Today I want to share my itinerary for 2 days in Lake Tahoe in summer with you. This part of California is one of my favorite places to be at any time of year, but in the warmer months it really shines. From the deep blue of the water to the hiking trails and shops, the Sierra Nevada has a lot to offer. I’m here now and I can’t wait to show you the highlights. I’ve included a map, too.
2 Days in Lake Tahoe in Summer
Tahoe is one of the Golden State’s most beloved travel destinations. I started coming to the lake—which straddles the border between California and Nevada—as a child to go skiing in the winter. But this place is just as good in the hotter months as it is in the colder ones. In fact, it’s one of the best places to visit in California in summer.
The lake itself is stunning all year, but there are so many things to do in Tahoe in summer that it’s hard not to love it when it’s warm. Biking along the cycling paths, hiking the Rubicon Trail, and boating on the lake are a few of my favorites, not to mention rafting down the Truckee River. Add to that guided tours and boat cruises, and you’re spoiled for choice.
On this trip I’m here with a friend, and we plan to cover as many of the area’s highlights as we can in our 2 days in Lake Tahoe. From restaurants to shops and shows, we can’t wait to see what it has in store for us.
Where to Stay in Tahoe
We’re basing ourselves near Tahoe City on the lake’s north shore. My family had a place here when I was growing up, and it’s still one of my favorite areas to stay in when I visit the Sierra Nevada.
We’ve booked a room at Palisades Tahoe, where the winter Olympics were held in 1960. The Village at Palisades Tahoe Hotel is a great place to stay, not least because there’s everything from shops to restaurants around it. Summer brings live music, outdoor festivals, yoga, and beer and wine tastings, too. And given it’s a ski resort, there’s an Aerial Tram.
Which is to say nothing of the rooms. Most have private balconies, full kitchens, and fireplaces. There are also outdoor hot tubs, free underground parking, and other amenities for guests to enjoy. If you want to follow in our footsteps, you can book a room here. You can also see additional options for accommodation in Tahoe here.
Day 1
We drive to Tahoe from San Francisco, leaving early to avoid traffic on the 3.5-hour drive to the mountains. We take Highway 80, passing through Sacramento along the way. When we reach Truckee, we head south on Highway 89 to get to Olympic Valley.
Tahoe City
After checking into our room at The Village at Palisades Tahoe Hotel, the first stop on our 2-day Lake Tahoe itinerary is Tahoe City itself. North Lake Boulevard is full of historic wooden buildings with shops, restaurants, and cafes.
We park the car and walk around, popping into art galleries and boutiques as we make our way around the alpine-themed Cobblestone Center and through the heart of town.
Afterwards we wander down to the shore of the lake to take in the views from the beach. We’re serenaded by live music from a waterfront festival when we arrive. It’s a great introduction to summer in Tahoe.
Lunch in Carnelian Bay
When lunch o’clock rolls around, it’s a short drive over to Carnelian Bay, where we eat at Gar Woods. I’ve been coming here my whole life, and I love dining on the deck in the warmer months. The food is always good, and the views of the lake and pier are idyllic.
After lunch we head back to Palisades to walk around and do some more shopping. There are fun stores here, and more live music to enjoy.
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival
Later on, we spend an evening in Nevada at the annual Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor State Park. Plays and performances are staged on the beach here throughout the summer, and I love having dinner on the sand and watching a show while the sun sets on the water. It’s been a personal tradition since I was a teenager, and it’s always a treat.
Day 2
The next morning we have breakfast at a cafe at Palisades before kicking off the second of our 2 days in Lake Tahoe in summer with some outdoor activities.
Emerald Bay
We drive along the west shore of the lake, excited to explore the area’s natural highlights. Our first stop is Emerald Bay, which has always been my favorite part of Tahoe. With its sapphire water and picture-perfect island in the middle, it feels like it’s straight out of a fairy tale.
We park the car in the lot at the Emerald Bay State Park Lookout, then head up to the vista point above the bay. The views are spectacular, and I can’t get over how rich the blues and greens are. There are boats on the water, and the mountains look stunning in the background.
Hike in South Lake Tahoe
After taking in the views, we’re in the mood for a leg stretch. On my last trip to Tahoe I enjoyed a hike along Lower Echo Lake, into Desolation Wilderness, and out to Tamarack Lake. I convince my friend to replicate it with me, and 30 minutes later we’re pulling into the parking lot right above the waterfront.
We fill out free day-hike permits from a stand by the shoreline and head off. We’re hiking on the Tahoe Rim Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, which hug the north side of Lower Echo Lake and offer views across the water. The trail is relatively flat, and it takes us from the lower lake to the upper one and into Desolation Wilderness.
When we reach Tamarack Lake, we settle in on a sunny granite slab and use it as a picnic table for lunch in the fresh mountain air. When we’re done, we retrace our steps back to the car. The whole hike is around 7 miles and it takes us just under 4 hours to complete the journey.
Sunnyside
After freshening up back at The Village at Palisades Tahoe Hotel, we continue our itinerary for 2 days in Lake Tahoe with dinner at Sunnyside. It’s a restaurant I’ve come to nearly every time I’ve traveled here, and it’s a local institution. Lunch on the deck or dinner by the window is one of the best things to do in Tahoe in summer.
We settle in for dinner by the window, where a pink sunset turns the clouds into cotton candy as my friend and I dine on signature dishes like fried zucchini, fish tacos, and Hula Pie. It’s a delicious meal and a great end to our second day in the Sierra Nevada.
2 Days in Lake Tahoe in Summer
The next morning we check out of our room at The Village at Palisades Tahoe Hotel and start the journey back to San Francisco. It’s been an amazing trip, and we’re glad we’ve had the chance to see and do so much in our short time in the mountains.
I hope my blog post has inspired you to visit this beautiful part of the Golden State, and that you love it as much as I do when you travel here. If you have more time, you can take a look at my itinerary for 4 days in Lake Tahoe for additional inspiration.
Tahoe Itinerary Map
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of all the places I visited on my 2-day Lake Tahoe itinerary. You can see it here. I hope it helps you plan your own fun summer trip to the lake!
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