Hello,

First time to Lake Tahoe during the summer. We're a family with 2 kids. Would appreciate input on our list of things to do:

Heavenly Tram
Lake Tahoe Visitors Center to see the stream through the window
Maybe some kind of boat trip across the lake (suggestions?)
Beach time (beach recommendations for families?)
Saw Mill Pond for fishing (or that other pond)
Tallac Historic Site (do we need to hike to that spot?)
Squaw Valley
Truckee Historic Town Center
Adventure Park
Hike/bike somewhere (Suggestions for easy hiking trail?)
Maybe, if there's time, horseback riding

Anything we missed? Are visiting resorts/casinos a must (we don't play slots or gamble).

Thanks for your help.

Also, we're planning to stay in South Lake Tahoe at Alpenrose Inn. Then, we're thinking of seeing the sights in both the South Shore and the North/West Shore. Is that doable or is the North/West Shore just too far away? Wouldn't know the driving distances.

Camp Richardson has a nice beach. You do know how cold the water is?

Lake Tahoe Visitor Center
Tallac Historic Site is just lovely
Heavenly Tram has incredible views.

The Tahoe Queen paddleboat cruise is really fun for the family. Bring a jacket, it can get windy.

In the summer, the traffic can make north shore driving standstill on the weekends. If you are staying in south Shore, it's about an hour to the North shore, on weekdays, and visa versa.

Sand Harbor, on the east shore, just south of Incline is gorgeous.

I would consider booking rooms at the Camp Richardson Lodge and/or a cabin. It's a 20's-30's era lodge and resort. No radios or television sets. Offered nearby (less than a quarter of a mile) is a small market for groceries, bike rentals, kayak and paddle boat rentals, watercraft/boats, a restaurant on the beach, sandy beach, walking, hiking and more! It is very family-friendly and one of my favorite places to take my kids. Who knows, you may even be lucky enough to see a bear on the way. And you can always do day trips from here into South Lake Tahoe for shopping, gondola rides up to Heavenly, gambling and eating. You can also take a short ride to Zephyr Cove and catch the Ms. Dixie II that takes you around the lake and over to Emerald Bay and back. There's also a state beach near Zephyr Cove that is another popular beach. And if you'd rather go hiking, you can leave Camp Richardson's parking lot and head further northwest towards Emerald Bay. You know when you've reached popular hiking/photo op. stops... Cars will be lined up and down the sides of the road. http://www.camprichardson.com/

Is that doable or is the North/West Shore just too far away? Wouldn't know the driving distances.

Traffic can be bad in places, but the entire lake is only 71 miles in circumference (my husband and friends have biked it a couple of times).

Thank you for your input. Camp Richardson's website does not list all of their rates (just the cabin, not the hotel rates) so I guess I'll have to call them. It sounds like a good family place but the reviews in tripadvisor.com are mixed. Appreciate the beach, boat and traffic input. If we had time for only one beach, which should we pick? Also deciding whether 2 nights is enough or if we should do 3.

Just so you know, we visited in August and the water was freezing. Our children (and my husband) loved jumping off the boulders at Sand Harbor Beach. I went into the water up to my knees.

We also rented a boat and a tube--I don't know how they could stand the cold but they loved it.

We enjoyed renting bikes and biking the trail along the lake. Our daughter wanted to horseback ride so we did take a trail ride too.

There is a beautiful shoreline trail that starts at one of the parks. We hiked several lovely trails.

We purchased a wonderful guidebook in Lake Tahoe--a big blue book--one of the best written guidebooks I have ever found.

We spent a week at Lake Tahoe, rented a condo on the northshore. We would love to return.

If you like history, consider seeing Donner State park, site of the donner party`s last stand. There is a museum and trails for hiking too. Donner is a very pretty lake.

I recommend doing the Squaw Valley
tram. The views are very nice and they have a restaurant, swimming pool, and other activities at the top of the mountain. It is definitely worth it.

Looks like beach time won't be a big part of our activities given that the water is freezing. A boat cruise, biking/hiking and horseback riding sounds good. Squaw Valley is part of our rough itinerary--I'll look into the tram.

Thanks for the suggestion about the Donner party history, but I'm afraid it might make me feel depressed. I remember when we went to England and visited the Tower of London and the guide told stories about the people imprisoned there and beheaded. It dampened my spirits and I wanted to be happy on my vacation--I liked looking at the architecture and listening to the stories about royalty, but would have gladly skipped the gory parts, LOL.

What is the best scenic yet easy hiking trail for kids in Tahoe? What about the easiest (level, no slopes) scenic biking path for kids? Also, what is the best boat cruise for kids and the best, yet affordable, horseback riding for kids? Thanks.

Don't cross Tahoe beaches off your list. We go to Sand Harbor at least once or twice when we are up during the summer. Yes the water is cold, but it is clear and beautiful. The kids usually swim more. I float around on my raft, enjoying the mountains with the trees, clear, calm water and wonder how I got so lucky as to be in such a beautiful place.

There is a bike path round the lake in some places. Particularly on the west side. I am not sure of the situation on the south shore. We are not big hikers, but did do the short, but steep hike down to Vikingsholm at Emerald Bay. Fun.

Good luck and you will love the Jewel of the Sierra.

MY

The west shore bike path is flat--goes from Tahoe City to Pine Point State Park--beautiful ride.

The Rubicon Trail from Bliss State Park is a wonderful hike.

It just occured to me. If you are concerned with the cold water in both Lake Tahoe and Donner Lake, consider taking the tram up to the top of Squaw and bring your swimsuit! You can swim up on top, ice skate and more! Research more for pricing on rentals (I'm pretty sure you can ride bikes all over the mountain as well). Views are fantastic! You will only need a day for this. Squaw is very close to Truckee and/or North Lake Tahoe. If you are traveling that far north/west, you might as well stop by Tahoe City as well. Take the kids to lunch and walk over fanny bridge... You will see fish in the river and all of the passerbys can see your fannys. Another warmer-water idea is joining hundreds of others and rent a raft on the Truckee River. Research Tahoe City for more info. It's very family-friendly and calm. The wildest part is at the end, and as long as you hold onto the raft and stay seated, it's over in about 1 minute. You'll have a great time and believe me, it's not cold once you've been sitting in the raft so long. Taking a quick dip in the slow parts is part of the fun!

Tahoe Beaches we have visited with kids and had no issues.

Zephyr Cove (our time share is within walking distance - located east of Stateline on Hwy 50). This link will also give you info on the boat cruises available.
http://www.aboutlaketahoe.com/beaches/zephyr_cove.htm

Pope Beach (located near Camp Richardson on Hwy 89 west of Stateline). http://www.aboutlaketahoe.com/beaches/pope_beach.htm

Wow, lots of suggestions. Thanks for the info. I'll look into them and maybe post a rough itinerary after I narrow down our choices.