Lake Tahoe South Shore
Year-round mountain playground
FROM SERENE VIEWS over mirror-flat morning waters of Lake Tahoe and the gentle footfall of hikers on pine needlecovered forest paths, to the jangle of slot machines and the pumping bass of a casino dance club, Lake Tahoe South Shore (what the marketers call Tahoe South) is a destination hosting a unique mix of wilderness and wild-ness, an indoor and outdoor playground with equal measures of altitude and attitude. Visitors can follow their desires to find peace and solitude on back country hikes or ski runs, or dive into a swirling social scene at a packed summer beach, holler at a crowded craps table or slurp microbrews at an après ski bar complete with go-go dancers. It’s dealer’s choice on the South Shore. And South Lake is continuing its renaissance with ongoing openings and renovations of hotels, restaurants and retail spaces across the area.
Summer
Summer activity around the South Shore is understandably focused on the beautiful waters of spectacular Lake Tahoe. Beaches are packed with summer revelers, while the waters are filled with every type of floating vessel imaginable—from kayaks and standup paddle boards to small sailboats, fishing cruisers, water-ski boats, luxury cruising vessels and even the 500-passenger paddlewheel ship M.S. Dixie II that runs daily Emerald Bay sightseeing trips and sunset dinner cruises. For the adventurous, Tahoe’s new Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail is an underwater route for divers and snorkelers to swim around old shipwrecks.
For fun out of the water, the South Shore is a hiker’s paradise with journeys ranging from multi-day treks into the Desolation Wilderness and a steep day’s climb up to the awe-inspiring views from Mount Tallac,
to relaxed family strolls in flat meadows at Camp Richardson and around the Tallac Historic Site or along the lakeshore. Cyclists can take advantage of a network of road rides and mountain paths with everything from a scenic roll in the woods to treacherous, teeth-rattling mountain descents. The ambitious can even bike the entire 72mile circumference of Lake Tahoe, while the cautious can pedal bike paths close to town and teens can stunt-ride at the Bijou Bike Park. Golfers can check out several area courses, including the lakeside Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course (home of the popular American Century celebrity golf tournament in July) and stay in picturesque Lodge at Edgewood.
Heavenly Mountain Resort’s on-mountain Epic Discovery adventure center features a gravity-powered Mountain Coaster, long zip lines, an educational forest canopy tour and a kids ropes course, as well as a network of hiking trails leading from their gondola (which is worth a sightseeing ride even if you never step off it) and guided 4x4 tours to further explore the mountain.
Winter
Lake Tahoe South Shore boasts three worldclass ski resorts: Heavenly, Kirkwood and Sierra-at-tahoe. Heavenly is an expansive and popular mountain spanning two states, with contrasting views of the blue Tahoe waters and the high-prairie Nevada countryside. The Heavenly Gondola connects visitors right into the action in the center of the city. Heavenly’s Tamarack Lodge features a lively après ski scene, as does their LAT 38 rooftop bar at the California Lodge. Kirkwood, about a 45-minute drive from town, is known for its advanced chutes, the “Expedition Kirkwood” adventure ski program, deep snow and relaxed vibe. Sierra-at-tahoe is a medium-sized family-oriented ski resort (located on Highway 50 between South Lake Tahoe and Sacramento) with specially designed learning terrain, and new food and beverage options for 2019. And with Reno/tahoe International Airport’s expanded flight options and added ground transport services with the South Tahoe Airporter and UBERSKI, getting here and getting around in winter is easier than ever. And to extend the winter season in 2019, South Tahoe will be running its second annual “Spring Loaded” series of events, food and lodging specials and ski parties from March 14 to April 7.
24/7/365
When the day of outdoor activity is done, the second shift of fun is just beginning around South Lake Tahoe. On the Nevada side of the border, high-rise casinos rock with the sounds and energy of non-stop gambling, dining and entertainment. Gamers get recharged in an array of restaurants and buffets, as well as at comedy shows and live music events at Harveys Summer Concert Series and at the Hard Rock Hotel. Packed bars and clubs give South Tahoe’s indoor playground a Vegas feel, albeit at 6200 feet above sea level (don’t forget to rehydrate in the high and dry air!).
Outside the casinos, the main strip of town boasts shopping opportunities in the Chateau at the Village, with name-brand boutiques as well as quirky local ski shops and crafts stores along the shores. Dining can be anything from sushi to pizza and gourmet cuisine at the Lake House Restaurant, and tasty morning treats for skiers and hikers at the new Crazy Good Bakery Café and Dragonfly Bagel Co. To quench your thirst, try the locally-focused South Lake Brewing Company and the 25 beers on tap at Lake Tahoe Aleworx or the new Tahoe Social House for evening cocktails. When you finally decide to take a rest, South Lake Tahoe offers a vast array of lodging options from high-rise casino hotels to boutique resorts and old-school motels—some like the Basecamp Hotel and the Coachman Hotel refurbished with an upscale retro vibe.
Regardless of your choice of food, activity or season, Lake Tahoe South Shore is a spot to satisfy any sort of appetite— you’ll only be hungry for another trip.