Lake Tahoe Resort Life is sweet! Escape with us with a scenic boat ride, Heavenly Resort attractions, including dining out tips. Explore Lake Tahoe’s enchanting mix of stunning natural beauty and lively activities with this travel tips post and podcast.
In this episode of the “Travels with Darley” Podcast, host Darley Newman takes listeners on a journey through the relaxing side of Lake Tahoe with lots of activities to experience the vibrant social scene. Starting with a scenic boat ride, Darley chats with a Captain from Lake Tahoe Boat Rides about the geology of Lake Tahoe and the best spots to sightsee while out on the water. Next, Darley heads to Heavenly Ski Resort, where she tries unique food, listens to electrifying live music, and plays resort games with local personality Dreu Murin. Tune in to learn expert tips for combining exciting lake days with relaxing resort activities to make the most of your Lake Tahoe vacation. Listen to the podcast here!
Discovering the Relaxing Side of Lake Tahoe: Scenic Boat Rides, Resort Attractions, and Delicious Dining Podcast Episode:
Taking a boat ride on Lake Tahoe is a wonderful blend of relaxation and excitement. In this episode, join Darley on a remarkable journey across Lake Tahoe’s waters by boat. Led by a U.S. Coast guard licensed captain from Lake Tahoe Boat Rides, Darley uncovers local geology and the best spots to see something unique.
After a few adventures out on Lake Tahoe’s waters and hiking its extensive trails, Darley is amazed by how extensive Lake Tahoe really is. The vast lake stretches across Nevada and California, with 80% of the Lake being well over 1,000 feet deep. When out on the clear parts of the lake, one can see down up to 75 feet, allowing for sightseeing of intriguing geological features.
On her boat tour, Darley visits Cave Rock State Park, which is home to remarkable rock formations. Cave Rock is the remnant of an extinct volcanic vent that existed in the Lake Tahoe region around 15,000 years ago. At one point, Cave Rock was buried underneath a glacier. But when the once active volcano erupted, spewing magma out of the mountainside, it made contact with the rock, creating a stunning swirl pattern that is visible on the rock today. Many visitors flock to visit Cave Rock through Lake Tahoe’s waters or by land.
After finishing her scenic boat ride, Darley heads to Heavenly Ski Resort. While many people think of ski resorts as just a place for winter activities, many resorts in South Lake Tahoe actually stay open in the fall, spring, and summer months. Known as the highest resort around Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Ski Resort offers a getaway with lots of activities to explore Lake Tahoe year-round. Spanning both California and Nevada, this resort’s activities include tubing, gemstone panning, take gondola rides, zip lining, riding the Ridge Ride Coaster, climbing walls, and hiking through the mountain trails.
Led by local personality Dreu Murin, Darley tries a few of the many unique foods offered at Heavenly Ski Resort. Darley and Dreu begin at Base Camp Pizza for a delicious meal with live music, featuring bands that play on an outdoor stage 365 days a year, even when it’s snowing. Base Camp Pizza is a local hot spot in Lake Tahoe that produces long waits.
Expert Tip: consider traveling to Lake Tahoe during non-peak travel times, including September through November, and late February through May, for shorter wait times. Dining at Base Camp Pizza, Darley tastes a delicious Thai curry pizza, topped with a squeeze of lime.
At Heavenly Ski Resort, there are various restaurants, shops, and activities for travelers to enjoy during their Lake Tahoe vacation. While exploring the resort, Darley and Dreu stop to play. Darley scores a lucky shot against Dreu before they move on to try something sweet. Darley orders a delicious caramel-dipped oreo with sprinkles and a strawberry rhubarb truffle. Just another example of the excellent food options at Heavenly Ski Resort. Other restaurants and local resorts in Lake Tahoe include Margaritaville, Golden Nugget, Bally’s, and Wolf by Vanderpump. For even more to add to your itinerary, check out Elements Eatery, Three Pines Coffe Company, Maggies at Desolation Hotel.
Throughout this episode, Darley shares her expert tips for traveling sustainably and doing our part to keep Lake Tahoe pristine. When traveling to Lake Tahoe, it is important to leave no trace. This means picking up your waste and leaving the area as you found it. For more information, the organizations Recreate Responsibly and Leave No Trace are outstanding resources for travelers planning to visit Lake Tahoe. Darley also recommends taking a car-free vacation when traveling to Lake Tahoe, noting that most people who visit do not even rent a car during their stay. The South Tahoe Airport offers a daily shuttle service to many South Shore properties, where travelers can then bike, walk, take public transportation, and use Lake Link, a free on-demand, micro-transit service.
Lake Tahoe is the ideal destination if you are looking for ways to get active and relax on your next vacation. From exploring Lake Tahoe’s waters, uncovering its mesmerizing geology, hiking the mountain trails, or enjoying the vibrant social scene, Lake Tahoe has it all. Remember, when visiting Lake Tahoe, it is vital to recreate responsibly so that we can keep our lakes clean!
Learn more about visiting Lake Tahoe and check out their Rules to Lake By with ways to practice responsible tourism at visitlaketahoe.com
Travel Facts and Tips:
- When boating on Lake Tahoe, take a tour with a local guide. They know the lake best and can provide expert tips on where to find the best spots on the lake, interesting geological features, and ways to preserve Lake Tahoe.
- Whether you are kayaking, hiking, or boating, make sure to prepare your supplies beforehand. This includes having extra layers in case temperatures drop, packing enough water, and applying sunscreen regularly.
- If you are looking for a boutique hotel, Darley recommends checking out Coachman Hotel and Black Bear Lodge.
- From tan to teal, then to aqua and dark coal blues, Lake Tahoe’s waters transition through various hues of blue as you move towards the middle of the lake.
Listen and subscribe to the “Travels with Darley” podcast on iHeart, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, Podchaser, Podcast Addict, Jiosavvn, Castbox, Audible, and wherever you listen to your favorite podcast!
