1. Factory Stores At The “Y”
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 573-5545
Address: 89 South Lake Tahoe
Description: Shop for bargains galore at the Factory Stores at the “Y.” Outlets include Bass Shoe Factory, Oneida Factory Store, Sunglass Hut International, Geoffrey Beene, and Van Heusen Factory Store. As the name tells you, the mall is at the “Y,” smack in the middle of the busiest shopping area in the South Shore Lake Tahoe area. You can easily use the outlet as a jumping-off point to other nearby stores.
2. The Shops At Heavenly Village
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Description: Clustered at the base of Heavenly Ski Resort’s gondola, the Shops at Heavenly Village offer an eclectic mix of upscale boutiques and eateries, all in the quaint Old Tahoe style. Shops include Cache, Rain Urbana, Great Outdoor Clothing Co., Untamed Art Gallery, and Rock Your World. You can easily combine a gondola ride with shopping and imbibing. There’s also a state-of-the-art cinema and an ice-skating rink.
3. Ski Run Marina Village
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 544-9500
Address: 970 Ski Run Boulevard
Description: You can experience the beauty of Lake Tahoe while you roam the shops at Ski Run Marina Village. Quaint and picturesque, the stores front the lake, affording fabulous views of the water and the mountains beyond. The effects of the economic downturn have been felt here with a few of the shops having closed recently while the developer seeks to fill some of the empty spots. You can still browse Village Wear & Gifts and Art for the Home and enjoy dining with a view at Riva Grill on the Lake or the Marina Village Cafe.
4. The Village Center
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Description: One of the oldest shopping areas in South Shore Lake Tahoe, The Village Center has an eclectic mix of shops, including Side Street Boutique, Foot Locker, Savvy of Lake Tahoe, and Tahoe Sports LTD.
5. Gaia-Licious
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 542-2244
Address: 987 Tallac Avenue
Description: Gaia-Licious is not just a store but a celebration of the earth and its multicultural heritage. The widely traveled owners showcase a potpourri of merchandise from around the world. On any given day you’re likely to find shoppers playing board games, listening to international music, and hanging out in the sun (weather permitting, of course). The store even has a children’s playroom with books, puzzles, and art supplies. A visit to this unique store should help relieve almost anyone’s level of stress.
6. Maison Rustique
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 544-8252
Address: 4000 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Description: Although Maison Rustique doesn’t specifically carry souvenir items to take home, the store has a nice collection of candles, furniture, clothing, baby gifts, art and collectibles. You can shop here daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
7. Oneida Factory Store
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 541-0826
Address: 2014 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Description: If it’s made of silver, you can find it at the Oneida Factory Store. What’s even better, you can buy it for 30 to 40 percent less than regular retail prices. You can find just the perfect wedding or baby gift from the large selection of silver and crystal merchandise. For that very special event, you can have your gifts engraved. The Oneida shop is tucked in the Factory Stores at the “Y” shopping mall.
8. Sidestreet Boutique
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 544-3315
Address: 4000 South Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Description: You’ll find an interesting selection of baby and children’s clothing at Sidestreet Boutique, including such brands as Baby Biscotti, Hello Kitty, and Charlie Rocket. See the store description under Women’s Clothing later in this chapter.
9. Rainbow Mountain
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 541-7470, (800) 619-7470
Address: 1133 Ski Run Boulevard
Description: Voted the “Best Ski Shop” by the Tahoe Tribune, this full-service shop on the road to Heavenly Ski Resort can meet all of your skiing and snowboarding needs. You can buy new and used top-of-the-line equipment and apparel. If you’re a sometime or novice skier or snowboarder, not to worry: You can rent any clothing you might need along with equipment that will meet your skill level. The shop also offers a free van shuttle, but call ahead for the schedule. There’s a second location at 3535 Lake Tahoe Boulevard.
10. Tahoe Bike Shop/Tahoe Boot & Ski Works
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 544-8060
Address: 2277 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Description: Headquartered in a century-old log cabin, Tahoe Bike Shop is South Shore Lake Tahoe’s oldest bike shop. Focusing solely on biking during the summer season, the store offers a complete line of BMX, cruiser, mountain, and road bikes. If you’re not in a position to buy, you can rent from their large selection of rental bikes. Ardent bikers themselves, the staff is friendly and personal. Don’t be surprised if they take you out on a ride to show you the ropes. Come the snow season, the shop is transformed into a ski shop that sells skis and boots and provides ski tuning and custom fitting for ski boots.
11. Apricot Lane Fashion & Gift Boutique
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 542-1363
Description: From T-shirts to dresses, Apricot Lane has it all, along with all the appropriate accessories—jewelry, shoes, and handbags. The store also carries gift items.
12. Caché
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 543-3463
Address: 1001 Heavenly Village Way
Description: Caché offers classy clothing for the discerning woman with a selection of stunning eveningwear, smart ensembles, and upscale casual wear. To complete the look of any outfit, you’ll also find an interesting array of contemporary accessories.
13. Rain Urbana Lifestyle Couture
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 544-1700
Description: Voted the best clothing store in the Tahoe Daily Tribune’s “Best of Tahoe 2004,” Rain Urbana offers fashionable clothing, such as premium denim, for both men and women. While browsing for clothes, you can also shop for candles, gifts, music, and home accessories. It’s conveniently located in The Shops at Heavenly Village.
14. Sidestreet Boutique
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 544-3315
Address: 4000 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Description: Sidestreet Boutique has high-end clothing for the entire family. You can outfit yourself from casual to cocktail in such brands as Tommy Bahama, Barefoot Dreams, and Blue Willi’s. For the perfect head-to-toe look, the sales staff will help you select just the right accessories. For weddings, the shop also has a sales and rental department for bridal wear and tuxedos.
15. Lake Tahoe Community College (Ltcc)
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 541-4660
Address: 1 College Drive
Description: Colleges and universities bring a wealth of culture to their home communities, and Lake Tahoe Community College is no exception. Besides its generous class offerings in the arts, the campus of LTCC is an artistic beehive of activity, promoting an array of cultural events for both students and the general public. You can enjoy performances and exhibitions by students as well as by guest performers and artists from around the region. Drama, dance, music, and films are presented by the Performing Arts League in the LTCC New Theatre. Art exhibits can be viewed in the Haldan Art Gallery, which opens at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call for a complete schedule of activities throughout the year. See the Education and Child Care chapter for more information about LTCC.