Surrounding Incline Village
Sand Harbor State Park
Sand Harbor is one of the most popular and beautiful spots on the shores of Lake Tahoe. There are many picturesque spots around the park including beaches, trails, and boulders you can explore that lead right onto the lake.
Our engagement photos were taken there!
Tahoe East Shore Trail
The Tahoe East Shore Trail is a scenic and relatively new 3 mile trail that runs along the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe, providing stunning views of the lake, surrounding mountains, and the natural beauty of the area. There are many hidden coves and rock formations along the trail where you can stop and enjoy a nice glass of wine and cheese at sunset!
We recommend parking in the lots near Tunnel Creek Cafe and taking the trail to Sand Harbor.
Surrounding North Lake Tahoe
Tahoe City
Tahoe City is one of the main towns around the lake, offering a combination of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and a laid-back, small-town atmosphere. There is amazing shopping, food, and scenery everywhere you go in town! If you want a break from shopping, we recommend visiting Uncorked for a nice glass of wine!
For dinner, we highly recommend you visit Jakes, it is Hadyn's favorite place to eat around the lake. We also love Garwoods, they are famously known for their "Wet Woodys".
Palisades Tahoe
Palisades Tahoe is one of the most famous ski resorts in North America and a premier destination for year-round outdoor recreation. You can also find great shopping and food in the village and amazing hiking trails nearby.
At the bottom of the page we have a list of some of our favorite hikes around the lake!
Surrounding Lake Tahoe
Emerald Bay
Emerald Bay is one of the most scenic and photographed spots in the Lake Tahoe region. Known for its stunning beauty, crystal-clear waters, dramatic cliffs, and historical significance, Emerald Bay is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the Lake Tahoe area.
Truckee
Truckee is a stunning town with old western feels a little bit outside of Lake Tahoe. With incredible shopping and food, it is an amazing place to visit for a little bit of a change in scenery!
Our Favorite Hikes!
We recommend downloading AllTrails for more hike info and gps tracking while on the trail.
*On all hikes you need to be vigilant of bears*
Shirley Canyon Trail: A stunning hike with a 2,000ft elevation change. Consisting of waterfalls, swimming holes, and Shirley Lake (alpine lake near the top). The trail will take you 3 miles up to Shirley Lake where once there, you can choose to turn back or continue for another 2 miles up to Palisades high camp where you can take a free gondola ride back to basecamp. About halfway up the trail, you will begin to walk on a granite rock face. As a result, we would recommend lots of sunscreen and heavily treaded shoes as it might be slippery.
Special note: Keep an eye out on how much snow is on top of the mountains because it might be difficult to hike all the way up!
Five Lakes: A breathtaking 5 mile roundtrip hike in the Sierra Nevada mountains to five stunning alpine lakes. The hike starts from the Five Lakes Trailhead, located along Alpine Meadows Rd. Once up at the lakes, take your time to enjoy the incredible views and refreshing water.
Eagle Rock: An easy 0.7 mile out and back hike to a stunning look out with panoramic views of the lake. We highly recommend going on this hike at either sunrise or sunset!
Rubicon Trail: This is one of Hadyn's all time favorite hikes! A 16 mile roundtrip hike along the lake that leads directly into Emerald Bay. While on the trail, there are many beaches and coves you can relax at and enjoy a nice lunch and swim. We recommend bringing as much water as possible on this hike, this has been a mistake made in the past that we would not wish on anyone. The best place to park is near Calawee Cove Beach (parking for Rubicon Trailhead North). For this hike, you need to arrive early in the morning to get parking close to the trailhead. You can also park along Highway 89 but will need to hike 2 miles down to the trailhead.
Eagle Falls Hike: Any easy 2 mile hike that offers beautiful views of Eagle Falls, Emerald Bay, and the surrounding wilderness. The hike starts near Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay and follows Eagle falls up past Highway 89.