What is the prettiest place in Lake Tahoe?

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Lake Tahoe is a place of sublime beauty that inspires awe in even the most jaded of travelers. Mark Twain described the dazzling expanse of shimmering sapphire-blue waters as "the fairest picture the whole earth affords."

Surrounded by pristine pine forests and snowcapped mountain peaks, the lake's brilliant topaz color is attributed to its depth of nearly 1,640 feet. The water owes its crystalline quality to the purity of the source: melted snow.

Lake Tahoe straddles the California and Nevada border, spanning 22 miles from north to south and 12 miles across. It would require at least three hours to drive around the entire lake in good weather conditions. However, plan on much more if you want to stop and see the attractions or hike the trails.

Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination for nature lovers and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. During summertime, some of the most popular things to do include nature walks, hiking, cycling, and water sports.

From December through April, Lake Tahoe is a winter wonderland with opportunities for downhill and cross-country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides. The Lake Tahoe area is renowned for its world-class alpine ski resorts.

Learn about the best places to visit and plan your adventures with our list of the top attractions in Lake Tahoe.

See also: Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe: Best Areas & Hotels

1. Emerald Bay State Park

A small sheltered section on Lake Tahoe's western shore, the Emerald Bay State Park is surrounded by forested hillsides of glacier-carved granite and dotted with a tiny islet at its center. Because the bay is slightly shallower than the rest of Lake Tahoe, the waters take on a striking blue-green color.

A surprising Scandinavian-style castle overlooks the glimmering waters of Emerald Bay. In this idyllic location, Vikingsholm is a unique example of a historic Lake Tahoe summer-vacation home. Access to Vikingsholm is via a steep one-mile pedestrian trail. Visitors can take a tour of the castle's interior during the summer season, from Memorial Day weekend through September.

Emerald Bay State Park, a National Natural Landmark, has two campsites: the Boat-In Camp, only accessible by boat or foot, and the Eagle Point Campground, which is steps away from the lake and has a secluded beach.

A must-see attraction in the area is Inspiration Point, appreciated for its bird's-eye views of Emerald Bay from 600 feet above, perfect for photo ops.

To learn about other beautiful nature sights in Lake Tahoe and how to capture them with a camera, tourists can sign up for the Lake Tahoe Semi-Private Photography Tour, which takes participants to Lake Tahoe's most photogenic spots including Emerald Bay.

2. Hiking at South Lake Tahoe

Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate Lake Tahoe for its natural splendor. Some of the most beautiful hiking spots are the trails near South Lake Tahoe. These lakeside and lake-view trails offer rejuvenating alpine scenery and invigorating (or more mild) workouts.

A picturesque and family-friendly hike, the Cascade Falls Trail is an easy two-mile loop from Bayview Campground to Cascade Falls with sensational vistas of Lake Tahoe along the way.

The Fallen Leaf Lake Trail is a gentle jaunt from the Fallen Leaf Campground to a peaceful lakeside spot (on Fallen Leaf Lake rather than Lake Tahoe) and then a stroll along the lake's shoreline (the complete journey is 2.5 miles round trip).

A favorite Lake Tahoe hike is found along the rugged shoreline of Emerald Bay. The Rubicon Trail follows the water's edge from D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay State Park and passes by the Vikingsholm Castle. This 4.5-mile trail has a slight incline as it wraps around a ridge above Emerald Bay. This elevated vantage point affords sweeping panoramic vistas.

3. Alpine Skiing

During winter and into the spring, Lake Tahoe is a world-renowned destination for alpine skiing. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are prized for their extensive terrain, sunny weather, and powdery slopes.

The most popular of Lake Tahoe's ski resorts are Squaw Valley, where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held, and Heavenly, with 4,800 acres of gorgeous ski terrain with stunning lake views.

Even those who don't ski will appreciate the scenic 2.4-mile Heavenly Gondola ride that stops at an Observation Deck at 9,123 feet and offers commanding views of Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley, and the Desolation Wilderness.

For a day trip from San Francisco, the closest and most easily accessible resort is Sugar Bowl. This historic ski resort has a European-style village with a cozy old-fashioned lodge. The resort features 12 lifts (including a gondola) that provide access to trails for all ability levels, from beginner to advanced.

Intermediate skiers love the runs at Northstar, while the most advanced skiers prefer Kirkwood and Mount Rose for the challenging runs.

4. Lake Tahoe Boat Cruise

A boat cruise on Lake Tahoe is a breathtaking and relaxing experience. While gliding through the glistening azure waters, passengers will admire glorious scenery of refreshing pine forests and snowcapped Sierra Nevada mountain peaks.

Many local companies offer scenic cruises or boat tours of Lake Tahoe's North Shore, South Shore, West Shore, or Emerald Bay. Cruises and boat rides depart from Zephyr Cove, Camp Richardson, Timber Cove Marina, and Round Hill Pines Marina in South Lake Tahoe, as well as from Incline Village and North Tahoe Marina in North Lake Tahoe.

A recommended boat ride is the M.S. Dixie II cruise around Emerald Bay. This sightseeing cruise features up-close views of the waterfalls, Fannette Island, and Vikingsholm Castle with commentary along the way. Lunch and snacks are available.

5. Tallac Historic Site

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the Tallac Historic Site includes the Pope, Baldwin, and Valhalla estates. From Memorial Day through September, the entire site is open to the public, and visitors may explore the grounds free of charge. The site also offers guided tours and special events.

Every year in August, the historic estates host a two-day Gatsby Festival, which draws crowds for elegant Roaring Twenties parties, jazz concerts, and other 1920s theme events that recall the social gatherings during the estates' heyday.

For more insight into how Tahoe's wealthy residents lived at the beginning of the 20th century, visitors can take a docent-led tour of the Pope House.

The Baldwin Estate has been converted into the Tallac Museum, which focuses on local history, including exhibits about the native Washoe people. The museum has retained original elements of the house, such as the 1930s-era kitchen.

Once a grand summer retreat for San Francisco's upper crust, the Valhalla Estate is a favorite venue for private events and lakefront weddings.

Every summer from June through September, the Valhalla Estate hosts a Summer Concert Series, as well as theater performances at various venues on the estate: the Valhalla Boathouse Theatre (with lake views), the Grand Hall, and on the Grand Lawn overlooking Lake Tahoe.

For those who'd like to stay overnight in the area, Camp Richardson is a great choice. This historic lakeside resort has a small beach; a marina with boat rentals; an "Old Tahoe"-style hotel; a beachside inn, cabins, and campsites. The resort is a great place for summertime boating, hiking, and biking. During winter, cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing are popular activities.

6. Kings Beach

Backed by a forest of Jeffrey pine trees, this sun-drenched sandy beach is an ideal place for lounging, swimming, and boating during summertime. Kings Beach is on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe and enjoys direct sunshine from the early morning until late afternoon.

Well-designed for visitors, the Kings Beach State Recreation Area has plenty of parking, public restrooms, picnic tables in a shaded area, barbecue pits, a playground, and places that rent out kayaks and paddleboards. Fishing is allowed but requires a license.

The town of Kings Beach has many motels, restaurants, casual eateries, trendy retail shops, and street vendors that cater to tourists.

7. Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

The Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park extends along Lake Tahoe for nearly two miles, with densely wooded forests of aspen, fir, pine, and juniper trees. The property was built by wealthy financier Isaias W. Hellman in 1903. His daughter, Florence Hellman Ehrman, inherited the estate.

Surrounded by 2,000 acres of woodlands at Sugar Pine Point State Park, the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion features wonderful views of Lake Tahoe. The casual yet elegantly rustic mansion was designed as a summer vacation home and was equipped with the most modern conveniences of the time. The dining rooms feature redwood paneling, and the guest rooms are decorated with Navajo rugs.

The Hellman-Ehrman Mansion is open to the public for tours from Memorial Day until the end of September. The grounds (open year-round, free of charge) include a flower garden with a gazebo, which is often used as a wedding venue. Near the mansion is a Nature Center with interesting exhibits about birds, lake ecology, wildflowers, trees, and other environmental topics.

During summertime, visitors flock to the Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park to go hiking around the park's extensive trails, and swimming or sunbathing at the small lakeside beach. Fishing in the park's stream is allowed from mid-July to mid-September.

During the winter, cross-country skiers are delighted by the park's 20-kilometer system of trails. The ski season usually runs from December through March.

Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park has campsites, picnic areas, and barbecue pits, and the facilities are available for use year-round (although only a limited number of campsites are open in the winter). During wintertime, it is advised to check the weather conditions in advance.

8. D.L. Bliss State Park

Duane L. Bliss was a lumber baron who made his fortune in banking, logging, and railroads during the late 19th century and early 20th century. In 1929, the Bliss family donated 744 acres of private property to the California State park system.

Today, visitors can soak up the beauty of this public park, with its attractive picnic spots, pleasant lakeside areas, and lovely sandy beaches. The beaches have a secluded feel because they are tucked away in densely wooded groves and accessed by a steep two-mile hike.

The park's Lester Beach and Calawee Cove are among the loveliest beaches in Tahoe. Swimmers enjoy the crystal-clear waters; sunbathers delight in basking under the warm summer rays; and water sports enthusiasts relish the perfect conditions for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.

Visitors also come to D.L. Bliss State Park for hiking, especially the Rubicon Trail, which offers sensational views of Lake Tahoe. This 4.5-mile trail leads to Emerald Bay State Park; there is also a two-mile extension trail past the Vikingsholm Castle.

Other hikes include the Lighthouse Trail, which leads to a historic lighthouse, and the Balancing Rock Nature Trail, featuring the 130-ton granite "Balancing Rock," which marvelously rests on a narrow stone base.

During summertime, D.L. Bliss State Park campground has 150 campsites with restroom facilities and hot showers. This family-friendly camping area is very popular, and reservations are recommended. The campground is open from May through September.

9. Sand Harbor State Park

In North Lake Tahoe on the Nevada side, Sand Harbor State Park offers miles of sandy beaches, as well as hidden coves and shady pine forests. The majestic scenery provides an awe-inspiring backdrop for summertime outdoor activities.

The 55-acre park offers opportunities for swimming, scuba diving, and kayaking in the translucent waters of Lake Tahoe. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Sailing, kayaking, and boating enthusiasts appreciate the docks at the boat launch.

Visitors can take scenic walks along the Sand Point Nature Trail, a short hike with outstanding views of the lake, and the Sand Harbor to Memorial Point Trail, a half-mile trail with access to secluded beaches and rocky coves.

Sand Harbor State Park also has shaded picnic areas under the fragrant Jeffrey pines. Other facilities include the Sand Harbor Visitor Center and Gift Shop, and a casual restaurant.

Literary types should plan to attend the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival (held from mid-July through mid-August). The festival presents a series of performances, highlighting some of Shakespeare's most famous works. Audiences will enjoy the entertaining performances in an exquisite outdoor theater, set amid a grove of towering pine trees. The serene scenery and the starry night skies add to the special experience.

10. Eagle Rock Hiking Trail

The Eagle Rock Hiking Trail is a spectacular hiking trail on Lake Tahoe's west shore, just four miles away from Tahoe City. Eagle Rock is a dramatic volcanic outcrop, perched at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet, which is a few hundred feet above Lake Tahoe. This short, easy hike is about a half-mile long and can be completed in 20 minutes, however it rewards with magnificent views.

Where to Stay near Lake Tahoe for Sightseeing

Visitors can choose from a wide variety of accommodations in Lake Tahoe, from upscale resorts and rustic-chic lodges to family-friendly hotels and more affordable motels. We recommend these highly rated hotels and resorts with easy access to the top sites around Lake Tahoe:

• The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe: 5-star luxury accommodations, ski-in/ski-out Northstar California location, slope-side spa, children's program, lake club, cabana-lined pool.
• Deerfield Lodge at Heavenly: 4-star boutique hotel, sleek contemporary decor, gas fireplaces, in-room coffee makers.
• 7 Seas Inn at Tahoe: charming boutique hotel, short walk to Heavenly Village and Lake Tahoe, private beach, complimentary breakfast, hot tub.

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The Sierra Nevada foothills (about an hour's drive away) are also worth exploring. From 1849 until the 1850s, this area along the American River was the booming Gold Rush territory. Today, the Gold Country is one of the best places to visit in California. In the charming Old Western towns of Nevada City and Grass Valley, visitors can browse art galleries and locally owned boutiques; dine at gourmet restaurants; and stay at Victorian-era hotels.

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