Lake Tahoe walking tour & city guide
A clear alpine lake in the Sierra Nevada, for beaches, trails and skiing.
6 videos · uploaded 2022–2026
South Lake Tahoe Walking Tour
Video by Traveling with Andrew · Mar 2023 · All rights belong to the creator
All rights belong to the creator.
About this video
A February 2023 walk in South Lake Tahoe, on the southern shore of the lake. Most of it is spent in Heavenly Village, the resort area at the foot of the gondola, and it ends across the state line in Stateline, Nevada, where the casinos begin.
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City guide
Lake Tahoe on foot
Lake Tahoe is a deep, famously clear mountain lake high in the Sierra Nevada, on the border between California and Nevada. Pine forests and granite peaks surround about 72 miles of shoreline, with sandy coves, boulder beaches and small towns. In summer it is a place for swimming, paddling and hiking; in winter the slopes around it become some of the busiest ski resorts in the West.
South Lake Tahoe and the shore
South Lake Tahoe is the largest town on the lake. Its pedestrian Heavenly Village has shops and restaurants at the foot of a gondola that climbs high above the water, and the casinos of Stateline, Nevada begin right at the border. To the west, Emerald Bay is the lake's most photographed corner: a narrow green inlet with tiny Fannette Island in the middle.
The drive around the lake
A road circles the whole lake, and driving it takes a few hours without stops. The west shore climbs past Emerald Bay to Tahoe City; the north shore has quieter beaches and towns; the Nevada east shore is wilder, with clear coves and smooth granite boulders at Sand Harbor and a paved trail along the water.
A classic Lake Tahoe walk
In South Lake Tahoe, walk from Heavenly Village down to the lakeshore and along the beaches and lakeside trail towards the old Tallac estates. At Emerald Bay, a steep trail drops about a mile to the shore, and a short path leads to Eagle Falls. On the east shore, the paved trail from Incline Village to Sand Harbor gives some of the best views of the lake.
Visiting tips
The lake sits at about 1,900 metres (6,200 feet), so the sun is strong and evenings are cool even in summer. July and August are busy, and parking at Emerald Bay and the popular beaches fills early. Snow can close roads in winter; check conditions and carry chains if you drive up from the valley.
Don't miss
Top sights in Lake Tahoe
- 1
Emerald Bay
A green inlet with an island and a lakeside mansion.
- 2
Heavenly Village and Gondola
A lively village and a ride with lake views.
- 3
Sand Harbor
Clear coves and granite boulders on the Nevada shore.
- 4
Eagle Falls
A waterfall above Emerald Bay.
- 5
Tahoe City
A small town on the north-west shore.
- 6
Tahoe East Shore Trail
A paved path above the water.
Eat
Food markets & where to eat in Lake Tahoe
Heavenly Village
Restaurants and cafés in South Lake Tahoe.
Tahoe City
Lakeside dining on the north shore.
Stateline
Restaurants in the Nevada casino strip.
Taste
Food to try in Lake Tahoe
Lakeside picnic
Pick up supplies in town and eat by the water.
Mountain breakfast
A hearty start before a hike or a ski day.
Après-ski
Hot drinks and comfort food after the slopes.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
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Plan your trip to Lake Tahoe
Here is everything you need to see Lake Tahoe for real.
- Hotels in Lake TahoeCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Lake Tahoe.
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