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.

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.

With trails cutting through dense evergreen forests, Sierra-at-Tahoe evokes images of its sister resort, Northstar-at-Tahoe—only Sierra has a slightly steeper pitch.

The compact base area and no-frills, laid-back atmosphere (as exemplified by its motto, “Just Chill”) also make Sierra, like Northstar, a good place to bring the whole family.

The base area offers affordable, kid-friendly value meals, and the Parent Predicament lift ticket allows considerable family flexibility; for the cost of a full-day adult ticket, one parent can ski while the other stays with the child until they’re ready to swap duties.

Parents can also opt to leave their brood with Wild Mountain, a licensed daycare facility. But don’t let this cast the impression that it’s a families-only resort; the four new terrain parks have become quite the draw for area freestyle and daredevil skiers and ‘boarders alike.

The area claims to have 2,000 skiable acres and over 2,200 vertical feet, but it doesn’t ski that big—runs typically top out at around 1,500 vertical. Still, there is more than enough terrain and activities here to keep skiers of all abilities entertained.

For the nervous novices, there’s a range of snow toys available for rent, from the Snowscoot to the Skifox. Advanced skiers, meanwhile, can take a four-hour backcountry tour with the ski patrol for a measly $25.

Spectacular views of the lake are a constant, and the five recently opened backcountry gates leading into El Dorado National Forest make the overall skiable terrain damn near limitless.

One word of caution, however: check the weather report before you leave. The winding drive from South Lake Tahoe over Echo Summit can be pure treachery on a snowy day.

Article by: Elizabeth Zektick

Situated high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the hiking trail to Loch Leven Lakes is usually best attempted between June and November. Because of the short season, you’ll find this Tahoe trail particularly popular with fellow hikers.

The hike to Loch Leven Lakes has an elevation gain of roughly 1,200 feet over 4 miles in length, providing a total out-and-back distance of 8 miles.

The three Loch Leven Lakes are named, Low, Mid and High Loch Leven. The lakes are individually reached in that order. Most of the elevation gain and mileage will occur before reaching first or Low Loch Leven Lake.

Compared to the majestic Lake Tahoe, the Loch Leven Lakes with its granite-backed calm waters are subtler, more serene and peaceful, and more private.

The island-dotted lakes are not only beautiful, but also excellent for swimming. The trailhead is found by taking the Big Bend Exit off of I-80. The parking lot is approximately a 1/8 mile east of the Visitor Center.

Located in the Tahoe National, the impressive Truckee River’s crystalline waters originate at alpine blue, Lake Tahoe.

The Truckee River begins at Tahoe City’s famous “Fanny Bridge”. The river ends about one hundred and ten miles later at Pyramid Lake. The Truckee River is filled with Trout and dogs are allowed off leash along the river. Head north on Hwy 267, take a right on Glenshire Drive, go 4.5 miles and cross the Glenshire Bridge, take a sharp right after the bridge on the dirt road and park near the river.

The Truckee River encompasses an area of approximately 3,060 square miles in the states of California and Nevada. The basin stretches in a generally north by northeast direction.

The Truckee River was first discovered by Captain John C. Frémont in January, 1844.

At the head of the Truckee River is the Lake Tahoe Dam with its 17 sluice gates. Back in the very early 1900’s, a gatekeeper (water master), lived at the river’s source. He was assigned the job of managing the flow of water over Lake Tahoe dam.

You can view the reconstructed gatekeeper’s cabin, which is now a museum. The museum houses artifacts from the history of Lake Tahoe. It includes a incredible collection of Native American baskets, representing over 80 different tribes.

For recreation, the Truckee River is a great place to fish, ride a raft down the rapids, or just do some casual sightseeing. At the famed “fanny bridge” or “rump row”, you can enjoy watching tourists from around the world, leaning over to look at the mighty Truckee River below.

If you’re looking for terrific white water rafting, try the Truckee River. The Truckee River offers Class I through Class IV stretches. Beginners and casual sightseers will enjoy the long, calm stretch from the Lake Tahoe dam to River Ranch.

But if you’re looking for a bigger challenge, just beyond Boca Reservoir where the Truckee and Little Truckee rivers merge, is where the real fun begins.

Exciting Class II, III, and IV, rapids are present until rafters reach Floriston. After that point, rafters will enjoy a nice ride into Reno – “The Biggest Little City in the World”.

Tahoe’s South Shore offers the best in outdoor recreation, with boating and beach activities, cruises, fishing, hiking, and golf as well as world class casinos and exciting night-life.

Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina, is South Shore Lake Tahoe’s most complete lakeside resort, and it puts you in the center of all the Tahoe action.

Zephyr Cove has a full service Marina that offers vacationers water craft and water toy rentals, M.S. Dixie II sightseeing cruises, parasailing, horseback riding and much more.

Zephyr Cove Resort also features lodging, dining, shopping, an RV Park & Campground, and is home to one of the largest snowmobile tour centers in all the United States.

The area also offers the Shoreline Events Pavilion for special events.

Zephyr Cove
760 U.S. Hwy 50
Zephyr Cove, NV 89448
Toll Free: (800)238-2463

There’s nothing like bringing in the New Year at Lake Tahoe.  Crisp winter nights, white snow on the ground and the throngs of happy party goers looking to celebrate the end of a year and the beginning of another.

Lake Tahoe traditionally offers a variety of New Years parties for varying tastes.  Here are a few of the bigger ones the casinos have to offer:

HARRAH’S LAKE TAHOE: Vex nightclub has a party from 9 p.m. It costs $100. The party features a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight, performances by male and female go-go dancers in “Moulin Rouge” themed attire, and topless routines by the Vex Girls.

Nathan Owens Motown and Soul perform a free show from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Harrah’s Center Stage.
Details: 588-6611.

HARVEYS LAKE TAHOE: Cool Black Kettle perform for free rom 9:30 p.m. to 1:15 a.m. at Harveys Tahoe Live.
Details: 588-2411.

MONTBLEU: Midnight Blu takes place at Opal Ultra Lounge, Blu Nightclub and the Convention Center, which features the band Disco Inferno. It costs $50 and includes party favors and champagne, go-go dancers and body painting. VIP booth and bottle reservations are available.
Details: 800-648-3353.

Source: Mark Earnest is a freelance writer for GoToRenoTahoe.com

1937 was the first year that Donner Ski Ranch was utilized for skiing. It’s been a very long, successful ride ever since.

Anybody who visits Donner Ski Ranch, quickly realizes that it has a much more relaxed atmosphere, compared to its other sister ski resorts around Lake Tahoe. Donner could be the perfect resort for those in search of a relaxed experienced while still having access to some of the best snowboard and ski experience.

Sadly, Donner Ski Ranch is the kind of mom-and-pop-style ski area that is regrettably dying across the U.S.  It’s a ski area where you can kick back and not feel cowed by hard-skiing hotshots or the dictates of ski fashion.

The Donner Ski Ranch offers every amenity that’s available at most of other major Lake Tahoe resorts, but without the pricey expenses and big crowds.

The Donner Ski Ranch Resort definitely offers a simpler atmosphere that is comfortable for the whole family. Atop Donner Summit at Donner Ski Ranch,  there is an average snowfall of about 33 feet. The result is an abundance of serious powder all winter long.

There are all types of terrain throughout the Donner Ski Ranch, which allows guests the opportunity to venture out and explore greater than 45 different wide open runs, all with a variety of challenges set to test even the most advanced skier or snow boarder.

Donner Ski Ranch is usually not uttered in the same breath as the other Lake Tahoe “hot spots”, such as Heavenly or Squaw Valley. Donner is regarded as a simpler and more traditional ski resort. But for a rewarding family ski outing, Donner Ski Ranch is a great vacation spot offering lower costs across the lines (food, beverages, souvenirs, etc).

One can also expect to experience shorter lift lines, uncrowded skiing and snow boarding all day long. Donner is quite possibly the most affordable and relaxed ski resort in all of Lake Tahoe.

The experience and courteous staff at Donner Ski Ranch prides themselves in offering the lowest rates for lift tickets, ski and snowboard lessons, and rentals for all types of winter sports.

Donner Ski Ranch is located on Historic Old U.S. 40 near Truckee in Lake Tahoe.

Donner Ski Ranch
19320 Donner Pass Rd
Norden, CA 95724
530-426-3635

On the shores of scenic Lake Tahoe, overlooking Hyatt’s private beach, pier, and mountainsides, Old Tahoe is alive and well here at the Lone Eagle Grille.

Take in the resplendent natural beauty surrounding the Hyatt Lake Tahoe resort as you relax by the warmth of two stone fireplaces. Lake Tahoe stretches for 22 miles and is adorned with misty, shimmering sunlight, is surrounded by the grandeur of the Sierra Nevadas. 

From your vantage point inside the Lone Eagle, discover a world-class view of the Lake Tahoe basin to enhance your memorable dining experience.

On Sundays, indulge in the only four-season brunch on the lake – a great meal for families or group dining. Take your choice from an unsurpassed selection.

Chef May is the head chef at Lone Eagle Grille, He brings a fresh creative energy as well as a rich and diverse culinary background to the renowned restaurant. He introduces a seasonally changing menu that presents a series of creative wild game and meats dishes tailored to the mountain locale and combines that with inspired fresh seafood dishes, plus the best locally sourced, seasonal produce.

“High Sierra Cuisine is a healthy yet hearty cooking style fitting of our alpine environment where active lifestyles and health consciousness are so important,” says May. “Drawing from the vast growing regions of California, the foraged foods of the Cascades, as well as all of the fishing ports of the West Coast allows us to focus on sustainable, organic and wild foods.”

Sit down to a flavorful meal in this lakefront restaurant prepared in our open display kitchen.

Patton Beach in Carnelian Bay Lake Tahoe, is a small stony beach with picnic tables and a nature walk.

Alpengroup is the concessionaire at the site and plans to open a new cafe in the small building in 2010.

During the summertime, non-motorized (kayaks, paddle boards…) beach rentals are available.

Patton Beach is located next to the Sierra Boat Co. Marina.