Lake Tahoe: Natural Versatility
“Don't call it Frisco. Or summer” . This message, accompanied by a photograph of a foggy Golden Gate, filled the streets of San Francisco a couple of summers ago. And it is that only the old unconscious would make the mistake of referring to the city as Frisco and only those who have never been here would describe the summer months as summer. The solution that advertising provided for San Franciscans who wanted to sweat a little in July and August? Get away to Tahoe , a lake nestled between mountains and a majestic grove and just three and a half hours northeast of the city. The possibilities are almost endless.
BY BIKE
The best way to explore all that Tahoe and its mountains have to offer is touring it by bicycle . The entire loop around the lake is 115 kilometers of paved road with stunning views of the water, surrounding peaks and pine and fir forests. Be careful because the bike lane often joins the road and in the urban centers of Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe the traffic gets especially bad. In addition to avoiding clueless pedestrians is inevitable.
Doing the entire loop in a single day is only suitable for cyclists in good physical shape, but you can divide the route into several days. Also note that to get to emerald bay Nobody takes a good little rise from you.
Rocked by the waters of the Tahoe
WALKING
Precisely in the area of emerald bay , southwest of the lake, you can get off your bike and put on your hiking boots to hike the Rubicon Trail that lines the shore of one of Tahoe's little bays . It is about 18 kilometers round trip, a distance that can be done in a single day without problems. Although, if you prefer, you can always camp in one of the different areas set up for it in this natural park and take things easy.
The path has stunning views of the lake, through a fairly wooded landscape. Despite the fact that at the entrance to the park they will warn you of the danger of crossing a black bear on your way, it is much more likely that the ones that end up bothering you will be a pair of mallard ducks (too accustomed to the presence of humans in the area) trying to get you to give them part of your snack. Also watch out for crested jays , unmistakable by their intense blue plumage, capable of stealing any food that you leave minimally unattended in one fell swoop.
Hiking the Tahoe is a must
SPLASHING
When it comes to water, anything really goes at this lake. You can lie down to the bartola in a hammock in one of the beaches with views of the snowy mountains as Eldorado Beach , in South Lake Tahoe; Commons Beach , in Tahoe City; either king's beach , north of the lake.
For those who prefer a little more activity, there is always the possibility of renting a kayak or a paddle surf board. Nothing like the calm waters of Tahoe to keep you balanced , nor end up falling. But beware of the jet skis and motor boats of all kinds that plague the area, they are capable of destabilizing the most experienced paddler.
Calm: those of the Tahoe are very calm waters
RUSTIC SHOPPING
If you want to disconnect a little from so much active and mountain life, go to Truckee , west of the lake and the main urban core of the area without a view of Tahoe. Have a coffee with a Nutella croissant or raspberry scone at Coffeebar to recharge and then take a walk down Donner Pass Road . Browse the windows and interiors of not necessarily cheap gift and decoration shops such as Bespoke or Cooking Gallery . And listen to the conversations of the locals, complaining about how crowded everything is and how bad the traffic is on weekends and during the holidays, whenever tourists decide to invade the area.
The Cute Gift Shop in Tahoe
ALSO IN WINTER
In addition to sunny and bustling summers, Tahoe is a must-see destination for urbanites seeking mountain charm in winter, too. With more than a dozen ski resorts in the area There is no shortage of options for skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. If you want to imitate Theodore's example in Her bet on the Sugar Bowl Resort in Truckee. Although, for some reason, we have a hard time imagining Joaquin Phoenix in his ski suit...
winter in tahoe
FOR GOURMETS
All that activity must have whetted your appetite, but no problem. You can start your day off right, racking up calories to burn with Driftwood Cafe's breakfast at South Lake Tahoe . The queues are long but the pancakes with blueberries are worth it and their eggs Benedict vegetarian version too.
The South Lake Tahoe Cafe
At night and if you want to get your strength back there is nothing like approaching Tahoe City for a gourmet grass-raised organic beef burger at Fat Cat Bar, where they also have open mic nights. For roast beef tacos or chicken quesadillas, nothing like Bridgetender, where the best thing is actually the mountain atmosphere and the decoration based on wood and diners with lumberjack shirts and beards.
Tacos, quesadillas and lumberjack shirts
BETWEEN TWO STATES
cross the border with Snowfall and you will see that, despite being in a lake surrounded by mountains, things change a bit. In the moment in wich South Lake Tahoe, California, becomes Stateline, Nevada. Tall hotel buildings with neon lights and where you can also gamble (and smoke) dominate the landscape. Pop into the Hard Rock or Lakeside Inn for a decidedly kitschy, slightly Las Vegas-esque experience.
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Tahoe's beaches, perfect for a dip
Winter with family and in Tahoe