Things to Do in Lake Tahoe in Summer

In one of the little ironies of life, Lake Tahoe Golf Course is one of the courses at South Shore that is actually farthest from the lake, over at Meyers. This in no way, however, detracts from the beauty of the location as it is in a high-altitude meadow set up against the rugged mountain scenery. The course, with layout by William Bell, welcomes casual players as well as custom-designed tournaments and events. Lake Tahoe Golf Course is also a popular venue for non-golfing special events, not the least of which are weddings. Whether the event takes place on the 10th tee near the Truckee River or in the clubhouse with views of Mount Tallac, the catering and event specialists here can help give your wedding day that special Tahoe flavor.

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.

The sprawling Tahoe Donner subdivision and its 6,000-plus homes above Truckee is many things to lots of people. For some it is their home neighborhood; for others it’s where they rent a house for a few days in winter or summer. Locals and visitors all take advantage of the Tahoe Donner Association’s 7,000 acres and equally vast amenities available to homeowners as well as to the public. The association’s clubhouses are members only, but the public can experience Tahoe Donner for free or pay-to-play at top-notch offerings such as the 18-hole golf course, the equestrian center for riding lessons, the cross-country ski center and its 100 km of groomed trails, the top-notch tennis center and kid-friendly snow-play area. The downhill ski center is ideal for little kids (and adults) to learn skiing and snowboarding. More than 60 miles of trails and fire roads wind through nearly 3,500 acres of open space and can be explored for free on foot, bike or snowshoes. And after all that exploring, Tahoe Donner has a variety of places to dine. The Lodge Restaurant and Pub has indoor and outdoor dining next to the golf course. Pizza on the Hill also offers other fare plus a full bar and game room for the kids. Also keep an eye open for events open to the public held at various times in the season.

Take a look around and it’s clear that Truckee is a special town: history, mountains, lakes, river and forests. But there are many hidden gems known mostly to locals. The thing is, those gems are kept shining by the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District for the enjoyment of locals and visitors. Some of the amenities and facilities managed by the district are accessible for free, others for a fee. Either way, the district has received awards for its facilities, and after discovering a few it’s easy to understand why. From the nine-hole Ponderosa Golf Course and an ice rink in winter to super-kid-friendly West End Beach and the public piers on Donner Lake, discover what locals keep to themselves. The crown jewel is the 40,000-square-foot Community Recreation Center with, among other things, a two-court gymnasium, indoor running track, exercise equipment and two climbing walls (one is 29 feet tall) as well as a new, state-of-the-art aquatics center attached to the Rec Center. Want to find Truckee’s soul? Head to Regional Park every Wednesday evening in the summer for free concerts in the grassy amphitheater. Also check out the bike park at Riverview Sports Park and the popular disc golf course and skate park in Regional Park. The Parks District also offers wonderful outdoor activities like standup paddleboard yoga classes, group play dates for the kiddos and an entertaining free mid-day movie series, perfect for that rainy day.