North Lake Tahoe

Only a two-hour drive from Sacramento, cobalt-blue Lake Tahoe is Northern California’s mountain playground. The 22-mile-long lake is hugged by friendly towns, especially along the crescent of its northern shoreline. North Lake Tahoe encompasses five California communities—Tahoe City, Truckee, Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, and Carnelian Bay—plus miles of lakeshore, pine forests, meadows, and alpine blue skies.

No matter what month of the year you visit, North Lake Tahoe has your vacation covered. You’ll have easy access to tours, boat and gear rentals, golf courses, ski resorts, hiking and biking trails; you also have a wide range of choices for restaurants and lodgings, from knotty-pine cabins to luxurious resorts. Combine all that with North Lake Tahoe's cozy mountain-town vibes, and you have a perfect recipe for an alpine getaway. 

Boat Rentals and Tours in North Lake Tahoe

In summer, the mountain wildflowers pop up around Lake Tahoe, and so do the ways to have fun on the water. Whether you prefer the peaceful glide of a kayak or the adrenaline rush of a jet ski or speed boat, Lake Tahoe delivers sun-splashed fun on almost anything that floats. 

For a zero-effort cruise, reserve a spot aboard the 38-ton paddle-wheeler Tahoe Gal, sailing from Tahoe City. Savor the midday sun on a lunchtime tour to Emerald Bay, or say cheers to the lake on a happy-hour cocktail cruise: The ship’s captain recounts Tahoe tales on every trip. Or book a more intimate tour on the Wild Goose II, a 36-foot mahogany cruiser docked in Tahoe Vista. Private charters accommodate up to 12 people.

You can also don your captain’s hat and steer your own watercraft. Rent a jet ski, pontoon boat, or speed boat from North Tahoe Watersports in Tahoe City and Kings Beach or Rent a Boat Tahoe in Tahoe Vista. Check out more options for North Lake Tahoe boat rentals, and remember that no experience is required—just common sense and a taste for adventure.

Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding in North Lake Tahoe

Do-it-yourselfers can rent a kayak at any North Lake Tahoe marina, or you can paddle with a pro on a guided kayak tour. Tahoe Adventure Company offers a “clear kayak” tour on transparent boats that allow paddlers a clear view beneath the lake’s surface. Tahoe City Kayak offers sunset and moonlight kayak tours as well as private and group lessons.

Both companies also offer guided stand-up paddling (SUP) tours, but if you’d like to try the sport on your own, head to Kings Beach Recreation Area—North Lake Tahoe’s largest and sandiest beach—or popular Commons Beach in Tahoe City. Plan your outing with these SUP rental and tour options.

Rafting and Inner Tubing in North Lake Tahoe

For family-friendly fun, rent a raft or inner tube and float along the Truckee River’s gentle riffles and rapids.

In Tahoe City, Truckee River Rafting and Truckee River Raft Company will set you up with an inflatable boat, paddles, and life jackets. You’ll bob gently downstream for 5 river miles to River Ranch Lodge, an 1888 stone-and-timber tavern. Eat lunch on the lodge’s deck, then ride a shuttle back to your starting point. The float lasts about 2 to 3 hours and is suitable for children aged 2 and up.

Hiking and Biking in North Lake Tahoe

See Lake Tahoe from way up high by hiking a section of the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165-mile path that traverses the basin's high ridgeline. For an easy jaunt, hike to Picnic Rock from Brockway Summit to savor blue-water views or wander through the wildflowers at Page Meadows.

Other great North Lake Tahoe hikes include the trek to Castle Peak's volcanic turrets or the half-day ascent up Shirley Canyon at Palisades Tahoe. Hike up the flower-filled canyon to High Camp, elevation 8,200 feet, then ride Palisades’ aerial tram back downhill. Learn about more North Lake Tahoe hiking trails here.

Bikers and wheelchair users can access miles of paved, gently rolling trails in North Lake Tahoe. The car-free Truckee River Bike Path winds along the river’s edge for 5 miles between Tahoe City and Palisades Tahoe. Start the ride at 64-Acres Park in Tahoe City—you can also access the West Lake Tahoe Bike Path from there.

The Truckee River Legacy Trail follows another scenic stretch of the Truckee River, traveling 6 miles from Truckee River Regional Park to the Glenshire neighborhood.

Mountain bikers can choose from hundreds of miles of singletrack paths and dirt fire roads, including the trails of Burton Creek State Park and Northstar California’s Mountain Bike Park. A map and trail guide can be found here.

Need to rent a bike? North Lake Tahoe’s bike shops will set you up with the right set of wheels for your riding style.

Skiing and Snow Play in North Lake Tahoe

In winter, melt some snow at North Lake Tahoe’s big resorts—Palisades Tahoe, Sugar Bowl, or Northstar California—or skip over to smaller ski hills like Granlibakken or Donner Ski Ranch. 

Whether you’re a world-class snowboarder or brand new to winter sports, North Lake Tahoe’s resorts cater to your downhill style with gear rentals, private and group lessons, and ticket pricing options.

If you prefer gentler slopes to steep descents, try a skinnier pair of sticks at Royal Gorge, North America’s largest cross-country ski resort. Cross-country striders and skate-skiers can access nearly 100 groomed trails.

North Lake Tahoe has plenty of activities for non-skiers, too, from aerial tram rides to tubing hills and ice-skating rinks.

Golf Courses in North Lake Tahoe

North Lake Tahoe boasts six championship golf courses and four executive courses. Top-notch golfers will be tempted by the challenging layout of The Links at Everline, a par-71 course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., and the rolling hills of Old Greenwood, a Jack Nicklaus–designed course on 600 acres of towering pines.

For a less cutthroat game, play amid meadow and mountain vistas at Northstar Golf Course (but watch out for some tricky water features). Or knock out a quick nine holes at Tahoe City Golf Course, where you’ll tee off in the shadow of the Rat Pack. Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Dean Martin played here in the 1950s.

Dining in North Lake Tahoe

Any meal in North Lake Tahoe tastes better with a view of its remarkably blue waters. In Carnelian Bay, score a spot on Gar Woods' lakefront deck for fish tacos and rum-rich cocktails. Cozy up with baked brie and braised short ribs at Jake's on the Lake in Tahoe City, or reserve a table at Christy Hill for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine paired with a lofty lake view. A few miles south of Tahoe City, Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge doles out fish tacos and a summer-party atmosphere, even in January.

Eateries that don’t boast a lake view find other ways to amaze: Smoke Door is Kings Beach’s Japanese “saryo” serving wood-fired dishes, from crispy pork belly and Wagyu beef to barbecued butternut squash. Nearby Las Panchitas has been dishing up tasty Mexican classics since 1982, including tacos, tamales, burritos, and a standout chile relleno.

South of Tahoe City, Shadyside Lounge is a hip hangout serving birria tacos, ribeye burrito bowls, and zesty street corn along with craft cocktails. Across the street is Fire Sign Café, where you can fuel up for Tahoe adventures with veggie eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, or one of a half-dozen waffle varieties.

Browse more North Lake Tahoe restaurants as you map out your visit.

Where to Stay in North Lake Tahoe

North Lake Tahoe’s lodging options range from high-style resorts to cozy cabins. The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe recently completed a two-year renovation with a complete makeover of its 170 guest rooms and suites. Located on the slopes of Northstar California Resort, this sophisticated mountain hotel offers ski-in, ski-out access, a full-service spa, and exceptional dining at Manzanita.

Equally splurge-worthy is Everline Resort & Spa in Olympic Valley, where skiing in winter and golfing in summer are just steps away, and the spa’s steam rooms, sauna, and treatment rooms will tempt you for year-round pampering.

Tahoe City’s new Evo Hotel, curated by world-class snowboarder Jeremy Jones, appeals to sporty types with 48 sleek guestrooms showcasing Tahoe-themed artwork and clever storage spaces for outdoor gear. Onsite restaurant Sierra Surf Club serves a stylish gastropub menu with a side of Lake Tahoe views.

For an old-style Tahoe stay, Rustic Cottages in Tahoe Vista rents 19 character-rich cabins dating back to the 1920s. Guests can borrow sleds and snowshoes in winter and play croquet and horseshoes in summer.

Explore more North Lake Tahoe lodgings in every style and price range—and if you’re traveling with your canine buddy, check this list of pet-friendly lodgings in North Lake Tahoe.

More to Explore Near North Lake Tahoe

Want to see more of Lake Tahoe? Expand your trip to include the attractions and scenic beauty of South Lake Tahoe. Along the route, plan to make a few stops along Tahoe’s woodsy West Shore .

How to Help Lake Tahoe

Once you arrive in North Lake Tahoe, skip the hassles of driving and take advantage of TART Connect to get from place to place. TART Connect offers free, on-demand service for riders throughout North Lake Tahoe and Truckee. Simply download the app and reserve your ride.

Also, be sure to pack a reusable water bottle for your North Lake Tahoe visit. You can fill it up with high-quality tap water at free water filling stations at local businesses and recreation areas.