New on TahoeKidsGuide.com
|
|
|
|
|
TahoeKidsGuide.com's posterous
A Lake Tahoe Family Vacation Guide
Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe and the hike to Vikingsholm
by Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com
On May 23rd, Vikingsholm at Emerald Bay opened for Summer
tours. During the summer, the first tour of the day starts at 10:00
A.M. and the
last
tour at 4:00 P.M. All tours are guided tours and take approximately one-half
hour. The tour fee is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for youths 6 to 17. Children
under 6 are free. The maximum number of people on a tour is 30.
There is limited parking at the Vikingsholm parking lot, off highway 89 at Emerald Bay. The charge for parking is $7. The earlier in the day you arrive, the easier it will be to find parking.
To get to Vikingsholm, visitors take a relatively steep hike, that is approximately one mile each way, down to the Vikingsholm, itself. Once you arrive at Vikingsholm, you'll find restrooms, picnic areas, firepits, additional hiking trails, camping and a beautiful Emerald Bay beach. If you arrive by boat, there is a free pier for loading and unloading. There is no docking at the pier.
Geologists know that Emerald Bay was gouged out by glaciers thousands of years ago. So why did Fannette Island remain? It is believed that the island is a resistant rib of granite rock which was overridden by the glacial ice.
The stone structure on top that looks like a miniature castle is
the "Tea House" built at the direction of Mrs. Lora Knight during the
same time that Vikingsholm was constructed, from 1928-29. After being
transported to the island by motorboat, Mrs. Knight and her Vikingsholm guests
would occasionally be served tea at the Fannette Island teahouse. A small
fireplace in the corner and a large oak table and four oak chairs in the center
of the 16 by 16 foot room gave it a very rustic appearance.
For more info about at Lake Tahoe: TahoeKidsGuide.com
For Lake Tahoe summer camp info: Lake Tahoe Summer Camp Series
If you're driving to Tahoe: Road Conditions (including live videos); Best Stops Along I-80
Subscribe to Elizabeth Sedway's column by clicking on the "subscribe" button on at the bottom of the
Lake Tahoe Examiner page.
Questions? Want to see a certain topic addressed?
Add a comment here or email me.
Copyright ©2009 by TahoeKidsGuide.com, Inc..
All rights reserved
Parks and playgrounds at Lake Tahoe - affordable family fun
by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com
Lake Tahoe is a haven for families. From exploring the outdoors to organized camps and classes, there are countless activities for kids and their families at Lake Tahoe. Perhaps surprisingly, the vast majority of these activities are available at little to no cost.
Parks and Playgrounds at Lake Tahoe are uncommonly well-maintained and full of all the best amenities. These parks must also be a well-kept secret, because many are uncrowded. Bring a picnic, or barbecue when you get there, and spend the day with your family at a Lake Tahoe park.
In Tahoe
City, the most popular park is Commons Beach Park. As the
video in the preceding link shows, the park is on the beach in Tahoe
City. The playground equipment is new and in great shape. The
restrooms are clean and close to the the playground. More often than not,
there is a picnic table available. There are also barbecues
available. 
During the summer, visitors will find the Farmers' Market at this beach on Thursday mornings, live music on Sunday afternoons, and the following free movies playing throughout the summer at Commons Beach and Park:
July 1 ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES (PG). At Dusk. Commons Beach.
July 8 THE GREAT OUTDOORS (PG). At Dusk. Commons Beach.
July 15 MADAGASCAR - Escape 2 Africa (PG). At Dusk. Commons Beach.
July 22 MAMA MIA (PG). At Dusk. Commons Beach.
July 29 INKHEART (PG). At Dusk. Commons Beach
August 5 BACK TO THE FUTURE (PG). At Dusk. Commons Beach.
August 12 JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (PG). At Dusk.
August 19 POLTERGEIST (PG). At Dusk. Commons Beach.
August 26 WALL-E (G). At Dusk. Commons Beach.
Between the North and West shores of Lake Tahoe, there are a few notable parks and playgrounds. Click here for more information, including videos: North Tahoe Regional Park, Skylandia Park and Beach, Lake Forest Beach, Boat Launch and Pomin Park, and Kilner Park.
At North Lake Tahoe, families can enjoy Preston Field and Park in Incline Village. This park has a beautiful baseball diamond, clean restrooms and an elaborate collection of playground equipment. There are also a few picnic tables and barbecues.
At South
Lake Tahoe, Kahle Community Center and
Kahle
Community Park, are well worth a visitor for locals and
visitors to Lake Tahoe, alike. At the community center, through August 14th,
kids can enjoy programs like RAD Camp and Mud Camp. The park offers nice
playground equipment and a jogging path, among other quality amenities.
The jogging path is also a wonderful bike path for kids. 
Also available at South Lake Tahoe is the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex. Camp Tadaka and Camp Radical are very popular summer camp programs offered at this wonderful facility. Kids can sign up for a week of fun and field trips, or just for the day. The park and playground is full of unique and well-maintained equipment. This site also offers an indoor ice skating rink and a swimming pool that is indoor in the winter months and outdoor in the summer months.
For more info about: Lake Tahoe Hotels; Vacation Rentals
For Lake Tahoe info: Lake Tahoe Summer Camp Series; Parks & Playgrounds, Lake Tahoe Beaches, Calendar of Family Events
Questions? Want to see a certain topic addressed?
Add a comment here or email me.
Copyright ©2009 by TahoeKidsGuide.com, Inc..
All rights reserved
Biking at Lake Tahoe
by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com
Biking at Lake Tahoe is a fun summer activity for adults and chilldren alike. Here are a few of the more family-friendly biking trails at Lake Tahoe.
The following biking trails are great for families. Each trail is open and maintained only in the summer months.
|
Path |
Distance |
Description |
|
Lakeshore
Blvd. Bike and Jogging Trail |
3 miles (Map) |
Virtually flat paved path along Lakeshore Blvd. in Incline Village. The beaches and parks along Lakeshore Blvd. are private. |
|
Dollar Point to Tahoe City |
2 1/2 miles |
This section of paved bike trail is mostly flat, with a easy 1/2 mile climb up Dollar Point. Along the way you'll pass access to Skylandia Beach and Park, Lake Forest Beach and Pomin Park. This path is also great for kids of all ages. It's also a great place to take a walk or jog with a stroller. In Tahoe City, be sure to visit Commons Beach. |
|
Tahoe City to River Ranch |
5 miles (Map) |
As you depart Tahoe City on this path, the Truckee River will be on your left side and Highway 89 on your right. There are gradual hills; kids 6 and older will do best on this path. It can get crowded in the Summer. This is the same portion of the Truckee River that is popular for rafting. |
|
Tahoe City to Sugar Pine Point State Park |
9 miles |
This paved bike trail runs along West Shore Blvd. It includes some moderate hills, and might be challenging for younger children. There are several points when this path requires crossing highway 28. Along the way, you'll pass Kilner Park. Sugar Pine Point State Park is a beautiful adventure all on its own. |
|
South Lake Tahoe Bike Path |
1.5 miles |
The entire South Lake Tahoe Bike Path is approx. 11 miles long, the portion featured here is 6.5 mile (round-trip) and a virtually flat paved path. Young children and adults will enjoy this beautiful ride through the forest. |
For more info about: Lake Tahoe Hotels;
For Lake Tahoe summer camp info: Lake Tahoe Summer Camp Series
Questions? Want to see a certain topic addressed?
Add a comment here or email me.
Copyright ©2009 by TahoeKidsGuide.com, Inc..
All rights reserved
Rafting on the Truckee River
by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com
A favorite summertime activity for families, when visiting the Lake Tahoe area is rafting down the Truckee River. While there are many places to raft the Truckee, perhaps the most popular portion is a 5 mile stretch from Tahoe City to the River Ranch.
There are two companies in Tahoe City that rent rafts, and transport you back to your starting point after your trip down the river. (Mountain Air: (888) 584-Raft and Truckee River Raft Co.: (530) 583-0123) Each of these companies pick you up, at the end your 5 mile float, somewhere near the River Ranch. Generally speaking, it takes 2 to 3 hours to leisurely float down this portion of the river.
Both rental companies offer rafts, life vests, paddles and free shuttle ride back up river. Both are open between 8:30a and 3:30p. The prices charged by these companies is also the same: Adults (13 years and older) are $35 each. Children (6 to 12 years old) are $30 each. Children 5 years old and younger are $5 each.
Both companies include the use of commercial rafts in various sizes, depending upon the size of your group. In addition to the use of a raft and paddles for your group, each person will be provided with a life vest. Your group will not be accompanied by a guide. At no additional charge, each company offers a shuttle service back to your point of departure.
You
can use your own raft to float down this portion of the Truckee River
too. If you do this, leave a car near River Ranch, so you have
transportation back to where you started your rafting trip.
For more info about: Lake Tahoe Hotels;
For Lake Tahoe summer camp info: Lake Tahoe Summer Camp Series
Questions? Want to see a certain topic addressed?
Add a comment here or email me.
Copyright ©2009 by TahoeKidsGuide.com, Inc.. All rights
reserved
Free Tickets to Young Shakespeare
by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com
Each summer, Sand Harbor State Park is the setting for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. This Saturday, July 11th marks the opening night performance for this summer's festival. In addition to the nightly performances, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival also offers special performance just for kids and their chaperones. These "Young Shakespeare" performances are free.
Beginning July 21st, the curtain will open on the first of these one hour performances. Each performance will be a Young Shakepeare interpretation of Shakespeare's Classic, Much Ado About Nothing, set in contemporary times and created with the young audience member in mind.
Presented in collaboration with The Nevada Shakespeare Company, these performances feature a mixed cast of professional actors and young actors and will take the work of the bard to several venues throughout the Reno-Carson-Tahoe-Truckee region.
2009 Young Shakespeare Schedule:
Tuesday,
July 21
10:00 a.m. Sand Harbor State Park
Wednesday,
July 22
10:00 a.m.
Sand Harbor State Park
Thursday,
July 23
10:00 a.m. Sand Harbor State Park
Friday,
July 24
9:30 a.m. Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheatre at
Bartley Ranch
Sunday,
July 26
5:30 p.m.
Great Basin Adventure in Rancho San Rafael Park
Tuesday,
July 28
10:00 a.m.
"Salty" Gebhardt Amphitheatre, Truckee
Wednesday,
July 29
10:00 a.m. Sand Harbor State Park
Thursday,July 30
10:00 a.m. Sand Harbor State Park
Friday,
July 31
9:30 a.m.
Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheatre at Bartley Ranch
Tuesday,
August 4
10:00 a.m.
CVIC, Minden
Tuesday,
August 4
2:00 p.m. The Carson City Community Center
Wednesday,
August 5
11:00 a.m. Tahoe Tallac at Valhalla
(South Lake Tahoe)
Thursday,
August 6
10:00 a.m. Sand Harbor State Park
Friday,
August 7
9:30 a.m.
Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheatre at Bartley Ranch
For more info about: Lake Tahoe Hotels; Vacation Rentals
For Lake Tahoe info: Lake Tahoe Summer Camp Series; Parks & Playgrounds, Lake Tahoe Beaches, Calendar of Family Events
Questions? Want to see a certain topic addressed?
Add a comment here or email me.
Copyright ©2009 by TahoeKidsGuide.com, Inc..
All rights reserved
