Five Ways to Elevate Your Summer in North Lake Tahoe

North Lake Tahoe's 5 Best Summer Adventures

1) Best Day Hikes in the State

North Lake Tahoe has some of California’s best day hikes. The Five Lakes Trail rises to 7,400 feet in the Granite Chief Wilderness and connects to a series of lakes. Or opt for Shirley Canyon Falls, hiking alongside waterfalls and granite boulders while soaking in views of Squaw Valley (Pro Tip: The trail starts at the base of Squaw Valley, but post-hike you can take the tram down at no cost—ticket is free for going down only!). And don’t miss the panoramas from the summit of Mount Judah. We could go on … See more top hikes in North Lake Tahoe.

2) End It with Beer!

Beer just tastes a little bit better after getting outdoors. The Lake Tahoe Ale Trail interactive map connects your hikes, bike rides, and beach hops to craft breweries and other hotspots for grabbing a beer and a bite. Hover over the beer icons for detailed itineraries, like the easy 11-mile Squaw Valley to Tahoe City Loop alongside the Truckee River with an Ale Trail stop at Rocker@Squaw. See other Ale Trail adventure itineraries.

3) Paddle the Best of Big Blue

Lake Tahoe has a big shoreline: 72 miles of it! And the north side has some excellent access points—from Kings Beach to Tahoe City—where sandy beaches and rocky inlets make great spots for kayakers, paddleboarders, and non-motorized watercraft. The Lake Tahoe Water Trail guide shows you the best places to get out on the lake and paddle the crystal waters, pulling up for beach breaks in quiet coves and more.

4) Sundowners

Where do you like to watch a sunset? North Lake Tahoe has all the options. Dip your toes in the sand and kick back on the beach with live music and a glass of wine. Relax by a fire pit with a cocktail. Have dinner on a lakeside patio, or watch a show on the shoreline. Find the best places to take in North Lake Tahoe’s sunsets.

5) Festivals!

From outdoor summer movies at Squaw Valley to Concerts at Commons Beach, there’s always something going on in North Lake Tahoe. One of the biggest events of the year, the Autumn Food & Wine Festival is happening September 7 – 9. See the events and festivals in North Lake Tahoe.

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  1. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

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  2. Hike the Oursan Trail alongside Briones Reservoir in the East Bay

    Opt for Oursan

    Hike the trail less traveled in the East Bay's Briones Regional Park. The Oursan Trail is pure serenity on a wide hiking path skirting the northern shores of Briones Reservoir.

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  3. Most Peaceful Hike of All

    Is this the most peaceful one-hour hike in the Bay Area? It's got our vote! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in a series of five found on the north side of Mount Tam, so it’s got that tiny but mighty charm. Do a 1.5-mile loop around the lake's shore-hugging trail.

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  4. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

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  1. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

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  2. Lace Up for Lacy

    Lacy Park in San Marino is a hidden gem that may very well be the most pristine green space in greater Los Angeles, and a concealed pair of nearby stairways makes it all the more appealing.

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  3. Hiker amid trees at Oak Glen Preserve in Yucaipa Southern California

    Apple of Your Eye

    That fall feeling is definitely in the air and on display at the Oak Glen Preserve. Apple orchards and colorful leaves are a bonus, as are the apple cider donuts and slushies you can enjoy post-hike.

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  4. Hike San Diego Volcan Mountain Wilderness

    Planet of the Oaks

    Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.

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