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50 Things to Do in Lake Tahoe California in the Summer

Sherianne Higgins·
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Things to Do in Lake Tahoe California: Summer Edition

If you are planning a trip to Lake Tahoe California and looking for the best things to do, see, and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. Lake Tahoe is a resort city on the California-Nevada state line. Tahoe has a cobalt blue lake, 70 miles of shoreline, and is in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The area is stunning. There is something for everyone in Lake Tahoe: quiet beaches, rustic cabins, hiking trails, water and snow sports, casinos, live entertainment, spas, and boutiques. Browse the must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Lake Tahoe bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your Lake Tahoe trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!

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Lake side view Lake Tahoe California things to do three day itinerary
Lake Tahoe California

Things to Do in and Around Lake Tahoe

Shop for souvenirs at Heavenly Village

Play a game of mini-golf

Ride the Heavenly gondola up the mountain for panoramic views of Lake Tahoe

Ride the alpine coaster at Heavenly Epic Discovery

Attend a concert on the water at El Dorado Beach

Stop by the Camp Richardson Marina for ice cream at an old-fashioned parlor

Tour the grounds of three estates at Tallac Historic Site

Go stargazing at Baldwin Beach

Explore the bike trails around the Lake Tahoe

Hike Cascade Canyon to the Falls

Stop at Inspiration Point for gorgeous views of Emerald Bay

Take a photo of Eagle Falls and hike the loop for stunning views

Hike down the mountain and tour the Vikingsholm Castle on the shore

Kayak out to Fannette Island and explore the tea house

Take an Emerald Bay sightseeing cruise

Hike the Balancing Rock Trail at DL Bliss State Park

Lake Tahoe California travel guide
Lake Tahoe

Hike the Rubicon Trail to the lighthouse

Tour the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion

Hike through the forest at Sugar Pine Point State Park

Stop in Chambers Landing Bar & Grill for a Chamber’s Punch

Get your adventure on at Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park

Take your picture with the 1960 Winter Olympics flame at Squaw Valley and explore the Olympic Museum

Ride the aerial tram at Squaw Valley for gorgeous mountain views

Go wine tasting at the Red Wolf Lodge

Raft the Truckee River

Hike the Shirley Canyon Train past waterfalls to the lake

Have lunch in the old railroad town of Truckee

Play bocce and drink wine at Truckee River Winery

Visit Donner Memorial State Park and learn the history of this area

Explore the old Summit Tunnel

Walk the pier at Dollar Point for incredible lake views

Go parasailing at King’s Beach

Have a picnic lunch at Crystal Bay

Stop by the Hyatt and purchase a s’more kit to roast on their fire pit

Lake Tahoe California must see
Lake Tahoe

Watch the sunset from Pier 111 Bar

Have brunch on the Sierra Cloud Catamaran

Go paddleboarding at Sand Harbor

Watch Shakespeare on a sand amphitheater with the lake as a backdrop

Take a photo of Bonsai Rock at sunset

Tour Thunderbird Lodge, Lake Tahoe’s castle in the sky

Spend an afternoon on Chimney Beach

Eliminate swimsuit lines on Secret Cove’s nude beach

Go mountain biking to monkey rock

Take a photo of Cave Rock

Relax on the beach at Zephyr Cove Resort

Go for a cruise on the Tahoe Queen paddle boat

Check out Genoa, Nevada’s oldest town

Explore the wild west town of Carson City

Explore Virginia City, a 19th Century mining town

Take a day trip to Reno, The Biggest Little City in the World

Check the Lake Tahoe California Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.

My Favorite Booking Resources

  • Discover Cars Search, compare and save on car rentals.
  • Trainline Explore effortlessly by train and bus.
  • Booking.com Search Booking.com to find the perfect property.
  • Hostelworld Hostelworld has great inexpensive options.
  • Get Your Guide Don’t chance it, the best attractions sell out.
  • Tiqets Get your tickets now, relax when you arrive.
  • Big Bus Tours Hop-on Hop-off at all the iconic landmarks.
  • Go City Card Save up to 50% on attractions, tours and activities.
  • Welcome Pickups Airport and port transfers.
  • Visitors Coverage Pick the right travel insurance for you.
  • Use code SAVE10 to pick up a travel guide from Lonely Planet to browse on the plane.
  • Shop my Amazon travel essentials and have them delivered to your home. 

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22 Responses

  1. I cannot get over that water Sherianne. I do recall seeing it in a movie or 10 but never realized the place was THAT picturesque. Jaw-dropping. This is one of those places on my travel list. Ever since I saw Godfather 2.

  2. Great list! We are Reno/Tahoe locals and still are finding new trails to explore and things to see and do every year! So many awesome outdoor activities and plenty of crisp mountain air, year round!

    Don’t forget about all the amazing winter activities! Tons of skiing/riding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling opportunities around the lake! I think you can actually go dog sledding in Squaw Valley too!

  3. Your pictures of Lake Tahoe are much better than mine! We were there last year. Inspiration Point was the highlight of our trip although we never got to ride the Gondola! But we were able to go to Reno!

  4. Lake Taoe is seriously stunning – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a body mass of water in a more royal blue. Thanks for putting this list together – hiking and mountain biking the may trails sounds right up my alley as a nature enthusiast!

  5. The blue waters are so clear and inviting. And you seem to have comprehensively covered all the possible things to do here.

  6. Wow! That’s a long list of things to do. The photos are amazing! I’ve not been to Lake Tahoe yet. Looks like a fantastic place. The first thing on this list I would want to do is Shakespeare on a sand amphitheater with a view!

  7. That’s just not fair. I’d never be able to choose which activity to do first, let alone get half of these done in a week trip there. I actually went a few times when I was young, but since I was young, I don’t actually remember doing anything on this list, except perhaps hiking through Sugar Pine Point State Park. Someday I do plan to go back to my home country and explore some more, including the places I grew up at. I’ll be sure to keep this list in mind. Hiking, rafting, biking and staring at the stars are all activities I thoroughly enjoy.

  8. Lake Tahoe and the scenery there are so picturesque and breathtaking. You’ve inspired me to add it to my bucket list and cross it as soon as possible. Are there any good hiking trails?

  9. Look at this gorgeous blue waters! I am actually impressed with the long list of things to do around the lake, seems like it deserves a lot more than just a day trip, you need at least 3-4 days here. And I wouldn’t mind sparing that amount of time for this beautiful piece of heaven!

    1. I flew into Reno and spent the day there, checking into Tahoe that night. Then spent a week there and that was about perfect combined with a couple day trips

  11. I’ve been to Lake Tahoe a few times before, but never knew there was a nude beach! I’ll have to check that out next time.

  12. Lake Tahoe is one of those places that is gorgeous any time of year. I would love to check out the Vikingsholm Castle and who can resist roasting Smores at the Hyatt’s firepits right on the lake?

  13. I never knew Lake Tahoe was so beautiful! The colour of the water is insane. I would love to visit here in the summer.

  15. Love that Blue Lake. When I was living in California, one of my buddies got married on the south side of the Lake during August on the shore. What an amazing view and I was totally blown away by how blue the water was. We stayed on the north side by the former olympic ski areas and even that area was just mind blowing how green and lush and beautiful it all was.

  16. We haven’t been to Lake Tahoe in years but this makes me want to go back and do all the things we haven’t experienced yet. We used to love rafting on the Truckee River with the kids – so beautiful and relaxing.

  17. Oh my, Lake Tahoe looks so amazing. The waters look so blue and clear. So many things to do there too! Parasailing at King’s Beach followed by stargazing at Baldwin Beach is gonna make my day perfect if I were to visit Lake Tahoe one day. Thanks for sharing!

  18. Those are fantastic looking landscapes. I would love to go around there with my camera or just to relax for weekend.

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