Straddling the California-Nevada border is this popular vacation spot that draws over two-and-a-half million visitors every year – and it’s not hard to see why.
The views of southern Lake Tahoe are truly a sight to behold.
Its clear waters, sheer granite cliffs, and towering peaks have earned it a reputation as one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States.
While the breathtaking blue lake is worth a visit on its own, the activities in the surrounding locale are also not to be missed!
The area boasts miles of hiking routes, dozens of picturesque views, and some of the finest skiing in the country.
But that’s not all – the town of South Lake Tahoe is home to Reno-esque casinos, a handful of art galleries, upscale boutiques, and high-end restaurants serving up a variety of delectable dishes.
If this sounds like the kind of place you’d like to spend a weekend or longer, check out our detailed list of recommendations below to start planning your trip
The 96 Most Popular Things To Do In South Lake Tahoe, California
96. Angora Lake Trail
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Jonathan Cook-Fisher, License, Flickr
95. Daggett Pass
5.0 (3 reviews)
Credit: Justen Christensen, Google Maps
94. Lily Lake Trail
5.0 (3 reviews)
Location: 1580 Glen Alpine Road South Lake Tahoe CA
Web Address: http://tamba.org/
93. Trout Creek
4.8 (4 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
92. Echo Peak
3.8 (4 reviews)
91. Upper Truckee River
5.0 (6 reviews)
Credit: Jonathan Cook-Fisher, License, Flickr
90. Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
4.4 (7 reviews)
Credit: Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Google Maps
Location: 169 US 50 Streetateline NV
Tel: 775 588 5900
Web Address: http://ltva.org/
89. Maggies Peaks
5.0 (8 reviews)
Credit: Jonathan Cook-Fisher, License, Wikimedia commons
88. Cascade Lake
4.5 (8 reviews)
Credit: PDF III, License, Wikimedia commons
87. East Peak
4.9 (8 reviews)
Credit: Lara Farhadi, License, Wikimedia commons
86. Lake Tahoe Paint & Sip
4.9 (9 reviews)
Location: 900 Ski Run Blvd #104 South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 600 0662
Web Address: http://laketahoepaintandsip.com/
85. Tahoe Donner Lodge Condos and Ski Hill
4.6 (10 reviews)
Credit: Bryce Wilson, Google Maps
Location: Truckee CA
84. Mount Tallac Trail
4.6 (11 reviews)
Credit: James Marvin Phelps, License, Flickr
83. Glen Alpine Springs Inc
4.9 (11 reviews)
Location: 2001 Glen Alpine Road South Lake Tahoe CA
Web Address: http://glenalpinesprings.org/
82. Sun Art Gallery
4.8 (12 reviews)
Credit: Sun Art Gallery, Google Maps
Location: 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd Streete 18 South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 544 1341
Web Address: http://sunartgallerytahoe.com/
81. Echo Lake
4.4 (15 reviews)
Credit: User:Fkearney, License, Wikimedia commons
80. Lake Baron
4.7 (16 reviews)
Credit: Nick Bortz, Google Maps
79. Taylor Creek
4.9 (20 reviews)
Credit: Allie_Caulfield, License, Flickr
78. Eagle Lake
5.0 (22 reviews)
Credit: plasticmind, License, Wikimedia commons
77. Kiva Picnic Area
4.9 (25 reviews)
Credit: Christian Ponciano, Google Maps
Location: South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 543 2600
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recarea/
76. League To Save Lake Tahoe | Keep Tahoe Blue
4.3 (26 reviews)
Credit: League To Save Lake Tahoe | Keep Tahoe Blue, Google Maps
Location: 2608 Lake Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 541 5388
Web Address: http://keeptahoeblue.org/
75. Freel Peak
4.7 (26 reviews)
Credit: Rick Cooper, License, Wikimedia commons
74. Fannette Island
4.7 (30 reviews)
Credit: SamRushing, License, Wikimedia commons
73. Lake Tahoe Historical Museum
4.6 (31 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: 3058 Lake Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 541 5458
Web Address: http://laketahoemuseum.org/
72. Angora Lakes
4.7 (36 reviews)
71. Sawmill Pond
4.6 (39 reviews)
70. Pyramid Peak Ski & Snowboard Rentals and Repair.
4.8 (44 reviews)
Credit: Pyramid Peak Ski & Snowboard Rentals and Repair., Google Maps
Location: 3433 Lake Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 541 3565
Web Address: http://pyramid-peak.com/
69. Desolation Wilderness
4.8 (50 reviews)
Credit: Desolation Hiker, License, Flickr
Location: 138 Emerald Bay Road South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 644 2349
Web Address: http://sierrawild.gov/wilderness/desolation
68. Explore Tahoe Visitor Center
4.7 (53 reviews)
Credit: Explore Tahoe Visitor Center, Google Maps
Location: 4114 Lake Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 542 4637
Web Address: http://tahoesouth.com/
67. Heavenly Village Ice Rink
3.8 (53 reviews)
Credit: nsobject, License, Flickr
Location: 1001 Heavenly Village Way South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 542 4230
Web Address: https://theshopsatheavenly.com/ice-rink/
66. Kiva Beach
4.7 (54 reviews)
Credit: Djlmno, License, Wikimedia commons
65. Pacific Crest Gallery
4.2 (58 reviews)
Credit: Pratik Pudage, Google Maps
Location: 1001 Heavenly Village Way #29 South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 541 2523
Web Address: http://pacificcrestgallery.com/
64. Wyland Galleries
4.7 (65 reviews)
Credit: Jeff Jensen, Google Maps
Location: 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 541 7099
Web Address: http://signaturegalleries.com/
63. TubeTahoe
4.4 (65 reviews)
Credit: TubeTahoe, Google Maps
Location: 3021 US 50 South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 600 2304
Web Address: http://tubetahoe.com/
62. Tahoe Outdoor Adventures
4.9 (68 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: Lake Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 494 9968
Web Address: http://tahoeoutdooradventures.com/
61. Bijou Municipal Golf Course
4.2 (69 reviews)
Credit: Anga Flandre, Google Maps
Location: 3464 Fairway Ave South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 542 6097
60. Lake Valley State Recreation Area
4.6 (74 reviews)
Credit: Jim G, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2500 Emerald Bay Road South Lake Tahoe CA
Web Address: https://parks.ca.gov/
59. Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course
4.9 (85 reviews)
Location: 180 Lake Pkwy Zephyr Cove NV
Tel: 775 588 3566
Web Address: https://edgewoodtahoe.com/golf/
58. Ski Butlers Ski Rental Delivery
5.0 (94 reviews)
Location: 209 Kingsbury Grade Road #1D Streetateline NV
Tel: 775 580 7809
Web Address: https://skibutlers.com/locations/south-lake-tahoe-ski-rentals
57. Washoe Meadows State Park
4.3 (95 reviews)
Location: Sawmill Road South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 525 7232
Web Address: https://parks.ca.gov/
56. Heavenly Sports – Marriott
4.2 (109 reviews)
Credit: Heavenly Sports – Marriott, Google Maps
Location: 1001 Heavenly Village Way 18 & 19 South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 542 2859
Web Address: https://epicmountainrentals.com/
55. Mount Tallac
4.9 (119 reviews)
Credit: Jonathan Cook-Fisher, License, Wikimedia commons
54. Keys Beach
4.6 (130 reviews)
Credit: Tilman Giese, Google Maps
53. Fallen Leaf Lake
4.8 (148 reviews)
Credit: levibare1, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 544 2628
Web Address: https://tahoesouth.com/hike/get-outside-and-get-moving-to-truly-appreciate-fallen-leaf-lake/
52. Rock House Discount Ski & Snowboard Rentals
4.8 (154 reviews)
Credit: Rock House Discount Ski & Snowboard Rentals, Google Maps
Location: 1098 Ski Run Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 600 0450
Web Address: http://tahoediscountskis.com/
51. Tahoe Paradise Golf Course
4.2 (160 reviews)
Credit: Ryan Hartley, Google Maps
Location: 3021 US 50 South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 577 2121
Web Address: http://tahoeparadisegc.com/
50. Tahoe Rim Trail: Kingsbury North Trailhead
4.8 (162 reviews)
Credit: Jonathon Magnuson, Google Maps
Location: 476 Andria Dr Zephyr Cove NV
Tel: 775 298 0012
Web Address: http://tahoerimtrail.org/
49. St. Theresa Catholic Church
4.9 (163 reviews)
Location: 1041 Lyons Ave South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 544 3533
Web Address: http://tahoecatholic.com/
48. Glen Alpine Trailhead
4.7 (165 reviews)
Location: 1580 Glen Alpine Road South Lake Tahoe CA
47. Tahoe Rim Trail Association: Van Sickle State Park Trailhead
4.7 (179 reviews)
Credit: Johnny Luna, Google Maps
Location: Van Sickle Streetate Park Streetateline NV
Tel: 775 298 0012
Web Address: http://tahoerimtrail.org/
46. Bayview Trailhead
4.9 (179 reviews)
Credit: Dennis Joy, Google Maps
Location: Emerald Bay Road South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 543 2600
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/specialplaces/recarea/
45. Puzzle Room Tahoe
4.6 (179 reviews)
Credit: Puzzle Room Tahoe, Google Maps
Location: 55 US 50 Streetateline NV
Tel: 775 589 2929
Web Address: http://puzzleroomtahoe.com/
44. Heavenly Sports – CA Main Lodge Retail
4.6 (180 reviews)
Credit: Emilio Guzmán, Google Maps
Location: 3860 Saddle Road South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 542 5137
Web Address: http://heavenlysports.com/
43. Emerald Bay State Park Lookout
4.9 (188 reviews)
Location: 01805102 South Lake Tahoe CA
42. Lake Tahoe – Nevada State Park
4.7 (192 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: NV 28 Incline Village NV
Tel: 775 831 0494
Web Address: http://parks.nv.gov/parks/lake-tahoe-nevada-state-park
41. Bijou Dog Park
4.6 (203 reviews)
Credit: Macie Carey, Google Maps
Location: 1201 Al Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
40. Echo Lake Trailhead
4.8 (206 reviews)
Credit: Filip Zakrzewski, Google Maps
Location: Echo Lake CA
Tel: 530 543 2600
39. Tahoe Paradise Park
4.7 (212 reviews)
Location: 1011 E San Bernardino Ave South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 577 9881
Web Address: http://tahoeparadisepark.com/
38. Kahle Park
4.7 (226 reviews)
Credit: Roman Bondarenko, Google Maps
Location: 236 Kingsbury Grade Road Streetateline NV
Tel: 775 586 7271
Web Address: https://communityservices.douglascountynv.gov/cms/one.aspx
37. Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster
4.7 (248 reviews)
Location: Stateline NV
Tel: 775 586 7000
Web Address: https://skiheavenly.com/explore-the-resort/activities/epic-discovery/ridge-rider-mountain-coaster.aspx
36. Lam Watah Nature Trail to Nevada Beach
4.7 (265 reviews)
Credit: Joseph Dandona Jr., Google Maps
35. Tahoe Trout Farm
4.6 (268 reviews)
Credit: Grace Marie, Google Maps
Location: 1023 Blue Lake Ave South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 541 1491
Web Address: http://tahoetroutfarm.com/
34. Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts
4.8 (278 reviews)
Credit: NARA record: 8464467, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 775 586 7000
33. Zephyr Cove Day Use Area
4.7 (280 reviews)
Credit: Андрій Ношин, Google Maps
Location: Stateline NV
Tel: 530 543 2600
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recarea/
32. Lake Tahoe Golf Course
4.4 (285 reviews)
Credit: Jim G, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2500 Emerald Bay Road South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 577 0788
Web Address: http://laketahoegc.com/
31. Echo Lake Sno-Park
4.3 (318 reviews)
Location: Echo Summit Road Echo Lake CA
Tel: 530 644 2324
Web Address: http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/
30. Zephyr Cove Park
4.7 (321 reviews)
Location: 233 Warrior Way Glenbrook NV
Tel: 775 588 7230
29. South Lake Tahoe-El Dorado Recreation Area
4.8 (352 reviews)
Credit: Xiomara Sequeira, Google Maps
Location: South Lake Tahoe CA
28. USDA Forest Service Taylor Creek Visitor Center
4.7 (369 reviews)
Credit: sandeep paladugu, Google Maps
Location: Visitor Center Rd. CA 89 South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 543 2674
Web Address: https://thegreatbasininstitute.org/taylor-creek-visitor-center/
27. Cascade Falls
4.8 (512 reviews)
Credit: Terry Chay, License, Flickr
Location: Cascade Falls Trail South Lake Tahoe CA
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recreation/recarea/
26. Glen Alpine Falls
4.7 (522 reviews)
Credit: m01229, License, Flickr
Location: 1580 Glen Alpine Road South Lake Tahoe CA
25. Baldwin Beach
4.7 (529 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recarea/
24. Nevada Beach
4.8 (533 reviews)
Credit: Jim G, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 416 Bittlers Road Zephyr Cove NV
Web Address: https://tahoepublicbeaches.org/beaches/nevada-beach/
23. Magic Carpet Golf
4.5 (579 reviews)
Credit: Jentesta Caldwell, Google Maps
Location: 2455 Lake Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 541 3787
22. Bijou Community Park
4.7 (769 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1201 Al Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 542 6091
21. Tallac Historic Site
4.7 (835 reviews)
Credit: Wayne Hsieh, License, Flickr
Location: 1 Heritage Way South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 541 5227
Web Address: http://tahoeheritage.org/events-and-programs-2/tallac-historic-site/
20. Lakeside Beach
4.3 (881 reviews)
Web Address: https://lakesideparkassociation.org/beach/
19. Homewood Mountain Resort
4.4 (937 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: 5145 W Lake Blvd Homewood CA
Tel: 530 525 2992
Web Address: http://skihomewood.com/
18. Vikingsholm
4.7 (1,260 reviews)
Credit: Mike McBey, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: CA 89 Tahoma CA
Tel: 530 541 6498
Web Address: http://vikingsholm.com/index.html
17. Pope Beach
4.7 (1,589 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: CA 89 South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 543 2600
Web Address: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recarea/
16. Eagle Falls
4.8 (1,599 reviews)
Location: 138 Emerald Bay Road South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 543 2600
Web Address: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recarea/
15. Lakeview Commons
4.6 (1,802 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Web Address: http://cityofslt.us/index.aspx
14. Donner Memorial State Park
4.7 (2,214 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: 12593 Donner Pass Road Truckee CA
Tel: 530 582 7892
Web Address: http://parks.ca.gov/
13. Inspiration Point (Emerald Bay)
4.8 (3,378 reviews)
Credit: Kent Kanouse, License, Flickr
Location: South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 543 2600
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/detail/ltbmu/recreation/
12. Emerald Bay State Park
4.8 (4,297 reviews)
Credit: Anonymous, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 138 Emerald Bay Road South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 541 3030
Web Address: https://parks.ca.gov/
11. Northstar California Resort
4.5 (5,018 reviews)
Location: 5001 Northstar Dr Truckee CA
Tel: 530 562 2267
Web Address: http://northstarcalifornia.com/
10. Palisades Tahoe
4.6 (5,131 reviews)
Location: 1960 Olympic Vly Road Olympic Valley CA
Tel: 800 403 0206
Web Address: https://palisadestahoe.com/
Our Top picks
9. Heavenly Village Way
4.1 (10 reviews)
Credit: Mark Miller, License, Wikimedia commons
8. Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
4.4 (23 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: 35 College Dr South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 543 2600
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/ltbmu
7. South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena
4.7 (99 reviews)
Location: 1176 Rufus Allen Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 544 7465
Web Address: http://tahoearena.co/
6. El Dorado Beach
4.5 (102 reviews)
Credit: Vince Migliore, License, Wikimedia commons
5. Marcus Ashley Gallery
4.7 (172 reviews)
Location: 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd #23 South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 544 4278
Web Address: https://marcusashley.com/
4. Van Sickle Bi-State Park
4.8 (338 reviews)
Location: 30 Lake Pkwy South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 542 5580
Web Address: http://parks.nv.gov/parks/lake-tahoe-nevada-state-park-3
3. Heavenly Mountain Resort – California Lodge
4.3 (520 reviews)
Credit: Jonathan Cook-Fisher, License, Flickr
Location: 3860 Saddle Road South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 775 586 7000
Web Address: https://skiheavenly.com/
2. Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach
4.5 (1,400 reviews)
Location: 3199 Sacramento Ave South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 530 542 6056
Web Address: http://cityofslt.us/
1. Heavenly Mountain Resort
4.4 (3,899 reviews)
Credit: Dietmar Rabich, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4080 Lake Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe CA
Tel: 775 586 7000
Web Address: http://skiheavenly.com/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in South Lake Tahoe, California! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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