We didn’t get much time to recover after our hike to Half Dome before packing everything up and heading home. But we didn’t want to do the whole 12+ hours drive in one day. Plus, after such an epic adventure, it’s hard to call it quits!
So we ended up stopping in Lake Tahoe for one last adventure. It was just under a five-hour drive from Yosemite National Park to Lake Tahoe, and we got to enjoy passing through Tioga Road again.
People had told me for years that I would LOVE Lake Tahoe. I’ve heard it called a bigger and better version of Bear Lake. Here’s the thing though, me and Chris aren’t really water people. I’m terrified of going too deep underwater, and Bear Lake is known for being super deep. It freaks me out! They even have a Loch Ness-type lake monster legend called the Bear Lake Monster.
My family has traveled to Bear Lake several times, and I guess I always figured Lake Tahoe couldn’t possibly be anything special in comparison. So this last-chance adventure was a perfect opportunity to see what all the hype was about. We were not disappointed! We’d love to return again one day.
Where We Stayed
Zephyr Cove Resort | 760 US HWY 50, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448
This was a beautiful campground, and it was very close to the lake. We only stayed one night, but we wouldn’t have minded staying longer.
We did wish the RV spots were spaced further apart. It gets a bit nerve-wracking parking when the spaces are too close together. Also, the bathroom toilets are made of metal and ICE COLD. Not my favorite sensation, haha!
Where We Ate
Tahoe Tavern & Grill | 219 Kingsbury Grade Rd, Stateline, NV 89449
I felt like destiny intervened to bring me to this place for the specific meal I had. I tried the $16 special – Asiago Stuffed Toasted Gnocchi. I have never liked gnocchi when I’ve tried it before this visit, so trying it was a risk. But it paid off! It was an appetizer, which made it perfectly sized for me, and it was DELICIOUS! I scraped every bit out of the cute little cast iron skillet it came in.
Chris also enjoyed his ham and pineapple pizza (of course), and we shared the Signature Bread Pudding for dessert.
Things to Do
Lake Tahoe is HUGE and there’s tons of options for things to do. There’s even a casino that we tried to stop at to test out our blackjack strategies we’d practiced while camping. Unfortunately, we never found a cheap enough Blackjack table, so we skipped gambling on this trip.
Instead, we focused on finding things to do that were LOW EFFORT. We were still tired and sore from our 20-mile hike to Half Dome done just yesterday.
Eagle Falls
This was a short hike of 1/4 miles to a fun bridge and waterfall. There were lots of stairs, but it was worth the effort. It was BEAUTIFUL!
It does not have a view of Lake Tahoe, but it was beautiful nonetheless. It was hard to find parking. It’s normally $5 to park, but our National Parks interagency pass covered the fee.
Inspiration Point Emerald Bay
Parking here if $5-$10 depending on if you stay under or over 30 minutes. However, you can park across the street or use one of many pullouts along the road for free if you’re making a quick stop.
It was a beautiful view of Emerald Bay and the Fannette Island Tea House. There were several informational signs explaining the history of the tea house, which was built in 1929 by a wealthy Tahoe resident named Lora Knight. She used it to host afternoon tea gatherings for her guests.
Today, the structure still stands, but it is now a historic ruin.
You can visit the island if you really want to — but only by kayak, paddleboard, or canoe. There is no ferry or walking access, and you can’t get tea there anymore.
Even so, it’s a fascinating piece of history to see from afar, and I’d love to kayak there one day when my body is not weary from hiking.
It was a great view of the very beautiful Emerald Bay — but would I call it inspiring? Well, maybe if there weren’t quite so many trees in the way blocking part of the view.
Still definitely worth the stop, especially when you’re looking for something low effort during recovery.
Tallac Historic Site
The museum was closed when we visited, but it was still a pleasant walk around the grounds reading about the history of the site.
This area used to be a luxurious summer resort community in the early 1900s, and today it includes restored historic estates, gardens, walking paths, and beach access.
Even without going inside the museum, it was interesting to explore the property and learn about what life looked like for wealthy vacationers in Lake Tahoe more than a century ago.
Access to the grounds is free, and when the museum is open during the summer season, admission is typically around $10–$15 for adults.
Rainbow Trail/Taylor Creek Boardwalk
The Rainbow Trail is a 1/2 mile loop that is paved and easy to walk and very family-friendly. Along the trail, you can see wetland and meadow ecosystems, flowing creek habitats, wildlife areas, and seasonal salmon spawning (in the fall).
We joined the Taylor Creek Boardwalk from the Rainbow Trail for a little bit longer of a stroll through the peaceful meadow and wetland area.
It was a nice enough and easy enough stroll, but if your time in Lake Tahoe is limited, there are more dramatic views to be enjoyed.
Logan Shoals Vista Point
This was probably my favorite spot of all the places we visited in Lake Tahoe. We came right before sunset, right at that tricky time of day where the sun has a way of ruining photos – so our pictures don’t do it justice.
There isn’t a formal parking lot here, just space along the side of the road. But it’s a fantastic place to pull over, step out of the car, and quietly enjoy the stunning views of Lake Tahoe. If I hadn’t been so gosh darn tired, I’d have loved to stay and explore more.
Up Next
After our one-night stay in Lake Tahoe, we made the remaining eight-hour journey home and were very excited to see the kids and pups!
Stopping in Lake Tahoe turned out to be the perfect way to wrap up our adventure. It gave us a chance to slow down, stretch our legs, and enjoy a few more beautiful views before returning to real life.
In the next posts, I’ll provide the ultimate packing list for this trip, the complete itinerary for the full Road to Half Dome adventure, and tips for visiting four California National Parks in one unforgettable journey.
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