Tahoe Things to Do: Attractions

Ed Z'Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park is your best bet for winter camping. Also open with a larger selection of sites in the summer, the park is positioned to take advantage of both the beautiful natural setting of Lake Tahoe and the historic aspects. Within the park is access to the Hellman-Ehrmann Mansion that was built in 1903. The property is still exquisitely maintained and is an excellent representation of the wealthy side of Tahoe. Tours are offered during the summer by Sierra State Parks Foundation (sierrastateparks.org). There are various trailheads, swimming beaches and great fishing within the park as well as a Nature Center that helps visitors identify the local flora and fauna. In the winter the foundation hosts full moon snowshoe expeditions, and this is a great place for sledding and snowshoeing. Dogs are allowed on leash only. Visitors should remember to pack it in, pack it out and leave no trace. An entrance fee is charged. 

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 FAA-certified instructor along) and enjoy the sight of the lake from an entirely new perspective. The flight can even count for training toward a pilot’s license. Morning flights offer spectacular year-round viewing conditions, and flights can be scheduled for 30, 60 or 90 minutes. Winter flights are warm and cozy with modern-technology heated clothing. Don’t forget to sign up for the photo or video services for a souvenir of the flight that you will treasure forever.

With its easy location in the center of town, Kings Beach State Recreation Area makes enjoying the sandy shoreline of Lake Tahoe simple. The park itself is free, and offers day use of a few miles of sandy beach, public bathrooms, a children's play area and barbecue grills. There are boat, Jet Ski and paddleboard rentals, and parking costs $10 for both cars and trucks. Dogs are not allowed on the beach; however, they are allowed in the picnic areas. Dogs must be on a leash 6-foot or shorter at all times. In the winter most of the bathrooms and other facilities are closed.

Since 1972, the Northstar California Resort has drawn winter sports enthusiasts to the area. Twenty different lifts provide access to some 100 trails on more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. The majority of the trails are designed for intermediate level skiers, while about a quarter of them are for advanced skiers and the remainder are just right for beginners. Speaking of beginners, Northstar offers schooling in both skiing and boarding. Fun in the snow at the Northstar California Resort also includes telemark skiing, tubing and cross-country skiing. The resort also offers eight terrain parks. But Northstar isn't just about the wintertime. Year-round amenities include a skating rink, a bungie trampoline, lodging, dining and a wide range of shopping at the Village. Guests at Northstar lodging also have access to the swim and racquet club including outdoor spas and heated lap pool, yoga classes, saunas and teen and fitness centers. In the summer, a whole new world of fun opens up. The ice rink changes over to a roller skating rink, visitors can enjoy an 18-hole golf course, there are some 10 courts available for those who enjoy tennis and fly fishing is available in the Sawmill Lake. And the Northstar California Resort is the site of one of the best lift-served mountain bike parks in the nation, with 52 trails providing more than 100 miles of biking fun.

Northstar California Resort Is Conveniently Located

Located between the High Sierra mountain town of Truckee and Lake Tahoe, the Northstar California Resort is easy to get to whether you are driving from the Golden State of California or the Silver State of Nevada. And if you are lucky enough to be flying in, the airports in Sacramento and Reno are both served by commercial airlines, while the Truckee Tahoe Airport is just 5 miles from the resort.

If finding some adrenaline fun via flowing rivers is your cup of tea, then you should check out Tahoe Whitewater Tours. A highly reputable company that offers guided trips down Truckee River as well as other rivers that near the Tahoe area, Tahoe Whitewater Tours is gifted in creating a trip that fits the wants and needs of the group. From basic river trips to heart-pumping whitewater adventures, they have you covered.