Lake Tahoe

[daughtersrus]

We will be there for about a week. We are taking a trip to the lake one day. What else is there to do besides gamble if we don't rent a car?

 

[FINFAN]

We will be there for about a week. We are taking a trip to the lake one day. What else is there to do besides gamble if we don't rent a car?

First thing I thought of was the Olympic's so I googled :
http://ecocitiesemerging.org/2015/02/car-free-journey-lake-tahoe/

http://www.tahoetransportation.org/transit/south-shore-services

A week is long, not sure if you guys are interested in taking a bus to another spot for a day tour?

I know there is (was)a photography tour, small group type. Maybe 1/2 a day?
My DD wanted to do a Wild West train tour when she went but they ran out of time...it sounded really cool. It was just for the day and maybe $75? Not really sure.

 

[mamacatnv]

I lived in Reno for 20 years - I'd rent a car, there is plenty to see/do when you have wheels.
Tahoe itself is worth a drive all the way around. Stop at Emerald Bay, Hike down to Vikingsholm, stop at Sand Harbour or one of the many beaches North and South shore. The Tahoe Queen (Zephyr Cove) is a great way to see the lake and surrounding mountains from a different angle. The Gondola at Heavenly offers spectacular views of the lake as well as the Carson Valley to the East.
A day trip to Virginia City in Nevada, visit the small town of Genoa, NV at the base of Kingsbury Grade, Squaw Valley and the town of Truckee are all worth a visit.
Take a drive to Pyramid Lake, NV if you want to see completely different topography. (3 or so hours)
Visit the state Capital in Carson City
Lots to see and do but I'd definitely want a car

 

[bcla]

If you're within walking distance of the state line, there's the Heavenly Mountain Gondola.

http://www.skiheavenly.com/activitiesdetail/Heav+-+Heavenly+Scenic+Gondola+Rides.axd

It might be crowded during ski season since skiers use it to get to the ski runs. It's more a scenic excursion ride outside of the ski season.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

You can go see the lovely scenic town of 29 palms. It will give you a greater appreciation for everything in life.

ETA
It's a bit of a drive (like 8 hours one way) but it's really worth it if you've ever wondered what it would be like to be stuck in he** for a day.

 

[minniecarousel]

I would rent a car. A drive around the lake is always a must for us. State line is OK, but the lake & beaches are why we go. We like the Tallac Historic site (I Think it includes the Pope Estate & the Baldwin Estate) It has some historic summer homes and a museum. A trip over to Virginia City is fun (we go every decade or so!)

A trip out on the lake on the Tahoe Queen is fun.

We've got a long weekend planned for early June. Really looking forward to it.

 

[Jaya]

The museum at Donner Memorial State Park is interesting and the grounds are beautiful to walk around.

 

[bcla]

Time of year might be useful to know for individual advice. Also about where you're staying. Right now there's still snow.

Your own vehicle would help so much. Tahoe is spread out.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Is the Ponderosa still there? I remember taking a ride up there and having breakfast overlooking the lake, then walking down to the set of Bonanza. It was a really nice outing.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Is the Ponderosa still there? I remember taking a ride up there and having breakfast overlooking the lake, then walking down to the set of Bonanza. It was a really nice outing.

They closed it back in 2004. That is sad I never even got to visit it.

 

[usnuzuloose]

You can do some of the boat rides that have brunches and dinners as well. There is the mall as well that is right where the gondola ride is.

You can look up

Travelzoo.com

Living social.com

Groupon.com

and put in the city and get discounts for things in the area as well. The area is beautiful just drive around and see everything.

 

[sasywtch]

The Ponderosa is no longer there (for all of us that got our rootbeers at the bar in the metal cups). I vote for a rental car and taking a drive to Virginia City. After many trips, I finally went down and explored the cemetery. Many plots from the 1800's and beyond. One of the boat trips, you will not believe the color of the lake in the middle. Deepest blue I've ever seen. If you do drive to Virginia City, when going through Zepher Cove cave rock, you honk your horn going through just for the heck of it. I'd probably even consider going to Reno or the day (or 2).

 

[usnuzuloose]

The Ponderosa is no longer there (for all of us that got our rootbeers at the bar in the metal cups). I vote for a rental car and taking a drive to Virginia City. After many trips, I finally went down and explored the cemetery. Many plots from the 1800's and beyond. One of the boat trips, you will not believe the color of the lake in the middle. Deepest blue I've ever seen. If you do drive to Virginia City, when going through Zepher Cove cave rock, you honk your horn going through just for the heck of it. I'd probably even consider going to Reno or the day (or 2).

I live 2 hours away and enjoy going every chance I get. Reno not so much, I don't gamble. So sad I never went to the ranch when it was open. I hate driving up the 50 the one cliff scares the you know what out of me.

 

[daughtersrus]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. We are going the 3rd week in May and will be staying at Harrah's. It looks like we should rent a car. Some friends from San Diego may join us for a few days.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We really enjoyed our day at Virginia City. We did the little mine tours there, played the little slot machines, etc. It was cool knowing that Mark Twain was there. We also 'enjoyed' our trip to the Donner Pass. Learned a lot about those poor people. We also walked down to Vikingsholm - that was cool, and hiked up to Eagle Lake (easy hike and so beautiful) above Vikingsholm.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

We went on an extended family trip several years ago. We did many of the things mentioned here.

Rented a pontoon boat and boated over to Emerald Bay, had a picnic and toured the house there.
Spent a day at one of the beaches on the lake.
Hiked up to a lake…don't remember which one. but it was only a couple of miles round trip and totally beautiful.
Visited Tallac Historical Site

 

[bcla]

That's too early for maybe the Taylor Creek Stream Profile Chamber. The Forest Service doesn't open the visitor center and the chamber until May. The parking lot and trails should be open though. They have a variety of paved trails, including one that leads to the beach.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/f...0Unit%20-%20Taylor%20Creek%20Visitor%20Center

 

[everylastbreath]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. We are going the 3rd week in May and will be staying at Harrah's. It looks like we should rent a car. Some friends from San Diego may join us for a few days.

Don't know what airport you are flying into but I'm betting it's Reno, you need a car to get to Lake Tahoe, and Transportation there and back will probably cost the same as renting the car. If your being comped by Harrah's they will not supply transportation to Lake Tahoe (too far) so get the car- Plus the fact that everything is very spread out- right next to Harrah's is Heavenly, take the tram up to top of mountain it's beautiful!! Any questions please feel free to PM me, been to Harrah's there many times, summer/winter - Love Tahoe!

 

[sasywtch]

I live 2 hours away and enjoy going every chance I get. Reno not so much, I don't gamble. So sad I never went to the ranch when it was open. I hate driving up the 50 the one cliff scares the you know what out of me.

Right at the top where the overlook where you can see the lake and then hope to goodness your brakes are working going down that mountain?

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

That's too early for maybe the Taylor Creek Stream Profile Chamber. The Forest Service doesn't open the visitor center and the chamber until May. The parking lot and trails should be open though. They have a variety of paved trails, including one that leads to the beach.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110519&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=100000000000000&pnavid=null&recid=11785&ttype=recarea&pname=Lake%20Tahoe%20Basin%20Mgt%20Unit%20-%20Taylor%20Creek%20Visitor%20Center

Thank you so much for posting this! My family did this too. I knew it was a Forest Service visitor's center because my dad is retired Forest Service. I tried googling to figure out the name of it, but had no luck. One time we went, we saw a mother bear and her two cubs catching salmon in one of the streams. It was really cool!