Tahoe City is a vacation city, a weekend destination, or a place to spend an evening retelling stories of the day’s adventures in any one of umpteen outdoor recreation opportunities located only minutes away. It’s difficult to find a better base camp for further adventures.
A favorite summer pastime is floating the first few miles of the Truckee River after it escapes from Lake Tahoe. We’re not talking whitewater.
The 164 mile Tahoe Rim Trail cuts through the heart of town with a trailhead adjacent to the Community Building.
There’s Lake Tahoe, of course. Humongous, clear, clean and cold lapping at the feet of the bustling community. Fishing, swimming, underwater diving, power boating, sail boating, paddle-wheel boating, picture taking and “oohing.” “ahhing” and “aweing”, “Lake Tahoe is a world class destination. Burton Creek State Park sits on the shoulder of the mountainous rim above Tahoe City. Activities and attractions are basic, but it’s yours for the day. The Kings Beach State Recreation Area is 12 miles northwest of Tahoe City along the beautiful North Shore. Seven hundred feet of shoreline is also yours for the day – you and hundreds of other visitors.
The 164 mile Tahoe Rim Trail cuts through the heart of town with a trailhead adjacent to the Community Building. Hiking, equestrian, and biking enthusiasts have their choice of directions. You can go north and east climbing to Brockway Summit or south and west climbing towards toward Barker Pass. (Note the “climbing” and “climbing” reference). Tahoe City is the lowest point along the trail, and the only community sitting astride the trail.
Tahoe City is also a great base for hiking into the Granite Chief Wilderness or trail riding the Western States Trail that begins above nearby Truckee. It quickly plunges down to the Truckee River canyon and then climbs and climbs over the Sierra Crest above Squaw Valley Ski Area. Take the gondola up and you’ll easily be back for afternoon tea or a glass of wine at the top of the lift. You’ll even have time for ice-skating in Squaw’s Olympic rink.
A favorite summer pastime is floating the first few miles of the Truckee River after it escapes from Lake Tahoe. We’re not talking whitewater. The only foam you’ll see is in someone’s beer as they peacefully guide their craft down the river. Nor will you need a professional guide. The favorite choice of craft are inner tubes, but air-filled kayaks, or even air mattresses are popular. Then you grab the shuttle bus back and do it again.
Further down river, whitewater options open up as the canyon falls more and more rapidly to the Great Basin of Nevada.
The fun doesn’t stop in the winter. Some say it gets better. Downhill skiing is available in a nearby family resort on the edge of town, or only a few miles away you have your choice of several major resorts and even bigger mountains. Cross-country skiing is based at several close by downhill resorts, on the edge of town at a full-scale ski area dedicated to Nordic skiers, or on your own within the State Parks or National Forests.
| Population: | 926 | Links: | Chamber of Commerce: www.tahoefun.org Visitor Center: www.visitplacer.com |
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Tahoe City is on the northwest corner of Lake Tahoe and is easily reached from Truckee in a quick 14 miles via Highway 89, or both Sacramento and Reno via I-80 and 89.
From Reno you can also take the scenic route over Nevada State Highway 431 to Incline Village and then California State Highway 28 west along the North Shore.
To get there from South Lake Tahoe either drive around Lake Tahoe on the east side via Highways 50 and 28, or drive around the west side of the lake via Highway 89. At 30 miles, the second option is a bit shorter but both drives are only minutes apart in time.