Focused on Yosemite as we are with the Charlotte Hotel in Groveland, California, we often feature routes and itineraries that cover areas travelers tend to go when leaving Groveland or heading to Groveland. We found that Lake Tahoe is one of those destinations that many of our guests come from or go to. We’ve traveled to Tahoe from every junction in the Sierra Nevada, including Highways 80, 50, 88 and 89, 4, 108, 120 and then north on 395, offering our favorite stops along the way.
Our last trip was a 2 night stay in South Lake Tahoe. For our route there, we took 49 to 50 towards South Lake Tahoe. This took us 4 hours. Our return trip we took Highway 89 from South Lake Tahoe to Highway 88 toward Jackson, passing Kirkwood Ski Area and several picturesque alpine lakes. From Jackson, we took 49 South. This route was only 3 hours 15 minutes and very scenic with much fewer towns and less traffic. Each of these routes is open year-round and is open during the snowy season. Alternative summer routes include Highway 4 which has some wonderful stops including Murphys (a wine tasting town), Calaveras Big Trees State Park and the Scenic Byway section from Alpine Lake to Highway 89 near Markleevil which runs turns over the mountain (a slow and often narrow route, but very photographic). Highway 108 is another option through the Sierras and rivals Yosemite’s Tioga Pass in incredible scenery.
Once in South Lake Tahoe, we generally choose to stay at the smaller, friendlier casino hotel, Lakeside Lodge, (not on the lake!) for convenience to town with fair room rates, great menu options, and a small casino and confortable. We also recommend a stay at the Zephyr Cove Resort, also on the Nevada side for the myriad of activities. You can go horseback riding, rent speedboats, canoes, kayaks, and sailboats at Zephyr Cove. In the winter there are loads of snow activities starting from here.
A walk around the lake is a must! Depending on the number of stops you make, this scenic loop will take at least 2 hours and is approximately 95 miles. We tend to drive counter-clockwise, although driving clockwise keeps you on the coastal side of the road. Stop at every viewpoint, in all the little parks and take photos, splash around in the water and talk to the fishermen about their successes; each enclave is unique.
One of our favorite stops has always been Ponderosa Ranch. For Bonanza fans, this was always a wonderful memory jog. Unfortunately the ranch was sold and is now closed to the public. The ranch boasted several vintage craftsmen, from the blacksmith to the glassblower. The crowd-pleasers included a lasso driving the audience with his art.
Tahoe City and several other places throughout the west offer bike rentals. The riding trail skirts both the lake and the road. Please be aware of traffic as the trail crosses the road at several points. This is a beautiful route on a paved bike path and is well used by families and sporty cyclists alike.
Just before heading back to South Lake Tahoe is Emerald Bay, where you’ll see the castle and teahouse on top of the island. Both remote and lonely looking places, but impressive in the sense that they even exist.
Once back in South Lake Tahoe, board the gondola to the top of Heavenly Mountain. This can be a bit uncomfortable for those with a weakness for heights and that awful feeling of falling, but it’s well worth spending a few minutes with no ground underfoot. Victor enjoyed my reaction when he tried to rock our climbing cocoon. There are dozens of hikes that originate from the pinnacle and follow the ski slopes. Be careful to get back to the gondola before closing, it’s a long walk if you don’t!
Consider an even cruise on the paddle-wheel boat, MS Dixie II, departing from Zephyr Cove. On our trip we opted for dine-in service, and while the food was okay and we met some nice travelers at our table, if we had to do it again, we’d just do the sightseeing tour, skip the meal, and save $20. per person and enjoy a wonderful dinner on land after disembarking. The cruise takes you across the lake to Emerald Bay, where we revisited the sights from earlier in the day, but from a new vantage point. This cove stands out as one of the most photographed places in the world, a title well deserved!
Additional activities for an extended stay include a hot air balloon ride over the lake, whitewater rafting on the Truckee River, horseback riding, an extra trip to Virginia City or Reno in Nevada, and more. Look for valuable coupons at strategic hotel locations throughout the area.
For additional photos and ideas for things to do in the Tahoe area, http://www.HotelCharlotte.com offers additional stops along the way, links, and photos.
Options for a winding route back to Groveland from Tahoe include cutting east to 395 and heading south, where you can take time to visit Bodie along the Eastern Sierras, a veritable Ghost Town.
