South Lake Tahoe is one of the premier destinations for Bay Area travelers, but the itinerary can feel a bit tired if you keep coming back over and over.
Once you’ve crossed the big items off your bucket list, uncover some of the lesser-known local haunts you might have otherwise missed.
Nevada Beach at the end of the Lam Watah Nature Trail(Courtesy of Visit Lake Tahoe)
Hike to the beach via the Lam Watah Nature Trail.
Hiking in Lake Tahoe is so popular that the best-known trails fill up fast, causing your attempt at connecting with nature to devolve into shouting “on your left” every few minutes. Finding a route less traveled certainly helps, and the Lam Watah Nature Trail to Nevada Beach ranks among the best.
The easy trail is a mix of paved road and dirt paths winding through a meadow shadowed by towering trees before landing at Nevada Beach, a favorite local spot with a dog-friendly stretch. Here you can set up your chairs and dip your toes before starting the trip back. The total distance largely depends on your starting point. If you park on the side of the road near the trailhead, you’ll complete about a 2.5-mile round trip. If you begin next to the giant playground at the parking lot of the woodsy park, you’re looking at three miles all in.
// Hwy 50 at Kahle Dr. (Stateline), alltrails.com
Get a Dole Whip at a walk-up window.
You don’t have to fly to Disneyland to get your Dole Whip fix. The delicious pineapple ice cream-ish dessert is for sale at Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, near the state line marker. The Jimmy Buffet-themed resort boasts island vibes in the middle of the mountains and Joe Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions serves Dole Whip soft serve and even Dole Whip margaritas at the walk-up window near the entrance seasonally while supplies last. Enjoy your snack on the newly expanded and renovated patio overlooking Lake Tahoe Boulevard, a prime destination for people watching.
// 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (South Lake Tahoe), margaritavilleresorts.com
Noel's has the best espresso martini in Tahoe.(Courtesy of @noelscoffee)
Taste the “best” espresso martini at Noel’s Apothecary.
Noel’s Apothecary started as a speakeasy, but it isn’t one anymore. Instead of shielding the business from clientele on the main stretch of Stateline bars, owners decided to put a big sign overhead and advertise live music nightly without losing the speakeasy style inside. While the venue is fun for many reasons (and operates as a coffee bar during the day), the real reason to come here is for the killer espresso martini—we’re calling it the best we’ve ever had. The magic is in the recipe: vodka distilled seven times, a dash of sea salt, and a twist of orange. Instead of being finished with three coffee beans, according to tradition, the drink gets an orange peel garnish.
// 31 US-50, #102, (Stateline), sltrestaurants.wixsite.com
Head to The Hangar for lawn games and beers.
Further down Lake Tahoe Boulevard, beyond the bustling Heavenly Village, sits The Hangar Taproom and Bottle Shop. In addition to a small shipping-container tasting room, the sprawling outdoor lawn features plenty of games fit for the whole family, including corn hole. Plentiful picnic tables invite friends to gather and sip craft beer alongside grub purchased from on-site food trucks. The best bonus? The property is dog friendly. The Hangar also hosts occasional 21+ concerts with some notable talent.
// 2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Ste. B (South Lake Tahoe), thehangarlaketahoe.com
Fallen Leaf Lake(Courtesy of Visit Lake Tahoe)
Trade Lake Tahoe for Fallen Leaf Lake.
Look, we’re mostly heading to Lake Tahoe in summer for the beach, but with complicated reservation systems and crowded sand, it isn’t always easy—or relaxing. Those in the know can beat the crowds by heading one mile southwest to Fallen Leaf Lake. The sand is a little less groomed, but there’s a lot more serenity at this little-known spot, a smaller version of the region’s namesake lake. Fallen Leaf Lake even boasts its own campground if you want to stay the night.
// Fallen Leaf Rd. (South Lake Tahoe), visitlaketahoe.com
Listen to live music in a sandwich shop speakeasy.
Okay, okay… Heavenly Village is anything but hidden. But the bar we’re talking about inside the village is exactly that: a true speakeasy is located behind the “refrigerator” at Social House Craft Sandwiches. Dubbed Community Speakeasy, all you have to do to get in is go up to the bar and say, “I hear there is another bar around here.” That’ll land you on the list if there’s room. Once inside, phones are prohibited, but you’ll be able to enjoy craft cocktails and rotating musicians.
// 1001 Heavenly Village Way, #3 (South Lake Tahoe), socialhousetahoe.com
The new South Lake Tahoe Recreation & Aquatics Center(Courtesy of Visit Lake Tahoe)
Recharge at the rec center.
Just two miles from South Lake Tahoe’s main attractions sits the South Lake Tahoe Recreation & Aquatics Center. The 64,000-square-foot facility just opened in April, and it boasts an indoor swimming pool, rock climbing walls, and full gym next door to the library and down the street from the community ice rink. This isn’t just any community pool. Instead, the indoor area features options for lap swimming, a lazy river, and a children’s swim area and splash pad. Prices are low, and it’s a good way to beat the crowds—or poor weather—without missing out on water time.
// 1100 Rufus Allen Blvd. (South Lake Tahoe), cityofslt.gov/2520/Parks-Recreation
Dine on wine and sandwiches in a strip mall.
Another off-the-beaten-path favorite, The Cork & More is located in the Tahoe Center strip mall. It’s a gourmet market with a stunning selection of cheese, including many unique and aged varieties. There is also wine tasting available, and you can sip through open bottles or grab a glass of your favorite. Our recommended way to enjoy? Purchase a bottle from the vast collection and crack it open on the patio, then order up sandwiches from the back-room deli that truly are the best in the city.
// 1032 Al Tahoe Blvd. (South Lake Tahoe), thecorkandmore.com
