Page 159 - 2017 Travel Guide to California

TOPSELLER/SHUTTERSTOCK; HARVEYS HOTEL AND CASINO. OPPOSITE: TOPSELLER/SHUTTERSTOCK
PADDLE BOARDING ON LAKE TAHOE,
opposite; kayaking on the lake, right; dining in
Harveys Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino, below.
Historic Site or just lazing at the beach.
Cyclists can take advantage of a network of
road rides and mountain paths with every-
thing from a scenic roll in the woods to
treacherous, teeth-rattling mountain
descents. The ambitious can even bike the
entire 72-mile circumference of Lake
Tahoe, while the cautious can pedal bike
paths close to town and teens can stunt-
ride at the Bijou Bike Park. Golfers can
check out several area courses, including
the lakeside Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course
(home of the popular American Century
celebrity golf tournament in July) and stay
in their new 154-room Lodge at Edgewood
opening the summer of 2017.
Heavenly Mountain Resort’s on-moun-
tain Epic Discovery adventure center
features a gravity-powered Mountain
Coaster, long zip lines, an educational
forest canopy tour and a kids ropes course,
as well as a network of hiking trails
branching off from their gondola (which is
worth a sightseeing ride even if you never
step off it) and new guided 4x4 tours to fur-
ther explore the mountain.
Winter
Lake Tahoe South Shore boasts three world-
class ski resorts: Heavenly, Kirkwood and
Sierra-at-Tahoe. Heavenly is an expansive
and popular mountain spanning two
states, with contrasting views of the blue
Tahoe waters and the high-prairie Nevada
countryside. The Heavenly Gondola drops
visitors right into the action in the center
of the city. Heavenly’s Tamarack Lodge has
an après ski scene with pumping music,
multiple bars and go-go dancers gyrating to
keep themselves (and the viewers) warm.
Kirkwood, about a 45-minute drive from
town, is known for its off-piste terrain,
deep snow and relaxed vibe. Sierra-at-
Tahoe is a medium-sized family-oriented
ski resort (located on Highway 50 between
South Lake Tahoe and Sacramento) offering
a newly expanded beginner area for 2017.
24/7/365
When the day of outdoor activity is done, the
second shift of fun is just beginning around
South Lake Tahoe. On the Nevada side of the
border, high-rise casinos rock with the
sounds and energy of non-stop gambling.
Gamers get recharged in an array of restau-
rants and buffets, as well as at comedy
shows and live music events at Harveys
Summer Concert Series and the Hard Rock
Hotel, among others. Packed bars and clubs
give this indoor playground a Vegas feel,
albeit at 6200 feet above sea level.
Outside the casinos, the main strip of
town boasts shopping opportunities with
continued new openings in the Chateau at
the Village, with name-brand boutiques as
well as quirky local ski shops and crafts
stores along the shores. Dining can be any-
thing from sushi to pizza and gourmet
cuisine—offered at casual local diners (like
the recently opened Ace High Saloon and
Smokehouse)—to luxury lakeside restau-
rants. To quench your thirst, the South Lake
Brewing Company will open in early 2017
to add to the local beer options provided by
recent additions Sidellis Brewery, Cold
Water Brewery and Desolation Brewery at
Basecamp Hotel. When you finally decide
to take a rest, South Lake Tahoe offers a vast
array of lodging options, with new hotels
for 2017 including the pet-friendly bou-
tique Hotel Becket, condo-rentals at
Zalanta Resort at the Village and the newly
renovated Inn by The Lake.
Regardless of your choice of food,
activity or season, Lake Tahoe South Shore
is a spot to satisfy any sort of appetite—
you’ll only be hungry for another trip.
2017 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A 157