Kings Beach Things To Do

Around Tahoe Tours is your best bet for getting a true feel and knowledge of the local area. Created by Darin Talbot, the tour agency is a culmination of his knowledge that began in 1977 when he moved to the area. With his fun attitude and amusing ways of sharing the tales of Tahoe, the musician and storyteller is able to create an entertaining and educational tour for the entire family. His tours range from in-person private tours to group tours to CD tours that are self-guiding. The tours focus on all of the various areas of the Tahoe Basin, from South Lake Tahoe to Truckee. Around Tahoe Tours also offers a GPS app to help visitors know the area and see hidden gems.

You love Lake Tahoe, and you feel as if you’ve seen all the sights it has to offer. But as the old saying goes, you ain’t seen nothing yet ... not until you’ve seen it from the air, piloting your own aircraft over the Carson Range and into the Tahoe Basin. With Hang Gliding Tahoe, you fly a powered hang glider with an instructor along for the ride (the flight can even count for training toward a pilot’s license!) and enjoy the sight of the lake from an entirely new perspective. Morning flights offer spectacular year-round viewing conditions, and you can schedule sessions ranging from one hour clear on up to three hours. Make it an extra-special event and fly as a couple or with a friend, each in your own aircraft, and don’t forget to sign up for the photo or video service for a souvenir of the flight that you will treasure forever.

Imagine experiencing the stunning views of Lake Tahoe from your own luxury yacht. This is a reality waiting to happen when you enjoy the expertise and boatmanship of Stellar Tahoe. Lake Tahoe's premier captained boating experience, Stellar Tahoe is built on the foundation of creating a memorable experience that is filled with opulence, comfort and the utmost fun. Utilizing the impressive Formula 330 ss, the charters are outfitted with a bathroom, refrigerator, multiple sun-tanning areas, an easy-to-use ladder that makes swimming simple, a covered cabin and plenty of shade. The excursions range from two hours to all day and include amenities such as beach towels, blankets and wetsuits.

Tahoe Paddle & Oar is a full outfitter for anything that has to do with paddle sports. A shop ready to outfit the beginner or restock the expert, Tahoe Paddle & Oar is ready for all needs related to kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding (and anything else you can think of that involves water, fun and a paddle). Their supreme location on the edge of Lake Tahoe in the center of Kings Beach makes for easy access for whatever paddle sport excites you. They also offer guided tours of the lake, sharing stories of the area as you paddle along. Tahoe Paddle & Oar operates in the summer only.

George Whittell Jr., heir to one of San Francisco’s largest fortunes, pulled his $50 million (roughly $50 billion in current dollars) out of the stock market just weeks before the crash of 1929. He needed to do something with all that money and started buying up land on Lake Tahoe’s eastern shore, eventually owning almost the entire Nevada shoreline. In 1936 construction began on his "castle in the sky," a lakefront estate that would serve as his summer getaway and tax haven.

Finished in 1939, Thunderbird Lodge was constructed by the finest artisans and craftspeople available. The exteriors were done in stone decorated with metal images of local wildlife, and the interiors were fashioned in the Arts and Crafts style. He had a 600-foot tunnel blasted out of the granite under the property to connect the lodge to a boathouse and serve as a secret exit from the Card Room. Whittell also had a 56-foot mahogany yacht custom-built. With a pair of 1150 hp Allison V-12 engines, the Thunderbird can reach speeds up to 75 mph. It’s still seaworthy and sheltered in the boathouse.

Thunderbird Lodge and its grounds, listed as an Historic Site in the National Register, are now owned by a nonprofit Preservation Society and are open for tours and available for parties, banquets, corporate functions and other special occasions. The grounds – full of lawns, water features, secluded terraces, a lakefront gazebo and beautiful views across the lake – make the Thunderbird a top choice for weddings, receptions and rehearsal dinners. They have an executive chef on-site, and their staff can help coordinate every aspect of your event. The Thunderbird hosts occasional events including a Winemakers’ Dinner series every summer. All tours are guided and are available Tuesday through Saturday from May through October. Reservations are required.