Nearly every year for the past decade or so, our family has taken an annual road trip to Lake Tahoe from our home in Southern California. We’ve stayed in just about every city around the lake and have visited countless attractions, restaurants and sightseeing spots. I thought I might as well share some of our very faves with you just in case you might be planning your own Lake Tahoe adventure!
Where To Stay
We had dined at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe in Incline Village numerous times but had yet to stay there. I’ve always thought the property looked gorgeous and seemed very family-friendly, so we had to give it a try!
We were ecstatic when Hyatt offered to put us up in one of their beautiful Lakeside Cottages. We knew it would be a fabulous room from seeing photos online, but in person it was even more amazing!
Our Lakeside Cottage at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino consisted of a main room that included a living area with sofa bed, dining table for 6, kitchenette, balcony, separate king bedroom and 1.5 baths. We also had an adjoining room on the other side of the living room that had 2 beds, its own balcony and its own bathroom.
The lake views from our balcony were just gorgeous, and we had several Adirondack chairs to sit in to enjoy the crisp mountain air! We were also just steps from the beach and Hyatt’s Lone Eagle Grille Restaurant.
The best part of Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe is the wealth of family activities available. At check-in, the kids were each given snowball makers and sleds to borrow, perfect with all the snow that had just fallen!
In addition, there’s a year-round heated pool, 2 hot tubs, an arcade, several kid-friendly dining options and s’mores kits galore for use by the several outdoor fire pits. And, if you do get a chance to sneak away from your kiddos, there’s even a spa and casino for some adult fun!
What To Do
There are an endless number of ways to have fun in and around the Lake Tahoe area. Hitting the slopes is always an obvious option (we like the affordable and less-crowded Homewood Mountain Resort), but there are so many other things to do all around the lake! On our recent trip, we discovered an awesome new destination that’s fun for the whole family, The Loft Tahoe located in Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe.
The Loft is a one-stop shop for dining, drinks and entertainment in a family-friendly atmosphere. The space houses a lounge, restaurant and live theater venue all in one.
The theater is currently featuring ‘Magic Fusion’ which showcases a rotating list of well-known magicians in a fun and comical magic show. There are early showings that are family friendly and later versions that are adults-only. On Sundays, you can even get a free children’s ticket with each purchase of an adult ticket!
When we attended The Loft, we were treated to an amazing and hilarious magic show by the Paris-born and Vegas-based Titou magician. The show was entertaining for every age group and was in an intimate theater setting so there was not a bad seat in the house.
After the show, we headed just outside the theater to the restaurant area to enjoy an amazing dinner during a blustery blizzard. The food was amazing, the drinks were delectable and the s’mores are definitely not to be missed!
If you want to get out and enjoy the beauty of Lake Tahoe during the day, two of our fave spots are the State Parks at Sand Harbor and Emerald Bay. Sand Harbor State Park is on the east side of the lake, just south of Incline Village and about a half hour north of Heavenly.
The beach at Sand Harbor is breathtaking no matter the season and there are bathroom facilities available too, even in the dead of winter! Emerald Bay State Park is on the southwestern shore of Lake Tahoe about 20 minutes from Heavenly and is easiest to access outside of the snowy season.
For those who want to shop and prefer supporting locals, Truckee is a must. It’s a bit north of Lake Tahoe but the drive is scenic and you’ll either pass Northstar Resort or Squaw Valley on the way if you want to check out either. Truckee is very small, but there are a bunch of fun shops and restaurants, most of which are locally owned. It’s a great place to grab souvenirs to bring home! I’ve been happy with every restaurant we’ve tried in Truckee, so make it a point to grab lunch while you’re there.
Where To Eat
If you’re staying at the Hyatt Lake Tahoe, they have an amazing selection of restaurants. For breakfast, don’t miss Sierra Cafe in the main hotel for a fun buffet brunch where kids only pay their age.
Our fave for lunch and dinner is Lone Eagle Grille with its cozy lodge atmosphere and amazing lake views. We also enjoyed takeout from Tahoe Provisions and a fun late-night dinner at Cutthroat Saloon while we were there.
In South Lake Tahoe, even if you aren’t catching the magic show, the restaurant alone is worth a visit to The Loft Tahoe. You can also just grab drinks and appetizers in the lounge area and play games like Jenga while you’re there. We also had a great time at Basecamp Beer Garden with its diverse beer menu, simple but yummy food and live music.
Lastly, be sure to check out Beacon Bar & Grill near Camp Richardson for amazing lake views and the best calamari and Rum Runners! Make sure to wander outside to the deck afterwards for photos!
If you’ve ever visited Lake Tahoe, I’d love to hear about your favorite places to stay, play and dine! Just leave a comment below or find me on Instagram at @stylishlysocial.
I received complimentary tickets and a meal from The Loft Tahoe and a complimentary hotel stay from Hyatt Lake Tahoe in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.
