On the western shore of Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City offers travelers outdoor activities galore. From hiking and biking to river rafting, visitors can enjoy a glorious day at Tahoe. There are also parks, museums and beaches to enjoy. Tahoe City is also a hub for services, from grocery stores to rental gear, like bikes and boats. Visitors will find lots of places to eat and even a movie theater. Here are the top things to do in Tahoe City CA.
15 Things to Do in Tahoe City CA
Visit Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
Tour Pine Lodge
Play at Commons Beach Park
Shop at Tahoe City Farmers Market
Bike Along the Tahoe City Lakeside Bike Path
See the Watson Cabin
Take a Truckee River Raft Trip
Visit the Gatekeeper’s Museum and Lake Tahoe Dam
Explore the William B. Layton Park
Hike in Burton Creek State Park
Go on a Tahoe Treetops Adventure
See a Movie at Tahoe Art Haus and Cinema
Camp in Tahoe City
Dine at a Restaurant
Visit a Mountain Resort
Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
Spend the day relaxing in the state park, which has 2 miles of shoreline and lots of hiking. Or make it a weekend and camp.
Located 10 miles south of Tahoe City on California Highway 89 in Tahoma, California. Day-use parking is $10Day-use parking is $10. Camping is $35 a night and requires a $7.99 fee for online reservations.
Tour Pine Lodge
Within the Ed E’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, or Pine Lodge, was completed in 1903. It is one of the grand estates on the western shore of Lake Tahoe.
Take a tour to see the furnishings of the timber and stone mansion. Tours are offered Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from mid-June until September 30. Adult admission is $12, and students (7 to 17) are $10.
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Commons Beach Park
Tahoe City’s Commons Beach Park offers a destination for summer getaways. Take a walk along the path and find space for picnicking and swimming, as well as a playground and restrooms.
Located at 400 N Lake Blvd in Tahoe City, California. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free to enter.
Tahoe City Farmers Market
Grab a basket and stroll the stalls near Commons Beach for fresh vegetables and flowers.
Held on Thursdays from May through October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free to attend.
Bike Along the Tahoe City Lakeside Bike Path
This relatively flat and paved path runs parallel to the lakeshore in Tahoe City. It is perfect for active families on cruisers or pulling trailers. This route connects top attractions like the parks and playgrounds.
It continues for 3.4 miles, and there are several places to stop. The Tahoe City Lakeside Bike Path starts at the Tahoe City Transit Center parking area.
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Watson Cabin
Built in 1908 by Robert Montgomery Watson, it’s the only remaining original log cabin in Tahoe City.
Located at 560 N. Lake Blvd. Open Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., from June to mid-September. Free.
Truckee River Raft Trip
A leisurely raft trip is a great way to spend a few hours exploring Tahoe’s wilderness. Grab a raft and float 5 miles downriver past pristine scenery and over tame rapids. This trip is suitable for everyone, 2 years old and older, including dogs. It takes two to three hours.
Located at 185 W River Rd, Tahoe City, California. Adult admission is $72 and kids (6 to 12) are $40. Online reservations required.
Gatekeeper’s Museum and Lake Tahoe Dam
Visit the Gatekeeper’s Museum for a lesson in Old Tahoe. See exhibits on Washoe history, the boating legacy on Lake Tahoe, and highlights from the 1960 Winter Olympics.
The Gatekeeper lived in a cabin to tend to the Lake Tahoe Dam gates for the Truckee River.
Located at 130 W. Lake Blvd. Adult admission is $10, and kids 12 and under are free. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from late April to October 31.
Top Things to Do in Tahoe City in Winter
William B. Layton Park
Located next to the Lake Tahoe Dam, William B. Layton Park is a three-acre park on the lake with a self-guided nature walk.
Burton Creek State Park
With 2,000 acres of wilderness at the edge of Tahoe City, it offers 6 miles of unpaved roads for cross-country skiing.
Located on Highway 28 near Rocky Ridge Road. Free and open from sunrise to sunset. No water or restrooms.
Tahoe Treetops Adventure
With 10 courses from beginner to advanced, you will find 97 tree platforms, 27 zip lines, and other obstacles.
Located at Granlibakken Resort at 725 Granlibakken Rd. Adult admission is $73 and kids (6 to 12) are $63.
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The Tahoe Art Haus and Cinema
Evening comes early in the winter, so escape to the movies. Sit in the cozy couch seating or rock away in a leather seat at the Tahoe Art Haus Cinema while watching the latest blockbusters.
As Lake Tahoe’s only cinema draft house, order a local draft beer or coffee drink. Don’t miss the popcorn spice bar, and I found hot dogs and cheese pizza, too.
Located at 475 N Lake Blvd. Open in the evening for two showings.
Tahoe State Recreation Area
This area offers a small but popular campground along with a fishing pier.
Campsites are $35 with a $7.99 reservation fee. The RV trailer limit is 15 feet, and the camper or motorhome limit is 21 feet. Find showers and an RV dump station, though no hook-ups.
Located .25 miles north of Tahoe City along Highway 28.
Tahoe City Lake Forest Campground
Another campground close to Tahoe City. This small campground has about 20 sites and doesn’t offer showers, hook-ups, or a dump station. The RV limit is 25 feet. Camp for $20 a night, first-come, first-served.
Located at 2504-2540 Lake Forest Rd. in Tahoe City.
Where to Eat in Tahoe City
Rosie’s Cafe
Get good hot sandwiches, a selection of salads and a dose of Old Tahoe at the same meal. Your server might also be a local tour guide and definitely your go-to for info on the area. Rosie’s Cafe has extended breakfast hours along with a full bar, so brunching at noon on the weekends isn’t a problem. Dinner menu with American classics, along with dessert. Find lots of Tahoe City memorabilia on the walls.
Located at 571 North Lake Blvd. Open Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.,
Café Zenon
With a large menu of upscale comfort food offerings, I found entrees that satisfied my palate, along with the kids at Café Zenon. The chicken tenders with fries are cheat-worthy. Don’t tell the kids! But the fries are really frites–yummy.
Café Zenon offers a full bar with inventive and signature cocktails. For the kids, order a hot chocolate.
Located at 251 N. Lake Blvd. Open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Palisades Tahoe Resort
Find hiking, biking and shopping at Palisades Tahoe after the snow melts. It’s packed with outdoor summertime adventure. Take the aerial tram for disc golf, the 1960 Olympic Museum, guided hiking and Via Ferrata on the Tram Face. Find lodging and dining on-site.
Located at 1960 Olympic Valley Rd.
Northstar California Resort
Learn how to mountain bike during your trip to Lake Tahoe with group or private lessons for kids and adults. There are 39 different hiking trails and a scenic chair lift. Northstar also features golf and lodging and dining on-site.
Located at 5001 Northstar Dr.
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