Guidebook for Christmas Valley

Amanda
Guidebook for Christmas Valley

Essentials

Gas station with beer cave open late after Holiday closes.
Roadrunner Gas
2933 US-50
Gas station with beer cave open late after Holiday closes.
Closest grocery store to the house.
29 locals recommend
Holiday Market
2977 US-50
29 locals recommend
Closest grocery store to the house.
Mountain bike rentals and gear very close to house. Great owner and workers.
12 locals recommend
Watta Bike Shop
2933 US-50
12 locals recommend
Mountain bike rentals and gear very close to house. Great owner and workers.

Drinks & Nightlife

Nearest bar to the house. A great local establishment. Good sandwiches and salads. Opens at 2 pm. Music on weekends. Very family friendly.
58 locals recommend
The Divided Sky
El Dorado Freeway
58 locals recommend
Nearest bar to the house. A great local establishment. Good sandwiches and salads. Opens at 2 pm. Music on weekends. Very family friendly.
Relatively new place with a nice feeling at the Y. Very spacious. Dog friendly and kid friendly. Limited food options. Some games for kids.
43 locals recommend
South Lake Brewing Company
1920 Lake Tahoe Blvd
43 locals recommend
Relatively new place with a nice feeling at the Y. Very spacious. Dog friendly and kid friendly. Limited food options. Some games for kids.

Food Scene

One of the best restaurants in South Lake Tahoe, this happens to be in Meyers close to our house. Great breakfast and lunch. They are no longer serving dinner, as far as we can tell. Can be crowded and require a wait.
62 locals recommend
The Getaway Cafe
3140 US-50
62 locals recommend
One of the best restaurants in South Lake Tahoe, this happens to be in Meyers close to our house. Great breakfast and lunch. They are no longer serving dinner, as far as we can tell. Can be crowded and require a wait.
Average pizza place. OK in a pinch. Helps if you cook the pizza in the oven a few extra minutes.
19 locals recommend
Bob Dog Pizza
3160 US-50
19 locals recommend
Average pizza place. OK in a pinch. Helps if you cook the pizza in the oven a few extra minutes.
Coffee and espresso, quiche, bagels, pastries. Friendly owners and cozy space. Only coffee shop near the house.
26 locals recommend
Freel Perk Cafe
3141 US-50
26 locals recommend
Coffee and espresso, quiche, bagels, pastries. Friendly owners and cozy space. Only coffee shop near the house.
Beautiful lakeside dining and beach access. Get a sun tan in the summer. Throw snowballs in the lake in winter. Free live music on some Sundays. Food is billed as high-end but is not excellent. Grab a drink or bar snack while the kids play in the sand. Highly recommended as way to soak up some Lake Tahoe relaxation vibes any time of year. Try biking here on weekends in July and August to avoid traffic nightmares.
73 locals recommend
Camp Richardson Resort Beach
1902-3098 Jameson Beach Rd
73 locals recommend
Beautiful lakeside dining and beach access. Get a sun tan in the summer. Throw snowballs in the lake in winter. Free live music on some Sundays. Food is billed as high-end but is not excellent. Grab a drink or bar snack while the kids play in the sand. Highly recommended as way to soak up some Lake Tahoe relaxation vibes any time of year. Try biking here on weekends in July and August to avoid traffic nightmares.
This place recently moved to the Y, and has been replaced with an equally good place called el Fresco with a large menu, run by a former chef of Verde.
57 locals recommend
Verde Mexican Rotisserie
2016 Lake Tahoe Blvd
57 locals recommend
This place recently moved to the Y, and has been replaced with an equally good place called el Fresco with a large menu, run by a former chef of Verde.
Good place close to the house. Extensive menu with tacos, burritos, salads, burgers, vegan options. Nice outdoor dining facing scenic views of mountains.
21 locals recommend
Frescana Mexican Bistro
3141 US-50
21 locals recommend
Good place close to the house. Extensive menu with tacos, burritos, salads, burgers, vegan options. Nice outdoor dining facing scenic views of mountains.
One of South Lake's better recent enhancements, this place has great pizza, pour your own beer, spacious outdoor dining in the summer. Live music at times.
73 locals recommend
Lake Tahoe AleWorX
2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd
73 locals recommend
One of South Lake's better recent enhancements, this place has great pizza, pour your own beer, spacious outdoor dining in the summer. Live music at times.
Best quick food near the house. Breakfast burritos are big and great. Friendly owners.
Sombreros Mexican Restaurant
Best quick food near the house. Breakfast burritos are big and great. Friendly owners.

Parks & Nature

A good place to walk along the beach at Lake Tahoe with dogs on leash. Free parking if you turn left at the fork after turning off the freeway. Gates block the road in wintertime, requiring a 1/2 mile walk.
23 locals recommend
Kiva Beach
23 locals recommend
A good place to walk along the beach at Lake Tahoe with dogs on leash. Free parking if you turn left at the fork after turning off the freeway. Gates block the road in wintertime, requiring a 1/2 mile walk.
A must see at Tahoe. Take public transportation during summertime as parking is extremely scarce. Look up the Tahoe Transportation District for Emerald Bay shuttles and trolley times. The trolley is open air and super fun. Hike down along a paved road to Vikingsholm Castle and beach for a real treat.
435 locals recommend
Emerald Bay State Park
138 Emerald Bay Rd
435 locals recommend
A must see at Tahoe. Take public transportation during summertime as parking is extremely scarce. Look up the Tahoe Transportation District for Emerald Bay shuttles and trolley times. The trolley is open air and super fun. Hike down along a paved road to Vikingsholm Castle and beach for a real treat.
Beautiful walk to the river near the house. Turn right out our driveway, right on the first street, Shakori Drive, until it turns into a dirt road. Keep walking and the river is about a third of a mile from our house. Pass the quaint cabins, which are leased by the Forest Service and have no private property rights. The entire area is National Forest/public land so access is open to all. Several trails meander to access the river. This is wonderful every season of the year, and takes about 45 minutes round trip. Take a picnic, and enjoy the afternoon lingering in small sandy nooks. Great for pets and kids.
Rainbow Rd
Beautiful walk to the river near the house. Turn right out our driveway, right on the first street, Shakori Drive, until it turns into a dirt road. Keep walking and the river is about a third of a mile from our house. Pass the quaint cabins, which are leased by the Forest Service and have no private property rights. The entire area is National Forest/public land so access is open to all. Several trails meander to access the river. This is wonderful every season of the year, and takes about 45 minutes round trip. Take a picnic, and enjoy the afternoon lingering in small sandy nooks. Great for pets and kids.
Access miles of scenic, day-long hikes at this trailhead five minutes from our house. Do your research and head out prepared with a map, etc. A quick steep hike across the highway (heading south on the Tahoe Rim Trail) leads to a large beautiful meadow with a small bridge, creek, and wildflowers.
Big Meadow Tahoe Rim Trail Trailhead
Access miles of scenic, day-long hikes at this trailhead five minutes from our house. Do your research and head out prepared with a map, etc. A quick steep hike across the highway (heading south on the Tahoe Rim Trail) leads to a large beautiful meadow with a small bridge, creek, and wildflowers.
Unmarked trail near the house. Go right out our driveway, turn left on Shakori Drive, cross Highway 89, and head right around the big mounds of wood chips. Keep walking south and you'll find a walking trail that after a few hundred yards will head up the hill. A steep hike takes you to a view of Echo Summit, Lake Tahoe, and Christmas Valley after 30-40 minutes.
CA-89 & Shakori Dr
Unmarked trail near the house. Go right out our driveway, turn left on Shakori Drive, cross Highway 89, and head right around the big mounds of wood chips. Keep walking south and you'll find a walking trail that after a few hundred yards will head up the hill. A steep hike takes you to a view of Echo Summit, Lake Tahoe, and Christmas Valley after 30-40 minutes.
A few minute's drive from the house, this is a great workout if you are limited in time. In summer or winter, this is a local's favorite because it's a wide open trail that allows for a nice steep hike when other trails are covered in snow. This is the old highway, so it's a large paved road but very scenic at the top with a view of Lake Tahoe. In winter, it's often partially clear of snow to allow emergency access to the real highway if needed. Drive west onto Highway 50, cross the river, and take a left on South Upper Truckee Road. One of the first rights is for Old Meyers Grade Road. Park at the gate and start hiking up. Allow for 1 to 1.5 hours round trip. It's about 3 miles round trip.
Old Meyers Grade Road
Old Meyers Grade Road
A few minute's drive from the house, this is a great workout if you are limited in time. In summer or winter, this is a local's favorite because it's a wide open trail that allows for a nice steep hike when other trails are covered in snow. This is the old highway, so it's a large paved road but very scenic at the top with a view of Lake Tahoe. In winter, it's often partially clear of snow to allow emergency access to the real highway if needed. Drive west onto Highway 50, cross the river, and take a left on South Upper Truckee Road. One of the first rights is for Old Meyers Grade Road. Park at the gate and start hiking up. Allow for 1 to 1.5 hours round trip. It's about 3 miles round trip.
Just a ten-minute drive from our house is scenic Hope Valley. Beautiful anytime of year, and particularly spectacular during fall colors. Nice flat walks along the river all year round. A huge meadow with walking, fishing, cross country skiing, and views of large mountains.
18 locals recommend
Hope Valley
18 locals recommend
Just a ten-minute drive from our house is scenic Hope Valley. Beautiful anytime of year, and particularly spectacular during fall colors. Nice flat walks along the river all year round. A huge meadow with walking, fishing, cross country skiing, and views of large mountains.
Drive west of Hope Valley and you'll reach Carson Pass, another access point for many hikes. Go prepared.
8 locals recommend
Kit Carson Pass
California 88
8 locals recommend
Drive west of Hope Valley and you'll reach Carson Pass, another access point for many hikes. Go prepared.
Man-made pond with free fishing for kids all summer. Nice views.
14 locals recommend
Sawmill Pond
14 locals recommend
Man-made pond with free fishing for kids all summer. Nice views.

Everything Else

Closest bike and ski rental and repair shop. Great people.
12 locals recommend
Watta Bike Shop
2933 US-50
12 locals recommend
Closest bike and ski rental and repair shop. Great people.

Entertainment & Activities

This is a sledding hill that charges a small entrance fee, between $10-$30 depending on how busy it is. It is located right at the top of Echo Summit.
23 locals recommend
Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe
Hwy 50 El Dorado Fwy
23 locals recommend
This is a sledding hill that charges a small entrance fee, between $10-$30 depending on how busy it is. It is located right at the top of Echo Summit.
Great indoor space for tots and kids up to 5 or 6 when the weather is not cooperating. Large trampoline, ball pit, and roll around area, craft room, costume room, quiet room, snack area. $15 for non-members. They sell some snacks there.
12 locals recommend
Tahoe Tot Spot
1012 Al Tahoe Blvd
12 locals recommend
Great indoor space for tots and kids up to 5 or 6 when the weather is not cooperating. Large trampoline, ball pit, and roll around area, craft room, costume room, quiet room, snack area. $15 for non-members. They sell some snacks there.
TubeTahoe
3021 US-50

Getting Around

Look up info online for shuttles and public transportation options. Ski shuttles to all resorts in winter. Summer shuttles to Emerald Bay and along the main highway. Consider renting a bike near the Y or trying LimeBike through their app.
Tahoe Transportation District
128 Market St
Look up info online for shuttles and public transportation options. Ski shuttles to all resorts in winter. Summer shuttles to Emerald Bay and along the main highway. Consider renting a bike near the Y or trying LimeBike through their app.
Tahoe has a tons of relatively flat paved bike trails. LimeBike has some docking stations in South Shore. Download the app to find out exactly where. There are paved trails from our house (start across Highway 89) that go all the way to the Y, and then north to Pope Beach, Camp Richardson and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center. There are also a lot of businesses that rent bikes near the Y. I have not used Anderson's in over 10 years but they have a lot of comfy bikes.
40 locals recommend
Anderson's Bicycle Rental
645 Emerald Bay Rd
40 locals recommend
Tahoe has a tons of relatively flat paved bike trails. LimeBike has some docking stations in South Shore. Download the app to find out exactly where. There are paved trails from our house (start across Highway 89) that go all the way to the Y, and then north to Pope Beach, Camp Richardson and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center. There are also a lot of businesses that rent bikes near the Y. I have not used Anderson's in over 10 years but they have a lot of comfy bikes.