Lake Tahoe is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone looking to soak up the sunshine and fresh mountain air. I fell in love with the area at first sight. As I wove through the curves of US-50 to South Lake Tahoe, my first response to Drew was, “If we ever buy a second home, it WILL be in the Lake Tahoe area!” I'm so glad we chose this as our longest stay in one location: five full and fun days.

Tahoe means “big water” in Washo, the native language of the Native Americans who first inhabited the area. Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddling the border of California and Nevada, and is the largest alpine lake in North America. It’s known for its beaches and ski resorts.

Our home base was Tahoe Valley RV Campground. We had a large spot and immediately fell in love with the tall trees surrounding our motorhome (though our Starlink didn't appreciate the tree coverage!). The resort had an event coordinator, and the kids enjoyed the activities when we weren't exploring the area. The laundry and bathrooms onsite were clean and convenient. The front office/store staff were helpful and loved sharing travel tips. The campsite was also centrally located and just 10-15 minutes from most of the places we visited. We would 100% stay there again! Tahoe Valley RV Campground.

Cruising on the M.S. Dixie II

The M.S. Dixie II is the largest cruising vessel in South Lake Tahoe and a local favorite. All cruises depart directly from Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina. Considered one of South Lake Tahoe’s most entertaining water activities, the Daytime Scenic Cruise on Lake Tahoe ($55-99/person) has been voted “Best Cruise in Nevada” by Nevada Magazine. This 2.25-hour scenic daytime cruise offers fabulous photo opportunities, sunshine, and fresh Lake Tahoe air, which invigorates everyone around. As you cruise to Emerald Bay on the famous M.S. Dixie II, you'll learn how it was formed, see the 1929 Nordic-style mansion Vikingsholm Castle, and hear fascinating history on the narrated tour. Did you know that Lake Tahoe is one of the purest bodies of water in the world, with 99.994% purity? Commercially distilled water is 99.998% pure! Lake Tahoe Cruises.

Beach Day at Sand Harbor

Sand Harbor, one of the most popular and spectacular parks in the Tahoe basin, boasts many beaches with a gorgeous cove and clear waters perfect for a day on the lake. We knew we had to leave early to secure a spot. According to locals, on weekdays, you must get in line for the parking lot by 9 am, and on weekends by 7:30-8:00 am. We successfully got in line (and moving, which was a good sign). However, as we drove closer to the gate, I saw the sign “Cash only! $10 for Nevada plates & $15 for out of state.” My heart sunk! Hawkins begged the car in front of us to let us borrow the money, but they didn't have extra. The sweet people behind us said they would pay for us because, as locals, they said our family had to experience this beach before we left town! We will certainly pay it forward. We secured a spot along the eastern shores, with gently sloping beaches, crystal-clear water, and interesting rock formations. The kids enjoyed climbing and jumping off the boulders. We noticed a woman and her younger brother fishing for crawfish, and they invited our kids to join. Bella showed them how to fish and catch the crawfish. She was so good with kids, educational, and fun. The kids did this for about two hours and caught over 50 crawfish! Many other kids joined in the experience, and they all became buddies for the day.

Paddleboarding Lake Tahoe

Paddleboarding and kayaking are fun and exciting ways to explore Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. The boys kayaked, and we girls explored with a paddleboard. It was a calm and serene experience, despite having my three crazy kids with me. The water is shallow enough to see yards down through the green, emerald, and light blue hues. Lake Tahoe gets its iconic blue tint from the lack of algae in the water. The lake is so clear that in some places, objects can be seen in depths of over 70 feet. Lake Tahoe’s deepest point is 1,645 feet, making it the second-deepest lake in the United States after Crater Lake in Oregon. We had another memorable picnic in the middle of Lake Tahoe on a kayak and paddleboard, awed by the landscape and mountainous surroundings.

Hiking the Lake

One afternoon, we tried to find the iconic Cascade Falls Trail but settled on Eagle Falls Trail along a beautiful stream. We jumped rocks, climbed over fallen trees, and walked through the water. After our short hike, we ventured up the road to where many people were congregating on a large rock lookout area. From there, we found Cascade Falls but decided to take in its beauty from afar while the sun set. We looked out over Emerald Bay as the sun went down. Gorgeous!

We also checked out Baldwin Beach one evening, known for its beautiful sandy beach that stretches approximately half a mile with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains. It was serene despite being buried in sand by the kiddos.

Heavenly Mountain Resort

Heavenly is just that—heavenly! The 2.4-mile ride up in the Heavenly Mountain Gondola offers breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. It was pricey, especially when added to the mountain coaster, but worth it for the unique experience and exhilarating ride down the mountain at 25 mph on the gravity-powered alpine coaster. There's also tubing, hiking, and ziplining in the same area. We took the Big Easy ski lift and hiked down the back to the base, as well as the Tamarack Chair lift, where the kids enjoyed throwing rocks off the mountain edge. Incredible views and memories too! ($78-117/person) Heavenly Mountain Resort.

Other Notable Spots for Next Time

We hoped to experience these areas but will wait until the next visit (yes, I said “the next visit” because I certainly plan to come back here):

Taylor Creek Visitor Center and Stream Profile Chamber: A window cut into the bottom of the stream allows kids to see salmon swimming. We arrived just after they closed.
DL Bliss State Park: It was closed during our visit but is known for its silky beaches, hiking, lighthouse, and camping.
Cave Rock: Located on the southeastern shore of Lake Tahoe, it is super easy to access from Highway 50. It is a popular hike, and the small parking lot was full when we tried to stop. I've heard that watching the sunset over Lake Tahoe from Cave Rock is epic.

Final Thoughts

We met many residents and fellow campers. Our neighbors for a few nights were the sweetest. Thank you, Lohse Family, for your kind hearts and conversations. Their house had burned down a few months back, and their family was camping during the demolition. Their house was a complete loss, but everyone was safe, and their animals/livestock were not affected. I cannot imagine this nightmare. Please pray for them as they start rebuilding and begin a new chapter as a family of six!

Lake Tahoe should never be taken for granted or overlooked for a second. It is simply breathtaking. You could spend eternity exploring and trying to decide which scenic nirvana you prefer, but it won’t be an easy decision. Until next time, Lake Tahoe. For now, I will keep dreaming of you.

Tahoe: Emerald Blues & Lake Views.

Live, Love + Squamish.