When you sit down to plan your vacation to North Lake Tahoe there are most likely activities that top your list, without question. In the summer there’s waterskiing on Lake Tahoe, or riding the Aerial Tram at Squaw to High Camp, 8200’ up with stunning 360-degree views of the lake and surrounding peaks; hiking to Shirley Lake, mountain biking, fishing Donner Lake, or exploring the Sierra backcountry like Desolation Wilderness. Perhaps you just really want to try those Garwoods Wet Woodys everyone raves about ... (Careful, they're tasty!)
And then there's sightseeing, where you’ll find tourists and locals alike -- because they are that spectacular!
Top Tahoe Sightseeing Spots
Here are some of our must-see spots:
Emerald Bay State Park
Known by locals simply as Emerald Bay, Emerald Bay State Park is a California State Park that includes Eagle Falls to its west (easy hikes for the whole family with rushing falls in the summer) and Vikingsholm, a 36 room Scandanavian style mansion constructed in 1929. It’s an unspoken agreement that all those who visit Lake Tahoe should see Emerald Bay … you’ll see why it’s so famous.
Eagle Rock
Located on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore, Eagle Rock is one of the area’s natural gems and takes a little bit more know-how to access, but if you’re an avid hiker you can’t miss this. Eagle Rock is a dormant volcanic formation that juts out and after a short hike up (it’s worth it and there are pretty wildflowers along the way), offers panoramic views of the lake. Don’t leave without snapping some pics.
Speedboat Beach
If you Google ‘Lake Tahoe’ those iconic photos of large smooth boulders rising up out of the shallow water just feet from the shoreline (go ahead, Google it) are generally taken at Speedboat Beach. Situated on the North shore, just a few hundred feet from the Nevada state border is Speedboat, a little cove of beautiful blue green waters and rocks perfect for sunbathing, reading a book, or simply taking in the view. Though a public beach, you will feel like you've snagged a spot on a your own private stretch of sand.