One of mine and Matt’s favorite spots to visit in the fall is definitely the mountains. There are several different areas that are out favorites, but Lake Tahoe is definitely in our top 5 list of favorite mountain towns. It is truly such a unique place. The lake is one of the deepest and clearest. And you also get the gorgeous mountain views surrounding this massive lake that spans through both California and Nevada.
We typically stay in North Lake Tahoe when in town, but this was our first time to stay in South Lake Tahoe together, and we absolutely loved it! There is just so much to do in South Lake Tahoe from dining to hiking to even nightlight like live music, casinos and more. It makes for such a fun, beautiful area. And with such a laidback vibe, you can easily walk or bike most anywhere in town. I just love the outdoorsy, casual vibe here!
We stayed at Station House Inn while in South Lake Tahoe, and it really is such a gem. The lodge has quick breakfast items, board games, wine happy hour, fire pits and pool and hot tub. And did I mention it is literally across the street from Heavenly?? There you can eat some good food, do some good shopping and just walk around and explore. This hotel is the perfect location!
We had 3 full days in South Lake Tahoe, and we crammed it full with as many of our favorite things that we could. We usually prioritize our favorite things – exploring new places outdoors and trying out new restaurants. Keep reading to see what made our top 10 list of favorite things to do in the fall in South Lake Tahoe.
Eat breakfast at Driftwood Cafe – If you’re looking for good food without spending too much money, this is it. It’s nothing fancy; it’s just good food. They serve breakfast all day long, and it’s good. They have really good lattes too!
Go hiking – This is hands down my favorite thing to do here! There are so many awesome hikes in the area. Check out this post for my favorites.
Go shopping at the Shops at Heavenly Village – Patagonia, gift shops, toy stores and candy shops. There is definitely something for everyone, and it’s a great spot to pick up souvenirs too!
Eat brunch at Edgewood and enjoy the views – This hotel has such good food, and I am especially fond of their brunch. The menu is so good, and the views are just as good overlooking the golf course, the lake and the snow-capped mountains.
Go kayaking – This is my second time to kayak here, and it is a favorite! Next time I am going to try kayaking a different spot just to mix it up, but honestly the views are amazing, and it’s so cool kayaking in a clear kayak and being able to see below you into the water. And if kayaking isn’t your thing, you can also rent a bike, go stand up paddle boarding, white water rafting, fishing, go hang gliding or even ride in a hot air balloon. Get outdoors and up your adrenaline some!
Drive the loop around Tahoe from California to Nevada – This take a couple hours of driving time (not including any stops you make), and it is so worth it! It is so neat driving from town to town and state to state and seeing how the landscape and the entire vibe completely changes as you drive from spot to spot. There are also so many great hiking spots, dining spots and hidden gems along the way.
Visit Emerald Bay State Park – This is our favorite place to visit each time we are in Tahoe. This area in Lake Tahoe has emerald colored water and an island that you can view. There are several great lookout spots where you can get some pictures, and there are plenty of great spots to hike here too. This is an absolute must do!
Eat dinner at Kalani’s – This was our first time to try out this restaurant, and it won’t be our last. I think it is our new favorite spot in South Lake Tahoe for dinner. It was incredible! They have sushi and other incredible Asian dishes. I was very impressed with the sea bass!
Ride the gondola at Heavenly Ski Resort for the best views – Just because you can’t ski right now doesn’t mean you can’t visit Heavenly Resort. You can still ride the gondola up, go hiking, grab food and a drink, check out the views, take pictures, do the ropes course, go ziplining and more! There is so much to do here year-round!
Get chocolate and champagne after dinner – This was such a cool spot! What’s better than a little champagne and chocolate after dinner?? This was such a unique concept, and it was nice sitting outside by the fire pits and enjoying a little treat after dinner. Have you been to South Lake Tahoe before? What are some of your favorite things to do there?
