From the breathtaking beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the endless outdoor adventures, Lake Tahoe served as a giant playground for us to play, explore, and share unforgettable memories last weekend. Traveling to Lake Tahoe has been on our bucket list for quite some time, and let me just say, this place exceeded all of my expectations.
We had an amazing time soaking up the sun, reconnecting with nature, and, of course, discovering some delicious Fab 4 eats along the way.
Our family loves staying active while traveling, and it turns out that Lake Tahoe is an ideal destination offering a wealth of outdoor adventures amidst stunning natural beauty. I’ve compiled all of our favorite spots for you to add to your itinerary for an action-packed and rejuvenating getaway!
10 Outdoor Activities and Clean Eats in Lake Tahoe
Depending on your specific starting point and destination within Lake Tahoe, you'll likely travel along Highway 89 or Interstate 80, which offer plenty of opportunities to explore charming towns, natural attractions, and recreational spots along the way.
Here’s everything we got up to during our stay in Lake Tahoe:
1. Truckee Eats: We started our journey at the Truckee Tahoe Airport and spent some time exploring the city before making our way to our homestay by the water. Truckee had a few fun Fab 4 approved eats we stopped at, including Mountain Valley Meats, Coffeebar for a pick me up, and FiftyFifty Brewery Co for lunch. We ordered the elk burger protein style, shrimp tacos on corn tortillas, and organic wings. It was a hit!
2. Truckee River Float: If you’re in the Truckee area, I highly recommend floating down the Truckee River for a refreshing and memorable experience. Begin by renting inflatable rafts, tubes, or kayaks from local outfitters in Truckee or Tahoe City. They often provide equipment, life jackets, and shuttle services to the starting point. Alternatively, you can park a car at the River Ranch Lodge and rent tubes at the Chevron in Tahoe City.
There are several sections of the Truckee River suitable for floating, but we chose Tahoe City to River Ranch for more mellow waters. This popular route starts near Tahoe City and ends at River Ranch, offering a scenic 5-mile float with Class I rapids, suitable for little ones to float and play. We purchased double tubes with the mini cooler, loaded them up with snacks, drinks, and sunscreen, and floated for 2-3 hours along the beautiful lake.
Afterward, we stopped by River Ranch Lodge and Restaurant for some quick eats - it’s bar style but you can’t go wrong with their lettuce-wrapped burger!
3. Explore by Bike: Explore the vast city of Lake Tahoe by bike! The Flume Trail Bikes Shop in Incline Village is located right at the start of a paved trail and has a great selection of bike rentals, with available Burley attachments for e-bikes to stash your kids. We rented bikes and hit the paved trail which leads all the way to Sand Harbor Beach.
4. Sand Harbor Beach: This spot is a great place to set up camp and stay cool, with boulders to jump off and plenty of space to play at the sandy beach. Hit up Whitecaps Pizza for an outdoor picnic table dinner situation with a sandy beach for your kids to play while you wait for food. We ordered gluten-free pizza, warm olives, a braised beef hummus plate (ask for an extra side of braised beef), and broccolini!
5. Tahoe City Farmers Market: No visit to Lake Tahoe is complete without immersing yourself in the vibrant local culture, and one of the best ways to do so is by exploring its bustling farmers' markets. Every Thursday from 8am-1 pm, the Tahoe City Farmers Market at Commons Beach has an array of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and local flavors that embody the essence of Tahoe life. Get there early for Blackwall Bakery, freshly picked blueberries, organic bone broth, and freshly brewed coffee and tea. There is a great playground and a baby beach right at the end of the parking lot which makes for the perfect morning in Tahoe!
6. New Moon Grocery: This little health food store in Truckee-Tahoe City is stocked with grass-fed local beef, adaptogenic mocktails, and all our favorite brands: Siete, Primal Kitchen, and Unreal Chocolates. If you’re heading out of Truckee Tahoe Airport, it’s easy to stop here on your way home for healthy plane ride snacks!
7. Visit Emerald Bay: Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay is a must-see destination. Rent a boat, anchor down, and enjoy a swim in the crystal clear waters of Emerald Bay. You can also relax at one of the lakeside picnic areas for a laidback afternoon, or hike to the nearby waterfall or Vikingsholm – Tahoe's Hidden Castle. Pack a lunch/cooler and you could hang here all day! But if you do a half day like us, I suggest boating to Sunnyside for some killer grilled fish tacos (swapped flour for corn tortillas) and Hawaiian plates!
8. Boat to North Shore Hyatt: Another great spot for water sports, including tubing, water skiing, or surfing, is right by the Hyatt in Incline Village. We played at their beach for a couple of hours and then stopped by Lone Eagle Grille for lunch. The kid's menu has lots of protein options and veggie side dishes to choose from, and the Bison burger lettuce wrapped is fabulous!
9. Paddleboarding or Kayaking: Rent paddle boards and kayaks to explore Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters and stunning surroundings. Head to Kings Beach or Carnelian Bay for calm waters and easy access to paddleboarding, or Emerald Bay for stunning scenery with clear waters and opportunities to explore secluded coves. The two-person paddle boards have enough room for you and a little one so the whole family can go out and enjoy the water!
10. Swimming in Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe has the clearest, cleanest water, and waking up with the sunrise in the fresh cold water is the best way to start the day. Nature’s cold plunge!
Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping thrills, peaceful moments of reflection, or lively evenings sampling local cuisine, keep this guide handy and plan a trip to Lake Tahoe!
