Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains lies Lake Tahoe. This sprawling lake is 191.6 mi². The vacation spot houses a wide-variety of accommodations with water views, eateries, pubs, trails and beaches.
After arriving late on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, we were ready to set off to explore early Saturday morning. Near our accommodation in North Shore’s Carnelian Bay are a number of small cafes and eateries that open by 7:30 AM.
I would recommend two of the following if you are staying in the area:
Old Post Office Cafe – 5245 N Lake Blvd, Carnelian Bay, CA 96140
Hours: 7 AM – 2 PM (daily)
Old Post Office cafe has a 50’s diner feel and features an old post office box outside the door. The food is affordable and the coffee (or tea) is great! From a-la-carte options ranging from $4-5 and main entrees averaging around $10, this is a wonderful spot to access without a car if you are staying near Carnelian Bay.
Tahoe Waterman’s Landing – 5166 N Lake Blvd, Carnelian Bay, CA 96140
Hours: 7:30 AM – 3 PM (weekdays), 7 AM – 3 PM (weekends)
Waterman’s Landing is a wonderful lakeside cafe to pick up a bite. From baked goods to lattes and avocado toast, the offerings are plentiful. The patio has places to sit and direct access to the beach – a must-visit in Carnelian Bay
Things to Do
After breakfast, you can now get familiar with the TART (transit system available in the Tahoe Area). By taking the bus toward Incline Village, you will spot a number of wonderful options. Using the bus line, you will be able to explore King’s Beach, access a hike with jaw-dropping views and visit a beach park.
King’s Beach
This beach community has a wide-array of places to eat, shaved ice or ice cream spots, and gift shops. This funky little beach town is well-worth a visit even if to just check out the beach and grab a vibe from Jason’s Beachside Grille. The prices are reasonable and the laidback vibe is worth it!
Tahoe East Lake Shoe Trail
After passing the heart of Incline Village, plan to get off the bus at Tunnel Creek Bonanza (Arrive) located near a cafe, restrooms and the edge of the East Entrance of Incline Village. This 5.2 mile out and back trail traverses along a boardwalk with some beach access and stunning views along the way.
The hike is easy and Hidden Beach can be found along the way. Read more about this wonderful hike via the AllTrails information: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/nevada/tahoe-east-shore-trail.
Sand Harbor Beach Park
After walking along Tahoe East Lake Shore trail, you will end up at one of the most picturesque places along Tahoe’s North Shore – Sand Harbor Beach Park! Requiring a $2 entrance fee at the time of writing this, the access to a long stretch of beach with boardwalk paths to explore and a restaurant is worth the fee.
Following this adventure in Tahoe, my next article will touch on a former mining town near Reno, Nevada that may appeal to those looking for a bit of history! Stay tuned. ~K
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