Key Takeaways
- South Lake Tahoe is a small lake town on the border of California and Nevada with plenty of activities for everyone in the family.
- A few of the best things to do in South Lake Tahoe are to enjoy the beaches, water and boating activities, visit Heavenly Ski Resort, and take in the views of Emerald Bay.
- For a luxury stay, The Landing or Marriott Grand Residences are your best bet, while Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel is great for a mid-range hotel.
Top 5 Things to Do in South Lake Tahoe with Kids
1. Beach
Always the first on my list! Lake Tahoe is filled with beautiful beaches with sparkling, clear cobalt waters, and an alpine backdrop. (The sand does have small pebbles in it and can get very hot, so I recommend getting water shoes for the kids.)
You can’t go wrong with any beach, but these are the ones that I recommend:
Lakeside Beach
This beautiful beach could easily fill your whole day. It has a sit-down restaurant, water rentals (kayaks, jet skis, paddle boats, and motorboats), a playground, volleyball nets, picnic tables, trees for shade, and a parking lot with street parking.
TIP: This is a private beach so the entry fee is steep, but if you’re just looking for a water rental, go to the left side (boat entrance) and rent from there directly so you can bypass the entry fee. There is a waiting area on the beach that you can relax at while you wait.
Entry fee: $25/adult, $15/ages 6-17, free for under 6.
Camp Richardson Beach
We happened to stumble upon this beach and I’m SO glad we did.
It has a sit-down restaurant with outdoor seating on a deck overlooking the water, volleyball nets, water rentals, live music on certain days, picnic tables, trees for shade, and a ton of parking.
Parking fee: $10/car
Pope Beach
Get here early—the parking lot gets full very quick (if you have a bike, it’s a very easy ride down the Pope/Baldwin bike path).
This beach has a more relaxed vibe to it, a perfect place for a swim and a beach picnic under the shade of the trees. Kayak rentals and a concession stand are available on site.
Parking fee: $10/car
Baldwin Beach
Another beach you have to get to early if you’re looking for parking. A long, expansive beach that offers kayak/SUP rentals, volleyball nets, and picnic tables. No shade here though, so come prepared with your own and lots of sunscreen.
Parking fee: $10/car
2. Get on the water
If you’re only going to do one thing in South Lake Tahoe in the summer, it has to be getting on the perfectly clear water. The views from the water are beautiful, the air is fresh, and the water is calm. It’s bliss!
Many of the beaches (like Lakeside and Camp Richardson) offer rentals for kayaks, paddle boards, paddle boats, jet skis, and motorboats.
3. Heavenly Village Ski Resort
Full of shops, restaurants, activities, live music, and even a gondola, Heavenly Village is the social hub of South Lake Tahoe.
Enjoy some of the best cuisine and desserts in the area. Take the kids to a movie or play a game of mini-golf. Or if you’re an adventure lover, go zip-lining or rock climbing!
If you really want a spectacular view, take the gondola up the mountain for tubing and a mountain coaster. Check prices and buy tickets for the gondola here.
4. Emerald Bay
For real breathtaking views, look at Tahoe from above. There are plenty of options to do this, but Emerald Bay is one of the best.
You can hike it, but for an easier experience with kids, you can easily drive and park at one of the lookout spots or on the side of the road for amazing pictures.
You can also take a tour of Emerald Bay!
This popular, 5-star Emerald Bay sightseeing cruise is the perfect way to unwind while catching unbelievable views.
➡️ Check prices and book this sightseeing cruise by clicking here!
5. Take a hike
A hiker’s paradise, South Lake Tahoe offers many different hiking trails for all levels.
Three that would be best with young children are:
- Rubicon Trail
- Van Sickle Bi-State Park
- or for an added bonus of a waterfall, Eagle Falls.
Getting Around South Lake Tahoe
Walk
You can easily park your car and get by walking for a day or two if you stay in the central area. You can walk to the lake in the morning and then head over to Heavenly in the evening (that’s what we did!)
Car
While you can plan your trip so that you don’t NEED a car, I would still recommend getting one so that you can explore. South Lake Tahoe is full of amazing places that you just shouldn’t miss. Check out your options here.
I always find the best deals on rentalcars.com.
It scans multiple agencies at your destination to give you the best price.
➡️ Check prices and get a car by clicking here!
Bike
South Lake Tahoe is a Bike Friendly Community and there are plenty of safe bike paths all over town. There are multiple bike rental shops with all kinds of options (with attachments for kids too, obvi). A bike rental is roughly $10/hour or around $40/day.
Scooters
Lime Electric Scooters are available in South Lake Tahoe. They were very popular when we visited and looked like a ton of fun! They are $1.00 to start a ride, and $.015 per mile.
Where to Eat in South Lake Tahoe with Kids
There hasn’t been a meal I didn’t enjoy in South Lake Tahoe, but here are a few of my faves.
Note that there’s almost always a wait, but most of the restaurants now let you put your name on the waiting list on their website without actually having to wait there.
Breakfast: Social House, Driftwood
Pizza: Basecamp Pizza, Blue Dog Pizza
American: Red Hut Cafe
Mexican: Azul Latin Kitchen
Mediterranean: Artemis Lakefront Café
Sushi: Naked Fish
