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Fall is a stunning season at Lake Tahoe. It's quiet; the summer crowds have gone home and it's too early for skiing. The aspen leaves shimmer like gold coins, the days are crisp and the lake, at least in September, is as warm as it will be all year. Hiking trails beckon, bicycle trails wind through the tall pines and golf courses offer invigorating days of pleasure and fun.
For a fall getaway, the serene North and West Shores of the lake recall what Tahoe used to be 50 years ago. The lack of casinos and commercial development lets you focus on the brilliant blue of the sky and the water as they glitter through the tall pines. The air smells like summer camp and in the quiet, you can hear the lake lapping against pier pilings.
At Tahoma Meadows Bed and Breakfast Cottages on the West shore, the feeling of "Old Tahoe" is carried out in 15 cabins, many of which date from the 1920s and a main building which is over 100-years-old.
The signs on the driveway to the cottages say "bear crossing" but it isn't a joke; there really are still bears and guests are warned not to leave food in their cars. You know you are in the mountains when you have to watch out for bears!
Five cabins have kitchens and ten are "bed and breakfast" style, meaning you can enjoy a full family style breakfast in inn's common room, with an unobstructed view of the lake. The delicious breakfast, which includes such treats as crème brulee French toast, apple muffins, fresh fruit, both spinach-feta and salmon-leek frittata, and of course coffee and tea, will fortify you for your day in the great out-of-doors.
For a fall getaway, the serene North and West Shores of the lake recall what Tahoe used to be 50 years ago. The lack of casinos and commercial development lets you focus on the brilliant blue of the sky and the water as they glitter through the tall pines. The air smells like summer camp and in the quiet, you can hear the lake lapping against pier pilings.
At Tahoma Meadows Bed and Breakfast Cottages on the West shore, the feeling of "Old Tahoe" is carried out in 15 cabins, many of which date from the 1920s and a main building which is over 100-years-old.
The signs on the driveway to the cottages say "bear crossing" but it isn't a joke; there really are still bears and guests are warned not to leave food in their cars. You know you are in the mountains when you have to watch out for bears!
Five cabins have kitchens and ten are "bed and breakfast" style, meaning you can enjoy a full family style breakfast in inn's common room, with an unobstructed view of the lake. The delicious breakfast, which includes such treats as crème brulee French toast, apple muffins, fresh fruit, both spinach-feta and salmon-leek frittata, and of course coffee and tea, will fortify you for your day in the great out-of-doors.
They allow pets in six of the cottages and welcome children. "We love families," said owner Dick White. White and his wife Ulli searched from Alaska to New Mexico for the right bed and breakfast inn to purchase before they settled in Lake Tahoe four years ago.
"Fall is gorgeous up here. The crowds are gone, the weather is fine
and the fall colors dazzle your eyes," White said. "There's so much to do-hiking, phenomenal fly-fishing, kayaking and biking-all the summer activities until October or November, when the snow starts flying," he said. The paved bike trail, which cuts right across the front of the property, makes it fun and easy for the whole family to bike safely.
Right next door to the cottages, Sugar Pine Point State Park, which was the location of the 1960 Olympic cross-country skiing event, offers great hiking and, in winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. During ski season, the Whites have special room and ski packages with nearby Homewood downhill ski area.
For a hike along the lake, try the Rubicon Trail in D.L. Bliss State Park, near Emerald Bay. If you're driving, be sure to stop at Vikingsholm, in the Emerald Bay State Park lookout, for a spectacular view of the lake and a waterfall which cascades hundreds of feet down the cliffs to the water below.
When it is time for lunch or dinner, the West Shore has many excellent dining choices. A few special ones I discovered were Stony Ridge Café, on the Tahoma Meadows property, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and sushi on Wednesday nights.
Chamber's Landing Pier boasts the oldest bar on the lake. There's a public beach and Chamber's Landing restaurant, just up from the sand, is only open during the warm months of summer and early fall, till the end of October. Be sure to call for a reservation at this popular restaurant, which the locals might prefer to keep secret, but which is too special to miss.
"Fall is gorgeous up here. The crowds are gone, the weather is fine
and the fall colors dazzle your eyes," White said. "There's so much to do-hiking, phenomenal fly-fishing, kayaking and biking-all the summer activities until October or November, when the snow starts flying," he said. The paved bike trail, which cuts right across the front of the property, makes it fun and easy for the whole family to bike safely.
Right next door to the cottages, Sugar Pine Point State Park, which was the location of the 1960 Olympic cross-country skiing event, offers great hiking and, in winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. During ski season, the Whites have special room and ski packages with nearby Homewood downhill ski area.
For a hike along the lake, try the Rubicon Trail in D.L. Bliss State Park, near Emerald Bay. If you're driving, be sure to stop at Vikingsholm, in the Emerald Bay State Park lookout, for a spectacular view of the lake and a waterfall which cascades hundreds of feet down the cliffs to the water below.
When it is time for lunch or dinner, the West Shore has many excellent dining choices. A few special ones I discovered were Stony Ridge Café, on the Tahoma Meadows property, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and sushi on Wednesday nights.
Chamber's Landing Pier boasts the oldest bar on the lake. There's a public beach and Chamber's Landing restaurant, just up from the sand, is only open during the warm months of summer and early fall, till the end of October. Be sure to call for a reservation at this popular restaurant, which the locals might prefer to keep secret, but which is too special to miss.
If you miss out on Chamber's Landing, you can also visit Graham's in Squaw Valley, owned by the same owner, Graham Rock, which is open all year. The meal I enjoyed there included swordfish done to perfection and a berry and apple cobbler that will be long remembered. Excellent service and soft lighting create an intimate setting for sampling the gourmet choices on the menu. On Sunday nights, you can partake of "The Dregs," a wine tasting with appetizers at the bar, but call to reserve a spot.
Seven Bed and Breakfast Inns have joined together to form the Lake Tahoe Bed and Breakfast Association, to welcome visitors to the unspoiled beauty of the North and West Shores of the lake. They all serve a hearty homemade breakfast and offer the personal touches that makes guests feel welcome. Here are some highlights of the other inns in the Association.
On the West Shore:
The Chaney House, a historic 1920s stone lakefront home, boasts a great room with 18-inch-thick stone walls done by an Italian master stone mason. They offer three rooms in the main house and a private honeymoon suite in the back. In the warm months, guests can enjoy the private beach and pier just across the road. In the colder months, the massive stone fireplace in the great room will welcome you home on a crisp fall day or after a day on the slopes.
"Fall is a great time without the crowds and there's a peacefulness before the snow flies," said Gary Chaney, who has owned and run the inn with his wife Lori for 14 years.
"We enjoy the guests and this is a world renowned recreation area," said Lori Chaney.
At The Cottage Inn, individual cottages, many with fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs, are tucked among the pines on the lake side of the road with a private beach and pier. It was recently voted as "Inn of the Month" by Ski magazine.
The Norfolk Inn, built in the 1930s, features "Old Tahoe-style" knotty pine rooms and cottages. The inn also has a restaurant, bar and guest lounge, complete with a large stone fireplace.
On the North Shore:
The Mayfield House, in Tahoe City, is another example of Old Tahoe architecture. The five rooms and one cottage each have their own bathrooms, complete with fluffy terry cloth robes and slippers. The inn accepts children and has homemade goodies to package up and take on hikes or skiing.
The Shooting Star Bed and Breakfast, nestled among the pines in a quiet neighborhood in Carnelian Bay, offers spacious yet intimate lake-view rooms with fireplaces and private baths.
Seven Bed and Breakfast Inns have joined together to form the Lake Tahoe Bed and Breakfast Association, to welcome visitors to the unspoiled beauty of the North and West Shores of the lake. They all serve a hearty homemade breakfast and offer the personal touches that makes guests feel welcome. Here are some highlights of the other inns in the Association.
On the West Shore:
The Chaney House, a historic 1920s stone lakefront home, boasts a great room with 18-inch-thick stone walls done by an Italian master stone mason. They offer three rooms in the main house and a private honeymoon suite in the back. In the warm months, guests can enjoy the private beach and pier just across the road. In the colder months, the massive stone fireplace in the great room will welcome you home on a crisp fall day or after a day on the slopes.
"Fall is a great time without the crowds and there's a peacefulness before the snow flies," said Gary Chaney, who has owned and run the inn with his wife Lori for 14 years.
"We enjoy the guests and this is a world renowned recreation area," said Lori Chaney.
At The Cottage Inn, individual cottages, many with fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs, are tucked among the pines on the lake side of the road with a private beach and pier. It was recently voted as "Inn of the Month" by Ski magazine.
The Norfolk Inn, built in the 1930s, features "Old Tahoe-style" knotty pine rooms and cottages. The inn also has a restaurant, bar and guest lounge, complete with a large stone fireplace.
On the North Shore:
The Mayfield House, in Tahoe City, is another example of Old Tahoe architecture. The five rooms and one cottage each have their own bathrooms, complete with fluffy terry cloth robes and slippers. The inn accepts children and has homemade goodies to package up and take on hikes or skiing.
The Shooting Star Bed and Breakfast, nestled among the pines in a quiet neighborhood in Carnelian Bay, offers spacious yet intimate lake-view rooms with fireplaces and private baths.
Guests at the lakefront Shore House, just past Carnelian Bay, can enjoy their breakfast on the lawn during the warm months. Through September, the owners offer lake excursions on their 36-foot cabin cruiser. Down comforters and feather beds, a lakefront hot tub and honeymoon cottage with a double Jacuzzi all give this inn a reputation as a romantic getaway.
It's not easy to go back in time, but in the beauty and peacefulness of the North and West Shores of Lake Tahoe, you can almost imagine that you have while you experience a weekend getaway that will be remembered and savored.
___
Local restaurants to try while you stay at Tahoma Meadows B&B:
Chamber's Landing Restaurant: 530-525-7262
Graham's Restaurant: 530-525-7262
Stony Ridge Restaurant: 530-525-0905
Lake Tahoe Bed and Breakfast Association:
800-562-1292 or on the web at www.bedandbreakfasts.com
It's not easy to go back in time, but in the beauty and peacefulness of the North and West Shores of Lake Tahoe, you can almost imagine that you have while you experience a weekend getaway that will be remembered and savored.
___
Local restaurants to try while you stay at Tahoma Meadows B&B:
Chamber's Landing Restaurant: 530-525-7262
Graham's Restaurant: 530-525-7262
Stony Ridge Restaurant: 530-525-0905
Lake Tahoe Bed and Breakfast Association:
800-562-1292 or on the web at www.bedandbreakfasts.com
