1. Woodvista Lodge
City: Tahoe Vista, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 546-3839
Address: 7699 North Lake Boulevard
Description: Set amid the pines, the Woodvista Lodge is humble but perfect for families. Its 17 rooms ring a common area in which you’ll find a year-round hot tub and a play structure that will delight and entertain the kids. In summer you can also enjoy the swimming pool and Ping-Pong table. The rooms are wood-paneled and evoke country cabins; some have kitchenettes. There is no direct beach access, but the lodge is 1 mile from Kings Beach.
2. Tahoe Edgelake Beach Club
City: Tahoe Vista, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 546-5974
Address: 7680 North Lake Boulevard
Description: In the laid-back Kings Beach area, Tahoe Edgelake Beach Club has lakefront and lakeview accommodations along its private sandy beach. Amenities include a seasonal swimming pool and an outdoor hot tub. Boat owners can also take advantage of its pier and buoys.
3. North Tahoe Regional Park
City: Tahoe Vista, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (530) 546-5043, (530) 546-4212
Address: 875 National Avenue
Description: You can enjoy periodic glimpses of Lake Tahoe from about 5 miles of multiuse trails that loop through the tall pines at North Tahoe Regional Park. In summer it’s popular with hikers, bikers, and picnickers (see the Recreation chapter for more information). In winter it’s a vision of white, perfect for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling (see the Winter Sports chapter for details). You can contact North Tahoe Winter Adventures at (530) 546-0405 for information on renting sleds and purchasing tickets to the snowplay hill. You’ll also find a softball field, tennis courts, disc golf, sand volleyball courts, playground, restrooms, and picnic areas. To get to the park from Incline Village, go west on NV 28 to Tahoe Vista (just west of Kings Beach), turn right onto National Avenue, and follow the signs to the park. It’s open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in summer and from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in winter. Pay the $3 parking fee using the self-service box.
4. North Tahoe Regional Park
City: Tahoe Vista, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (530) 546-5043
Address: 875 National Avenue
Description: With 5 miles of dirt paths winding through the trees, the trail system at North Tahoe Regional Park offers gentle runs for beginners and steeper terrain for more-advanced riders. Never crowded and close to residential areas, it’s a favorite with locals year-round. See the Winter Sports and Parks chapters for more details on this fun-filled spot in Tahoe Vista.
5. North Tahoe Marina
City: Tahoe Vista, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (530) 546-8248
6. North Tahoe Regional Park
City: Tahoe Vista, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (530) 546-5043
Address: 875 National Avenue
Description: You can volley long after the sun goes down on the five lighted tennis courts at North Tahoe Regional Park. It’s first-come, first-served, so pack a picnic lunch or enjoy a short hike in the park if you need to wait for a court (see the Parks chapter for more information on the park).
7. North Tahoe Regional Park
City: Tahoe Vista, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (530) 546-5043, (530) 546-4212
Address: 875 National Avenue
Description: Insiders know if the wind is gusting over the upper mountain elevations, you can still have a great day in the snow sheltered by the dense forest at North Tahoe Regional Park. With approximately 5 miles of meandering trails, the park offers enough variety to entertain beginning as well as more-advanced skiers. But don’t expect impeccable tracks, since grooming is best described as sporadic. You can rent sleds and snowmobiles, but you’re on your own for any other sporting equipment. With a lot of room to roam, It’s a great place to bring dogs and also a bargain—a trail pass is only $3 and is available at the self-pay system near the restrooms at the entrance to the park. Be aware, however, that the park is at relatively low elevation (around 6,000 feet), so check on snow coverage before heading out to ski here. To get to the park from Incline Village, go west on NV 28, just past Kings Beach, to Tahoe Vista, and turn right onto National Avenue and follow the signs to the park.
8. Old Range Steakhouse
City: Tahoe Vista, CA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (530) 546-4800
Address: 7081 North Lake Boulevard
Description: The Old Range Steakhouse is a meat-eater’s paradise, with every cut of beef served every way imaginable. It’s all delicious, it’s all tender, and it’s all juicy. Lighter fare is also available at the Range, where you’ll also find vegetarian selections on the menu. What more could you want? Well, try views of Lake Tahoe, just across the road, and a warm, homey, Western ambience you can just sink down into. Do I like this place? You betcha. You can ride the range for dinner every night. To add an artistic element to your evening out, come a little early and drop into the Vista Gallery upstairs, enjoy the view from the deck, and have a drink before settling into a succulent steak. (See the chapter on The Arts for more information on the gallery.)
9. Vista Gallery
City: Tahoe Vista, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (530) 546-7794
Address: 7081 North Lake Boulevard
Description: If you’re looking for vintage Lake Tahoe photographs, check this gallery out: It has a collection of more than 600. It also features original antique memorabilia and prints of the lake and the Sierras. Other works displayed include wood sculptures, blown glass, paintings, and ceramics by about three dozen different artists. While many galleries don’t encourage children to visit (for obvious reasons), this gallery is child-friendly, with a play area set aside especially for them. The gallery is located above the Old Range Steakhouse with a lovely view of the lake, and I recommend feasting on the artwork upstairs and then feasting on a mouthwatering steak downstairs. The gallery is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.