With temperatures dropping little by little, fall is a great time to do some exploring in North Lake Tahoe. If you prefer cooler weather for your outdoor activities, this is the time—and the place. The snow has not arrived, but it isn’t hot, so it’s a perfect time for cool weather biking, fishing and more. Here is a sample itinerary for your next journey to North Lake Tahoe in fall.
Day 1: Helicopter Tours
For your first day, relax with a helicopter tour after you check in to your Tahoe Signature Properties vacation rental. Fall is a great time of year to take a tour around Lake Tahoe with the experienced guides and pilots at Heli-Vertex. They offer scenic rides all year throughout the Lake Tahoe area. Don’t miss an aerial view of the stunning scenery in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Dining: Truckee offers a lot of different dining experiences, from the casual FiftyFifty Brewing Company to the more upscale Pianeta Ristorante.
Day 2: Museum Day
After all the excitement of a helicopter ride, take a day of relaxing walks through Tahoe museums. The Tahoe Maritime Museum in Tahoe City is a journey through the history of Lake Tahoe’s maritime vessels, including an outboard motor collection. There is an activity area for children, too. The Gatekeeper’s Museum in Tahoe City and the Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum in South Lake Tahoe both focus on the culture and geography of the area.
Dining: If you have the kids with you, Jake’s on the Lake is a great casual dining choice, as is The Bridgetender tavern and Grill. If you want something more upscale, try the “cuisine unique” of Wolfdale’s. In South Lake Tahoe try The Lake House on Emerald Bay Rd. or Jimmy’s Restaurant (specializing in California-influenced Greek cuisine).
Day 3: Fall in Tahoe – Ziplining
After you’ve had a restful day at the museums, it’s time to get back out in nature. Fly through the trees from tower to tower with a zipline adventure. Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks offer activities in Tahoe City, Palisades Tahoe and Tahoe Vista. You can come as a family, a couple, a group or alone.
Dining: Try Fireside Pizza or Plumpjack Café for casual dining and Auld Dubliner Irish Pub for an international experience. At Tahoe Vista, try the Gar Woods Grill and Pier, Whitecaps Pizza or Char-Pit.
Day 4: Fishing in Lake Tahoe
Sometimes all you need on your vacation is a little peace and quiet. This is one thing fishermen love about their sport, and another is being surrounded by the beauty of nature. At Lake Tahoe in fall you get both, along with a large variety of fish, both cold water and warm water. As all experienced fishermen know, you should check local laws and regulations before you begin your Lake Tahoe fishing trip.
Day 5: Play Some Golf
So far you have been steeped in history and nature every day. Why not take a day for a relaxing game of golf? Old Brockway Golf Course is a world-class course right on the lake, with some of the best views of Lake Tahoe. Fun fact: Old Brockway Gold Course was the location of the first Bing Crosby Golf Tournament in 1934 and also has the distinction of having a 9-hole Audubon cooperative sanctuary course. The Northstar Golf Course is located more in the forest area of North Lake Tahoe, and the Incline Village Golf Course awaits the advanced golfer.
Day 6: Mountain Biking
Either bring your own bike or rent one here and hit the road. There are so many miles of bike paths to choose from for your fall in Tahoe journey that it will be hard to pick one. However, the Tahoe East Shore Trail has been called America’s Most Beautiful Bikeway and goes from Incline Village to Sand Harbor State Park. Eventually, the trail will go all the way around Lake Tahoe, but for now, this three-mile stretch is an award-winning trip by itself. Other paths include the moderate Donner Lake Rim Trail, Five Lakes Basin and Granite Chief. Advanced and difficult trails: Hole in the Ground (take the shuttle, by the way), Martis Peak, and Tahoe Rim Trail (Tahoe City to Truckee).
Day 7: Rock Climbing at Donner Summit
Northwest from Lake Tahoe off I-80 is Donner Summit, where you can climb one of the most scenic areas in Lake Tahoe. Fall is a great time to climb Donner Summit, when it’s cool enough to work hard but not yet snowing and treacherous. Climb the popular wall Snowshed or hike a little farther for some other scenic climbs. On warmer days you can still cool off in Donner Lake.
You can fill every day to the brim on your fall journey to North Lake Tahoe. Tahoe Signature Properties is ready to help you find and book your next adventure and vacation rental.
