Lake Tahoe
Clear water in summer, sledding and snow play in winter. A good long-weekend trip.
3.5 hrs drive · 3 days · Best for little kids to teens · Jun–Aug & Dec–Mar
Day 1: Drive & settle
- 10:00 Leave early; stop in Auburn for lunch
- 3:00 Beach time at Kings Beach
Day 2: Big adventure
Day 3: Easy morning
- 9:00 Pancakes and a short lakeside walk
- 11:00 Head home before traffic
From parents who have been
- At Emerald Bay, arrive before 10 am for the $10 Vikingsholm lot. Paddle in the morning, before the afternoon wind picks up. Kayak Tahoe rents at the beach, first come first served. Marin Mommies
- Kids must be over 15 to paddle their own kayak to Fannette Island, so put a parent and child in a double kayak. The 1-mile trail down to the beach is easy, but the 500-foot climb back up is hard on tired kids. Marin Mommies
- Kings Beach has shallow water, soft sand and a big playground, which suits toddlers. The parking pay stations give no change, so bring a card or exact cash. Dogs are not allowed on the sand. Lake Tahoe Travel Tips
- On the Heavenly gondola, get off at the observation deck on the way up, because you cannot stop there on the way down. Go early in the day. One family went an hour before closing and had no time for the summit activities. Inspired Imperfection
- For winter sledding, Adventure Mountain off Hwy 50 near Echo Summit has fast, steep runs that are better for older kids. One parent pointed families with very young kids to the gentler Blizzard Mountain at Sierra-at-Tahoe. Parents found the lodge restrooms better than the portable toilets. Pit Stops for Kids
- A Chinese-language parent post says to put kids in snow boots, not sneakers. Their UGGs were warm but slippery. The parent also packs a snowman kit (carrot, buttons, scarf, grapes for eyes), carries chains or cables, and watches a how-to video on putting them on before the trip. The post names Donner Summit sno-park as a cheap sledding spot. Dealmoon user guide
Good to know
- Carry chains in winter
- Altitude is tiring for little ones, so plan naps
- Friday traffic is heavy, so leave early