Near + Afar

Let’s Go, Tahoe

The LaMacchia family tells of their journeys around the rugged Lake Tahoe region along the border of California and Nevada.

Our family recently stayed in the Lake Tahoe area. We stayed in an AirBnb in a little town called Truckee, whose downtown reminded me of Winter Garden, with quaint shops, murals, restaurants, and ice cream shops. It even has an old train station that’s still in use today. Plus, our breathtaking view of Donner Lake made us happy to be there.

Some of our day trips included hikes to the Donner tunnels and up Shirley Canyon at the Squaw Valley. The ancient hieroglyphics carved into the mountains on the way to the Donner tunnels almost match the immersive graffiti that lines the tunnels themselves. I thought the rocky terrain would be too much for my young daughters (ages 3 and 5), but they handled it like champs!

On the hike up Shirley Canyon, huge boulders lined with blue paint led the way to magnificent waterfalls. We packed a lunch and settled near one of many swimming areas for the afternoon.

Among our most memorable visits was one to Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay, the most photographed spot in the United States. It’s no wonder why—at the end of the hour-long walk is a beach that sparkles with golden flecks on the sand. In the middle of the bay is an island with a small castle-like structure called Vikingsholm Mansion, built to entertain guests throughout the late 1920s.

Lake Tahoe was an amazing, family-friendly summer trip that had a little something for everyone.

Side Trip: Wild Days

Old Virginia City, Nevada, was on our list just for the wild horses. But it was so much more! It was a town right out of an old Western, with saloons, old-time shops, museums, and even a gun show. And at the end of the day, we did finally see three wild horses grazing on the edge of town.

About the Author: Kaitlin LaMacchia is a Winter Garden native with deep roots. She is a realtor who now lives with her husband and daughters in the very place she was proud to grow up.