South Lake Tahoe offers a rare combination of glitz, glamor and intoxicating natural beauty. Where else will you find high-rise hotels living in harmony with rugged cabins, craggy mountaintops and one of the clearest lakes on Earth? Outdoor recreation, gambling and nightlife are equally accessible things to do in South Lake Tahoe — meanwhile, outdoor picnics and world-class restaurants and breweries and are often parts of the same itinerary.
From family-friendly fun on the beach to grown-up nights at the club, here are the best things to do in South Lake Tahoe, including many free activities.
Hit the casinos in South Lake Tahoe, even if you don’t gamble
South Lake Tahoe straddles the line between California and Nevada. You’ll know you’ve passed over to the Nevada side when the slew of casino hotels come into view. If you’ve only gambled in Las Vegas, you’ll find the atmosphere here to be more relaxed. There are still plenty of flashing lights but the decor isn’t nearly as gawdy and you won’t see scantily clad showgirls at every turn. What you will find are an abundance of slot machines, table games and other places to lay down a bet, including several sportsbooks.
If gambling isn’t your thing, casinos in South Lake Tahoe are still worthy sources of entertainment to seek out. Many are home to hopping nightclubs, restaurants from world-famous chefs, like Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, and some of the most affordable places to stay in Lake Tahoe.
The Heavenly Ski Resort gondola ride in South Lake Tahoe is open in the summer to hikers and tourists.
George Rose/Getty ImagesVisit Heavenly Ski Resort, no matter the season
Despite its winter-centric name, Heavenly Ski Resort is one of the best attractions in South Lake Tahoe all year long. In the snowy season, skiers and snowboarders flock to the mountain’s 4,800 skiable acres (more than any other resort in Lake Tahoe). At an elevatrion of 10,067 feet, Monument Peak at the resort is the tallest mountain in the region, too.
In the summer, Heavenly is no less exciting when Epic Discovery takes the spotlight. Zoom down the mountain on an alpine coaster, soak in awe-inspiring vistas on a scenic gondola and enjoy zip lining, tubing, hiking, gem panning and more. For those seeking less adrenaline-filled activities, the charming Heavenly Village offers restaurants, shopping, live theater and seasonal events.
Find it: Heavenly Ski Resort, 3860 Saddle Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150; 775-586-7000
Go sledding and tubing on epic hills
Skiing isn’t the only fun thing to do in Lake Tahoe in the winter. The snowy season opens up opportunities for snowshoeing, tubing and more chilly activities. Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe is the tallest tubing destination in the region, offering vistas from a base elevation of 7,400 feet. Taylor Creek Sno-Park is a one-stop shop for winter fun. You’ll find hills for sledding and tubing, and a network of trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Permits for the entire season or single visits are available to buy online.
Two cyclists enjoy the bike trails in Lake Tahoe.
Cavan Images/Getty Images/Cavan Images RFHike or bike South Lake Tahoe’s scenic trails
Ancient rock formations resembling altars in the wilderness, glimpses of sapphire-blue water and trees so tall they seem to pierce the sky make hiking and biking some of the most rewarding experiences you can have around Lake Tahoe. The Pope Baldwin Bike Path is a paved 7.2-mile out-and-back trail. The terrain is smooth and relatively flat which makes it suitable for cyclists, wheelchair users, and hikers seeking a low-impact foray into nature. The trail winds through the forests to offer access to beaches, picnic spots, the Camp Richardson Resort and the Tallac Historic Site.
Experienced hikers seeking a challenge should check out the Mount Tallac Trail. The 10.5-mile out-and-back trail is seriously steep, but the panoramic views of Emerald Bay, South Lake Tahoe and the mountaintops make it worth the climb. Free wilderness permits — a must for hikers doing the trek — are available at the trailhead. You can find the trailhead approximately 3.5 miles north of South Lake Tahoe off of Highway 89, with the sign visible across the street from the entrance to Baldwin Beach.
Two people play in the water at a beach in Lake Tahoe.
Cavan Images/Getty Images/Cavan Images RFEnjoy the beaches in South Lake Tahoe — and get out on the water
A day at the beach should rank at the top of any list of things to do in South Lake Tahoe in summer. Some hotels, like Edgewood Tahoe Resort, offer its guests access to private beaches, but even if your accommodations aren’t on the water, there are some great public beaches in the area.
Some of the best views in all of Lake Tahoe are found from the shores of Emerald Bay State Park, where you’ll see vistas of Emerald Bay, Fannette Island and Vikingsholm Castle. You can access the beaches by boat or or via a fairly steep trail. Meanwhile, Baldwin Beach is especially popular with families. There, you’ll find a half-mile of sandy shoreline, views galore, picnic tables and on-site kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Kayakers enjoy a sunny day at Fallen Leaf Lake, located adjacent to Lake Tahoe near Emerald Bay, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
George Rose/Getty ImagesYou’ll also find kayak and paddleboard rentals from four different locations run by Action Watersports. The company also rents jet skis, small watercraft and offers parasailing. Or, take in those views of Lake Tahoe from the water on an authentic paddlewheeler departing from Zephyr Cove Resort where you can choose between scenic daytime cruises or sunset dinner cruises.
Check out free seaside concerts and A-list amphitheater shows
In addition to the rotation of DJs and bands playing at the area’s casinos all year long, South Lake Tahoe is a major draw for concertgoers in summer. The free concert series, Live at Lakeview, sees live music performed at El Dorado Beach every Thursday from the end of June through the end of August. Also free to attend, the summer concert series at Heavenly Village runs every year from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Perhaps the most famous live music event in Lake Tahoe is the summer concert series at the outdoor arena of Harveys Lake Tahoe. Tickets usually sell out fast for these shows, which bring A-listers to the shore. The lineup for the 2023 season includes country music stars Darius Rucker, Sam Hunt and Old Dominion.
This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].