Lake Tahoe Fall Travel Guide

Fall is my favorite time of year and South Lake Tahoe is one of my most favorite places in the world.  So it only makes sense to spend my favorite season in my favorite place, right?!  October may not be considered part of the “peak” season in Tahoe, but that doesn’t mean that there is any shortage of things to do and see.  Are you planning a trip to Tahoe this Fall or need to get away??  Then read on for where to stay and things to do in Lake Tahoe this Fall.

The wonderful, and accommodating, people at the Tahoe Beach and Ski Club invited me to stay at their hotel in South Lake Tahoe, during the first weekend of October.  This was definitely an opportunity I couldn’t pass up!  This post is all about the amazing hotel and fun activities to do in Lake Tahoe this Fall.  And don’t forget to check out my Lake Tahoe Dining Guide, which is all about the FOOD!!

WHERE TO STAY

If you are looking for a place to stay during your next trip to Lake Tahoe, check out Tahoe Beach and Ski Club in South Lake Tahoe and Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge and Red Wolf Lodge at Squaw Valley in North Lake Tahoe.  I stayed at the Tahoe Beach and Ski Club in South Lake Tahoe and the hotel, which feels more like a resort, was AMAZING.  Besides the several different guest rooms available, the hotel property also has…

A private beach

Fire pits, chairs and BBQ grills

Heated pool and spa

The resort also has a fitness center, tennis courts, and planned daily activities.  So much to do and so many amenities!  Plus, the hotel is centrally located and is a quick drive to the casinos.  And this hotel is VERY quiet.  No rowdy people yelling in the hallways at 2AM as they walk to their hotel room.  The resort was fully booked that weekend too, but we barely saw, or heard, any of the other guests.  Major bonus points there!

The rooms include just about everything you could ever need when taking a trip from home.  We stayed in a studio unit, which included a comfortable bed, kitchen, couch and balcony.  The rooms at Tahoe Beach and Ski Club are great for families too because they offer several different room options, including suites that have separate bedrooms.  And because there are kitchens in each unit, you can save money by making and eating breakfast and lunch (and dinner too!) in your hotel room.  I love that option.  There’s a Safeway and Raley’s just a few minutes away from the resort property.

And SPECIAL for my readers…you can save 10% off your booking at the Tahoe Beach and Ski Club or Red Wolf Lodge, when you book your stay by 12/31/17.  Use promo code MXHR3.

Tahoe Beach and Ski Club, 3601 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA, Phone: 877-254-4864

THINGS TO DO IN LAKE TAHOE!

SHOPPING

I always enjoy perusing the Shops at Heavenly Village.  North Face, Rocket Fizz Candy Shop, Cat Cat Dog, Patagonia, countless souvenir shops, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and so much more!  There are cafes and places to grab a bite to eat, or something to snack on, while you shop too.

Rocket Fizz Candy Shop …candy and soda galore!  Every candy imaginable, salt water taffy, retro candy and numerous varieties of soda pop.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is heaven for my chocolate lovers out there.  Don’t leave without getting one of their outrageous candy apples!

Shops at Heavenly Village, 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA, Phone: 775-265-2087.  Mall Hours: Sunday – Thursday 10am-6pm – Friday & Saturday 10am-7pm (Restaurants hours may vary)

HIKING

There are so many trails to hike in South Lake Tahoe and North Lake Tahoe.  I decided on the hiking trails at Van Sickle Bi-State Park because it was close by, and there were several different trails with varying levels of difficulty.  Where Heavenly Village Way ends at Lake Parkway, there is an entrance to the park.  You can drive through the (open) gate, keep to the right, and there is a gravel parking lot where the trails start.  There are park signs with information about the park and the cleanest public bathrooms I have ever been in, at the base of where the trails start.

We chose the Barn Trail, which was moderate in difficulty.  At the end of the trail, there is a great vista point for taking pictures!

We picked up the Cal-Neva loop from the Barn Trail, and made it a little bit farther up the trail before I was ready to head back down.  The terrain can get pretty steep on that trail and the elevation levels kick your butt!  Overall we hiked about a mile, which took us a little under an hour.

If the weather permits it, hiking in Tahoe is definitely a must do.  The views were amazing and the peaceful serenity of being surrounded by nature is like nothing else.

Van Sickle Bi-State Park, 30 Lake Parkway, South Lake Tahoe, CA.  Hours: Dawn to dusk, daily.  If the gate is closed to vehicles, you can park in the public parking areas to the east of the entrance.

OKTOBERFEST

Camp Richardson was hosting their 23rd annual Oktoberfest celebration while we were in Tahoe, so how could we pass that up?!  This is actually a family friendly event, with tons of food, a jump house for the kiddies, face painting, booths selling arts and crafts, live entertainment….and a biergarten of course!

I didn’t drink, but I had a fun time taking in the festivities and checking out the booths.  James enjoyed a beer (or two).  If you are in Lake Tahoe during Oktoberfest, it is definitely worth checking out.

Oktoberfest – Camp Richardson, 1900 Jameson Beach Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA.  Every October.  Check website for future dates.  Parking and entrance are free!

SCENIC GONDOLA RIDES

Unfortunately the gondolas were closed the weekend we were in Lake Tahoe, but I have gone on them before and they are super fun and the views are amazing.  Definitely worth the price to take the family on a little scenic gondola adventure!  $48 per adult for a ticket.

Heavenly Scenic Gondola Rides, Heavenly Mountain Village, South Lake Tahoe, CA.  Phone: 775-586-7000.  Check the website for dates and times the gondola is running.

The Fall months are full of activities in North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe.  Whether you are into art, golf, festivals or shows, a trip to Lake Tahoe will not disappoint!  Click HERE to see what activities are happening in North Lake Tahoe and click HERE to see even more activities for South Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe cruises, horseback riding and exploring North Lake Tahoe are on my list!  Hopefully I can visit Red Wolf Lodge in North Lake Tahoe soon.  It doesn’t snow where we live, so it’s so nice to make the trip to Lake Tahoe in the Fall and Winter months to take in the changing of the seasons.

My stay at the Tahoe Beach and Ski Club was complimentary, for writing a blog post on my stay at their hotel and about all the fun things to do in Lake Tahoe in the Fall.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Don’t forget to book your next stay at the Tahoe Beach and Ski Club or Red Wolf Lodge, and enter promo code MXHR3 when you book your stay by 12/31/17 to save 10%!

XOXO,

Kelly

Click HERE to see my Lake Tahoe Dining Guide, which is all about the FOOD in Lake Tahoe!  Share this post on social media so all your friends can get in on the fun and get the hotel discount!

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