North Lake Tahoe, CA

 

Welcome to the place where time slows down and where people make time for “the good life.” North Lake Tahoe is known for its rustic, charming, and family-friendly vibe and plethora of outdoor activities in any season. North Lake Tahoe encompasses the cities of Tahoe City, Cedar Flat, Agate Bay, Carnelian Bay, Ridgewood, Tahoe Vista, and Kings Beach, but benefits from the city of Truckee to the north and Incline Village to the east.

 

When John C. Fremont “discovered” Lake Tahoe in 1844, he was really a bit late to the party. Native Americans, specifically ancestors of the Washoe Tribe, had him beat by close to 10,000 years, and probably more. The lake was the center of the Washoe world for centuries, providing a bounty of different foods to last the winter, and the Washoe considered Lake Tahoe to have sacred life-sustaining water. Later, in the 1860s and 70s, Tahoe was a central hub during the California gold rush, cementing its place as a state destination and furthering its rich history.

 

Nowadays, families choose to raise their children in North Lake Tahoe to take advantage of the access to skiing and water excursions, and many folks from the Bay Area choose to retire here. It's a place that has something for everyone and will charm you from your first impression.

 

• Mountain living at its finest 
• A haven for adventure lovers and outdoor lovers 
• Family-friendly and a close-knit community 

Residents in North Lake Tahoe are often active, laid-back, and friendly. Many people here enjoy participating in activities like skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, boating, and kayaking just to name a few. The children who grow up here are surrounded by endless entertainment during every season, and many of them are fantastic athletes and outdoorsmen.

 

Time moves a little more slowly here than in San Francisco or Los Angeles, and “no worries” is a common sentiment. The community is close-knit, kind, and hospitable to one another, especially during the cold winter months.

 

Any local will tell you that the patios overlooking the lake at Sunnyside Resort or at Jake’s On The Lake are their favorite place for lunch or dinner. The panoramic views of Tahoe make for the perfect setting and the crowd is always lively. Another lakefront favorite is Christy Hill, which serves up elegant French-inspired fare. Gar Woods is an upscale spot with prime Californian fare that has some delicious rum cocktails, while Wolfdale’s is a fantastic date night spot for premium farm-to-table food.

 

Boatworks Shopping Mall and Cobblestone Center in Tahoe City are great places to shop locally owned and operated stores.

 

Any list of things to do in Tahoe starts and ends with the great outdoors. In the winter, skiing and snowboarding are the norms, while in the summer, those same runs turn into hiking trails or mountain bike paths (Tahoe Rim Trail, Page Meadows) and water lovers spend their days on the lake.

 

Palisades Tahoe (previously Squaw Valley) is one of the best ski resorts in the state and operates under the Ikon pass. This place is truly top-notch and serves up some of the best mountain views and powder around. Another local resort in nearby Truckee is Northstar, which has classes, ski school, and runs of all types. From boating at Lake Tahoe and Donner Lake to hiking and biking on the hundreds of trails in the area, you’ll fall in love with summer in the Sierras. Sand Harbor is a popular beach in the area and is also home to the Sand Harbor Outdoor Theater and the Shakespeare Festival. Many love floating on the Truckee River and lazing the day away under the trees there.

 

Commons Beach hosts many outdoor music events throughout the summer and is a great place to bring the whole family. In February, Tahoe City hosts SnowFest, a 10-day long Mardi Gras celebration and winter carnival. Floats, beads, bands, and great food are always on offer during the festival.

 

North Lake Tahoe operates within the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. On average, there are only 19 students per classroom (the state average is 24) and the district has a great rating on GreatSchools.org. There is also the Lake Tahoe School, a private school offering education from pre-K to 8th grade.