Guide to Lake Tahoe Fall Activities

Introduction

Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places in California, especially during fall. If you’re looking for a fun-filled weekend getaway by the lake, consider this list of things to do in South Lake Tahoe:

Village South Lake Tahoe

Village South Lake Tahoe has a reputation as a hub of activity, boasting many shops and restaurants. It’s also home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the area for your fall Tahoe trip, including Harrah’s Hotel & Casino, Marriott Timberlodge, and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. All within seconds of the bustling South Lake center.

The Heavenly Village is especially popular during the holiday season, when the town puts up lights and decorations to celebrate Halloween and Christmas. The Heavenly Village is also a great hub while you explore the various fall activities around Lake Tahoe.

Best Shopping in South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe has a wide variety of shopping options. There are boutiques and stores, as well as outlet stores with great deals on name brand clothing and accessories.

For the ultimate shopping experience, you can’t miss the Heavenly Village Shops. The shops here offer many different styles of clothes, jewelry and home decor items among other things all in one location. If you’re looking for something more unique than what you’ll find at your local mall then this is the place to go!

If you’re looking for a fun boutique store that we all love, stop in at Sidestreet Boutique located right next to our gallery in Stateline. Here you will find something for everyone or possibly something special for your fall Tahoe Trip.

Best Restaurants in South Lake Tahoe

You’ve spent some time shopping and embracing fall in Lake Tahoe, and now it’s time to talk about eating. The cuisine in South Lake Tahoe is as diverse as its scenery and activities, ranging from casual fare such as burgers and pizza to fine dining at some of California’s top restaurants.

[California Burger](http://caburgerco.com/): This restaurant offers handcrafted burgers for families who want something tasty before hitting the slopes or water. It has a full bar with cocktails assembled by mixologists with all kinds of experience under their belt (and probably some kind of trophy). They also have a nice selection of wines by the glass or bottle—perfect if you’re looking for something other than beer while you’re out celebrating your weekend in town!
[Basecamp Pizza](http://caburgerco.com/): You’ve probably never had pizza like this before! Basecamp offers all sorts of specialty pizza and the Thai Chicken Pizza is an amazing addition to your fall trip. You will also find live music by local artists here most nights. This creates an awesome environment in fall, as you sit by the fire pits with your pizza.

Heavenly Mountain Resort

Heavenly Mountain Resort is a ski resort in South Lake Tahoe, California. It is owned and operated by the Vail Resorts company. The resort has 3,300 acres of terrain across three mountains: Heavenly, Northstar California and Kirkwood Mountain Resort.

The resort also operates several restaurants, hotels and condominiums. It will be hard to miss the Heavenly mountain while you are up in Tahoe this fall!

Heavenly Gondola Ride

Take the gondola to the top of the mountain. This can be a great way to get a view of Lake Tahoe and its surrounding mountains, especially in the morning and evening when there are fewer clouds.
Soak in the fall colors from above. If you go on a clear day and time your ride so that you arrive at Heavenly just before sunset (around 6 p.m.), you’ll be able to see all kinds of beautiful colors reflecting off trees and rocks as night sets in around 9 p.m., making for an incredible experience!

M.S. Dixie II Sightseeing Cruises

M.S. Dixie II Sightseeing Cruises
Departs from Zephyr Cove Marina, located at the north end of the lake (take Highway 50 to Emerald Bay)
3-hour tour with dining room, bar and gift shop on board, as well as a deck and snack bar. Reservations are recommended.

Special Events in Tahoe South

If you’re a fun-loving person, you should come to Lake Tahoe to join in on these special fall events that are held annually. These are not only great ways to enjoy your vacation but also help promote tourism in the region and give you a little something extra to do in Tahoe this fall.

The best places to stay, eat and shop when you’re visiting South Lake Tahoe.

South Lake Tahoe is a resort town that offers a wide range of accommodations, from budget motels to luxury resorts. It’s also home to many fine restaurants and shops, catering to all tastes.

If you’re looking for an affordable stay in South Lake Tahoe during the fall season, consider camping at one of its many campgrounds or staying at one of its many hotels (many offer discounts). If money is no object, book yourself into one of its premier resorts or B&Bs so that your stay is as luxurious as possible.

Fall colors in Hope Valley

The best time to visit Hope Valley is in September and October, when the leaves are changing color.
There are a number of hiking trails offering beautiful views of the lake in fall. The most famous trail is the Desolation Wilderness Trail, which starts at Lake Tahoe’s southern tip and climbs over 10 miles up to 8,000 feet elevation. It takes about two days to hike this trail if you’re an experienced hiker. If you’d like a more leisurely pace, however, consider taking one of several other trails that have easy access from Hope Valley (such as Cascade Falls Trail). Wherever you hike in Hope Valley you should get a great glimpse of the Fall colors in the aspen trees around Lake Tahoe.
There are plenty of places where you can stay overnight in Hope Valley: hotels and lodges near the lakefront offer nice views; many people prefer staying farther away from town so they can get closer to nature; there are also campgrounds available for those who want something more rustic. Be aware that during peak season (July–September), hotel rooms fill up quickly—plan ahead!

Art Tour in Lake Tahoe

If you’re looking for a different way to experience Lake Tahoe, consider an art tour. There are several galleries on the around the lake and all offer something different: some focus on contemporary pieces, while others showcase a variety of works.

If you’re interested in a locally owned and operated gallery right near Stateline come visit us at Marcus Ashley Gallery! We have over 30 world renowned artists and feature the art of Dr. Seuss. You can find something for the whole family here. We also host artist shows most weekends where you can meet your favorite artists.

For a more local array of art, we recommend visiting the Tahoe Art League Gallery. The Tahoe Art League showcases many local artists from all around the lake and can be fun for the whole family.

Brewery Tour around the lake

Brewery Tour around the lake

Tahoe is home to many great breweries, from small microbreweries to tap rooms. If you’re looking for something to do with your friends or family on a sunny day out on the lake, a brewery tour might be your best option. Here are some ideas:

Alibi Ale Works(Incline): This brewery is perfect if you want to bring some friends, as it offers indoor and outdoor seating that can accommodate larger groups. The staff at this place will show you how their beers are made before serving them up right in front of you!
Cold Water Brewery and Grill(South Lake Tahoe): This brewery offers a range of food options as well as live music and other entertainment during their operating hours. It also has an extensive list of beers on tap—many of which have been infused with local ingredients from nearby farms!
South of North Brewing Company(Stateline): Enjoy indoor and outdoor seating, and live music most nights! This brewery is located right in the Basecamp Hotel and has fire pits and a very hip atmosphere.
The Hangar Tap Room(South Lake Tahoe): This fun outdoor taproom boasts fun activities like cornhole, bochee ball and other games. Come here with big groups to enjot drinks, games and food trucks.

Apple Hill trip

Apple Hill is a great place to visit in the fall. Located in Placerville, CA, this orchard is about a 1.5 hour drive from Tahoe South and will take you through some gorgeous country. While Apple Hill has been open since July and offers visitors a variety of activities, it’s best known for their annual apple fest held during Labor Day weekend (August 31st-September 3rd this year). The festival includes live music, hay rides, craft breweries and more! In addition to these events there are several family friendly activities throughout the rest of the year including an annual petting zoo that runs from May through October as well as u-pick pumpkin patches.

The best part about visiting Apple Hill is that it’s open through November 11th which means you can still go even if you don’t make it out there before fall ends!

Conclusion

We can’t wait to see you here in the Marcus Ashley Gallery this fall. We hope you have a great time on your trip to Tahoe! If you want more information about what to do in the area, check out our blog post on fall activities.