Where to Hike, Paddle, and Eat in South Lake Tahoe This Summer

The pine-scented air just seems to taste better at 6,200 feet, and I’m bursting to let the outdoorsman inside of me loose.

I’ve come just a couple of hours northeast of Sacramento to Lake Tahoe, which sits on the border between California and Nevada.

And the first thing I notice is how impossibly clear the water is.

Then, the view and the mountains.

One more deep breath—and cue that peaceful, easy feeling.

Along with the hidden waterfalls, granite cliffs and little coves, Lake Tahoe is big on its storied past, with local legends, stories of Indigenous heritage and echoes of the Gold Rush era.

Add in a dash of casino-side glamor and small-town charm, and you have a more-than-pleasant few days.

The region has a slogan of “Awe and then Some,” which I think is both apt and very clever.

Scenic Hikes In South Tahoe

Take a Walk in the Woods.

Plan for at least one hiking experience per day while this forest fantasy is at your doorstep.

The Van Sickle Bi-State Park has very accessible trails that get you directly to great views really quickly.

Plus, you have the novelty of hiking in both California and Nevada in one go.

Fallen Leaf Lake is Tahoe’s baby cousin, shyer and quiet, great for swimmers and paddlers, with a timeless summer-camp feel.

Directly south, the photogenic Glen Alpine Falls are also easily accessible from the road.

Over near Eagle Lake, the dramatic, tiered waterfalls and nearby hiking trails yield Instagram-worthy views of Emerald Bay.

Maggie’s Peaks also give good vistas, panoramic in fact, via a challenging but worth it walk.

Read More: 7 Must-Visit Lakeside Vacation Spots in the U.S.

High-Altitude Wellness On Water

The Lake IS the Spa.

South Lake Tahoe offers a bit of a wild take on wellness.

Forget cucumber slices and whale music—this place is redefining wellness with a raw, high-altitude edge.

The idea of wellness here feels less like a retreat and more like a reboot, one that blends rugged adventure with a laid-back, natural luxury.

The pine forest is your meditation tent, the trails your therapy sessions.

Paddleboard yoga and beach yoga classes come with a mountain view.

The lake is your cold plunge, with glacial dips providing the endorphin hits.

You see, everything is taken care of naturally—no monogrammed robe required.

Kayaking And Clear Waters

Make a Connection to the Lake.

After a few hours with a Clearly Tahoe Kayak Tours, we have the lay of the land, and quite a bit of settler history and interesting geography as well.

This guided shoreline paddle in a transparent kayak feels like I am floating free on the water, gliding over the granite boulders below.

We paddle by Cave Rock with its Lady of the Lake rock formation clearly watching over us, and ogle some of the wealthy estates that line the shore.

Round this off with a great view of the Sierra Nevada mountains and Mount Tallac on the horizon and we have a few ghost stories to write home about, too.

Where to Drink

Tuck Into Hearty Mountain Fare.

One of the reasons I love outdoorsy destinations—winter or summer—is the fact that I know the food will be substantial and satisfying.

Physical activity requires fuel!

South Lake Tahoe delivers this in spades, via pub-style eateries, lakeside wine bars and retro diners.

Fresh lake fish? Bring it on.

Sidellis Brewery sports 12 craft microbrews on tap year-round.

Owners Chris Sidell and Steve Canali focus on barrel-aged and unusual brews, taste-tested within their cozy mountain atmosphere.

Paddle House Brews is also a cool, local spot, even if you’re just looking for a coffee and a cinnamon bun.

Where to Eat

Sprouts Natural Café yields wholesome, veg-forward goodness via breakfast and bagels, sandwiches and salads, burritos and bowls.

This wholesome joint started out decades ago as merely a five-seat juice bar.

Tahoe Bagel Co. features a menu of perfect trail-day fuel, with bagels and sandwiches piled high with practically whatever you want.

At sunset, head to the lakefront patio at Idle Hour Wine Bar for a happy hour glass of something, and stay for a charcuterie board or a cheese fondue.

American fine-dining fare is the specialty at Riva Grill, satisfying the crowds with beer-battered prawns, Dungeness crab, seared scallops or slow-roasted prime rib.

If you’re up for a few laughs, The Loft is the town’s magic and comedy club, similar to a dinner theater, with a revolving door of international talents.

And the resident icon? That would easily be the retro-inspired Red Hut Café, a quintessential American diner that looks like it stepped out of a 1950s TV show.

People line up here for big-plate items, including the Red Hut Breakfast Rosti hash browns.

Stylish South Tahoe Stays

Find Total, Chalet-Chic Comfort.

At first glance, this town is filled with cabins and vacation rentals that lend Tahoe its authentic, no-nonsense vibe.

Little two-story “now-boutique” hotels have had a facelift once or twice since the heyday of their 1970s—or not, in some cases.

But you will instantly fall in love with the cabin-in-the-woods aesthetic, whatever the price point.

Expect “bare maximum” at the very least, which is always fine for low-maintenance travelers like me.

On the other end of the scale, the Desolation Hotel has been making waves recently on the booking sites, a complete wellness-driven, design-forward jewel, promising eco-luxury.

We pull up to our townhome here and can’t believe it comes with a garage and EV charging.

Premium amenities and lots of space across two stories make for a comfortable après-hike “wilder-nest,” with much attention paid to the smallest details.

(Safety gates on the stairs for the accident-prone children! Genius!)

Townhouses and smaller studios come complete with a kitchenette, indoor fireplace and a private balcony with a soaking tub, not to mention gorgeous lighting, natural materials and chic, neutral colors.

The townhomes have room for a washer and dryer.

I make quality time for the saltwater pool and hot tub, a comfortable little closed-off area that also includes a sauna and cold shower plunge.

Maggie’s Restaurant here borders on fancy, but with a casual undertone.

Elevated comfort food like truffle fries, duck cassoulet, curry-glazed salmon and mushroom rigatoni all speak of local ingredients.

More Cabin And Resort Options

Branch Out for More Trad Digs.

Jimmy’s at the Landing Resort & Spa sports upscale environs, with a rather stately décor, more than 80 new rooms and suites, and a solid fine-dining restaurant—a break from the ski-lodge luxe look.

The spa here is well worth ducking into for some quality me-time or for post-hike pampering.

We had side-by-side massages and were very sad when they ended.

Along with the usual restorative spa treatments, the therapists also perform unique bodywork such as rhythmic Thai stretching, Taoist abdominal massage, craniosacral therapy and Tui Na massage to restore energy flow.

And just across the Nevada border, the elegant lakefront Edgewood Tahoe Resort comes through with four-star magic and its own golf course.

If all this seems too rich for your blood, new-school boutique spot The Coachman offers mountain-chalet minimalism.

Essential South Tahoe Travel Tips

• You’re at 6,200 feet, so take it easy on your first day and watch for signs of altitude sickness.
• Drink plenty of water and not too much alcohol.
• The sun is stronger at this level, too, so pack some sunscreen.
• Note that the weather can change quickly, so dress in layers.
• The lake can be cold, even in August—and even for this hardy Canadian!
• You may want to bring a shortie wetsuit or at least a water shirt if you plan on any lake activities.
• Watch for currents, which can be strong in places.
• Heed wildlife warnings at all times.
• There will be bears, so don’t leave any food outside, day or night.
• Pack proper hiking shoes or boots, rather than just sturdy sneakers.
• A good boot can prevent a twisted ankle on uneven terrain.
• Start hiking early to avoid the midday crowds.
• I saw trail signs posted that were obviously meant to marshal larger numbers of people down the hill in an orderly fashion.
• Highway 89 around the lake yields some pretty breathtaking views.
• Some places, like Emerald Bay, will take a better picture if you go early or late in the day.
• Book your accommodation, sports activities and restaurant seats as early as you can, particularly if you’re visiting in the high seasons.
• This is not a huge town, and all these things can book up quickly.
• No last-minuteyness allowed.
• Public transport is limited and ride-shares can be expensive, particularly at the weekend.
• It’s best to rent a car and drive from Sacramento.
• Speaking of which, take care on Highway 50.
• The twists and turns aren’t overwhelming, but I’m from the Prairie.

Learn more: VISITLAKETAHOE.COM

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Author Bio: Doug Wallace is a travel journalist, author, photographer and copywriter, principal of Wallace Media and editor-publisher of TravelRight.Today. A member of the Society of American Travel Writers, he can be found beside buffet tables, on massage tables and table-hopping around the world.

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