Top Lake Tahoe Day Trips

Travel back to the old Wild West—and see a side of the region many other visitors miss—on this tour from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City, Nevada. Start your day trip by minibus, driving part of the old Pony Express route. When you reach Virginia City, a National Historic Landmark District, take a round-trip ride aboard the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad before enjoying free time in town.

Discover the unparalleled beauty of Lake Tahoe with Shaka Guide's audio tour. Immerse yourself in stunning views and rich history as you explore both the California and Nevada sides of the lake. Let the knowledgeable narrator be your guide, providing fascinating insights and highlighting the best spots. From Vikingsholm Castle to Emerald Bay, you'll uncover hidden gems and iconic landmarks. Enjoy the flexibility to explore at your own pace, with the freedom to pause or skip ahead. Experience the magic of Lake Tahoe with Shaka Guide, creating unforgettable memories along the way. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

Travel the full circumference of Lake Tahoe in comfort—and maximize your limited travel time—on this full-day bus tour. Look forward to exploring the lake's highlight sights and vistas. Admire viewpoints at Emerald Bay and Truckee River Dam, see where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held at Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort, and stop at Tahoe City for lunch (own expense). As you go, your guide provides rich historical context for the beautiful landscapes.

See the “Seven Sacred Sights of Tahoe” in your comfortable van. Learn all the stories, legends, folklore, statistics, geology, and music about the world’s most beautiful lake from “Mr. Tahoe’s” award winning, best selling Tour CD ‘Around Tahoe’. Learn about the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley. The story of Sam Clemens (Mark Twain) from the master impersonator himself, McAvoy Lane. The amazing story of Snowshoe Thompson, The Skiing Mailman. See the Godfather II Movie House and Frank Sinatra’s Cal Neva plus the Ponderosa Ranch (from the TV show Bonanza). See and learn the story of real estate magnate George Whittell and the infamous Thunderbird Lodge. Learn about Captain Dick and see beautiful Emerald Bay. There is a one hour stop for lunch at the locals favorite! ( Not included in price) The Tahoe House Adventure Tours For Every Season “The Most Beautiful Drive in America” through the minds of two brothers, Chris and Darin Talbot locals from 1977. 5-star on Tripadvisor And Google

South Lake Tahoe can be slammed with tourists at any time of the year. Avoid the masses on land by prebooking this Emerald Bay helicopter tour. Take off from South Lake Tahoe and fly above the area to see main highlights such as Fallen Leaf Lake, Cascade Lake, Pope Beach, and Taylor Creek. Learn about Emerald Bay as you fly with live commentary provided.

Sail Tahoe Blue is the premier sailing charter in South Lake Tahoe. We offer a unique sailing adventure and include complementary local beer and wine, as well as non-alcoholic beverages on all of our daily cruises. Unlike other tour boats which take 50+ passengers, our sailing yacht, "Blue", limits our capacity to 18 passengers. If you care to enjoy the beauty of propulsion by Mother Nature without the sound and smell of an engine, come sail with us!

Group tours of any kind can either go too fast or too slow, making for a less than ideal experience. Explore Lake Tahoe at your own pace with this self-guided electric bike tour on East Shore Trail and make stops when you choose to. Your journey along the trail ends at Sand Harbor, a popular beach area for swimming and boating.

Explore the western shore of Lake Tahoe independently with a half-day kayak rental from Tahoe City. Booking a rental ahead of time makes it super easy to enjoy a day on the lake without having to bring and launch your own equipment. Soak in the views of forest and granite as you paddle across the crystal-clear waters of this enormous lake, which is surrounded by 12,000-foot-tall (3,660-meter) mountains.

See spectacular Lake Tahoe from above on a memorable helicopter flight. An aerial view is simply the best way to appreciate Tahoe's deep blue and green hues ringed by mountains and forested shorelines. View Emerald Bay, marinas, villages, and ski resorts like never before on this thrilling adventure with live narration from the pilot.

Grab a paddle and voyage along the scenic west shore of Lake Tahoe on a guided morning kayak tour, perfect for anyone wanting to kayak while hearing insider tales of the area. Glide through the pristine water and learn about local history and legends such as the early settlers, the ill-fated Donner Party, and life on the lake before the advent of ski resorts and casinos.

Experience the stunning south shore of Lake Tahoe on this scenic flight, starting with a journey along the east shore into Nevada. Marvel at the vibrant indigo waters and teal shorelines as you fly over Zephyr Cove, Fallen Leaf Lake, Cascade Lake, and the iconic Emerald Bay. Please note weight restrictions apply, with a maximum combined passenger weight of 500 lbs and individual weight limits of 250 lbs.

Group tours that involve exercise can either go way too slow or end up leaving you in the dust. Don’t settle to explore a new area uncomfortably. Instead, prebook this Lake Tahoe Self-Guided Bike Tour of North Shore, and ride at your own pace. Pedal along bike paths away from heavy car traffic, and see stunningly beautiful areas like San Harbor, Hidden Beach, Memorial Beach, and Kings Beach.

Go back in time to the American Wild West on this private tour from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City, Nevada. Follow part of the old Pony Express to reach the area of the Comstock Lode, founded in 1859 during the Gold Rush, and hear about the days when Mark Twain walked the dusty streets. In Virginia City, a National Historic Landmark District, you have free time to explore on your own before stopping in Carson City on the way back to South Lake Tahoe.

Located on the beautiful shores of South Lake Tahoe, Boat Tahoe provides the ultimate boating experience on Lake Tahoe! With our private captained boat tours choose from a day of cruising the lake while visiting Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm, Fannette Island, D.L. Bliss State Park and more or enjoying a more action packed day of tubing, wakeboarding or water skiing. This 6 hours charter also allows time to see some of the more secluded locations along the east shore of Lake Tahoe. Please note that the east shore of Lake Tahoe is more prone to weather/wind and the option to visit the east shore will be weather dependent. Early morning charters are calmer weather and more likely to be able to visit the entire lake!

Located on the beautiful shores of South Lake Tahoe, Boat Tahoe provides the ultimate boating experience on Lake Tahoe! With our private captained boat tours choose from a day of cruising the lake while visiting Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm, Fannette Island, D.L. Bliss State Park, Rubicon Bay, Meeks Bay, Sugar Pine Point State Park and more or enjoying a more action packed day of tubing, wakeboarding or water skiing. Our US Coast Guard licensed captains can cater your tour to your exact needs! Book your adventure today and enjoy an amazing day on Lake Tahoe!