A century ago, the Tallac Historic Site held the "Grandest Resort in the World," the summer retreats for three elite families. Today, you can stroll paths around these restores estates that ecapture a bygone era in Tahoe's history. The Baldwin Museum features the Washoe tribe exhibit, The Valhalla/Heller Estate, and the Boathouse Theater. For a guided tour, call for reservations in advance since the tours usually sell out. Walk-ins will be taken if room happens to be available on a tour. The guided tours are up to two-and-a-half hours long. The engaging, one-hour signature Pope House Tour runs Thursdays Through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.Or, just walk around the grounds.The estate is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, with restrooms usually open through part of the fall in case you're just walking around. Dogs are not permitted inside the buildings.

Vikingsholm is a castle hidden from the road, located on the shore of Emerald Bay. You can't drive to it. You either have to walk down a bit of a steep path from the parking lot on the highway, or visit by boat. It is now a national and state landmark that was once owned by Lora Knight. It's considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture anywhere outside of the Nordic countries, and represents an era from the past of lavish living. The Visitor Center next to the castle opens for purchasing tour tickets and tours begin at the end of May and run through the summer months, 7 days a week, every 30 minutes, between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 per adult, with discounts for students, children, active-duty military and senior citizens. The tours are 30 minutes long with knowledgeable guides. Purchase tickets on site the day you are attending. No advanced ticket sales or reservations necessary. Dogs are not allowed on the trail or in the castle. You must pay $10 for parking for the day, or $3 for one hour, in the lot along the highway and be able to handle the walk down the steep path.

The Hellman-Ehrman Mansion is located in Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point Park and was built by Richard C. Hellman and was inherited by his daughter, Florence Hellman Ehrman. This grand, informal summer home was considered to be one of the finest in the high Sierra, accompanied by an entire estate's-worth of buildings and boat houses. The whole property is now a museum that serves as an example of the opulent tradition of Tahoe summer homes. There is a parking fee of $10 in the peak summer season and $5 in the winter to visit the estate, plus a separate fee for a guided tour of the historic estate. The Visitor Center is open daily from 10 a.m. - 4:40 p.m. during the summer and that's where you can purchase tickets to tour the mansion daily, from the end of May through September, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tour tickets are $12 for adults with discounts for students, children, active military and seniors. Dogs are welcome around the outside historic areas on-leash and on paved trails.

This is a small building next to Vikingsholm Castle and houses memorabilia about Lora Knight and Vikingsholm, as well as tickets to tour the castle.

Sand Harbor is a Lake Tahoe, Nevada State Park. It's got a Nature Trail boardwalk near the Visitor Center, and Gift Shop and food on a shaded deck area, along with rentals for stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and more. There is a half-mile hike from Sand Harbor to Memorial Point Overlook with access to many secluded beach areas along the way. Pets are allowed off-season from mid-October to mid-April on a leash. Campsites available. In July and August, they hold the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Hours are 7 a.m. to one hour after sunset, 365 days a year. Due to high visitation from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park may close at varying times during the day. Entrance fee is $10 per vehicle/ $15 for non-NV vehicles. Shaded picnic areas under the trees. In the winter, these parking lots are kept clear of snow, the Visitor Center is open year-round, and horse-drawn sleigh rides take place with Sand Harbor Sleigh Rides.

Zephyr Cove Resort Beach is a public beach on National Forest Land. This is a full-service beach with a restaurant, beach bar and grill, and a general store/gift shop. This beach is open year-round, sunrise to sunset. This beach is big for swimming, water activities, beach volleyball, parasailing, and home to the M.S. Dixie II paddlewheeler which offers year-round cruises to Emerald Bay. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, there is a picnic area and restrooms, camping is available. No dogs allowed. There is an entry fee, and on July 4th weekend the price goes up to $25 per vehicle.

Nevada Beach is on National Forest land. It's quiet, set in the woods, and a great place for a nice, long walk on the beach because it has a half-mile of beautiful sandy beachfront with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. Swimming and picnicking are poular here. Kayak rentals are available, there's a food concession and public restrooms. Pets on-leash are allowed in the campground. This beach is open from 8 a.m. until sunset, Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. There is an entry fee, which increases on the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Kings Beach State Recreation Area is the flagship beach site in the North Tahoe area with 1,700 feet of lakefront. It's the largest public access sandy beach on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe with a wide stretch of white sand. It's a favorite of visitors and locals alike. And because it's south-facing with a lake floor that gradually deepens, it makes for one of the warmest swimming areas on the lake. There's a beautiful playground area overlooking the water, picnic area, the North Tahoe Event Center for tourist activities and info, and shops and restaurants in town.

Logan Shoals Vista Point is a nook several hundred feet up the side of a mountain. There's a short, .2 mile, four minute, out-and-back paved path to a gorgeous overlook. And there are restrooms. Use the pull off.

Inspiration Point is an overlook 600 feet above Lake Tahoe. It's a perfect way to see all of Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm Castle, and Fennette Island. This is a must-see stop, but parking can be difficult, especially between 10 a.m and 4 p.m. There are restrooms here.

Hisoric Stateline Fire Lookout will give you an arresting view of Lake Tahoe from high above. Drive up Lakeview Avenue in Kings Beach, bearing left the whole way, then park near the blocked fire road at the end of Lookout Road, or along the wall just before it. The lookout is an easy, half mile walk up the mostly-paved road, with sweeping views of the lake through the free telescopes. A short, self-guided nature at the lookout explains the history of the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.

Eagle Falls Vista Point at Emerald Bay is a short but rewarding hike to the waterfalls, and is a very popular trail. Take the Eagle Falls trailhead to the Eagle Falls Vista Point and back down. This is a moderatly manicured path where you'll be stepping over millions-of-years-old granite plutons. It's a beautiful and well-marked trail where water rushes down the granite cliffs and the only waterfall that empties directly into Lake Tahoe. A must-do! If you're looking for a longer hike, take the whole Eagle Falls Loop.

Heavenly Mountain Gondola is located at Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Ride the gondola in any season to the top of Heavenly Mountain for an unrivaled panoramic view. Highly recommended.Tickets are available in Heavenly Village next to the Heavenly Village Lodge. Adults ages 19 - 64 $63, children 5 - 12 $32, teens 13-18 $49, senior citizens 65+ $49, children 4 and under are free. There are other activities here during the summer beginning in mid-June, like a mountain coaster and ziplining, but to purchase a combo ticket for the gondola ride plus the other activities will cost more. There is also a height requirement for the coaster. the rider/passenger must be at least 38" tall, and the driver must be 54"-84" tall. The Heavenly Village Ticket Window is open from 9 a.m. til 4:30 p.m. The Gondola opens at 9:30 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket window. Heavenly Village itself is a fun place to walk around. There's shopping, restaurants, and activities.

Tahoe East Shore Trail has been dubbed "America's Most Beautiful Bikeway." This trail is not only a spectacular way to bike, walk, jog, or run, but it also gives you direct access to public beaches, coves and trails along the picturesque Nevada shoreline without having to find a parking lot and pay a fee. It's six miles round-trip, paved, and connects Incline Village (at the trailhead at Tunnel Creek) south to Sand Harbor. It's a wide, paved walkway with breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe. Watch out for bike riders if you're walking. Dog-friendly. Bike rentals are available at the trailhead. Flume Trail Bikes, 1115 Tunnel Creek Road, Incline Village. You can rent different kinds of bikes, including electric bikes, for two hours or more, no reservation necessary.

Balancing Rock at D.L. Bliss State Park is a nature trail that leads to a geological marvel of tons of granite resting precariously on a slender stone base that has long been a natural attraction. Take the short, half-mile trail in the northwest section of the park. The overlying rock weighs about 130 tons and is blanaced on the rock below it. It will eventually fall when enough material has eroded away. Take Lester Beach Road into the park for parking.

The Rubicon Trail begins at D.L. Bliss State Park, so drive down Lester Beach Road to park for the trailhead. You can hike it to the Rubicon Lighthouse (6.2 miles round trip). The trail goes all the way to Vikingsholm Castle, but that would be 22 miles round trip and would take you about 7 hours roundtrip.) Rated moderate, the trail dips up and down along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe and offers some of the most scenic views of the lake. Well-suited for active kids who want to cool off in the lake. Bring a beach towel and lunch to eat at one of the many quiet coves along the way. This is one of Lake Tahoe's best hiking trails. No pets allowed.

Cave Rock Trail is a .8-mile out-and-back trail near Zephyr Cove, NV. Rated 'easy,' it takes an average of 22 minutes to complete and is very popular not only for hiking, but for birding, so you'll likely see other people on the trail. It's open year-round and dogs are welcome on-leash.The trail takes you to the top of the tunnel over Highway 50. But you'd have to scramble up the rocks to get to the very top. There are only a handful of parking spots, and your view from the top is more of a highway view rather than a lake view. To access the trailhead, turn onto Cave Rock Dr. from Highway 50 just after Cave Rock Beach and on the opposite side of the road. Take that road to the trailhead. Great place to watch the sunset.

See several species of bird life on display, along with exhibits of most mammals and the four major game fish, also wildflowers, trees, and more exhibits.

Shopping and restaurants in Olympic Valley, CA.

Adorable little cafe with a fireplace and restrooms, plus gift shop, on the corner of Hwy 89 at the entrance street to Camp Richardson Resort Beach.

Take a look at this neat sculpture, poised in Tahoe City's Heritage Plaza depicting a mother bear!

Catch a cool view seeing the huge Lake Tahoe dam at work!