Things to Do in South Lake Tahoe
Whether you’re visiting for a wedding, a weekend getaway, or a long-awaited mountain escape, South Lake Tahoe has endless outdoor adventure, lively nightlife, and breathtaking scenery.
Here’s our curated list of must-see attractions, local favorites, and hidden gems that make South Lake Tahoe the perfect destination for your wedding weekend or mountain retreat.
🏞 Hiking & Site-Seeing
📍 30 Lake Parkway, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Just steps from Heavenly Village, this park straddles the California–Nevada border and offers some of the best accessible hiking in town. Trails range from easy strolls to moderate climbs with rewarding views. Perfect for a short but scenic loop for families or a morning hike before brunch. Parking is typically very easy and ample. If you are staying in the Heavenly Village area, you can also just walk there.
📍 138 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Visiting this iconic spot and hiking down to Vikingsholm Castle is a bucket-list item. Once there, you can rent a kayak or simply enjoy the breathtaking overlooks. NOTE: Parking is extremely limited and difficult due to the narrow two-lane road, high visitor volume, and only two small main parking lots. We strongly advise using a shuttle service or visiting on a weekday, if possible, to avoid headaches or parking tickets. 🥾 Favorite Trails:
Eagle Falls Trail (short & scenic)
Rubicon Trail (for a longer lakeside adventure)
The trail is beautiful and easily accessible from a parking area. It starts by walking through wide-open meadows, some with a bit of marsh, and then it meanders through the forest. Overall, this is an easy hike that ends at Nevada Beach, which offers stunning views.
1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Enjoy a 2.4-mile ride up in the Heavenly Mountain Gondola with breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Stop halfway up at the Observation deck for photo ops, snacks, and drinks!
🏖️ Beaches
1. Pope Beach
📍 CA-89, South Lake Tahoe, CA
A favorite for families and sun-seekers! With calm waters, picnic tables, and kayak and paddleboard rentals, this beach offers the perfect blend of relaxation and recreation. It is also next to The Grove restaurant, which offers great food and drinks - so you don’t have to pack up the cooler. NOTE: Arrive early — parking fills up fast on summer weekends!
2. Nevada Beach
Enjoy one-half mile of beautiful sandy beach with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. Swimming, picnicking, and just enjoying the view are popular activities. Kayak rentals and a food concession are available onsite and if you want to really host a big party, the large group pavilion is available for rent. On the south end of the Nevada Beach, there is a swimming Beach with a small boat-in picnic area (no loading ramp).
Water Activities
1. Rent a Boat or Jet Ski
📍 Tahoe Keys Marina
Get out on the water! Choose from pontoon boats, speedboats, paddleboards, or jet skis at the Tahoe Keys Marina, which is the largest marina (and the only inland marina) on Lake Tahoe! They offer services for all your water needs, including a full-service boat launch. You can also contact us to find out about our favorite local captain.
Escape to the calm, clear, and serene atmosphere of Lake Tahoe on a 1.5-hour leisurely paddle along the shoreline. Enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-capped Sierras, rocky coves, and water clarity at its finest. Guests on this experience can enjoy a relaxing, rejuvenating tour as they collect their thoughts and learn interesting facts about water clarity and the environmental impacts of seasonal changes on the lake.
With two boats, the Spirit of Tahoe and the Safari Rose, Tahoe Cruises has provided tours of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay, hosted weddings, private charters, and sunset cruises for over 45 years. They are a local favorite and it’s a great way to get out and enjoy the lake in style.
🍷 Dinner Out & Drinks
📍 180 Lake Pkwy, Stateline, NV
If you’re looking for elegant lakeside dining with unforgettable views, Edgewood Restaurant is a must. Fine dining, impeccable service, and a sunset backdrop that feels cinematic. Perfect for rehearsal dinners or romantic date nights.
2. Riva Grill
📍 900 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Casual, lakefront, and iconic, Riva Grill is famous for its “Wet Woody” cocktails and lively dockside atmosphere. Ideal for group dinners or a sunny afternoon drink.
3. Basecamp Pizza in Heavenly Village
📍 1001 Heavenly Village Way #25A
A trendy spot for craft beers, small bites, and of course pizza. Conveniently located in the Heavenly Village. Expect great energy and live music.
Highway 50 at Stateline Ave
Lake Tahoe, NV 89449
Wolf is truly an experience, featuring stunning lighting, bespoke furniture, and epic visual statements. The food is decadent, the cocktails are both earthy and Instagrammable, and the entire experience is super fun for Lake Tahoe. The menu is crafted for every season, using some regionally sourced and inspired ingredients.
🛍 Shop & Stroll
📍 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA
The heart of South Lake Tahoe! Stroll through charming shops, grab a drink by the fire pits, and enjoy live music or ice skating (depending on the season). Don’t miss the Heavenly Gondola Ride for sweeping panoramic views of the lake and Sierra Nevada mountains.🌄 Insider Tip: Head up just before sunset, the golden light over the lake is unforgettable.
📍 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Suite 23, South Lake Tahoe, CA
An eclectic and inspiring gallery showcasing local artists, photographers, and one-of-a-kind pieces. A must for anyone looking to bring a bit of Tahoe home.
🧖♀️ Relaxation & Wellness
📍 209 Kingsbury Grade Rd suite 3E, Stateline, NV 89449
South Lake Tahoe is one of only two locations in the United States to experience the time-tested therapeutic benefits of bathing in pure cedar and natural, living enzymes. They offer authentic Japanese Cedar Enzyme Detox Baths, complemented by an optional Oxygen Bar, to help clients experience a wide range of benefits, from improving circulation and relieving joint and muscle pain to giving their bodies a radiant glow and deeply calming their minds. Combined with our sister business, Tahoe Aesthetics, next door, our aesthetically pleasing South Lake Tahoe spa is a place for beauty, health, and relaxation.
📍 1116 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
BioSpirit offers massage, facials, and body treatments that help your body and spirit restore and rebuild vitality and energy.
3. OMNI Tahoe
Sweat it out a hot Solar Studio (85–102°F) with cutting-edge infrared tech or keep it cool with non-heated classes like aerial hammock, TRX, and weightlifting in our versatile Lunar Studio. Oh, and did we mention, they also have Pole Arte, where you can werk it in exciting weekly pole classes. You can also treat yourself to Sattva Wellness because you’re worth every ounce of relaxation.
🎉 Nightlife & Entertainment
1. Harrah’s & Cesar’s Lake Tahoe
📍 15 US-50, Stateline, NV
Experience the energy of Tahoe’s casino scene. Live music, bars, and a little late-night luck. Check the calendar for big-name concerts and comedy shows.
2. Tipsy Putt
📍 4125 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA
With interactive games, drinks, and great food, Tipsy Putt is the perfect place to hang out casually or have a party!
3. See a great Magic Show
The Loft: 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
A premier magic and comedy show, featuring new world-class magicians from around the globe every two weeks. This high-energy, fast-paced 75-minute production combines mind-blowing illusions, sharp wit, and interactive entertainment, making it the perfect choice for a date night, an evening out with friends, or a fun-filled family outing.
Coffee & Breakfast Favorites
2054 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Consistently voted the best Coffee in South Lake Tahoe, they not only serve an excellent “cuppa,” but also foster human connection through food & drink, the magic of books, and inspiring, shared workspaces. Their fully stocked bookstore is also a great place to find gifts.
3135 Harrison Avenue South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Nestled in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, they are more than your average coffee shop. Their perfectly brewed coffee and handcrafted bites, as well as their curated selection of beer, wine & champagne, offer something for every mood and moment. Whether you're starting off your day with a latte, meeting friends for a glass of wine by the fire pit, or winding down with a bubbly toast, they’ve got you covered.
3894 Pioneer Trail, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
A specialty coffee company built with the belief that extraordinary coffee leads to an extraordinary life. All of their coffee is sourced from the mountains and roasted in the mountains. The hallmark of their coffee-roasting style is maximizing sweetness while revealing the origin's characteristics. High-altitude roasting at 6,000ft in Lake Tahoe provides us with unique advantages for achieving this consistency, making all of their coffees sweeter and less bitter.
🌟 Plan Your South Lake Tahoe Adventure!
Whether your guests want to explore, unwind, or celebrate, South Lake Tahoe offers the best of both worlds: natural beauty and lively fun. From lakeside lounging to mountaintop views, every moment feels like a breath of fresh air. If you need help curating the perfect day, let Pomegranate Occasions help you! We live, work, and play in Lake Tahoe.
