The Heavenly Flyer is open year-round from 11am to 3pm daily, and a single-ride pass costs $30. For more information log on to www.skiheavenly.com/mountain/heavenly_flyer, or call the resort at tel. 775/586-7000.

Fitness Centers

The Incline Recreation Center, 980 Incline Way, Incline Village (tel. 775/832-1310; www.inclinerecreation.com), is impressive, with a heated indoor Olympic-size swimming pool, aerobics, basketball, cardiovascular fitness room, lounge, fireplace, and on-site child care. It's $14 for adults and $8 for children.

Golf

With its world-class golf courses, mild summer weather, and magnificent scenery, Lake Tahoe is a golfer's paradise. All of the following courses are very busy in the summer, so call far in advance for tee times. For more information about Tahoe-area golf courses, log on to www.tahoesbest.com/Golf.

The north end of the lake has four highly rated courses: Incline Village Championship Course, 955 Fairway Blvd., and the smaller Incline Village Mountain (Executive) Course, 690 Wilson Way (tel. 866/925-GOLF for both; www.golfincline.com); Northstar-at-Tahoe (tel. 530/562-2490); and the Resort at Squaw Creek (tel. 800/327-3353).

In the south, Edgewood, U.S. 50 at Lake Parkway, Stateline (tel. 775/588-3566; www.edgewood-tahoe.com), is home of the Celebrity Golf Championship; Lake Tahoe Golf Course, 2500 Emerald Bay Rd., South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/577-0788; www.laketahoegc.com), also has some good 9-hole municipal courses. There's also Old Brockway Golf Course, 7900 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach (tel. 530/546-9909; www.oldbrockway.com); Tahoe City Golf Course, 251 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City (tel. 530/583-1516); and Bijou Municipal Golf Course, 3464 Fairway Ave., South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/542-6097).

Hiking

Hiking trails for all levels of experience crisscross the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe. Before setting out, you may wish to contact the local visitor centers or sporting-goods shops for a map and more in-depth information on particular trails, or hire a guide. Try Tahoe Trips & Trails (tel. 800/581-HIKE or 530/583-4506; www.tahoetrips.com) for short and long guided hikes. Everything is provided: food, drinks, transportation, and information about the lake. Going on your own? Some of the most popular short hikes in the area are:

• Eagle Falls/Eagle Lake: This moderately easy trail is well marked and begins at Eagle Picnic Area, across Highway 89 from Emerald Bay. It's only about a third of a mile to the steel footbridge overlooking the falls and 2 miles round-trip (1 1/2-2 hr.) to Eagle Lake. Be sure to sign in at the self-registration station at the trail head.
• Emerald Bay/Vikingsholm: The trail starts at the parking area on the north side of Emerald Bay, on Highway 89. It's a wide, well-maintained trail but fairly steep, about 2.5 miles round-trip. At the bottom of the trail is a picnic area, as well as world-famous Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle.
• Nevada Shoreline: Begin at the paved parking lot on the west side of Highway 28, 3 miles south of Sand Harbor. The trail drops to the beach and follows the shoreline, passing Chimney Beach, Secret Harbor, and Whale Beach. The trail eventually connects to a service road that can be followed back up to the parking area. It's an easy 4-mile hike, with a vertical climb of only 300 feet.
• Shirley Lake: This trail leads to Shirley Lake and then down to Shirley Canyon. Take the tram at Squaw Valley up to High Camp and hike down, or vice versa. The trail begins at the end of Squaw Creek Road, next to the cable-car building. It's a 4-mile hike, easy to moderate in difficulty, with some steep sections.

Horseback Riding

Most stables offer a variety of guided trail rides and lessons for individuals, families, and groups. Choose the one that appeals to your sense of adventure: 1- to 2-hour trail rides; breakfast, lunch, or dinner rides; half-day, full-day, overnight, and extended pack trips. Expect to pay $20 to $25 for a 1-hour ride, $6 for a half-hour pony ride. Saddle up and savor the scenery. Try Alpine Meadows Stables, 355 Alpine Meadows Rd., Tahoe City (tel. 530/583-3905); Squaw Valley Stables, 1525 Squaw Valley Rd., north of Tahoe City (tel. 530/583-7433); Camp Richardson Corral, Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe (tel. 530/541-3113); or Zephyr Cove Stables, Zephyr Cove Resort, U.S. 50 at Zephyr Cove (tel. 775/588-5664; www.zephyrcovestables.com).

River Rafting

For a swift but gentle ride down the Truckee River (the lake's only outlet), try Truckee River Raft Rental, 185 River Rd., Tahoe City (tel. 530/583-0123; www.truckeeriverraft.com). It's only available in the summer, and the rates are $35 for adults and $30 for children 6 to 12 (kids 5 and under are free). If you prefer a more exciting whitewater experience, Tributary Whitewater Tours (tel. 800/672-3846; www.whitewatertours.com) offers daily excursions (in season) down the Truckee River amid Class 2 to 3-plus rapids. It's the perfect trip for neophyte rafters and families -- exciting but not dangerously so. For a half-day trip, rates range from $68 to $98 for adults and $60 to $70 for kids 7 and older.

Tennis

The mild summer weather at Lake Tahoe is perfect for great tennis. If you want to sharpen your skills, Northstar-at-Tahoe (tel. 530/562-0321) offers several excellent tennis packages for its guests only. Squaw Creek (tel. 530/581-6694) tennis courts are open to the public for $14 an hour. Kirkwood (tel. 209/258-6000), MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa (tel. 775/588-3515), and Harveys Casino & Resort (tel. 775/588-2411) all feature tennis courts for a fee.

Budget-minded players should visit Tahoe Lake School on Grove Street in Tahoe City, or Tahoe Regional Park, at the end of National Avenue in Tahoe Vista. South Tahoe Intermediate School on Lyons Avenue has eight lighted courts and charges $3 per hour. South Tahoe High School, 1735 Lake Tahoe Blvd., has free courts.

Back to Top

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

				Print			RSS

				Frommer's California 2010 Author: Matthew Richard Poole Pub Date: December 02, 2009 Price: $21.99				Related Titles: A Moveable Thirst: Tales and Tastes from a Season in Napa Wine Country Frommer's 24 Great Walks in San Francisco, 1st Edition Frommer's California 2009

Sponsor Links	What's This?

Click here to visit Mandalay Bay.com

Click here for more offers on Mandalay Bay.com