Celebrating its 150th anniversary over Labor Day weekend, Tahoe City is a center for shopping, dining and outdoor recreation located at the mouth of Lake Tahoe’s only outlet – the Truckee River. From biking along the river to concerts on the beach, there’s plenty of fun to be found.
“I love the hiking and outdoor dining,” said Louise Jensen at the Tahoe City Visitor Center, while recommending prime hiking spots, including the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Start the day off right
With a décor of 19th century ski gear and vintage bicycles that reflect Tahoe City’s outdoor culture, Rosie’s Café has been a staple in town for almost 30 years. The menu features a collection of breakfast favorites including bacon and eggs, scrambles and pancakes, and house specials such as crab cake eggs Benedict and the Hawaiian-inspired Tahoe Loco-Moco, which is two eggs, two sausage patties and country gravy served over sticky rice. While the food is enough to draw customers through the door, it’s the Bloody Marys that make them stay. Bartender Dennis Loo has been serving his recipe at Rosie’s since 1982.
Looking for a quick bite instead? Gear and Grind Café will serve up a sandwich and coffee in the amount of time it takes to fill out the paperwork for a bike or paddleboard rental at The Back Country. Swing back through in the afternoon for a scoop of Tahoe Creamery ice cream.
Steeped in history
Visit Watson Cabin, the oldest building in Tahoe City, located above Commons Beach. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Watson Cabin is one of the first cabins in the area to have indoor plumbing and is an excellent example of the simplicity of construction at the turn of the 19th Century. More of the rich history of Tahoe City is on display at the Gatekeeper’s Museum located on the west end of town near the Tahoe City Dam. The exhibits celebrate the diversity of the area including Lake Tahoe resorts, boating, the 1960 Olympics, skiing and Washoe tribes, including the Marian Steinbach Indian Basket Museum.
While in the area, be sure to check out the Tahoe City Dam, which controls water flow into the Truckee River and regulates the lake level. Get the best view from Fanny Bridge, which was not named for the number of behinds seen from the road as local rumor states. The bridge got its moniker from the foreman of the bridge road crew who named it for his aunt, Fanny McGillicuddy Wilkerson, according to a column published by David J. Stollery Jr. in 1928.
The new Museum of Sierra Ski History and 1960 Winter Olympics is located inside the Boatworks Mall and features exhibits on Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski area, Bill Briner’s Olympic photos and much more.
Lunch & shopping
Grab lunch across the street at the Bridgetender featuring a full menu of traditional pub faire including burgers and fish and chips. For those looking for something a bit lighter, the Dam Café offers a variety of wraps and sandwiches for dine-in or to-go.
After lunch, head back downtown and check out the local boutiques. The Boatworks Mall is a center for clothing, art and home décor located on the lake next to the Tahoe City Marina, with apparel for men and women at Sports Tahoe and home décor at Alpine Home. After picking up some souvenirs, stop for a bite to eat with great views of the lake at Jake’s on the Lake or at Hacienda del Lago.
Fun times, good eats at marina
The Tahoe City Marina is another must see. The home of the Tahoe Yacht Club is a good place to check out some of the finer boats in the area. Additionally, the marina offers speedboat rentals, sailing charters and parasailing for an afternoon on the water. Dockside 700 is a good choice for dinner after a day on the lake with a menu featuring seafood, steaks and pasta, as well as many gluten-free options and vegetarian dishes for those who seek something more exciting than salad. Not-to-be-missed is the barbecue menu offered Friday to Sunday from the grill prepared at the water’s edge.
You can also pick up the North Lake Tahoe Water Shuttle at the marina, offering stops along the North and West shores.
Beach time
For those who would rather spend a day by the lake instead of on the lake, Commons Beach is one of the more popular destinations on the North Shore. Conveniently accessible from downtown, the beach offers activities throughout the week including live music on Sunday nights and a Farmers’ Market every Thursday morning. Additionally, standup paddleboard and kayak rentals are available daily from Tahoe City Kayak.
Fresh brews to lakeside gourmet
Across the street from Commons Beach is Tahoe Mountain Brewing Company, serving locally brewed beers and smoked meats cooked on location. Stop by and catch the game on one of the many TVs while enjoying a beer sampler and an appetizer, the friendly atmosphere will convince you to stay for dinner.
For those seeking a fine dining experience for dinner, look to Christy Hill, once voted the most romantic restaurant by the San Francisco Chronicle, the lake front seating gives diners a stellar view of the sunset while enjoying the elegant cuisine.
An alternative to the traditional dining experience can be found on the “Tahoe Gal.” The cruises departs from the dock near Safeway daily and offers various cruises including lunch, happy hour and the sunset dinner cruise. Enjoy gorgeous views of the West Shore while dining on prime rib or fresh fish of the day.
Hit the dance floor
Work off those dinner calories with some late night dancing. Lakeside Pizza and Sports bar located next to the dock where the “Tahoe Gal” departs, maintains its mellow atmosphere most nights, but is well known for hosting the party.
“We’re definitely the place to check out for late-night DJ events,” said general manager Brian Beeler.
While Lakeside has steered away from hosting weekly events, they are working with local producers to create a place for DJs to showcase their latest work.
The Fat Cat Bar and Grill hosts open mic night every Tuesday and Karaoke every Thursday for those unknown artists who want to be discovered; at least by locals.
The Tahoe Area Regional Transit offers public transportation throughout the area, with the free Night Rider from the Tahoe City to Crystal Bay, Nev., the West Shore and Northstar from 7 p.m. to about 1:30 a.m. Visit tahoetruckeetransit.com for a complete schedule. For details on the 150th celebration, see the feature in this issue.
Photos and story by Jenn Sheridan
Upcoming events
Ongoing
Live music | Entertainment section in this issue
Every Thursday
8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Farmers’ Market | Commons Beach
Every Sunday (until Sept. 8)
3-7 p.m. | Concerts on Commons Beach
Aug. 29
9 a.m. | Farmers’ Market cooking class | Wolfdale’s
Aug. 30-Sept. 2
150th Anniversary Celebrations | tahoecity150.com (see feature in this issue)
Aug. 31
10 a.m. | Historic Walking Tour & Waterfront Walking Tour
5-7 p.m. | Winemaker event | Uncorked Tahoe City
Sept. 6
5-7 p.m. | Grape Stomp | Cobblestone Mall
Sept. 9
6:30 p.m. | Ironman talk | Gatekeeper’s Museum
Sept. 19
6:30 p.m. | Secrets of the Gatekeepers | Gatekeeper’s Museum
Sept. 19-21
Full moon kayak tour | Tahoe City Kayak
Visitor information
Tahoe City Visitor Center | gotahoenorth.com
Public transportation | tahoetruckeetransit.com
Water shuttle | (530) 581-8707
