Visitors to scenic Lake Tahoe should not miss a wonderful and cultural experience this weekend – Wa She Shu It Deh Native American Festival.

The Wa She Shu It Deh Native American Festival is one of Lake Tahoe’s most notable cultural events. The event will take place at the Valhalla Arts, Music and Theatre Festival on July 24 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on both days.

There is so much to do and see. A few of the activities include a basket weaving competition, traditional dance, native artists and performers, native film festival, hand game tournament, as well as terrific raffle prizes and wonderful food!

The Wa She Shu It Deh Native American Festival is a rare cultural event for families and people of all ages can enjoy.

“The Wa She Shu It Deh Tribe’s history dates back an estimated 9,000 years in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” said Lori Cramer, executive director of the non-profit Tahoe Tallac Association. “We’re helping to celebrate their culturally rich history by recognizing both California and Nevada Washoe Tribes of Nevada with an annual festival that’s free to all.”

Wa She Shu It Deh Native American Festival is being held on the grounds of the Valhalla Grand Hall .

The event is free of charge and located right on the gorgeous shores of alpine Lake Tahoe at the historic Tallac Site, which is the proud home of the Valhalla Arts, Music and Theatre Festival.

For additional information on the Wa She Shu It Deh Native American Festival, please visit – http://www.valhallatahoe.com/events.html

The 21st annual American Century Championship will be held at scenic Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in beautiful Lake Tahoe from July 13-18, 2010.

This made-for-TV event owned and broadcast by NBC Sports is the premier celebrity golf tournament. The event features a record purse of $600,000. The tournament is a 54-hole modified Stableford format that features some of sports and entertainment greatest celebrities.

Over 75 pro athletes and entertainers return for a week of fun at Lake Tahoe!  More than 27,000 lucky visitors attend the golf tournament and watch the celebs tackle the famed golf course.

Check out celebrity players and see them up close. Several of the major stars who played in last year’s event include: Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Tony Romo, Ray Romano, Mario Lemieux, John Elway, and Jerry Rice!

The American Century Celebrity Golf Championship will remain at Lake Tahoe through at least 2012.

The 54-hole tournament in its 19th year will continue to be played at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course and Harrah’s/Harveys will continue to serve as the host hotel under the agreement that also includes the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

Sand Harbor is one of the most amazing sandy beaches on all of Lake Tahoe.

Most of Nevada’s east shore of Lake Tahoe is void of sandy beaches. The exception is Sand Harbor. The many beaches on the Nevada side beaches have coarse sand that can be very tough on your feet.

Due to Lake Tahoe’s prevailing breezes, they deposit a fine grained white sand at Sand Harbor that has become its namesake.

The protected cove at Sand Harbor absorbs the afternoon sun and the prevailing winds also warms the lake’s water. So in the summer, this makes swimming very enjoyable in the otherwise chilly alpine waters.

Sand Harbor also features a boat launch, restrooms, picnicking, group use areas, and a Lake Tahoe informational center. Visitors can also find the Harbor House Bistro and Beach Goods concessionaire, where you can find quality dining and beachwear.

Sand Harbor is also home to the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, held during summer.

Because of its white granite boulders and beautiful sandy beaches, Sand Harbor is also one of the most unique places to paddle on Lake Tahoe. Scuba diving and snorkeling are both very popular here

Sand Harbor is located about three miles south of Incline Village, on State Route 28.

For the ultimate in Lake Tahoe pampering and a little relaxation, then try The Spa at Squaw Creek.

The Spa at Squaw Creek, which recently completed a $1.5 million renovation, definitely represents the serene beauty of the entire Squaw Valley area.

The Spa at Squaw Creek is a slope-side resort spa and offers its guests 10 treatment rooms, both men’s and women’s locker rooms, plus a pre-treatment sanctuary.

Enjoy this luxury spa by choosing from a deluxe menu of massage, facial, body and salon services.

The spa offers spectacular local, Lake Tahoe mountain views. In fact, The Spa has taken this alpine heaven one step further and actually integrated the various natural colors, textures and materials into its design.

As you enter the luxurious Squaw Valley spa, you walk beneath a bronze-colored branch awning and view beautiful artwork of glass encasing bronze trees and leaves.

All throughout the spa, you will enjoy the tranquil sounds of various, soothing water features.

During the popular winter ski season, The Spa at Squaw Creek provides convenient lift service to and from the mountain.

Courtesy of: The Spa at Squaw Creek

The Spa at Squaw Creek is a full-service spa and definitely North Lake Tahoe’s most luxurious spa.

A sampling of some of the available treatments and services include – the Tahoe Hot Stone Massage, a spa boutique, salon and beauty services, new relaxation room, and the updated state-of-the-art fitness center.

The Spa at Squaw Creek
400 Squaw Creek Rd.
Olympic Valley, CA
(530) 581-6624
www.squawcreek.com

Harveys Lake Tahoe, was the first hotel-casino to be built in South Lake Tahoe. If you are looking for the best steak dinner in the Lake Tahoe area, then you should put Sage Room Steak House at the top of your list.

The Sage Room Steak House opened in 1947 and the restaurant has been a long time favorite to both Lake Tahoe locals and area visitors.

Customers can enjoy a fine dining experience in an authentic western atmosphere. The restaurant is traditional but also contemporary is located in  Lake Tower of Harveys.

The restaurant includes fine Western art works by both Remington and Russell.

The Sage Room offers exquisite dining, classic steakhouse dishes, along with unforgettable panoramic views of scenic Lake Tahoe.

One of the treats for Sage Room patrons is be personally served a tableside flambé meal. What an experience!

For dessert, a longtime favorite is the Bananas Foster.

Sage Room Steak House
988 Stateline Ave
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(775) 588-2411

The hike to Eagle Lake is a relatively easy one. It is also one of the most popular hikes in the South Lake Tahoe area.

On the busy weekends, you will find a variety of families, singles and group hikers, even dogs enjoy the amazing Lake Tahoe regional views.

Due to the popularity of the Eagle Lake hiking trail, be sure to get there early to avoid the mid-day heat and avoid the crowded parking lot.

The actual hiking route to Eagle Lake begins as a somewhat steep climb through a patch of woodland. As you continue up the south side of the ravine, you’ll arrive at the junction after about after 0.7 miles.

At this point you are in a scenic, sheltered basin that is surrounded on two different sides by both steep and jagged, granite cliffs.

The overall elevation rise is about 450 feet. The overall hike is about 2 miles in length and will take about one and one-half hours , on average.

Eagle lake is located in the Lake Tahoe Desolation Wilderness.

Many people take the hike to Eagle Falls Trail and continue on to Eagle Lake.

There are two different waterfalls named Eagle Falls – Lower Eagle Falls, and Upper Eagle Falls.

Both of these beautiful waterfalls can be easily reached, off Hwy 89, across from Emerald Bay. You can find a trail to the falls that begins from the  Emerald Bay State Park parking lot. located along highway 89.

It should be noted that no dogs are allowed on the hike trail.

The Lower Eagle Falls is approximately one mile hike down from Lake Tahoe.  The hike will bring you to the sandy white beach in Emerald Bay.  You will also view the impressive Vikingsholm Castle.

Lower Eagle falls consists of two large, falling cascades.  The first cascade is about 60 feet in length, and the second is about 90 feet long. There are wonderful views all along the entire length of the hike.

The hike to Lower Eagle Falls can be classified as easy to moderate. The hike should takes roughly 20-30 minutes and is considered one of the most popular hikes in the Lake Tahoe area.

A hike to the Upper Eagle Falls is not as amazing, but still well worth it. The Upper Eagle Falls waterfall is about 20 feet in length. You can reach the Upper Eagle Falls after a quarter of a mile hike from the Eagle Falls picnic area.

For those looking for more, continue your hike to Eagle Lake, within the Desolation Wilderness. Even further, you can reach Velma Lakes Basin.

The Soule Domain restaurant has often been called the best place to dine in the entire Lake Tahoe Basin.

The Soule Domain is a small, yet romantic restaurant with a “Class A” menu that rivals any other.

Charlie Soule is both the restaurant owner and chef. Charlie’s brother Steve manages the dining room.

The restaurant offers its guests an intimate atmosphere and very romantic and cozy, fine dining experience.

The Soule Domain operates out of an authentic log cabin and is complete with wonderful stone fireplaces.

Soule Domain is a wonderful choice to enjoy delicious, fresh seafood and generous cuts of meat – all in an intimate setting.

You will find nothing but the best ingredients in its tasty dishes including local, seasonal produce and when available, Chef Soule uses natural, free range, and organic meats and poultry.

Courtesy of: The Soule Domain

Charlie Soule is well known for his famous sauces which come with all his dishes.  There a wide variety of mouth-watering entrees to meet even the most demanding diner.

Charlie was quoted as saying, “I want my guests to walk away feeling like they had a complete experience – full of good food at a good price, having had a good time.”

As an award winning restuarant, The Soule Domain has been proudly voted “Best Place to take a Date” for 15 years in a row!

So for a truly memorable experience, make your next Lake Tahoe dining reservation at The Soule Domain.
The Soule Domain

For additional information or to make reservations, call 530-546-7529
or visit http://www.souledomain.com/

Located at the base of the new Heavenly Gondola, shoppers can rejoice and spurge at The Shops at Heavenly Village.

To find the best luxury shopping that Lake Tahoe has to offer, The Shops at Heavenly Village offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, entertainment and museums.

Offering a unique European village flair, along with the beauty of breathtaking Lake Tahoe scenery,  The Shops at Heavenly Village is a must.

Centrally located, The Shops at Heavenly Village has something for everybody – dining, shopping, movies at the 8-plex cinema, or miniature golf and ice skating at the center’s seasonal outdoor pavilion .

Or you can just relax and enjoy the beautiful outdoors, while watching all the people come and go.

There’s a variety of shops offering both national, as well as local brand merchandise.  Here you can find some fabulous, traditional Native American clothing.

The shopping center is located at North Lake Tahoe Blvd. and Heavenly Village Way.

The Shops at Heavenly Village
(530) 542-4230
http://www.theshopsatheavenly.com/

As you leave South Lake Tahoe heading up the west shore on Hwy 89, you’ll come to a series of beaches that all seem very similar in nature.

The first of these is Pope Beach, which is basically a one mile long by 300 foot wide strip of sand, and separates the Truckee Marsh from Lake Tahoe.

Pope Beach is the longest of all of lake Tahoe’s beaches.

Pope beach is operated by the USDA forest service. This unfortunately means there will be a parking fee.

This is an excellent beach for families, with lots of sand, room, clear shallow water, and relative shelter from the winds. The parking lot runs the entire length of the beach so there are no long walks. There are plenty of picnic tables and grills as well.

As with other beaches in this area (i.e. Baldwin, Kiva, Camp Richardson), there is typically less wind than the east shore.