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See The Whole Lake: 6 Hour Shared Tour of Lake Tahoe by Van
4.8
59 Ratings
South Lake Tahoe
Explore Lake Tahoe’s legends, landmarks, and lore on a 6-hour van tour. Discover sacred sights, historic tales, and stunning views. Book your adventure now.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Emerald Bay State Park - Emerald Bay is the second most photographed location in the United States. This picturesque spot is a must-visit. It may be closed in winter due to avalanches, but for most of the year, Around Tahoe Tours will take you to the best spots in Emerald Bay. Capture stunning photos, listen to fascinating stories, and enjoy the scenic views. No need for parking or walking, just pure enjoyment of Emerald Bay. Highlights include Inspiration Point, Eagle Falls, Fannett Island, and Vikingsholm.
- Meeks Bay Beach - This is a seasonal stop, open from May 15th to October 15th. It’s a charming white sand beach, perfect for swimming in Lake Tahoe. The area features a delightful resort with cabins and houses for rent, as well as RV and tent camping options. There’s a general store and well-maintained bathrooms.
- Homewood - The Oscar-winning film “The Godfather Part II” was filmed on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. The mafia had a significant presence in Lake Tahoe, drawn by the casinos in Reno and on the North Shore. They followed the money, and the lake’s depth was an added attraction. Just ask Fredo.
- Tahoe City Visitor Information Center - We park at the Tahoe City Visitor Center and walk over to Fanny Bridge. Below the dam, you can see impressively large and beautiful Rainbow and Brown Trout. This is where the Truckee River flows out of Lake Tahoe. The dam, standing at just 6 feet tall, isn’t meant to hold water in but to help it flow out.
- Carnelian Bay - This is a fantastic stop at the renowned Gar Wood’s Restaurant and Bar. Enjoy a Wet Woody and stroll along the pier. Capture great photos and marvel at the crystal-clear water. In the summer, you might see classic wooden boats like Gar Woods, Chris-Crafts, Rivas, and Hackers out on the lake.
- Sand Harbor - Around Tahoe Tours stops at the most beautiful spot in Lake Tahoe: Sand Harbor State Park, Nevada. This area is known for its massive boulders surrounded by various shades of blue, giving it a tropical feel at times. It’s an excellent place for swimming, rich in history, and arguably our best stop. Stretch your legs, take plenty of photos, and you won’t want to leave.
- Logan Shoals Vista Trail - Around Tahoe Tours also stops at Logan Shoals Vista Trail, the best place to view Cave Rock. Cave Rock is Lake Tahoe’s most famous sacred site, home to the spirits of the Paiute and Washoe Indians. Despite its name, Cave Rock is actually a volcanic stem from ancient times.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Snacks
- Very experienced guide who knows Lake Tahoe better than anybody around you
- Parking fees
What's Not Included
- Lunch
Additional Information
See the “Seven Sacred Sights of Tahoe” in our comfortable van. Learn all the stories, legends, folklore, statistics, geology, and music about the world’s most beautiful lake from “Mr. Tahoe’s” award winning, best selling Tour CD ‘Around Tahoe’. Learn about the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley. The story of Sam Clemens (Mark Twain) from the master impersonator himself, McAvoy Lane. The amazing story of Snowshoe Thompson, The Skiing Mailman. See the Godfather II Movie House and Frank Sinatra’s Cal Neva plus the Ponderosa Ranch (from the TV show Bonanza). See and learn the story of real estate magnate George Whittell and the infamous Thunderbird Lodge. Learn about Captain Dick and see beautiful Emerald Bay.
There is a one hour stop for lunch at the locals favorite! ( Not included in price) The Tahoe House
Adventure Tours For Every Season
“The Most Beautiful Drive in America” through the minds of two brothers, Chris and Darin Talbot locals from 1977. We are rated 5-star on Tripadvisor.
- Travel time is included on the total tour duration and 45 minutes - 1 hour at The Tahoe House
Location
Explore Tahoe Visitor Center
Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Meeting point is on the transit center side of Explorer Tahoe visitor Center. Look for our vehicle.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(59 Ratings)
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Lynnette_l
Sep 13, 2024
This is more than a tour - This is more than a tour. It is an experience. Chris Talbot is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. I highly recommend this trip to young and old. Personalized to the group. We can’t say enough about how amazing this trip was
Review provided by Viator
Bonnie_r
Sep 12, 2024
Leave the driving to them - just enjoy history and scenery! - Markee-mark was our guide in the outrageously colorful van!!! He did a great job of working with differing ages and interests - loved the humor and knowledge + got to hear their CD with history of the area - such interesting characters - then the music - originals by Chris the owners brother - very talented. We had a great time!!!
Review provided by Viator
N9744nxcathyj
Sep 7, 2024
Wonderful experience! Must do tour. - Amazing trip! Our guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. He was very helpful in assisting my husband who has a vision disability. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Miguel
Sep 1, 2024
Labor Day Weekend Tour - This was a great tour. Our first time traveling all around Lake Tahoe. Chris was awesome and took us to amazing spots such as Emerald Bay and Sand Harbor. It was a busy day due to Labor Day but it was all amazing overall.
PS: Chris made a stop at Tahoe House and their food was delicious.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stef_g
Aug 23, 2024
Fantastic experience - A fantastic day seeing different parts of the lake, wonderful option for those visiting without a car. Mark was a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable, friendly and engaging. A wonderful experience, highly recommended to those visiting the area!
Review provided by Viator
Dmkellogg
Aug 20, 2024
Best tour guide (Mark) and tour! - Mark was our guide and he was wonderful! Very knowledgeable, personable and an all around great gentleman. Don’t let him go. The overall experience was amazing and we will recommend to those who travel to Lake Tahoe.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Linda_l
Sep 16, 2024
Great experience! - Learning the history of Lake Tahoe. Great stops for picture opportunities. Guide had a good sense of humor.
Review provided by Viator
K9957aycharlenec
Sep 11, 2024
Unbelievable Tour - Breathtaking panoramic views of the lake. Our tour guide, Mark, was very informative and entertaining. He went above and beyond to assist us with entering and exiting the van due to the fact that we are "aged to perfection".
There were six of us on this tour, the two of us and four others, and it was a unique blending of personalities. Again, our tour guide, Mark, was very accommodating, and worked diligently to make everyone feel comfortable and valued.
Would have given this tour a 5 star rating, except for the age of the van, which could use some updating and also the informational CD, that really needs to be updated.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisa
Aug 28, 2024
Great tour with one recommendation - The tour guide was great. Very knowledgeable. My suggestion would be to get a headset with a microphone.
It was difficult for those of us in the back of the van to hear everything he was saying. Having said that, he was very friendly and accommodating. The stops were great. We saw everything we wanted to see and then some! I would highly recommend but try to sit in the front.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karen_p
Aug 28, 2024
Good overview with a little hokiness - Great overview of the Lake Tahoe area. Van itself and some of the narration was a bit hokey. Van was bright blue with all kind of advertising on it. Felt like a real tourist. Scenery was gorgeous. Some nice stops.
Review provided by Viator
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