💎 Lake Tahoe was one of the highlights of the entire trip

Plus, since we went during the off-season, it wasn’t crowded at all. We basically avoided all the hassles and had an absolutely amazing, purely relaxing time. ➡️ We arrived around 1-2 PM and headed straight to the Tahoe East Shore Trail. 🧭 You can navigate to “Trailhead” for parking—prices are super reasonable (see , but during peak season parking can be tough. The trail is about 5 km long (also open to cyclists 🚴), very easy and pleasant. I’d recommend hiking, but biking is also an option—just make sure to plan your time accordingly. ➡️ This trail is arguably the most scenic route around Lake Tahoe—you get to experience the lake’s beauty from almost every angle. It ends at Sand Harbor Beach 🏖️, one of Tahoe’s most famous spots. Even in the off-season, I couldn’t get a parking spot here… so we hiked in and took the shuttle bus back. ➡️ We stayed overnight in South Lake Tahoe. The drive from Trailhead to South Lake Tahoe is full of gorgeous views—you’ll pass through forests and valleys, and it’s especially perfect for sunset watching 🌄. The atmosphere is completely different from watching the sunset by the lake. ➡️ South Lake Tahoe has plenty of dining options, but honestly, nothing stood out food-wise 🍽️. Souvenirs are affordable though, with lots of shops to choose from. At night, we stargazed—the light pollution is only level 3-4, so the Milky Way was clearly visible 🌌. The only issue was how cold it got! We also checked out a private paid beach in South Lake Tahoe at night—couldn’t see much, but it was pretty spacious. ➡️ The next morning, we explored around South Lake Tahoe: Taylor Creek (a spot for bear watching 🐻 and salmon spawning 🐟) Fallen Leaf Lake Emerald Bay Park Railroad Tracks (a but honestly pretty underwhelming—skip it if you’re short on time, you won’t regret it) ➡️ The weather can be pretty unpredictable—super hot in the sun, chilly in the shade, and cold mornings and evenings. Make sure to bring warm clothes 🧥. It might snow after October, so if you’re driving, be prepared with snow tires or chains. ➡️ Overall, the trip went very smoothly with no backtracking. Next time, I’d love to try paid activities and skiing 🎿. That crystal-clear water is seriously tempting! 💙 #USRoadTrip #TravelUSA #VisitUSA #LakeTahoe 🌲🏔️