Growing up, I always pictured Lake Tahoe as a winter destination. Being a native Californian, I had no desire to spend any length of time in Tahoe’s snow. However, after Brian and I got married his parents bought a time share at Lake Tahoe and invited us to join them for a summer trip.
We were newly married and Bella had just turned a year old and we had a lot of fun! My in-laws can no longer make the trips so they passed on the time share to Brian.
Thirteen years and four kids later, it has become a much anticipated yearly trip, minus the couple of years we were busy giving birth to babies and such. Since we aren’t winter sports people, we have found activities to do with the kids during the summer months. Here are our five favorite things to do at Lake Tahoe with kids.
~ 1 ~
Taylor Creek Visitor Center
We first found the Taylor Creek Visitor Center when we were looking for an easy trail where grandparents, toddlers and strollers were welcome. Since then, it has been an annual excursion. It is located in South Lake Tahoe off Hwy 89. They have a visitor center and four trails but we always go on the Rainbow Trail.
The kids enjoy reading the signs and seeing the different areas…
Such as meadows and marshes.
Some years the water was flowing.
The stream had a lot less water this year but it was still pretty.
Mount Tallac
At the half way point of the trail, there is the Stream Profile Center, a small museum like room where glass walls give you a look at the creek below the surface.
In summer the trout are juvenile but in the fall you can see the salmon run.
~ 2 ~
Tallac Historic Site and Kiva Picnic Area
After we finish walking the Rainbow Trail, we drive to the next door Tallac Historic Site and Kiva Picnic area. We enjoy our picnic lunch at the picnic area.
We haven’t gone on the official tour but we enjoy the scenery…
…and walking the trail.
There is also access to Lake Tahoe, if you prefer to picnic and swim there.
~ 3 ~
Magic Carpet Mini-Golf
We don’t have any traditional mini-golf courses here in Monterey so when the kids saw Magic Carpet Golf in Lake Tahoe, they were eager to go there.
There are three courses.
Last year we tried the Dinosaur one, which the boys loved!
This year we tried the Storybook course and it was fun.
Next year we will try the Castle course.
~ 4 ~
Tahoe Paradise Park
Last year we were looking for a park that had a playground for the kids to play and we found Tahoe Paradise Park.
It is tucked away in a residential area and feels secluded, which is nice since it’s never been overcrowded.
At first I wondered if it was in a “safe” area but there were a number of other moms and dads with little kids there so we were put at ease.
Once you go through the gates, if you pass the lake and tennis courts and head to the back parking lot to the right, you will find the playground, picnic areas and fields.
This year we packed a lunch and grilled BBQ sliders.
This was the view from the picnic tables. The only negative thing was that there was only a port-a-potty. Needless to say, we held it until we got home. 😉 
If you go beyond the trees you will find the banks of the Upper Truckee River. The kids weren’t interested in going through the brush to find it but I was able to get this shot. Again, the water was lower this year but still pretty.
~ 5~
Pope Beach
Saving the best for last, our favorite Tahoe activity is, of course, playing in the gorgeous blue water of Lake Tahoe!
There are numerous spots were you can gain access to the lake but our hands down favorite is Pope Beach off of Hwy 89 in South Lake Tahoe. Most years, it has not been very crowded, although this year it was really busy with the heat wave, but not to the point where it lessened out fun.
We usually get there early and find a picnic area with a grill so we can make hotdogs and smores.
We set up our tables them park our beach chairs farther down, closer to the water. There the kids can splash or build sand castles with Brian.
Unlike the ocean, that freaks me out with it’s strong waves and drop offs, the shore of the lake is shallow and calm.
The kids loved it, except for my one sand-phobic boy (cough…JP) who takes after his dad. 😉
We had so many fond memories at Lake Tahoe and it is fun to look at the photos and watch our family grow over the years. Recently we started inviting my parents to join us so the kids still have a set of grandparents (and sometimes an aunt and uncle) join us. I look forward to many more years to enjoy the beauty of Lake Tahoe as a family. 🙂
Where do you like to vacation during summer?
A big thanks to Jenna for hosting Five Favorites. 🙂
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