North Lake Tahoe Travel Guide & Things to Do

Everything you need to know for visiting North Lake Tahoe – things to do, where to stay, where to eat, best hikes, scenic views and so much more!

North Lake Tahoe is a nature lover’s paradise year-round, with a wealth of outdoor activities and opportunities to connect with nature. It’s also the place to catch fall colors in Northern California. We visited the first week of November and still managed to catch the tail end of the season.

Fall just might be the best season to visit Lake Tahoe. It’s between the busy summer and winter seasons, meaning traffic from San Francisco is almost nonexistent! It took about three hours to get there from the city. Off season also means it’s easy to get a table at some of the most popular restaurants and hotel prices take a dip. There was hardly anyone on the hikes we did and the beaches were nearly empty at sunset. If you’re lucky, you may even catch mild weather – it was in the high 60’s while we were there.

Read on for what to do in North Lake Tahoe…

What to do in North Lake Tahoe

Before you go, check out the North Lake Tahoe website for travel advice. We also used their Instagram page to find ideas for best views and scenic hikes.

Another great resource is All Trails. This site offers user reviews of hikes and is the first (and often only) place we look when choosing a hike.

Where to Stay in Tahoe City

Basecamp Hotel Tahoe City Review

If glamping sounds nice but is still a little close to being “in nature” for you, try Basecamp Hotel. Here the call of the wild is balanced by the call of a comfortable bed. Rooms are plain but have everything you need for your ‘camp’ experience.

The best part of the hotel is the common areas. Their cozy lobby is filled with amenities from hot chocolate to board games. They also have a bar at night and complimentary breakfast in the morning.

Another highlight are the fire pits that get lit at sunset. You can enjoy one of Tahoe’s signature sunsets trees while playing giant Jenga. Don’t forget to buy a s’mores kit for $2 at the front desk.

Basecamp Hotel Tahoe City

955 N Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City, CA 96145
https://basecamptahoecity.com/

More photos from Basecamp Hotel Tahoe City:

Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique Restaurant Tahoe City

The finest dining in the Tahoe area can be found at Wolfdale’s in Tahoe City. Open for 40 years, the restaurant is a local institution. It’s easy to see why this restaurant has endured for so many decades. The food is spectacular, the ingredients are premium and the service is top-notch.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to take a peek in the kitchen to watch Chef Douglas Dale work. He entertained us with stories of his training in Japan and how he transitioned from being a ceramics artist to a professional chef. He is a true master and thinks about all aspects of the guest experience, even the quirky plates that he designed in partnership with a ceramicist in Ohio.

The menu has a mix of dishes that have been on the menu since the restaurant opened, like this smoked trout, with seasonal dishes and new experiments from Chef Dale. Definitely don’t miss their famous smoked trout and poke cones for starters.

Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique Tahoe City

640 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City, CA 96145
https://www.wolfdales.com/

More photos from Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique:

Gar Woods Restaurant North Tahoe

If you’re looking for lunch with a view, Gar Woods restaurant is right on the lake in Carnelian Bay. You can actually ‘boat in’ for dinner and dock at their pier.

Gar Woods is famous for their signature rum cocktail, the Wet Woody. Apparently rum is the unofficial (or official?) liquor of choice in Lake Tahoe. Gar Woods has numerous takes on their trademark cocktail on the menu. These are dangerously boozy as all that alcohol goes down way too smoothly!

The extensive menu is full of grilled classics plus a few dishes with that signature Tahoe Asian twist like thai lettuce wraps – there’s something for everyone. This is also a great family friendly spot.

Gar Woods Restaurant Tahoe

5000 North Lake Boulevard
Carnelian Bay, CA 96140
https://www.garwoods.com/

More photos from Gar Woods:

Jake’s on the Lake

Tahoe meets Hawaii at Jake’s on the Lake in Tahoe City. The. You might wonder if you stumbled upon a tiki bar when you walk in. Its location is a highlight, overlooking the Tahoe City marina. If you’re eating dinner, make sure you time your visit to catch sunset!

You absolutely must try Jake’s soba noodles when you visit. The dish is savory and satisfying – the perfect way to stay warm when eating outside on a mild fall day. The broth is so flavorful and packed with vegetables.

Jake’s on the Lake Tahoe City

780 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City, CA 96145
http://www.jakestahoe.com/

More photos from Jake’s on the Lake:

Manzanita at Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe

Manzanita is Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe’s signature restaurant. Whether you’re eating après ski from Northstar resort or après a day of relaxation, Manzanita is worth a visit. The menu showcases classical techniques with modern twist and the best in seasonal, local ingredients. My salmon was flaky and tender and accompanied with perfectly cooked hen-of-the-woods mushrooms.

Definitely don’t skip dessert, or a glass of wine from their extensive wine menu.

The Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe also an incredible place to catch sunset:

Manzanita at Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe

13031 Ritz Carlton Highlands Court
Truckee, CA 96161
http://manzanitalaketahoe.com/

 

More photos from Manzanita Restaurant at Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe:

Rosie’s Cafe Tahoe City

Rosie’s Cafe is a breakfast institution in Tahoe City. The menu features standard diner fare with a few Tex-Mex dishes like Huevos Rancheros thrown in. It’s the perfect place to stock up on calories before a long hike (more on that below).

What really sets Rosie’s apart is the interiors. You’ll feel like you’re exploring the cluttered garage of a great-uncle who loves to tinker with machines. It’s almost impossible to take it all in.

Rosie’s Cafe Tahoe City

571 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City, CA 96145
http://rosiescafe.com/

Mountain Slice Cafe & Creamery

Indulge in all of your favorite guilty pleasures at the tiny Mountain Slice Cafe & Creamery in Tahoe City. They have some of the best ice cream around, made local with premium ingredients. My only regret is that we didn’t try their NY-style thin crust pizza which has rave reviews on Yelp. This also might be the cheapest meal in North Lake Tahoe, with huge pizza slices starting at $3.50.

Mountain Slice Cafe & Creamery Tahoe City

690 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City, CA 96145
https://www.mountainslicetahoe.com/

Where to Bike in North Lake Tahoe

Olympic Bike Shop – North Lake Tahoe Bike Rentals

North Tahoe is easy to explore by bike thanks to its miles and miles of bike trails. The best place to get a bike rental is Olympic Bike Shop in Tahoe City. They have a variety of bikes from mountain to electric assist and the staff is super friendly. They will go out of their way to help you find the right path and the right bike for your level of experience.

This was my first time riding an electric assist bike. It was so weird to go fast uphill with minimal effort! I’m used to suffering and sweating to keep up with Pat. Even though it felt like cheating, I didn’t mind at all. 🙂

Olympic Bike Shop Tahoe City

620 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City, CA 96145
https://olympicbikeshop.com/

Bike Paths in Tahoe

You’ll be spoilt for choice if you have the chance to bike in North Lake Tahoe. They have something for everyone, from some of the best mountain biking in the country to beautiful paved bike paths for the casual cyclist. When we’re traveling, we find local bike shops are the best resource for finding the trail that is right for you, so stop in at Olympic for supplies or a rental and some advice. For a casual and scenic ride, there’s a bike path that lines the Truckee River from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley Ski Resort.

Hiking in North Lake Tahoe

No matter your fitness level, there’s a hike for you in North Lake Tahoe. As I mentioned above, we turned to the All Trails app for advice on picking the right hikes.

All hikes below are dog friendly.

Marlette Lake Trail from Spooner Lake Hike

This is a 10 mile out and back hike from Spooner Lake. The trail is absolutely beautiful – it’s well-maintained and well-marked. It winds through aspen and coniferous forest. The way to Marlette Lake is almost all uphill which is nice as you get almost all downhill on the way back to your car. Definitely pack a picnic for when you get to Marlette Lake. In the summer I bet it would be fabulous to swim at the halfway point!

In early November, we only saw two other people on the entire hike. There’s an abundance of fresh water on the trail, so bring a water filter. The trail is dog friendly and has soft ground that won’t cut their paws. There are also campgrounds and primitive backwoods cabin rentals available in the area. More info on that on the Nevada State Parks website.

Because it’s a Nevada State Park, you’ll need to pay a $10 parking fee. Save your receipt as it will also get you in to Sand Harbor, for the amazing lake views that I mention below.

We had the terrifying privilege to see a mama bear and two cubs on this hike. It was an amazing experience, but they were very close to the trail and mama bears can be extremely dangerous. Luckily black bears are pretty mild-tempered but we definitely felt our hearts beat out of our chest.

Coincidentally, Pat already had his phone out and was taking photos, so he actually got a picture of one of the cubs as we were walking briskly away and making a lot of noise. I can’t stress enough that this was a total fluke and I’m surprised the photo even turned out – DO NOT stop and take photos. DO NOT be the dumb tourists who get attacked by a bear because you’re worried about getting an Instagram shot.

It goes without saying, bear spray is ESSENTIAL if you are hiking in Tahoe. So is bear etiquette, like making a lot of noise while you hike so you don’t surprise them, hiking in groups and not approaching bears if you see them (duh). Don’t be caught off guard and find yourself in a dangerous situation! If you do see black bears, stay in a group, yell loudly and back away. Don’t run.

Marlette Lake from Spooner Lake Trail

NV-28
Carson City, Nevada 89703
http://parks.nv.gov/parks/lake-tahoe-nevada-state-park-1
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/nevada/marlette-lake-trail-from-spooner-lake

Best Lake Views in Tahoe – Sand Harbor

Just down the road from Spooner Lake is Sand Harbor. This is one of the best views of Lake Tahoe with no hiking required. There’s a beautifully maintained boardwalk as well as a concession stand and nice restrooms. You can swim in the summer.

Because it’s a Nevada State Park, you’ll need to pay a $10 parking fee. Save your receipt as it will also get you in to Spooner Lake, for the hike I mentioned above.

Sand Harbor Lake Tahoe State Park

2005 NV-28
Incline Village, Nevada 89452
http://parks.nv.gov/parks/lake-tahoe-nevada-state-park

Shirley Canyon Cascades Trail at Squaw Valley

It’s best to do this 3-mile hike before October 1st because if you make it all the way to Base Camp you can ride the Squaw Valley Tram back down to the bottom for free. This is definitely an advanced hike with a lot of scrambling and climbing over rocks required. There aren’t a lot of signs, so follow the blue spray paint marks on the boulders to stay on the trail. If you’re looking for an easy hike that still has great views, try the 1.4 mile Shirley Canyon hike instead.

Read more about finding the trailhead and what to expect for the hike on AllTrails.

Shirley Canyon Trailhead

Squaw Peak Way
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/shirley-canyon-cascades-trail

Tahoe State Recreation Area – Best Place for Sunrise

The best place to catch sunrise or sunset in Tahoe City is the pier at Tahoe State Recreation area. At sunrise, the mist rises off the lake and the entire area is bathed in a soft golden light. It’s so peaceful!

We also snapped our holiday card photo here, thanks to a tripod and the self timer on my camera. Here’s a sneak peek:

Tahoe State Recreation Area

Highway 28
Tahoe State Park
Tahoe City, CA 96145
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=504

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