City: South Lake Tahoe, CA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (530) 525-7277

Address: 5 miles from South Lake Tahoe

Description: If there is a signature view of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay with tiny Fannette Island would be the No. 1 choice. This narrow arm on the southwestern shore of the lake is especially picturesque with its emerald green water surrounded by sheer granite cliffs. The scenery alone is worth the drive, but the real jewel of this spot is Vikingsholm Castle. The castle is not accessible by car; it’s a 1-mile walk from the Emerald Bay parking lot. Built by Mrs. Lora Knight in 1929 as her summer residence, the home is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the Western Hemisphere. Because the site of the house reminded her of fjords in Norway, Mrs. Knight decided that the house should also be Scandinavian. Constructed of granite and timber found at the lake, the 38-room mansion is a replica of an 11th-century Viking castle. Although in some ways the interior seems dark and cold, the building can be appreciated for its workmanship and attention to detail. Tours are usually available 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. daily from mid-June through Labor Day and on weekends after Labor Day until the end of September. The fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 through 17. From Vikingsholm the trail continues for about 2.5 miles along the shore of the bay to Emerald Point on the main body of the lake, and from there another 4.5 miles to D. L. Bliss State Park. The real trailblazers can hike another 1.5 miles to Eagle Point, on the newest leg of this trail system. Another popular hike from this area is the 1-mile walk to Eagle Lake. The trail-head begins across the road from the Emerald Bay parking lot in the Eagle Falls Picnic Area. Because this is probably the most visited site at Lake Tahoe, parking in the summer is always difficult. I recommend getting there early in the morning to avoid the crowds. This section of CA 89 is often closed in winter because of heavy snowfall, so be sure to call prior to your visit.