LAKE TAHOE TRAVEL GUIDE!

Hello everyone,

Here I am recharged and full of sunshine!🌞

My family and I went on a four day vacation to Lake Tahoe. The adventures were endless, from hiking the most beautiful vistas, paddle boarding for the first time to falling asleep on the beach numerous times, and getting sunburned. hahaha! Ohhh what a JOY! 

Everyday felt a little less ordinary and a lot more special. It was wonderful finding the beauty in every moment, being offline and soaking-up everything around me. I'm still in that state of mind! The beauty there is one of a kind...crystal clear water, most breathable temperatures, scenery that automatically makes you feel grateful for being alive in the NOW and a place where time feels as if it has stopped in your favor. If you have been to Lake Tahoe before, I'm sure you would 100% agree with me!!!👌

Today, I'm super EXCITED to share with you my impressions and experience from where to stay to what beaches to enjoy! A bundle full of new discoveries. We were able to do and see a lot in these four days, so let this travel guide begin!🤗 

Where to Stay: 

We were in the South part of the lake...stayed at Grand Residences Marriott, which was just perfect because this hotel is located right in the center of everything. You've got restaurants, cute cafes, a park, a few beaches only a walking distance away. Super easy to get out and explore! 

Also, the hotel itself was wonderful!!! Wearing a mask was mandatory. There's valet, which was very convenient. We ended up being out and about everyday because we wanted to explore as much as we could in these four days.

Van Sickle Bi-State Park+Tahoe Rim Trail

This is the first park we hit up once we arrived even before checking-in because it was literally ten steps away from the hotel and the closest place we could have a picnic in the forest surrounded by the biggest rocks and pine-cones I've ever seen. Also, be warned, we didn't see any bears, but seeing one in Lake Tahoe would be normal. Plus, I hear they're very friendly! They exist and are always in search of food, so always look after your food. 

This same park is very popular for its Tahoe Rim Hiking Trail. It's one of the nation's top ten trails because the vistas are absolutely breathtaking. From atop you can see the grand views of the Carson ranges of California and Nevada. Like the true hikers we are, after our picnic, we put on our hiking shoes and headed that way. Along the way, there was the biggest SURPRISE...a powerful, beautiful waterfall! It helped us cool-off! I love these kind of nature surprises along the way. And you can totally mountain bike there because we saw a group of six having a blast. Made us want to add mountain biking to our list of adventures we want most definitely to try. 

Sand Harbor Beach  

When visiting Lake Tahoe, making a stop at Sand Harbor is a must. It's one of the most beautiful places to spend the day. You've got sandy beaches, shady forested areas, crystal waters, panoramic mountain views and lots of room for fun activities. You can go kayaking, paddle boarding or even scuba diving. There is also an area for barbecuing and having a picnic! It's beyond AMAZING! 

I loved the rock formations peaking out from the water. So ideal for taking photos! My sister and I joked how much they remind us of Ariel from the "Little Mermaid" since that was and still is her favorite Disney movie. 

Keep in mind every beach has an entrance fee of $10, so be sure to have cash in hand. Also, beaches usually open at 8:00 in the morning.  

The second day of our trip we spend the whole day at Sand Harbor Beach. Early morning we got up to explore and take some photos there. We loved it so much that we decided to stay until sunset. The water was very cold, but when you keep moving by swimming, it feels just right. It was such a great change from the high temperatures we had all summer long in Las Vegas. 

Baldwin Beach 

One of these days we planned to try paddle boarding for the first time. The third day was the charm! A few summers ago I gave surfing a shot. It was a bit more intense as waves kept knocking me down, so I knew I should go for something more calming. 

Paddle boarding totally won me over! It's the best feeling ever being deep in the middle of nowhere surrounded by stunning views everywhere you turn and not a single drop of noise. Only you and your thoughts! 

To rent paddle boards for a whole day, most places at Lake Tahoe charge $85, but with some wise research we were able to find a cool shop from which you can rent your boards $50 per board, for a whole day. How awesome is that? The place is called SUP Tahoe Stand-Up Paddle. The guys there were very nice and super helpful. They recommended we head to Baldwin Beach, only 3 miles from their shop because it's the best beach to easily unload the boards and enjoy the ride. That's exactly what we did!

My sister and I had the best day paddle boarding. We had more than a few laughs as we were trying to look professional! hahaha! The first time around, a woman that was paddling near me gave me the best advice ever...she said, "Paddle deep as if you're mixing cookie dough". It worked, since her helpful comment, I think I've made around 500 cookies. hahaha! 

This is the kind of activity I can't wait to do again soon. It's definitely my new favorite hobby!

Cascade Falls Trail 

This is the second hiking trail we decided to take on one morning. I highly recommend it! It's so stunning, you'll be lost for words with every step you take. As you reach the peak, you've got the most serene vivid blue color of the Cascade Lake and of course, Lake Tahoe. It's hard not to say "WOW" aloud! Truly Incredible!!! 

I believe this hike is for everyone because it isn't as difficult as some of the really hard ones I've been on. Plus, it's a short kind of hike. Short and sweet with water-streams, magical vistas and a path of rocks to help guide you in the right direction.

Add Cascade Falls Trail to your list, and trust me, you won't regret it! I know Lake Tahoe offers so many hiking trails that we have yet to discover. For that, we'll need to visit for a month or why not just move there altogether?! hahaha

Emerald Bay State Park

 The most surreal views of them all is the precious Emerald Bay. You've got the incredible Eagle Falls and you can even pay a visit to the Vikingsholm castle located close by the shore. To get to the beach, it's a bit of a hike, so for sure wear comfy shoes and carry only your top essentials...the less bags, the better. 

Even though this is one of the most popular places in Lake Tahoe (gets busy)...it does not disappoint. I had the most wonderful time, staring at the bay, thinking how on earth is nature so beautiful, so good to us and so powerful at the same time? 

Also, I found it very interesting learning about the 38 room mansion, which is inspired by Scandinavian architecture. It belonged to Lora Knight, once a private property with 232 acres of land all to herself. Just imagine waking-up to this view! 

Your turn...have you been to Lake Tahoe before? What were your fist impressions? 

I can't wait to go back!!! It's got mountains, beaches, nature, fresh air...everything I love into one!

This seems like the perfect way to end summer! See you in the next post!!!🥰

~ Photography: @artisticspring

~ SHOP

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