South Lake Tahoe, California, is not just a winter destination for ski-lovers – it is a perfect place to go in the summer.  It is serene, and offers a laid-back atmosphere, where you can spend your summer afternoons doing practically nothing other than sunbathing along the edge of the Lake.  The beaches along the Lake are beautiful, and the color of the water is just gorgeous – very green.  Then with the mountains, and the fresh air – this place is terrific. We visited in the middle of July, 2012, and even though it was hot, there was a nice breeze.

Bring your hiking shoes, as this is a perfect place to take walks, although be warned that going up the hills in Lake Tahoe, should only be undertaken by those who are fit enough.  I once attempted to take a walk along the road leading back up to the place where we stayed – Tahoe Seasons Resort – well, going downhill was no problem, but going back up certainly was a different story – let’s just say, it was quite a challenge for me.   Be warned though, that you are going to be way up in the mountains and you will see that items in the grocery store such as chips, and even milk and yoghurt will be slightly swollen with excess air.   I was told that many people can suffer from swollen ankles here, but I didn’t have that problem.

Here are some pictures of Lakeside Beach – a private beach, and further down this post, you will see pictures of Emerald Lake and Tahoe Seasons Resort.

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

This is a restaurant that overlooks the private beach – Lakeside Beach – which we had a free pass to.

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

On day three, we ventured onto the narrow roads again (it takes quite a bit of courage sometimes to face those same roads again) to see Lake Emerald, which is just about a fifteen or twenty minute drive from downtown South Lake Tahoe.

Emerald Lake – South Lake Tahoe, CA

Emerald Lake – South Lake Tahoe, CA

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake – South Lake Tahoe, CA

This is a beach that is not private, and it is also very beautiful, and it is only a five minute drive from Lakeside Beach.

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe, CA

As for food, we mostly went to Denny’s, however, we did try a wonderful Indian restaurant named Nikki’s Chaat Cafe – it had the best pakoras ever!  I am normally more a samosa person, but this time I was hooked!  I will always remember the pakoras.

Nikki’s Chaat Cafe, South Lake Tahoe, CA

This is just a picture I took, but I didn’t get to try the food here.

South Lake Tahoe, CA

This is the resort where we stayed.  It actually is a timeshare that I exchanged into, and instead of staying for seven days – we stayed for just four days.  The actual accommodation was quite nice.  It was a one-bedroom with a separate living room, that had a mini-fridge with microwave, and coffee maker (no stove).

Tahoe Seasons Resort – South Lake Tahoe, CA

Tahoe Seasons Resort – South Lake Tahoe, CA

Tahoe Seasons Resort – South Lake Tahoe, CA

Chandi at Tahoe Seasons Resort – with her “Bear Family”

Tahoe Seasons Resort

South Lake Tahoe is indeed a very beautiful place to visit – once you get there.  However, getting there – can be a little tricky.  In fact, I would be hesitant about driving on those roads in snowy conditions, as it was a little hair-raising driving to this popular, and very laid-back ski destination.  As I drove the car along the narrow roads that went into mountainous community, my heart skipped many a beat and I dared not look along the sides of the road as I could easily have gone off the edge of the road in an instant.

South Lake Tahoe, CA

So, my words of advice are – just be careful driving into this tourist destination, and bring some extra money – as Harrah’s Casino and Harvey’s Casino are in Lake Tahoe, in the centre of downtown.