Tahoe City

Tahoe City, located at the junction of the West and North shores, is a popular area of shopping and dining out with a number of historical sights within easy walking distance. At the wye (the junction of Highways 89 and 28), visitors can see the Tahoe City Dam, Lake Tahoe’s only outlet, and Fanny Bridge (so named for the posterior views of visitors). There’s also the Gatekeeper’s Museum, featuring historic photos, Native American baskets and local historical memorabilia. Take a walk down to Commons Beach and look for the old jail near the parking lot. Above Commons Beach is the North Tahoe Arts Center featuring works by local artists and gift shops. In the center of town, also overlooking Commons Beach, is Watson’s Cabin. Built in 1909, the cabin serves as a living history exhibit showcasing pioneer life on Lake Tahoe.

• Gatekeeper’s, $1-$3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed.-Sun. until June 15; daily until Aug. 31; Wed.-Sun., Sept. 1-30, (530) 583-1762.

• Watson’s Cabin, noon-4 p.m., Sat.-Sun. May 24-June; Wed.-Mon. July-Labor Day, (530) 587-8717.

• Arts Center, free, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed.-Mon., (530) 581-2787.

• www.visittahoecity.com.

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Olympic Valley

The Olympic heritage of Olympic Valley, host of the VIII Winter Olympic Games in 1960, is evident to this day. The symbolic Tower of Nations and Olympic Flame greet visitors at the entrance to the valley. The Olympic Heritage Museum at High Camp (el. 8,200’) at Squaw Valley USA features historic memorabilia, photographs and a video presentation.

High Camp is an attraction in itself. Visitors travel to High Camp via the Cable Car with views of the valley and Lake Tahoe. At High Camp, enjoy swimming, ice skating (year-round), hiking, full moon hikes, stargazing, tennis and dining.

• Cable Car daily 9:40 a.m.-9 p.m. starting June 20; night operations start June 27.

• Prices vary.

• (530) 583-6985.

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North Shore

Highway 28 curves around the small communities of the North Shore from Tahoe City to Incline Village with shopping areas and restaurants dotted along the lake. Included are Kings Beach, which features the Kings Beach State Recreation Area, Crystal Bay, where casinos and dining are the highlight, and Incline Village, which has an abundance of shopping. TART

University of California, Davis, operates a science education center, the Thomas J. Long Foundation Education Center, in the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences on the Sierra Nevada Campus in Incline Village. Exhibits include a virtual research boat, biology lab, 3-D visualization lab and docent-led tours of this award-winning “green” building. Exhibit themes include why Lake Tahoe is unique and how science and research are used to restore and protect Lake Tahoe for future generations.

• Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.

• (775) 881-7566.

East Shore

The mostly undeveloped rocky slopes and hidden beaches of the East Shore offer visitors access to the back country through Spooner Lake State Park. Sand Harbor State Park is one of the most popular beaches on the Lake and is home to the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival (July 10-Aug. 17). $6 Spooner, $8 Sand Harbor. (775) 831-0494.

Thunderbird Lodge Historic Site is the former Whittell estate and provides a peek back to the “Old Tahoe” lifestyle. The magnificent lakefront home features the Lighthouse Room, Old Lodge, 600’ underground tunnel (with a former lion cage), Card House and Boat House, home to the 1939 wooden boat “Thunderbird.”

• Tours daily June-Sept. by reservation, $39 adults, $19 children (under 6 not permitted), includes shuttle, (800) 468-2463.

• No on-site parking.

• Tour boat from Tahoe Keys Marina

• (888) 867-6394, ext. 3.

West Shore

The West Shore from Tahoe City to Emerald Bay is marked by small hamlets and several historical sites and popular state parks. Sugar Pine Point State Park offers beach access and is home to Ehrman Mansion. Further down is D.L. Bliss State Park, sight of an old lighthouse (once the highest elevation lighthouse in the country), and Emerald Bay State Park. Visitors to Emerald Bay can tour Vikingsholm Castle, hike around the beach, relax on the reach or boat to Fannette Island (the Lake’s only island), which is home to an old teahouse. Call for tour hours.

• Sugar Pine, (530) 525-7982;

• Bliss, (530) 525-7277;

• Emerald Bay, (530) 541-3030.

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The new Tahoe Maritime Museum is open in Homewood featuring guided tours, exhibits and hands-on activities for kids.

• Daily (except Wednesday), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $5 over 12, free for members and children 11 and under. (530) 525-9253. TART

Northstar

Northstar-at-Tahoe offers free scenic lift rides to the top of the mountain on the Gondola, Tahoe Zephyr Express or Vista Express chairlifts. The resort offers hiking trails and dogs are welcome on leash.

• Start at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 23-June 19 (open May 23 & 26);

• daily June 20-Labor Day;

• Friday-Sunday Labor Day-Oct. 5. Free.

• Visit www.northstarattahoe.com. 

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Truckee

The historic town of Truckee’s beginnings date back to 1848 with the discovery of gold in Colma and silver in Virginia City, prompting the need for a road to connect the two and eventually a town on the bank of the Truckee River. The areas surrounding the Truckee Depot is a bustling shopping district with Commercial Row and Brickelltown. Stop by the visitor’s center in the Depot for a walking tour. Visit the Old Jail Museum on Jibboom Street.

• Weekends to Labor Day, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

• (530) 582-0893.

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The KidZone Children’s Museum is a great place for kids up to age 7 with interactive exhibits, science and art classes, the BabyZone for newborns to 18 months and the Jungle Gym for toddlers and up. (530) 587-8437.  TART

The ill-fated Donner Party suffered through the harsh winter of 1846-57 camped around Donner Lake and Truckee. The Donner Memorial State Park features exhibits and artifacts on the Donner Party at the Emigrant Trail Museum and the towering Pioneer Monument, built to commemorate those who came to California in themed-1800s. The park features beach access to Donner Lake, natural trails and boulder fields.

• Daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• (530) 582-7892.

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Donner Summit Bridge on Old Highway 40 has spectacular views of the area. The bridge affords visitors views of Donner Lake, Old Truckee, mountain peaks, and the magnificent rock walls for which Donner Pass is famous. Motorists can stop at McGlashan Point, a scenic overlook adjacent to the bridge. From I-80 eastbound, take the Soda Springs exit and continue to Donner Pass; from I-80 westbound, take the Donner Lake interchange to Donner Pass Road, then turn right.

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