West Shore Tahoe

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They don’t call the West Shore of Lake Tahoe the “best shore” for nothing. With some of Tahoe’s most famous old mansions, picturesque beaches, and Old Tahoe neighborhoods, the West Shore is a local’s favorite. Stretching all the way from the “Y” in Tahoe City to Meeks Bay and Rubicon to the south, staying in a West Shore vacation rental or ski lease gives you easy access to all the things that makes Tahoe great.

In the summer, you can bike or jog the bike path, mountain bike to Paige Meadows, hike up Blackwood Canyon, and enjoy all aspects of Big Blue – swimming, boating, and paddling. In the winter, there’s cross-country skiing the West Shore’s trails or skiing at Homewood. With beaches and restaurants at Sunnyside and Chamber’s Landing in Homewood, there’s always a place to enjoy the lake on the West Shore.

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west shore lake tahoe summer activities

West Shore Tahoe - Summer Activities

The West Shore in the summer is a great place to experience  Tahoe’s history. Start near Fanny Bridge at the Gatekeeper’s Museum, where you can learn about Tahoe’s early residents and see examples of the Washoe Tribe’s basket weaving. Take a tour of Tahoe’s first lakefronts, built in the early 20th century by Tahoe’s eccentric pioneers – Ehrman Mansion at Sugar Pine Point State Park and Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay, one of Tahoe’s iconic and most picturesque landmarks.

Boat or kayak out to Fannette Island and explore the remains of the teahouse, or hike along Lake Tahoe’s highest cliffs at D.L. Bliss State Park as you gaze down at the crystal-clear blue waters. Take water ski lessons or rent a boat from High Sierra Water Ski School next to Sunnyside. They also rent jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes. End your day by sipping a Chamber’s Punch on the dock at Chamber’s Landing.

West Shore Tahoe - Winter Activities

The cross-country trails at Sugar Pine Point State Park, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympic Nordic events, were re-opened in 2006. If you don’t feel like skiing, rangers lead full-moon snowshoe tours on specific dates. Granlibakken Resort, the site of a ski jumping hill and toboggan slide from the 1930s, is a great place to take the family sledding; it has one poma and rope tow to take sledders, or beginner skiers, to the top of the hill. The resort rents sleds and afterwards you can warm up with a cup of hot chocolate in the lodge.

Homewood Mountain Resort, with 1,260 acres of skiable terrain, bills itself as “Tahoe’s most beautiful resort.” You’ll understand why when you ski its slopes, which make you feel like you’re going to ski straight into Tahoe’s sparkling blue waters.

West Shore Tahoe - Dining

The West Shore has some of Tahoe’s most popular sandwich shops. The PDQ Market in Tahoma or Obexer’s General Store in Homewood are mandatory stops for hungry bellies after a day of skiing or boating. Don’t forget a milkshake at Obexer’s. A new gelateria in Tahoma, Where We Met, offers gelato and espresso imported from Italy. Next door is local’s favorite West Side Pizza. You will find people lining up early at the Tahoe House Bakery and Gourmet for a cup of coffee or baked goods; they also have great sandwiches and soups. For dinner, try River Grill, located right on the Truckee River, or Swiss Lakewood in Homewood for a taste of European cuisine.

West Shore Tahoe - Services

Obexer’s General Store in Homewood and PDQ Market in Tahoma are small, full-service grocery stores and delis. There is only one bank on the West Shore – Bank of the West (150 West Lake Blvd.). The post office is in Homewood at 5375 Westlake Blvd. For all other services, see North Shore section.

West Shore Tahoe - Staff Suggestions

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