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3 minute read
SIGHTSEEING
East Shore
Cave Rock
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This iconic sight is part of an old volcano. Take in the view from Cave Rock State Park.
North Shore
GATEKEEPER’S MUSEUM (530) 583-1762 | northtahoemuseums.org
Featuring historic photos, the Steinbach Indian Basket Museum and historical memorabilia in Tahoe City.
KINGS BEACH northtahoebusiness.org
Kings Beach is a popular spot for dining and shopping with the North Shore’s largest sandy beach located in the heart of town. Free parking at North Tahoe Beach, Brook Street, Minnow and the Christmas Tree lot on Hwy. 28.
NORTH TAHOE ARTS CENTER (530) 581-2787 | northtahoearts.com
Featuring works by local artists with locations in Kings Beach and Tahoe City.
TAHOE CITY visittahoecity.com
Popular for shopping and dining with historical sites. Visit the Tahoe Dam, Lake Tahoe’s only outlet, and Fanny Bridge. Peer into Watson Cabin (1908) for a glimpse at pioneer life. Free parking at Commons Beach, Grove St., Jackpine St. and Transit Center.
TAHOE SCIENCE CENTER
Tues.-Sat. by reservation (775) 881-7566 | tahoesciencecenter.org
University of California, Davis, science education center at Sierra Nevada University. Exhibits include a virtual research boat, biology lab, 3D movies and docent-led tours. Ages 8+.
WATSON CABIN (530) 583-1762 | northtahoemuseums.org
Watson Cabin, built by Robert Watson and his son in 1908, is the oldest building in Tahoe City and on the National Register of Historic Places (summer tours).
Olympic Valley
HIGH CAMP
(800) 403-0206 | palisadestahoe.com
Aerial tram rides with views of Lake Tahoe, Olympic Heritage Museum, events and more. Ticket required.
OLYMPIC MUSEUM (800) 403-0206 | palisadestahoe.com
Palisades Tahoe, host of the VIII Winter Olympic Games in 1960, celebrates its Olympic History with the Tower of Nations with its Olympic Flame and the symbolic Tower of the Valley at Highway 89. The Olympic Museum at High Camp features historic memorabilia and photographs. Tram ticket required.
South Shore
EXPLORE TAHOE (530) 542-2908 | cityofslt.us
Urban Trailhead at base of Heavenly Gondola with local exhibits and programs.
HEAVENLY (775) 586-7000 | skiheavenly.com
Enjoy a 2.4-mile ride on the gondola to the top with panoramic views. Ticket required.
LAKE TAHOE MUSEUM
Sat. (closed holidays) & by appt. (530) 541-5458 | laketahoemuseum.org
Washoe artifacts and exhibits on early industry and settlers. Pick up walking tour maps.
TAHOE ART LEAGUE GALLERY (530) 544-2313 | talart.org Featuring works by local artists & workshops.
TALLAC HISTORIC SITE (530) 541-5227 | tahoeheritage.org Once known as the “Grandest Resort in the World” as the summer retreat for three San Francisco elite families with the Baldwin Estate, Pope Estate & Valhalla. Grounds open year-round. Tours in summer.
Truckee
DONNER SUMMIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY donnersummithistoricalsociety.org
At Old Hwy 40 & Soda Springs Rd. 20-mile interpretive driving tour along Old 40.
EMIGRANT TRAIL MUSEUM (530) 582-7892 | parks.ca.gov
The Emigrant Trail Museum features exhibits and artifacts on the Donner Party (1846-47) at Donner Memorial State Park. See the towering Pioneer Monument.
KIDZONE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Tues.-Sat. | (530) 587-5437 | kidzonemuseum.org Interactive exhibits, science & art classes for kids up to age 7. BabyZone & Jungle Gym.
MUSEUM OF TRUCKEE HISTORY Fri.-Sun. | (530) 582-0893 | truckeehistory.org Housed in the original Depot, built in 1901. Exhibits cover different eras in Truckee history.
OLD JAIL MUSEUM (530) 659-2378 | truckeehistory.org One of a few surviving 19th Century jailhouses used from 1875 until May 1964 (summer tours). Closed for winter.
TOWN OF TRUCKEE truckeehistory.org | truckee.com Settled in 1863, Truckee grew quickly as a stagecoach stop and route for the Central Pacific Railroad. During these early days, many historical homes and buildings were built including The Truckee Hotel (1868) and the Capitol Building (1868). Stop by the Depot for a walking tour of historic downtown. Paid parking downtown.
TRUCKEE RAILROAD MUSEUM Sat.-Sun. & holidays truckeedonnerrailroadsociety.com Learn about the historic railroad. Located in a caboose next to the Truckee Depot.
WESTERN SKISPORT MUSEUM Closed this season (530) 426-3313, ext. 113 | auburnskiclub.org Showcasing the history of skiing, exhibits include antique ski and snowshoe equipment, and a pair of 8-foot-long skis used by legendary mail carrier John “Snowshoe” Thompson. On Donner Summit next to Boreal.
West Shore
EAGLE ROCK
Eagle Rock, one of the Lake’s most famous natural sites, is a volcanic plug beside Highway 89 on the West Shore. Trail to top is on the south side.
FANNETTE ISLAND (530) 541-3030 | parks.ca.gov
Lake Tahoe’s only island is in Emerald Bay & is home to an old tea house. Boat access only. (Closed Feb. 1-June 15 for nesting birds.)
HELLMAN-EHRMAN MANSION
Parking fee | parks.ca.gov
(530) 525-7232 Park | (530) 583-9911 Tours
Sugar Pine Point State Park is home to the historic Ehrman Mansion. See boathouses with historic boats and General Phipps Cabin built in the late 1800s. Summer tours.
VIKINGSHOLM CASTLE
(530) 541-3030 | (530) 525-9529 ADA parks.ca.gov | vikingsholm.com
Tour the grounds of Vikingsholm Castle (interior tours closed for season), see Eagle Falls and Fannette Island (the Lake’s only island), home to an old Tea House.
Find more places to explore at TheTahoeWeekly.com
Transit
North Tahoe & Truckee (TART) | laketahoetransit.com South Tahoe | tahoetransportation.org
Road Conditions
California road conditions quickmap.dot.ca.gov, (800) 427-7623
Nevada Road conditions nvroads.com, (877) 687-6237 or 511 (while in Nevada)
VISITORS’ CENTERS
East Shore
Spooner Lake State Park (775) 831-0494
Kings Beach
Kings Beach State Rec. Area (Thurs.-Mon., July-Aug.)
Incline Village 969 Tahoe Blvd. (800) 468-2463
South Shore At Heavenly Village. (530) 542-4637
Tahoe City 100 N. Lake Blvd. (530) 581-6900
Truckee 10065 Donner Pass Rd. (530) 587-8808
U.S. Forest Service | Incline Village 855 Alder Ave. (775) 831-0914 (Wed.-Fri.)
U.S. Forest Service | South Lake Tahoe 35 College Dr. (530) 543-2600
U.S. Forest Service | Tahoe City 3080 N. Lake Blvd. (530) 583-3593 (Fridays)
U.S. Forest Service | Truckee 10811 Stockrest Springs Rd. (530) 587-3558
National Forest access info fs.fed.us/r5/webmaps/RecreationSiteStatus