LAKE TAHOE AREA’S MOST POPULAR ATTRACTION - THE WATER
by Pettit Gilwee
leisurely cocktail and dinner cruises to kayaks, canoes and Sea
Doos, there’s no reason not to be out on the lake.Kayaking and canoeing may be the most intimate way to experience Lake Tahoe and with kayak shops as abundant as ski rental outlets from the West Shore to Incline Village, visitors will have no problem renting their own private vessel. Guided excursions are ideal for first- timers. Noteworthy tours include moonlight, scenic Emerald Bay and Sand Harbor cruises and the historic Thunderbird Lodge outing.
Experienced kayakers can take advantage of the Lake Tahoe Water Trail, which allows paddlers to plan a custom trip around the 72-mile shoreline. The trail map includes information about access points, resting places, campgrounds, points of interest and related facilities.
For a bird’s-eye view of the nation’s largest alpine lake, parasailing is the way to go. Guests can take to the sky with concessionaires in Tahoe City and Kings Beach and for every kid at heart, paddle boats and water toys, such as aqua cycles, can be rented at beach front locations around the lake.
Boat rentals and jet skis are also an extremely popular and exhilarating way to experience the lake. Tahoe Aquatic Center in King Beach offers a large selection of one-two and three-person watercraft conveniently located in one of the largest riding areas on the North Shore. In addition to water ski and
wake board
classes, Tahoe City’s High
Sierra Water Ski School offers powerboat rentals and charters and jet
ski rentals.Cruises are the best option to leave the driving to someone else and take in the spectacular beauty of Lake Tahoe. Tahoe Sailing Charters in Tahoe City takes to the waters from May through October for noon, afternoon and sunset cruises on the 50-foot Tahoe Cruz. The newly renovated Tahoe Gal is a historic paddle wheeler, which takes guests out on brunch, Emerald Bay lunch, happy hour and sunset cruises. A Monday-evening theme cruise has also been added this summer. Scheduled themes include magician, wine tasting, bourbon tasting and comedy night.
For a more adventurous day (or morning) on Lake Tahoe, fishing charters leave daily and are available throughout the year. Mickey’s Big Mack Charters, based out of Carnelian Bay, gives aspiring fishermen (and women) the opportunity to deep line for mackinaw and top line for rainbow and brown trout. Kingfish Guide Service and Captain Chris’ Fishing Charters in Tahoe City and Chuck’s Bait Tackle and Guide Service all offer charters, guides, equipment and instruction.
Favorite beaches to tip your toes include Moon Dunes in Tahoe Vista, an open sandy beach guarded by a grove of tress and sand dunes and Sand Harbor in Incline Village, with its scenic granite outcroppings and long sandy beaches.
Tahoe City’s Commons Beach is home to a playground and expansive lawn area, perfect for resting in between dips. Kings Beach State Recreation Area is one of the area’s most popular spots for families, where a wide stretch of sand is perfect for picnics and playtime (with adjacent playground and barbecues). Parasailing, kayak rentals and paddle boats are also abundantly available from a number of
shops in
and around the recreation area. If you have a canine in your clan, head
to Patton Beach, just west of the marina in Carnelian Bay or Kaspian
Recreation Area on the West Shore, just south of Sunnyside.North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations, recreation and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3296 or visit http://www.GoTahoeNorth.com.
Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. The North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, work together to promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.
Photos Courtsey of Patrick Witz Ó Patrick Witz 2007
Ó Pettit Gilwee 2008