Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe Family Vacations mean crystalline waters, mesmerizing mountain views and tall majestic pine trees. This is a place where families can share great times together. If you want to have independent and easy travelling experience, then use car hire USA.
Take a cruise on North America’s largest alpine lake, Lake Tahoe, where the remarkably clear water allows you to see down as far as 65 feet.
On the North shore, North Tahoe Cruises, you can cruise the beautiful shoreline, run the stunning emerald waters of Emerald Bay, or watch the sunset over the stunning Sierra Mountains. The majestic Mt. Tallac rises 9,735 feet for a breathtaking backdrop to the lake.
The Tahoe Queen provides a fun paddle wheel journey around the lake. This cruise operates from the Ski Run Marina on Lake Tahoe’s south shore. They have several cruises including the Heritage Tour that shows off Lake Tahoe homes designed by people like Frank Lloyd Wright and Bernard Maybeck.
Skiing in the mountains and jet skiing on the lake are two exciting vacation ideas for you to try on your Lake Tahoe family vacation. A popular snow sport destination is Sierra-at-Tahoe which is extremely kid friendly.
Everyone will enjoy visiting Ben Cartwright’s “The Ponderosa Ranch”, the filming location of television’s Bonanza. It’s located near Lake Tahoe on the exact spot seen on the “Burning Map” at the beginning of every episode. The ranch is now a Western Studio and Theme Park where you can experience the sights and sounds of the real west and the “reel” west.
If you or the family is into hiking, biking or horseback riding then you will enjoy the 150 miles of Tahoe Rim Trail. This multi-use trail completely encircles the lake with 9 separate trail heads to get you going. Outfitter guides like Tahoe Adventure Company can set you up with overnight trips into the mountains and other outdoor activities such as lake kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking or kite boarding.
Lake Tahoe family vacations can include an adventurous Hot Air Balloon Ride over the lake or Carson Valley. Lake Tahoe Balloons has experienced professional pilots to take you up into the sky for a quiet ride across the air waves. There is plenty of room for all your family and friends to share the experience.
Here’s a great idea for your Lake Tahoe family vacation. Echo Creek Mountain Ranch is an incredible 16-acre private estate that sleeps up to 20 people. Located in South Tahoe it features a beautiful 4,000 square foot log home with 5 bedrooms, a bunkhouse and 3 bathrooms. Relax in front of one of the three grand fireplaces. Start a family competition on the ping-pong table. Or enjoy the deck barbeque and private hot tub.
High Camp is a heavenly mountain-top cabin retreat with a 8,200 feet high view of Lake Tahoe, Nevada. And getting there is half the fun. A cable car will take you straight up for 2,000 feet as you take in the breathtaking panorama around you. What a ride!
An interesting place to visit during your family vacation in Lake Tahoe is Taylor Creek Stream Profile Chamber. This unique experience uses floor-to-ceiling glass bay windows to allow you to see what it’s like to go below the surface of Taylor Creek. With a waterfall, sound effects and a floor that feels like the creek bottom you will get the full affect buy stay dry.
NEVADA COUNTY HIKING
Bear River Bridge
Bear River, Nevada County
The Bear River forms the southern most border of Nevada County.
At the crossing of Bear River and Hwy 174 is a historic bridge, and there is also a great trail
for hiking there. It is a relatively easy, approximately two mile hike downstream.
There are several smaller trails branching off to the river for swimming, fishing,
or just relaxing. There is plenty of free parking.
Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Nevada County
To Start
Take Hwy. 20 west from Grass Valley towards Marysville.
Turn Right on Pleasant Valley Road and go about 8 miles until you reach the covered bridge.
Parking
Several parking lots are located where Pleasant Valley Road crosses the Yuba River.
Roadside parking is also available.
Hiking Distance
You can hike approximately 1.5 miles downstream (west) or upstream (east).
Downstream meanders along the Yuba River as it flows into the Englebright Reservoir.
Upstream goes along the river, and has some great swimming holes.
Features
Bridgeport is located on the far west side of Nevada County.
The beautiful Yuba River is perfect for winter rafting,
and in the summer there are several great places to swim.
Hiking is great all year long.
The historic covered bridge has been around since 1862,
and the old toll station road can still be seen today.
A lot of items have been preserved, and the entire place is rich with history.
Edward Crossing
Go north on Hwy 20, passed Nevada City. Turn left at Hwy 49.
Not too far up, take a left on North Bloomfield Rd and go about 8 miles
until you reach the river crossing. You can take a tail on either side of the river.
This hike is Easy to Moderate difficulty. Very scenic!
EMPIRE MINE HIKING TRAILS
This 784 acre State Park is close to downtown Grass Valley. The trails are relatively level
and wind through the pine-forested land that was once one of the largest working hardrock mines
in Nevada County. To get there, exit on Hwy 49 at Empire Street. Travel east for about one
mile, and you will arrive at the mine. Park in the main parking lot. There are 3 major trails to hike:
HARDROCK TRAIL - This 2 mile loop passes through the historic mining site.
Mountain bikes and horse back riding are are not permitted on this trail.
OSBORNE HILL TRAIL - This 5 mile loop winds through old mine sites with foundations.
The hike takes you through tall pines and along a year-round creek.
Horseback riding and mountain bikes are permitted on this trail.
UNION HILL TRAIL - This 5 mile loop lets you see old mine sites and the historic pipeline
that brought water to the mines. The whole hike is in a thick pine forest.
Horseback riding and mountain bikes are permitted on this trail.
INDEPENDENCE TRAIL
To Start
Take Hwy. 49 and go 5.5 miles north of Nevada City.
Parking
You can park in turnouts near the trailhead which is located about a half a mile south
of the Yuba River. Warning – Be careful with the traffic on Hwy 49.
Hiking Distance
You can go 2.5 miles downstream (west) or upstream (east).
The west trail offers a 4.3 mile loop along a swimming trail to Jones Bar Road
and then goes back up to Excelsior Canal and back to the start.
Features
There is Wheelchair Accessibility for 1.5 miles in each direction of the trailhead.
This trail follows the path of the Excelsior Canal which was built during the Gold Rush.
You’ll enjoy lots of wildflowers in the Spring.
NEVADA CITY TRAILS
DETAILED MAPS FOR THESE TRAILS CAN BE OBTAINED
FROM THE FOREST SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
AT 631 COYOTE ST, NEVADA CITY, CA, 95959
Augustine Agony Trail
START – Cement Hill Rd to Augustine Rd
Banner Mountain Bike Trail
START – Sacramento St & Freeway
Buckeye Loop Bike Trail
START – Cascade Shores General Store
Champion Mine Trail
START - Miner’s Foundry & Factory St
Deer Creek Trail
START – Nevada City Hwy & Providence Mine Rd
Round Mountain Trail
START – North Bloomfield Road & Rock Creek Road
Travel SHOP
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