South Lake Tahoe is a popular destination in the region and suffers from serious summertime traffic congestion. It’s an eclectic and frenzied scene during the busy months, but taking a casual off-the-highway bike tour can be a relaxing way to entertain the family.
South Shore offers plenty of mountain biking options, but I spent a summer morning on a recreational paved trail that took me to some of my favorite historic places in the Tahoe Basin.
South Shore offers plenty of challenging, singletrack mountain biking options, but I spent a summer morning on a recreational paved trail that took me to some of my favorite historic places in the Tahoe Basin. I left my own bicycle at home and drove to Tahoe Bike Company. It’s located in a perfect spot west of the bustling casino district. The trails that I would be riding were relatively level, but I was anxious to see why electric-assisted bikes are all the rage and rented one. So much fun.
The employees at Tahoe Bike Company were friendly and professional. They showed me how to operate the e-bike and gave me a detailed map that indicated trails and choice beach spots around South Lake Tahoe. The colored routes and cyclist icons, along with direction signs on the local roads, enabled me to navigate neighborhood side streets that would ultimately guide me to my turnaround point at Tallac Historic Site, less than 10 miles away.
After a short stint getting a feel for the electrically propelled bike, I started out on a path that briefly ran west parallel to busy Highway 50, but soon turned from the noisy road onto a mix of quiet paved trails and residential streets. The route meanders through a thinned pine forest, open meadows and the lush Upper Truckee River marshland where the river flows north into Tahoe Keys development and Lake Tahoe. There were quite a few families touring on bicycles that day, but the trail never felt crowded.
Six miles from the starting point is Camp Richardson Resort with its pristine beaches and popular Beacon Bar & Grillwith a deck perched on the beach. There’s also a General Store and delicatessen if you need supplies like sunscreen or a quick snack. Make it your business to visit the award-winning Richardson’s Ice Cream Parlor — you won’t be disappointed. If the notion strikes, lock up your bikes near the marina and take one of the daily boat cruises to nearby Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm Castle.
It’s hard to leave Camp Richardson, but there’s plenty more to see. The bike trail runs north parallel to Highway 89. Keep pedaling to the entrance of Tallac Historic Site, with its meticulously landscaped Old Tahoe estates. In 1875, Ephraim “Yank” Clement built a two-story hostelry for summer visitors at this location. In 1878, mining speculator and California real-estate investor, Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin, bought Yank’s extensive acreage and mile of Tahoe beach. The following year Baldwin upgraded the property into a swanky lakefront hotel-casino for the well-heeled city crowd. Baldwin later sold adjoining parcels to wealthy San Francisco families that built rustic summer homes there. These period estates are maintained by the U.S. Forest Service in partnership with the nonprofit Tahoe Heritage Foundation. Visit Tallac Museum inside one of the original Baldwin family cabins to get the low-down on the fabulous history of this area. If it’s a hot day, refresh yourself with a splash or swim at the beach.
The final focus of this tour is Taylor Creek Visitor Center. Head north half a mile to the park to view a rare, protected Tahoe wetland with wildlife and brilliantly colored wildflowers in season. A special treat is the unique Stream Profile Chamber on the pedestrian-only Rainbow Trail that provides interpretive signs and an underwater view of biological diversity. Afterwards head toward the lake and take a stroll in the sand to enjoy the wild beauty of Kiva and Baldwin beaches.
While in South Lake Tahoe, visit Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum, located on the main drag, Lake Tahoe Boulevard. A notable structure is the 1859 Osgood Toll House, the oldest commercial building still standing at Lake Tahoe. The museum is jammed with interesting artifacts and exhibits. Friendly, knowledgeable docents can tell you about the legendary skiing mailman Snowshoe Thompson and the Pony Express route that ran right through South Lake Tahoe. A visit to the museum will quickly dispel the myth that South Shore has no colorful history. | fs.fed.us, tahoeheritage.org or laketahoemuseum.org.
Note: The museum at Tahoe Tallac was still closed as of press time. Check in advance for schedules.
