Lake Tahoe South Shore
Indoor and outdoor 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 dance clubs, Lake Tahoe South Shore (what the marketers call Tahoe South) is a destination spanning the California and Nevada borders that hosts a unique mix of wilderness and wild-ness, an indoor and outdoor playground with equal measures of altitude and attitude. Visitors can find peace and solitude on backcountry 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.
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 dotted with visitors on kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, small sailboats, fishing cruisers, water-ski boats, luxury cruising vessels and even the 500passenger paddlewheel boat M.S. Dixie II that sails to Emerald Bay on sightseeing trips and sunset dinner cruises. On land, the South Shore is a hiker’s paradise with options including multi-day treks into the Desolation Wilderness or a steep day’s climb up to the awe-inspiring views from Mount Tallac, as well as relaxed family strolls in flat meadows at Camp Richardson and around the lakeshore Tallac Historic Site. Cyclists can take advantage of a network of road rides and mountain paths with everything from the easy to extreme, from a scenic roll in the woods to stunt-biking in Bijou Bike Park, treacherous, teeth-rattling mountain descents or even a 72-mile ride
all the way around Lake Tahoe. Golfers play on several area courses, including the lakeside Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course (home of the popular American Century celebrity golf tournament in July) and can stay in the course-side Lodge at Edgewood. Heavenly Mountain Resort’s on-mountain Epic Discovery Adventure Center has a plethora of fun summer activities including ropes courses and climbing walls.
Winter
Lake Tahoe South Shore boasts three world class ski resorts: Heavenly, Kirkwood and Sierra-at-tahoe. Heavenly’s wide variety of terrain spans two states, offering 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 South Lake Tahoe. Heavenly’s Tamarack Lodge hosts 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 new in 2020, fat tire snow biking on 37 miles of groomed trails at their Cross Country and Snowshoe Center. 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. With 130 daily flights arriving at Reno/tahoe International Airport, and expanded ground transport services with South Tahoe Airporter and UBERSKI, getting here and getting around in winter is easier than ever.
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, Montbleu Casino and the Heavenly
Village Summer Concert Series. 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 has shopping with name-brand boutiques as well as quirky local ski shops and crafts stores. Dining options cover anything from sushi to pizza and gourmet cuisine at Hell’s Kitchen, the new Gordon Ramsay restaurant at Harveys Lake Tahoe. 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 refurbished old-school motels. 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.