South Shore Lake Tahoe

South Shore Lake Tahoe contains one of the most beautiful, natural sights on the lake as well as some of the most crassly commercial areas.

You might be interested in a side trip from the shores of Lake Tahoe as you travel south on route 28 on the east shore of the lake. Carson City is the capital of Nevada and contains many historic buildings and attractions such as the Nevada Railroad Museum and the Nevada State Museum. About 30 minutes farther up Highway 342 is the old mining town of Virginia City. This large, authentic mining town from the days of the Wild West is full of original, restored mansions, saloons, museums and stores selling souvenirs.

Continuing toward south shore Lake Tahoe turn from Highway 28 to U.S. 50. You will soon come to Zephyr Cove, the largest settlement on the Southeast shore of Lake Tahoe. Zephyr Cove is a small resort with beach, marina, campgrounds, riding stables, picnic tables and a rustic log restaurant and cabins.

Nearby is Cave Rock, a 75 foot block of solid stone that was once the core of an extinct volcano. Lake Tahoe's version of the Loch Ness Monster is supposed to live in a cavern under Cave Rock. The area was once a sacred burial ground for the local Washoe Indians. Now the rock towers over the parking lot and a lakefront boat launch and picnic area. The views from here are beautiful so stop and take a picture.

The last stop on the Nevada side of South Shore Lake Tahoe is Stateline. Stateline is just what you would expect of a Nevada border town. Four high-rise casinos tower over the small commercial district and let you know that all the action is on the inside. Gambling, restaurants, theaters and big time revues go on 24 hours a day.

If you want some outdoor recreation try Nevada Beach about 3 miles North of Stateline with its wide sandy beach which is great for swimming. You will find the usual picnic and barbeque facilities under the shading pine trees. Edgewood Tahoe offers an 18-hole private golf course.

The city of South Lake Tahoe is the center of tourism in South Shore Lake Tahoe. The city itself is a disappointing mixture of strip malls and cheap motels but it services a variety of more interesting attractions nearby such as the casinos of Stateline, the ski slopes of Heavenly and a variety of beaches, campgrounds and docks offering a wide range of outdoor activities.

Whether you ski or not you shouldn't miss the Heavenly Gondola. The passenger cars hold 138 passengers and take you from the center of town to the top of the mountain in 13 minutes. The views are spectacular and when the weather is good you can hike around the mountaintop on several trails then enjoy lunch at the Adventure Peak Grill.

The takeoff point for the gondolas is Heavenly Village, a well designed center for family tourism with good shopping, an arcade for kids, cinema and outdoor ice rink.

Continuing westward along South Shore Lake Tahoe you eventually come to Emerald Bay State Park. This 3-mile-ling and 1-mile-wide fjord like inlet off the lake was carved by a glacier millions of years ago. Here you will find the can't-miss view of Lake Tahoe. The emerald blue-green waters are best in the mid-to late mornings. The island of Fannette is Tahoe's only island.

A steep 1-mile hike down from the viewpoint takes you to Vikingsholm, a 38-room estate dating from 1929. Designed as a copy of a 1,200 year old Viking castle it is build out of native materials and furnished with Scandinavian antiques. There are picnic tables and a gray-sand beach.

Three-miles north of Emerald Bay you come to D. L. Bliss State Park which overlooks the deepest point in the lake and features the Balancing Rock. Excellent hiking and campground.

Eight-miles north of D. L. Bliss State Park is Sugar Pine Point State Park where you can visit the 1903 Ehrman Mansion. It features elegant period furnishing, a nature preserve, a lighthouse and many hiking and biking trails.

Continue 1-mile north and you come to the quiet village of Tahoma. Rustic little lakeside cottages remind you of “Old Tahoe” when life at Lake Tahoe was simpler. There's nothing to do here except stroll by the lake and enjoy the moment with other mellow families and outdoors enthusiasts.

Just North of Tahoma is the Homewood Mountain Resort, rising right from the edge of the lake. This ski resort is protected from the winds of the higher mountains so it is always open. It’s not nearly as crowded and less expensive than most of the other resorts so it is a favorite of the locals in south shore Lake Tahoe.