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When visiting Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, stop at the Visitors’ Authority in South Shore, California. There, you can pick up free maps and brochures, and staff are available during daytime hours to answer any questions about the region. The nightlife is always hot in South Lake Tahoe, and daytime outdoor activities are plentiful year-round. Skiing and snowboarding at Heavenly Valley Mountain Resort provide winter fun, and in the warmer months, you can opt for hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Key facts

The United States Forest Service operates several summer campgrounds and beaches in the Lake Tahoe basin. Bliss State park is located on Highway 89, a few miles north of Emerald Bay, and offers 150 campsites by reservation only, along with day use beaches. The Tahoe Bike Coalition will provide you with necessary information about biking on the south shore. Waterfront lodgings are plentiful, and will offer you views out across Lake Tahoe.

Hints and tips

Each summer in South Lake Tahoe, visitors enjoy cultural events like the Valhalla Renaissance Faire at Camp Richardson, and Sample the Sierra festival at the Bijou Community Park. The Tallac Estates holds concerts, and there is an easy one-mile hike in to see Vikingholms Castle at Emerald Bay. Expect the summer daytime high temperatures to range from 75 to 85 degrees, while the nightly lows can drop into the 40s.