4 Perfect Days in Lake Tahoe

    Lake Tahoe is a nature lover’s dream, even for those with younger kids. Let me show you why this is so. There are many easy trails that would reward you with gorgeous view of waterfalls, lakes and beautiful lake beaches. Take for example Glen Alpine Falls, a multi-tiered 65 to 70-foot waterfall that dances through a narrow canyon. It’s like Mother Nature showing off her best moves, and it's pretty much right there next to your parking spot. Or, take Upper Eagle Falls that drop about 30 feet and can be seen with a short hike. If you are feeling adventurous, the trail takes you up the backside of Mt. Tallac. But wait, there’s more! The lower falls? They plummet a whopping 60 feet down those step-like rocks. No hike required – just park and let your eyes feast on the rushing waters. 

    You can also visit Emerald Bay lookout point, from which you can see Lake Tahoe and Fanette island. From that same location, you can follow a one mile trail down to Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian styled 38-room mansion perched on the shores of Emerald Bay. Not far from Vikingsholm, you can find Tahoe Kayak where you can rent equipments to paddle around Emerald Bay. Picture this – gliding across the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, it's heavenly. You can also visit Sand Harbor on the East side of Lake Tahoe. This beach is like a postcard come to life. Azure waters, golden sands, and those iconic boulders – it’s Tahoe’s crown jewel.

    And if your body eager for some relaxation after an energetic day, there is always David Walley’s Hot Springs in Genoa, NV. Soak your worries away in these natural thermal pools The steam rising, the mountains watching – it’s pure bliss.

    On your way back to San Francisco, don't forget to make a short detour to Donner Bridge, otherwise also known as Rainbow Bridge due to its arches, where you can see a majestic view of Donner Lake. Not far from it, you will also find Tahoe Historic Tunnel, a 1659-foot tunnel built by Chinese laborers in the 1860s that served as the engineering linchpin for the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Bring your flashlights or headlights, as it could get quite dark there. But walk inside, and you'll be rewarded with a surreal view that looks like Moria from the Lord of the Rings.

Day 1: San Francisco - Genoa, NV

    The final destination today is David Walley's Hot Spring, and whether or not you think you need more time at the hot spring would determine whether you should add Gold Bug Mine and/or Placerville downtown into your itinerary. The total travel time is at least 3 hours and 45 minutes so that even if you leave early enough from San Francisco, after time allocated for lunch, you'd still arrive right around the check-in time to your hotel.

Route: San Francisco - KP Plaza in Rancho Cordova - (Gold Bug Mine) - (Placerville Downtown) - David Walley's Hot Spring in Genoa, NV

Approximate distance: 205 miles

Estimated travel time: 3 hours 55 minutes

Suggested food option: Korean food at KP Plaza in Rancho Cordova

Map: San Francisco to Genoa NV

More information about the stops: Gold Bug Park & Mine Placerville, Placerville Downtown, David Walley's Hot Spring,  KP Plaza Rancho Cordova

Day 2: Genoa to South Lake Tahoe

    Today you will have plenty of opportunities to view Lake Tahoe from the East Shore (Nevada side). Bay Harbor provides an easier and more level walk, whereas Skunk Harbor is more secluded and requires a more challenging 3 mile back and forth trail in a moderately steep inclination. Cave Rock lookout point gives you another vantage point of Lake Tahoe and at the same time a view of a giant rock under which an automobile tunnel runs through it.

Route: Genoa, NV - Sand Harbor - (Skunk Harbor) - Cave Rock - South Lake Tahoe

Approximate distance: 50 miles

Estimated travel time: 1 hours 15 minutes

Suggested food option: Somewhere in Incline Village if you also make a stop at Skunk Harbor, or somewhere in Zephyr Cove or Stateline if you skip Skunk Harbor

Map: Genoa to South Lake Tahoe

More information about the stops: Sand Harbor, Skunk Harbor, Cave Rock State Park, Incline Village, Zephyr Cove, Stateline

Day 3: Lakes and Waterfalls of South Lake Tahoe

    Today you will have an opportunity to sample waterfalls of the South Lake Tahoe, as well as viewing Lake Tahoe from the South side. On the way to Glen Alpine Waterfalls, you also can see Fallen Leaf Lake. The next stop would be Emerald Bay Lookout Point, from which you can walk about 0.9 mile one way to Vikingsholm. Nearby, you can rent kayak from Kayak Tahoe to have a closer look at the Fanette Island Tea House. If you still desire additional hike with an opportunity to view Lake Tahoe from the West side, you can continue to the Rubicon Point Lighthouse for a 2 mile hike. Afterwards (or) you can continue to either Taylor Creek Visitor Center for viewing nature and Salmon run (if you go in the fall season) or Tallac Historic Site for a little history of Lake Tahoe from the bygone era. 

Route: South Lake Tahoe - Glen Alpine Waterfalls (+ Fallen Leaf Lake) - Eagle Falls - Emerald Bay Lookout - Vikingsholm - (Rubicon Point Light) - Taylor Creek Visitor Center or Tallac Historic Site - South Lake Tahoe

Approximate distance: 50 miles

Estimated travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Suggested food option: Get some to go food for a picnic (Whole Food, other groceries or restaurants)

Map: South Lake Tahoe with Rubicon

More information about the stops: Glen Alpine Waterfalls, CA Upper Eagle Falls, Emerald Bay Lookout, Vikingsholm, Kayak Tahoe, Rubicon Lighthouse Trail, Taylor Creek Visitor Center, Tallac Historic Site

Day 4: South Lake Tahoe - San Francisco

    On the way back to San Francisco today, we will take a Northern route to get back to Freeway 80 as it is the more straightforward way. After a lunch somewhere around the North side of Lake Tahoe or Truckee, we make a segway to Donner Lake and up the mountain to have a scenic view of Donner Lake from the Donner Summit Bridge, otherwise also known as Rainbow Bridge. Don't forget to take a look (or picture) of the bridge itself as it is iconic. Next, we make a stop at the Donner Historic Tunnel. This 1,659-foot tunnel was the first railroad line to traverse the Sierra Nevada Range. It was primarily built by Chinese workers and was hand drilled and blasted over 15 months. The tunnel was completed in August 1867, and the first train passed through it on June 18th, 1868. The last train passed through in 1993 when the route was changed to a new location.

Route: South Lake Tahoe - Donner Summit Bridge - Donner Historic Tunnel - San Francisco

Approximate distance: 225 miles

Estimated travel time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Suggested food option: Some restaurant in North Lake Tahoe (Incline Village, Kings Beach or Northstar Village) or Truckee

Map: South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco

More information about the stops: Donner Summit Bridge, Donner Historic Tunnel (1), Donner Historic Tunnel (2), Incline Village, Kings Beach, Northstar Village, Truckee