Have you noticed the get-out-of-the-house frenzy of summer 2021? Much to the chagrin of Tahoe locals — who have enjoyed having the area to themselves for a year — Lake Tahoe is a primary vacation destination for many Bay Area residents. Besides the breathtaking natural beauty of the area, and all that is familiar, there are a few new things to check out on your next visit.
Featured Photo: Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
Stargazing
The out-of-this-world popular Tahoe Star Tours has resumed docent-led tours of the night sky on Thursday and Sunday evenings through September 4 in North Lake Tahoe, with a few additions. “The theme of our events this year will be Astrobiology: Is There Other Life Out There in the Cosmos?” says Tony Berendsen, the amateur astronomer and poet who leads the tours. “We don’t know the answer to that question yet, but scientists and engineers are finding new ways to search for possible life within the Solar System and beyond. During the 2021 Cosmoarium season our guests will learn about these new efforts, and get a telescopic peek at candidate stars with exoplanets.” tahoestartours.com
Beaches
Finally, there is an online resource for all of Lake Tahoe public beaches along the shore. Tahoepublicbeaches.org is a collaboration between the Tahoe Fund along with various agencies around the lake. Users will find information about how to get to each beach, where to park, hours of operation, and what amenities and services are offered, if any.
“Because travel and outdoor recreation have changed over the past year, this type of tool — offering a one-stop-shop for information — has become more important than ever,” says Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “As people seek refuge in the outdoors and land managers work to meet the challenges of rapidly increasing visitation to the Tahoe Basin, tahoepublicbeaches.org is a great resource to help educate people about the 40-plus beaches that surround the lake.”
Make a Trail
The self-explanatory Tahoe Fund offers many great ways to get involved and make positive changes, however, this summer, a matching grant by the Spaht family stood out to us. Called the Tunnel Creek Singletrack, its purpose is to make the descent of the iconic Flume Trail safer for hikers and bikers. The funds will go to creating a singletrack trail adjacent to the existing one, extending it to a 2.3-mile multiuse trail. tahoefund.com
Squaw’s Summering
Summer activities are in high gear at Squaw Valley, with the Aerial Tram, e-mountain biking and more already drawing in visitors.
The Aerial Tram is a 10-minute visually stunning ride that carries passengers up 2,000 vertical feet over rocky ridgelines and the iconic Tram Face before landing at the resort’s High Camp. While the pool has remained closed, there’s still lots to do, including complimentary (with the purchase of a tram ticket) access to The North Face Guided Hikes, geocaching, disc golf and the High Camp Roller Rink for skating. For a fee, guided e-mountain bike tours are available to explore the mountain.
The Village is bringing back a robust calendar of events this summer. Weekly favorites like Bluesdays and First Street Yoga will be joined by new weekly events like The Great Bingo Revival and the Sunset Live Music Series. Much anticipated events that will be returning this summer include Bluesdays, Tuesdays, July 13–August 31; Brews, Jazz & Funk, August 14–15; Guitar Strings vs. Chicken Wings, September 3; Alpen Wine Fest, September 5; Oktoberfest, September 18–19; and Made in Tahoe, October 9–10.
Looking for more things to do in Lake Tahoe?
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