🌲 Lake Tahoe Long Weekend Travel Diary

Before coming to Lake Tahoe: “It’s just a lake.” After coming: “How is this different from Hawaii?? I should’ve come sooner!” 😍🌴 Relaxed & Efficient Itinerary: Day 1: 🚣 Sand Harbor + Secret Cove Beach Day 2: 🚵 East Shoreline Bike Trail + Cave Rock Day 3: 🎣 Emerald Bay + Casino 🎰 Wednesday Night Left work at 6 PM and drove straight to Lake Tahoe – 4.5 hours total. Spotted two little deer strolling by the roadside! 🦌✨ Thursday Morning: Went to Sand Harbor – rented a kayak and a floating couch 🛶🛋️. Drifted for 2 hours (remember to reserve parking online in advance!). Afternoon: Visited Secret Cove Nude Beach – the trail was steep and tiring 🥾😅 (up and down ~2000 ft). If you just want to see cool rocks, Cave Rock is a easier alternative. Friday Had breakfast at Tunnel Creek Café ☕🥐 Rented e-bikes from Flume Trail Bikes next door 🚵♀️ Rode 1 hour on mountain bike trails to Diamond Peak Ski Resort ⛷️ Then cycled 1 hour along the East Shore Trail to Sand Harbor – the views were incredible!!! 🌊💚 Definitely trying the Emerald Bay route next time! Evening: Watched sunset at Cave Rock 🌄 – lake views + snowy mountains + unique rock formations = perfect sunset spot! Parking: Cave Rock - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 🅿️ Sunset time: ~8:20 PM Saturday Breakfast at The Red Hut Café – highly recommend their omelette! 🍳 You can customize it – so good 😋 Emerald Bay Tips: Multiple stops require parking fees ($6), so go directly to Emerald Bay State Park Lookout first 🗻 View the island straight ahead, waterfall on the right (Lower Eagle Falls), and hike down to the beach on the left 🏖️ Return Stops: Park at 138 Emerald Bay Rd – take a 5-min trail to the waterfall or a 17-min hike to a vista point 🌊 Taylor Creek – spot bears catching salmon! 🐻🐟 (seasonal) Dinner: Tried the Wellington beef at HK Hell’s Kitchen – okay, but not as good as dry-aged New York strip 🥩 Ended the night with some fun at the casino! 🎲😄 Sunday Drove back to the South Bay and rewarded ourselves with a hotpot feast at Long Men Wan! 🍲🔥 #LakeTahoe #BayAreaWeekends #TravelDiary #NatureLovers #OutdoorAdventure 🏞️📸