Lake Tahoe

Surrounded by the peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Carson Ranges, Lake Tahoe is known for its crystal clear water. Lake Tahoe is the tenth deepest lake in the world and the second deepest in the United States (Crater Lake in Oregon is the deepest). This drive starts in South Lake Tahoe and goes in a clockwise loop around the lake. You can reach South Lake Tahoe by US-50.

Heading west on CA-89, consider stopping at the U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center (I1) for information on local hikes, including a few that leave from the center.

The Tallac Historic Site (A1) is near the visitor center and preserves the cottages from the 1890s when the area became a popular get-away location for wealthy San Franciscans. The Mount Tallac is visible from the CA-89 a bit further down the road.

In 6 miles, stop at Lake Tahoe’s Inspiration Point (V1) and Emerald Bay Overlook (V2) for a view of Emerald Bay, known as the heart of Lake Tahoe. Emerald Bay and D. L. Bliss State Park (H1) are side-by side and offer over 900 acres of beachfront property, featuring a lighthouse from the early 1800s. From the park’s Rubicon Point, you can see into Lake Tahoe as deep as 100 feet!

The 2,000 acres of shoreline and forests within the Sugar Pine Point State Park (H2) make this stop very popular for a breathtaking view of the Sierra Nevada’s and Lake Tahoe. The park is 9 miles from the D. L. Bliss State Park.

In 7 miles, you will arrive in Tahoe City, where the Gatekeeper’s Museum (M1) features Native American and pioneer artifacts. From here, consider a side trip to Truckee Canyon (T1). The trip follows the Lower Truckee River through the canyon, passes two world-class ski resorts including the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley, and ends in Truckee where you can reach Donner Lake and Donner Pass.

Continuing north on CA-28, the road for the next several miles is more developed than the previous section. In Kings Beach, stop at the Kings Beach State Park (W1) where you can enjoy 9-miles of lakefront sandy beach.

After leaving Kings Beach, the drive heads into Nevada where you will soon reach the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park (H3), an ideal location for hikes, boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking, especially at Sand Harbor.

Heading south on NV-28, stop at the Cave Rock (V3) overlook where you can see caves that were caved and formed by waves crashing into them. A few miles up the road is the Logan Shoals Vista Point (V4) where you can walk through a trail that heads through a pine forest that was logged to build the local towns and the regrowth of the trees in that area.

In a few miles, stop at the beach Zephyr Cove Beach (W2) has several miles of sandy beaches on Lake Tahoe and offers magnificent views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Shortly after Zephyr Cove, the drive crosses back into California, where the Heavenly Ski Resort Gondola (V5) brings you to an elevation of 2,800-feet for an absolutely breath taking view of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding lake scape.

The end of the scenic drive is in South Lake Tahoe, where you can enjoy one of the town’s three beaches or visit the Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum (M2) to learn about the lake’s history. From here, consider heading through the Sierra Nevada mountains on Ebbetts Pass by heading south on US-50 to CA-89.