SIGHTSEEING Around the Lake Tahoe Area
Lake Tahoe Recreation.com
(Nevada Outdoor Recreation.com)
To assist in aranging trips, call 775 741 0735
Carson City
Carson City, Nevada's state capitol, main attraction - the Nevada State Museum, across from the Nugget Casino. Formerly the U. S. Mint, some of the original machinery still exists and is on display, as well as extensive displays of natural and human history, geology, wildlife, invention, etc. The basement has been converted into a silver mine allowing you to view the mine workings and exhibits as you wander along the mine rails. The Nevada State Railroad Museum is located one mile south of the main museum, on Hwy 395 at Fairway Drive, featuring 20-30 pieces of railroad equipment, including restored freight and passenger cars and 4 steam engines.
Donner Campsites and Museum
Various Locations, Three different locations mark the sites where the Donner Party spent the winter of 1846-47. 1. Donner Historical Site (3 miles north of I-80 and Hwy 89) - the very tree where the Donner family pitched their tent and spent the winter. 2. The Graves families cabin (south of Old Hwy 40 between Truckee Elementary School and Tahoe Truckee Factory Stores) A huge white cross marks the spot. 3. The Donner Memorial State Park (just off of I-80 at the Donner Lake Exit) where most of the Donner group camped. The museum, located here, houses interesting artifacts and exhibits and presents movies and slide shows relating to the ordeals endured by the Donner Party. The park also features a 7,500-ft long lakeside interpretive trail with 18 educational display panels. Open daily 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission it $2 for adults and $1 for children 6 - 12.
Eagle Falls
Emerald Bay, Across Hwy 89 from Emerald Bay, a short quarter mile, somewhat steep hike to a footbridge above the Falls. Permits required, self-registration station at the entrance to the trailhead. If you are so inclined, you can continue on the same trail for 1 mile to Eagle Lake with more rewarding scenery.
Emerald Bay / Vikingsholm
Emerald Bay, (530)525-7277. Located on Hwy 89 between Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe this is one of the most photographed spots in the world. The highway is hundreds of feet above the lake and offers spectacular views of Emerald Bay, a three-mile long appendage of Lake Tahoe. Fanette Island, at the center of the bay, has a tiny stone teahouse at its peak. Vikingsholm, a 1929 38-room reproduction of Scandinavian architecture is a 1.5 mile hike down to the shore of Emerald Bay. It is open for tours in summer only, $2 adult, $1 child.
Fanny Bridge & Truckee River Outlet
Tahoe City, Hwy 89, south of the Y. Aptly named due to the view of the posteriors of the folks bending over the bridge to catch a glimpse of the giant trout leaping to catch the food tossed to them.
Gatekeeper's Cabin
Tahoe City, (530) 583-1762. 130 W. Lake Blvd. The first water master who controlled the flow of water out of Lake Tahoe used to reside in the original cabin that has been restored and now contained the North Lake Tahoe Historical Museum. In between Fanny Bridge and Sierra West Bank, the cabin also houses the Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Collection worth close to a million dollars. Lakeside picnics available. Admission to the museum is $2. Open May 1 through Labor Day.
Squaw Valley
Squaw Valley, About 5 miles outside of Tahoe City, off of Hwy 89 is the entrance to Squaw Valley, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Squaw Valley has a wide variety of recreational activities for your enjoyment, ranging from skiing and snowboarding to Bungee jumping or dining in one of the resorts 12+ restaurants and bars.
Stateline Fire Lookout
Crystal Bay, Take Reservoir Rd (btwn the Tahoe Biltmore & the Tahoe Marnier), then turn right at the firehouse and look for a road going off to the left. The lookout is about a quarter of a mile hike up that road. Spectacular views of the lake, picnic tables and nature hikes make this stop well worthwhile.
Sugar Pine Point State Park
West Shore, The site of the original log cabin of the old Indian fighter General Phipps and the Ehrman Mansion which was formerly the vacation home of a wealthy S.F. family. Markers posted along the nature trails provide you with the history of Tahoe and its inhabitants. Camping, picknicking, and biking available. State park fee: $5 per car, $3 bikers and hikers.
Tahoe - Virginia City - Carson City Loop
Various Locations, Starting at Hwy 431 (Mt. Rose Highway), travel to Virginia City. From there, instead of turning around, travel through Gold Hill and Silver City to Hwy 50. Turn right and go about seven miles to Carson City, stopping of course to visit the Nevada State Museum. After touring Carson City, go south on Rte 395 to Hwy 50 west and turn right. Go 13 miles to Nevada Rte 28 turning right and youíre on your way back to North Tahoe.
Tahoe Maritime Museum
West Shore, 650-851-1755. Sugar Pine Point State Park. Maritime museum. tbredt@aol.com
Truckee
Truckee, The whole town of Truckee is a popular spot for browsing and people watching. Of special interest might be Commercial Row, the main drag, with lots of unique gift shops and restaurants. Originally a stagecoach barn, the Sierra Mountaineer sporting goods store is worth checking out.
Virginia City
Virginia City, If you have a couple of hours to spare, take Hwy 431 crossing over Route 395 to Virginia City. This is the nation's largest historic district, with numerous exhibits (many at no cost), old buildings, steam engine rides, mine tours and blocks of covered wooden sidewalks on which to stroll and enjoy the town.
Watson Cabin
Tahoe City, (530)583-1762. 560 No. Lake Blvd. Open June 15th through Labor Day, this is for those who are interested in what life was like in Tahoe at the turn of the century. Built in 1909, some of the original furniture is on exhibit and guides dressed in period costume conduct tours. Robert Montgomery Watson built the cabin for his son Robert H. and his wife. The Watsons planted the lilacs growing under the sunroom. The cabin was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and now belongs to the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society.
Western America Ski Sport Museum
West Shore, (530) 426-3313. Located off of Hwy 80 at the Boreal Ridge exit these are ski exhibits dating far back as 1860 and going through the present. Hours are Wed.-Sun. 11a.m. to 5 p.m. in the spring and summer only. Closed Monday and Tuesday. No admission fee.