Page 145 - 2018 Travel Guide to California

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 recently opened 154-
room Lodge at Edgewood.
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 leading from
their gondola (which is worth a sightseeing
ride even if you never step off it) and guided
4x4 tours to further 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 coun-
tryside. The Heavenly Gondola drops
visitors right into the action in the center of
the city. Heavenly’s Tamarack Lodge fea-
tures a lively après ski scene, as does their
new LAT 38 rooftop bar at the California
Lodge. Kirkwood, about a 45-minute drive
from town, is known for its chutes, 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) with
newly designed learning terrain for 2018.
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 (which has upgraded with $60 million
of renovations). 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 (like at the recently opened Lake
House Restaurant). To quench your thirst,
the South Lake Brewing Company and Lake
Tahoe AleWorX opened in 2017 to add to the
local beer options provided by recent addi-
tions Sidellis Brewery, Cold Water Brewery
and Outpost Brewing Co. at Basecamp
Hotel. When you finally decide to take a
rest, South Lake Tahoe offers a vast array of
lodging options, with recent openings and
remodels to more than a dozen hotels,
including Hotel Becket, the Landing Resort
and Spa, Hotel Azure and the MontBleu
Resort Casino, as well as condo-rentals at
Zalanta Resort at the Village.
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.
MS DIXIE II paddle-wheeler cruises on
Emerald Bay, opposite; snowmobiling above
Lake Tahoe, left; getting the night started at
the Heavenly Village fire pit, above.
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