Tahoe Travel with Kids
Gang, why does vacation have to end? We had such a dreamy week in Tahoe last month I almost didn’t want to come back. I actually hadn’t been to Tahoe since I was a kid, so it was really fun to be there as a grownup with my own family. And speaking of family, Lake Tahoe is a perfect place to take kids. We had a blast. Read on for a few of our favorite recommendations for families, and lots of pictures of one of the most beautiful spots in California.
Where to Stay If you can swing it, my opinion is that the best way to do Lake Tahoe is to snag a vacation rental. There are so many beautiful homes there and lots of them are rented out for vacation travel. We stayed on the North Shore near King’s Beach, and it was a great spot to be. Incline Village is full of great places to eat and hang out. Whatever you do, try to get a place that’s near a beach (bonus if it’s walking distance so you don’t have to deal with parking!) – Sand Harbor and Ski Beach are also awesome spots.
What to Do Chilllllll. Go to the lake. Lay in the sun. Eat some food. Repeat. Tahoe is the place to be if you’re a little beachy, a little woodsy, and a lot relaxed. You can always hop the Nevada border and go to a casino if that’s your vibe, but really you should come ready to relax and get some good lake time in. (If hiking is your jam, bring your gear for that too.) If you’ve got kids, the beaches on Lake Tahoe are perfect because the water is clean and clear, and you get a little splashy wave action on the sand — but not the worry of ocean beaches where a kid could get taken out by a rogue wave. For a beach day, I recommend getting to the sand early and setting up with some shade tents or under some trees. Claim your spot and come back later if you need to. While you’re at the beach, definitely try out some water toys; you can rent jet skis, paddleboats, and paddleboards at just about any beach. Henry was in heaven riding out on the paddleboard while we paddled around.
Where to Eat First off, if you’re renting a house, cook! Our spot had an incredible deck and we ate outside more than a few times. Pick up some groceries and fire up your grill for a laid back night. Otherwise, we found a few great restaurants. If you’re on King’s Beach and you need a quick lunch, grab something from King’s Cafe — it’s an awesome spot to grab something on the go (the portobello sandwich was so good). If you’re craving pizza, get Mofo’s. And if you’re looking for a fun, nicer evening out on the town, hit up Bite. It’s American tapas and cocktails. We actually took the kids and they did great, but it would be a perfect date spot too. Don’t miss the fried chicken sliders (and don’t tell my trainer that I tried them 😉 ).
We had such a great time, and can’t wait to head back. I’d love to know your favorite spots if you’re familiar with the Tahoe area, too! And until then enjoy just a few more gratuitous family photos. 😉 xoxo
Such lovely happy faces!
We went to Tahoe last summer and I loved it – stayed in Incline Village and also went to Bite! My rec would actually be to stay higher up the mountain -the views from our deck were incredible!! Of course, we had to pay for parking at the pool/beach every day so really it depends on what your priorities are.
Kristina does the Internets
Oh, my! Sooo nice!