South Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe's statistics top the charts: It’s North America's largest alpine lake and third deepest, bottoming out at 1,645 feet. The waters of this ancient, fault-formed basin are remarkably blue and 99.994 percent pure. You'll need most of a day just to drive around its 72 miles of shoreline, so plan to stay a while. With South Lake Tahoe as home base, you'll enjoy easy access to outdoor adventures plus upscale urban comforts. Join the throngs of ski bums, mountain bikers, hikers, and paddlers recreating by the lake and on the slopes, then kick back at South Lake's enticing bistros and breweries.   

Read on for details on these and other things to do in South Lake Tahoe.

Hikes in South Lake Tahoe

The sparkling waters of Emerald Bay, punctuated by rugged Fannette Island, lie just a few miles north of town. Snap selfies from Inspiration Point, then hike the eye-candy Rubicon Trail along Emerald Bay State Park's conifer-clad shoreline. Or walk an easy mile downhill to Vikingsholm, a stone-and-timber castle perched at the head of Emerald Bay (Ed. note: Before making plans to visit Vikingsholm, check on its status at the Emerald Bay State Park website. As of January 2024, it is closed). Dip your toes in the lake from its white sand beach, or tour the magnificent 38-room Viking-style mansion built by a Chicago widow in 1929 (summers only).

For a more challenging journey, hike west from the lake's edge into 64,000-acre Desolation Wilderness, a stunning glacier-sculpted landscape of towering firs, granite-bound lakes, and flower-filled meadows. Trek to Granite Lake, the Velma Lakes, or Dicks Lake for chilly swimming, or huff to the 9,735-foot summit of Mount Tallac for a jaw-dropping perspective on the Tahoe basin.   

Skiing and Snowshoeing in South Lake Tahoe

In the winter months, carve up the slopes at Heavenly Ski Resort, a mega-mountain with Tahoe’s most skiable acreage (4,800 acres), highest summit elevation (10,067 feet), and longest vertical drop (3,500 feet). When your quads beg for mercy, switch out your skis for snowshoes at Camp Richardson Resort (rentals are available). Other popular snowshoe routes include Emerald Bay to Cascade Falls or Eagle Lake. Other prominent resorts near South Lake Tahoe include Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Kirkwood Mountain Resort. Sierra-at-Tahoe, known for its family-friendly atmosphere, offers a range of runs from beginner to advanced. It's particularly noted for its excellent tree skiing areas. Kirkwood, further south, is a haven for those seeking more challenging terrain, known for its deep powder and advanced runs.

Craft Beer in South Lake Tahoe

South Lake's burgeoning craft beer scene will lure you back from outdoor adventures. Try a few of 16 beers on tap at South Lake Brewing Company's lofty warehouse. Join the biergarten fun at The Hangar, a playground of picnic tables, string lights, and food trucks. Play cornhole, ping-pong, and board games at South of North Brewing. Pull your own pints while you hang by the patio fire pits at Lake Tahoe AleWorx, or dip into house-made beer cheese and artisan brews at Sidellis.

Restaurants in South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe chefs cook up diverse menus that push way beyond ski-town fondue. For fine dining, Edgewood Restaurant, known for its sophisticated American cuisine and panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Near Heavenly's gondola, snag a table by the fire pits and dine on Thai curry tacos at Azul Latin Kitchen; another casual spot is Base Camp Pizza Co., which offers a range of specialty pizzas in a relaxed, family-friendly environment. Head to Taste at The Loft for American tapas and an entertaining magic show. Off Ski Run Boulevard, intimate Cafe Fiore serves pitch-perfect Italian classics, Artemis offers Mediterranean mezze platters and zesty lamb gyros, and Shangrila Himalayan delivers Nepalese chicken momo and lamb biryani. Prefer take-out? No-frills Empanash bakes flavorful Argentine empanadas, and Yugen can send you home with nigiri and sashimi platters.  

Where to Stay in South Lake Tahoe

The town offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury resorts to cozy cabins, to suit different preferences and budgets. For those seeking upscale digs, The Landing Tahoe Resort & Spa, known for its lakefront location and onsite fine dining at Jimmy’s Restaurant. Travelers who are on more of a budget can find value at places like the Basecamp South Lake Tahoe or the Americana Lake Tahoe. These locations offer comfortable rooms, often with added perks like complimentary breakfast and outdoor recreational facilities. In between, there are plenty of reliable independent and chain hotels that provide easy access to restaurants, the lake, and resorts, such as Hotel Becket, Marriott's Timber Lodge, Black Bear Lodge, and Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe. For a more intimate and local experience, South Lake Tahoe boasts charming bed-and-breakfasts like the Fireside Lodge or the Heavenly Valley Lodge.

Looking for a more rustic experience? There are plenty of campgrounds here that offer both traditional camping and more of a glamping experience. Stay in a four-person cabin or a six-person cottage at Tahoe Valley Campground, pitch a tent or pull up your RV at Campground by the Lake, or reserve a spot at the more bare-bones Eagle Point Campground located on a hilltop above Emerald Bay, just to name a few.

See another side of the lake and explore neighboring North Lake Tahoe. 

Know before you go: As part of an effort to reduce litter, South Lake Tahoe and North Lake Tahoe have banned the sale of single-use water bottles at city-run and permitted events. So be sure to pack a reusable water bottle—you’ll be able to fill it up with the local high-quality tap water at free water filling stations at local businesses and recreation areas.