| "Why
write about South Lake Tahoe? People just go there to gamble."
WRONG! There is much to see and do in the area. Lake Tahoe is the largest
Alpine lake in the U.S. Here are facilities for both winter and summer
recreational activities. True, the South Shore is the home of several,
well visited casinos (on the Nevada side of the state line, of course),
but gaming is just part of the opportunities for a fun time. Here are just
a few of the points of interest:
D.L.Bliss State Park
Emerald Bay State Park
A pair of California State Parks on the southern end of Lake Tahoe's west shore (between Meeks and Emerald Bays). The two, together, total some 1,800+ acres. Geological formations of interest range from a nice little sandy beach at Rubicon Point to the famous Balancing Rock in the northwest corner of the park. Several promontories overlooking Lake Tahoe enable visitors to have exceptionally great views of the lake. For more information, see:
D_L_Bliss_State_Park
and Emerald Bay
State Park
Scenic Gondola Rides
The Scenic Gondola Ride takes passengers 2.4 miles to a 14,000 sqft
platform 9,123 feet above sea level (3,123 feet above lake level). The vista is
absolutely spectacular! There's a restaurant for the hungry plus several hiking trails for the more energetic visitors. For more information, phone 775-586-7000. Fare is about $30;
$20 for children 12 and under.
Web site:
Gondola
Lake Cruises
The daytime and evening cruises make it easy to take a ride on either the
MS Dixie II or the Tahoe Queen, Lake Tahoe's sternwheelers. If you have
a romantic bent - and someone to share the occasion with, pick the
sunset cruise complete with dinner and dancing. For more information,
phone 1-800-238-2463 (toll-free).
Web Site:
Cruises
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Tallac Historic Site
This National Historic Site include three of the summer homes built by and for some of early 20th Century California's newly rich. The Pope Estate, built between 1894 and 1913, was one of the largest and most opulent in the area. Built in 1921, the Baldwin Estate was unpretentious, but impressive in its fortress-like construction. Valhalla was built in 1924 and was the forerunner of what has become to be known as California architecture. The U.S.Forest Service has a good description at:
Tallac Historic Site
Vikingsholm
Here, at the southwest end of Emerald Bay, is more proof that you never know what you'll find in the U.S.A. In 1929, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight had this 38 room reproduction of a Ninth-Century Norse fortress built for her as a summer home. It is most easily accessed by boat but you can also drive there and then take a rather steep, one-mile trail to the home. Frequent tours during the day in the summer months only cost $1. For more information, see their web site:
www.vikingsholm.com
and, finally,
The
Casinos
First of all, there are no casinos in South Lake Tahoe... it is in
California. The casinos are next door in Stateline, Nevada. And they're
all lined up awaiting your entrance. Most of them also have accommodations
so you can sleep, eat and spend without leaving the building. How
thoughtful.
»
click
here for Stateline «
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