Top Lake Tahoe Day Trips

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 area for swimming and boating.

Travel all the way around scenic Lake Tahoe in a comfortable shuttle on this 7-hour tour. Led by a local guide, you’ll cover close to 70 miles (110km), making stops at the beautiful vistas of Sand Harbor and Emerald Bay. You’ll also visit a charming village at Squaw Valley Ski Resort, and explore Tahoe City on the lake’s north shore, stopping to purchase lunch. As you go, your guide will provide rich historical context for the beautiful landscape surrounding you.

Go back in time to the old Wild West on this tour from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City, Nevada, including a train ride on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. With a guide, you’ll start your day trip by minibus, driving along part of the Pony Express. When you reach Virginia City, a National Historic Landmark District, take a 6.5-mile round-trip train ride before enjoying free time in town to explore at your leisure, perhaps visiting museums or a historical saloon.

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.

Explore the scenic highlights of Yosemite National Park on a full-day, small-group guided trip from Lake Tahoe with a lunchtime picnic beside Cascade Falls. Capture unforgettable images of the park’s soaring rock walls and craggy peaks then enjoy an invigorating hike to Yosemite Falls or Bridalveil Falls, where high-mountain rivers tumble from sheer granite cliffs. Spot rock climbers scaling the face of El Capitan, watch for deer in alpine meadows, and take in the timeless beauty of California’s High Sierra mountains.

Tahoe photographic tours offer a unique way to enjoy Lake Tahoe’s natural wonders and receive photography tips as you are led by an experienced photo guide who provides tips and shares information about the area. Whether you’re looking to snap a poster-worthy shot of snow-covered mountains, towering trees, wild flowers or the glassy lake itself, you’ll learn how to shoot in the great outdoors and see some of Lake Tahoe’s most beautiful natural sights, including Emerald Bay.

See the “Seven Sacred Sights of Tahoe” in our 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. We are rated 5-star on Tripadvisor.

This tour encompasses the entire south shore of Lake Tahoe, starting with a trip up the east shore into Nevada. Witness the beautiful indigo blue waters and teal shorelines as you fly to Zephyr Cove. After circling Zephyr Cove, the tour heads west along the south shoreline past Fallen Leaf Lake and Cascade Lake to Emerald Bay.

Weight limits apply: Maximum per-passenger weight is 250lbs. Maximum weight of all passengers combined must not exceed 500lbs. Passenger weights must be accurately provided at time of booking. Groups reaching a combined weight of 500 lbs will be subject to a weight check upon arrival for their flight. Any individual weighing 300 lbs or more will not be permitted to fly per the limitations of the aircraft. Any cancellation of a planned flight due to weights exceeding the maximum allowable aircraft weight (individual or combined) will be charged at full price. Starting at South Tahoe Airport, this 30 minute tour first embarks to Emerald Bay, then south past Mount Tallac, and over the shoreline of Fallen Leaf lake. Head west over Glen Alpine Falls below, climbing towards Pyramid Peak. The area is scattered with myriad lakes and waterfalls. Fly over Lake Aloha and past Horsetail Falls, dropping nearly 500 feet.

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.

Grab a paddle and voyage along the scenic west shore of Lake Tahoe on a guided, 2.5-hour morning kayak tour. Experience the full beauty of Tahoe in the summer while gliding through the pristine water, and learn about local history and legends like early settlers, the ill-fated Donner Party, and life on the lake before the advent of ski resorts and casinos.

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.

Explore the western shore of Lake Tahoe independently by kayak with a 3-hour kayak rental from Tahoe City. 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.

The ultimate fun party day on the Lake. Kick back and relax while your Captain does the driving. Did you know there are super fun beach bars right on the Lake where you can boat and chill? On this charter – the day is yours to see as much as time permits, or anchor, relax and enjoy the lake. A must-visit is Camp Richardson, home of the original Rum Runner. We’ll cruise from there through Emerald Bay, past the beautiful Vikingsholm Estate. The next stop is Rubicon Bay, perfect for a dip in the lake. After the refreshing dip, it’s full speed ahead across the lake, 11 miles to one of our favorite bars, the Tiki Hut at Round Hill Pines Beach. With the golden sand of the beach hut, you’ll think you’re on a Caribbean island. We’ll stop here for their famous Pain Killer drink. Trust us, one is enough! We’ll round out the afternoon with a slow rollback to the South Shore. Bring your own drinks and food on board. Note, that there is no restroom on board, but there are stops along the way.

Discover the beauty of “Big Blue” aboard one of the largest private yachts on the lake where everything is tailored just for you. Meet your US Coast Guard licensed captain and hop aboard a luxury 45' Formula. Enjoy ample deck and bow space, a full kitchen, multiple restrooms and bedrooms, an upgraded sound system, and more. Take advantage of the swim deck's hydraulic lift that can be lowered into the water for ease and comfort. Your captain can take you wherever you want to go, from cliff jumping to boat-in lakeside restaurants for apps and cocktails. Rafts, paddle boards, and towel service are included. Bring whatever food or drinks you like on the boat. You can also choose from a selection of local caterers and it will be on the boat for you arrival. The boat can pickup and drop-off in both north and south shores. Private vehicle transport to and from hotel or lodging can also be arranged. Let us take care of all the details and enjoy a boat day designed for you, by you!

Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautifully pristine places in the world, and there is nothing like seeing it from the double-decker Battle Born Pontoon Fleet! Being able to view the lake's depths from the top of a second-story pontoon adds next-level depth and clarity to your experience, plus we have stand-up paddleboards and lilly pads for you to get up close and personal. An approved operator from a list of professionals must operate our boats for all of our rentals. Enjoy the Lake, have a drink, and don’t worry about operating the ship! Please BE AWARE THAT ALL OPERATOR AND captain FEES ARE SEPARATE FROM the tour price.

Lake Tahoe Is one of the most pristine Alpine Lakes in the world. Come and enjoy it on Battle Born's double-decker pontoon fleet. With multiple boats, we have the capacity to facilitate parties of up to 25! An approved operator from a list of professionals must operate our boats for all of our rentals. Enjoy the Lake, have a drink, and don’t worry about operating the ship! Please BE AWARE THAT ALL OPERATOR AND CAPTAIN FEES ARE SEPARATE FROM the tour price.