Fun for the Family
Aerial Tram at Heavenly Ski Resort
Heavenly Ski Resort
end of Ski Run Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
(800) 243-2836
Tram-only tickets cost $12 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 6 through 12. Children younger than 6 ride free.
A ride-and-dine package, which includes dinner in the Monument Peak restaurant, is available during the summer. During the summer season, the tram runs weekdays from 10 - 9 and weekends from 8:30 - 4 . The tram then runs weekdays from 8:30 - 4 during ski season. The tram is closed following ski season until mid-May and from the third weekend in September to the opening of the next ski season.
>From this vantage point 2,000 feet above the level of the lake, the size and grandeur of the Lake Tahoe Basin is exquisite.
Once there you can simply relax on the deck or enjoy the view from inside the Monument Peak restaurant and bar. Hiking along the ridge is popular during the summer. Sunset colors on the lake are spectacular!
Fanny Bridge
Junction of Calif.
highways 89 and 28, Tahoe City, Calif.
Fanny Bridge spans the Truckee River where it empties from Lake Tahoe on its journey toward Pyramid Lake. Also at this site is the concrete dam with 17 gates used to raise or lower the level of the lake. There are a number of enormous rainbow trout living in the waters around the bridge
Although catching fish is not permitted anywhere near the bridge, it's perfectly legal to feed them. Almost any day of the year, groups of people can be seen leaning over the edge of the bridge to feed the fish.
Gatekeeper's Museum
Junction of California Highways 89 and 28, Tahoe City, Calif.
(530) 583- 1762
The gatekeeper of Lake Tahoe was entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the level of the lake, using a hand-turned winch system to keep the water at prescribed levels. He lived in the gatekeeper's cabin on the south side of Fanny Bridge. The original cabin, built sometime between 1910 and 1916, was destroyed by fire in 1978. The present cabin was built in 1981 with funds raised by the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society.
Since 1986 the Federal Watermaster's Office in Reno has regulated the level of the lake. Today the gatekeeper's cabin is a museum showcasing Lake Tahoe's past through natural history displays, stories of pioneers and priceless artifacts. Of particular interest are exhibits showing the effects of growth and pollution on the Tahoe Basin.
Be sure not to miss the Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum, a collection of more than 800 baskets from native American tribes all over the country, that is on display here.
The museum is open Wednesday - Sunday, May 1 - June 15 and from Labor Day - October 1, and every day from June 16 through Labor Day. The hours are 11 - 5 . Although admission is free, donations are welcome.
Ponderosa Ranch
100 Ponderosa Ranch Rd., Incline Village, Nevada
(775) 831-0691
prices, including the haywagon breakfast, are $11.50 for adults, $7.50 for children ages 5 through 11 and $2 for children 4 and younger. ($2 less without breakfast
9:30- 5 April - October, weather permitting. Breakfast hay wagons depart twice daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, at 8 and 9:30 AM. Since much of the activity at the ranch is outdoors, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and to bring along a jacket .
More than 500 million television viewers in 86 countries have relived the days of the wild West through the television series Bonanza. Filmed at a time when the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) and the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) were eager to show off color television, the Ponderosa Ranch at Lake Tahoe was selected as the setting for the show because of its spectacular scenery.
Since 1967, the ranch has been a popular tourist attraction, with about 40 of its 400 total acres open to visitors.
Step back in time to the post-Civil War era as you wander around the 12 acre downtown. It is authentic to the last detail, including the Silver Dollar Saloon advertising "meals 25 cents" the Old Time Photo Shop specializing in "tin types" of yesteryear and the gallows. Of particular interest is the variety of horse-drawn vehicles casually parked everywhere, as if their owners were in town shopping for the day. Antiques abound in the stores and in the streets because the ranch owners are avid collectors.
The highlight of the ranch is the massive log structure used as the Cartwright family home, where many interior scenes for the series were filmed. Visitors will recognize the red-and-white-striped Victorian sofa in front of the massive stone fireplace, the ornate straight-backed chairs in the dining room and the Cartwrights' hats and jackets that are still hanging from a hat rack near the front door.
Outside, you can test your skill at the Moonshine Shootin' Gallery, make new friends at the Petting Farm, pan for gold at the Lucky Bonanza Mine and ride a horse at the Pony Rides. Restaurant fare follows the theme: you can start the day with a haywagon breakfast of Ben's Scrambled Eggs, Hop Sing's Sausage, flapjacks and beverages.
Tallac Historic Site
Calif. Hwy. 89, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
To reach the site take Calif. 89 northwest for 3 miles past its junction with U.S. 50 in South Lake Tahoe (the "Y"). Parking is available at either the Tallac Historic Site or the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.
(530) 541-5227
weekends 11- 3 from Memorial Day weekend - mid-June. The rest of the summer season Wed - Sunday 10- 4 Call ahead to verify hours and days of operation
Admission is free
Following the discovery of silver in Nevada, Lake Tahoe became a popular summer retreat for wealthy people from San Francisco, Virginia City and Sacramento. In 1880, Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin built an opulent resort including a casino and two hotels on this site. For more than 30 years it was one of a kind. As the area became more accessible via automobiles, other lavish estates appeared all around the lake.
The Tallac Resort was torn down in 1916, but the foundation is still visible. Visitors to the Tallac Historic Site can see several examples of luxurious old private estates. The Baldwin estate, built in 1921 of handhewn logs, is now the Tallac Museum..
The Pope Estate, the largest and most luxurious at the site, was constructed in 1894 and has art exhibits and a living history program. The outbuildings have viewing screens which allow visitors to see the opulence of the interior furnishings. The Heller Estate, also known as Valhalla, is a community events center where concerts, art shows and special events are held during the summer.
Visitors also enjoy a beautiful, white sand beach bordered by large pine trees more than 400 years old. Taylor Creek Visitor Center adjoins the property on the Tallac Historic Site Trail.
Fallen Leaf Lake
Junction of Calif. Hwy. 89 and Fallen Leaf Rd., South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
To reach the lake, take Calif. 89 northwest at its junction with U.S. Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe (the "Y"). Look for Fallen Leaf Road about 3 miles on, turn left and follow it to the lake. Fallen Leaf Lake is frequently not accessible during winter months because of heavy snowfall.
Lake Tahoe Basin
The second-largest natural lake in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Fallen Leaf was an appendage of Lake Tahoe many years ago. Three miles long, Fallen Leaf Lake is considered by many scientists to be a microcosm of Lake Tahoe. Because it is smaller, researchers are studying the effects of pollution on the lake as they believe the same effects will appear in a similar way later in the larger Lake Tahoe.
A variety of easy hikes begin from the Fallen Leaf Campground about a half-mile from Calif. 89. Other longer hikes begin from the parking lot just past the Fallen Leaf Marina at the end of the lake. The drive alone is worth the trip, though, because the lake is very scenic. Keep in the mind that the going is slow -- the road is one-way with few turnouts.
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