Tahoe City is a beautiful little town that sits along the shore of Lake Tahoe at the headwaters of the Truckee River. Tourists and guests visit this community to enjoy the diverse shops, boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Enjoy four-star dining, homegrown coffee shops, shopping, galleries, and a leisurely stroll through town on the Lake-view boardwalk any time.
As you walk through downtown, there are art galleries, clothing boutiques, outdoor recreation specialty stores, gift shops, locally handmade goods, and a variety of other unique offerings from the creative minds of Tahoe entrepreneurs. Many of the retail establishments are owned and operated by locals. They not only make and design beautiful works of art, but they also greet you with a sincerity that cannot be feigned.
This 150 year old town was once a destination for travelers as they sojourned to and from the Comstock Lode during the gold rush. In its long history Tahoe City has been a lumber center, a proud destination for the opulent Tahoe Tavern, and the end point the Lake Tahoe Railway and Transportation Company, a 16-mile, 3 ft narrow gauge railroad that ran from a connection with the Central Pacific Railway at Truckee, California to the waterfront at Lake Tahoe.
Today the focus is on enjoying the beautiful lake and river, and having fun. Although it’s possible to walk all of Tahoe City in 30 minutes, plan on spending a few days, because there is much to do if you choose to do it. For instance, there are hiking/biking/jogging/walking trails along the river. If California history is something that gets your attention, there are museums chock full of yesteryear. Next to the Truckee River Dam, the Gatekeepers Museum is a beautiful log reconstruction of the original Gatekeeper’s cabin, where the person who controlled the gates of the Truckee River lived. The museum has an extensive Native American basket collection, 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympic exhibits, boating history and a well-stocked bookstore focusing on local history. In the center of Tahoe City is the Watson Cabin museum, built in 1909, it is Tahoe City’s oldest still standing structure.
Tahoe City is a four season vacation destination. Anything involving water, liquid or frozen, is at your fingertips when you decide to stay with us for a few days or weeks. The folk in Tahoe City welcome you and look forward to seeing you soon.