Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report found that 76% of travelers who drive prefer road trips over flying. The appeal lies in flexibility, with drivers able to change routes, add stops and treat the journey as part of the trip. Road travel continues to gain momentum for families seeking affordable and adaptable vacations.
Detour to Lake Tahoe, where crystal waters, alpine air and spontaneous adventure make the journey as magical as the destination. Photo credit: Jeremy Janus.
The flexibility matters for families, especially those traveling long distances with children. Road trips allow for natural breaks, unexpected discoveries and destinations that might otherwise get skipped in favor of direct flights and packed itineraries. For families willing to take the long way around, detours often become the most memorable parts of the trip.
On a recent drive from Seattle to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., my family added a fun-filled stop in Lake Tahoe. Straddling the California-Nevada border, the lake spans 193 square miles, making it the largest alpine lake in North America. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains, Tahoe offers a rare mix of outdoor adventure, walkable village attractions and family-friendly experiences that work just as well for a single-night stop as they do for a longer stay.
For families traveling by car, Tahoe fits naturally into a broader West Coast road trip. Major highways provide easy access, while the region’s mix of scenic viewpoints, casual dining and activities appeals to travelers who want options without committing to a rigid schedule.
Where to stay
We stayed at Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge and Spa in South Lake Tahoe, a property set directly on the water. Every room faces the lake, with views that stretch across both shoreline and mountains. The lodge owns 500 feet of private beach, outfitted with fire pits, barbecue grills and a volleyball net. During the summer, live jazz performances take place on the beach on Thursday evenings.
Rooms feature pine log furniture and alpine-style decor, along with gas fireplaces that add warmth during cooler evenings. The location provides easy access to South Lake Tahoe dining and attractions, while offering a quieter setting away from the main commercial corridors.
By sky or by lake
Lake Tahoe offers a wide range of ways to explore its surroundings, including hiking and biking trails, scenic cruises and aerial tours. We opted for experiences that offer different perspectives on the landscape.
Although skiing pauses during the summer months, activity continues at Heavenly Mountain Resort, where the former ski lift now operates as the Heavenly Gondola Ride. Installed 25 years ago, the gondola travels 2.4 miles up the mountain, offering expansive views of Lake Tahoe along the way. A mid-mountain stop at the Observation Deck provides a panoramic look across the lake and toward Mount Tallac.
For visitors who crave more adrenaline, the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster adds thrill to the mountain experience. It’s a roller coaster, with a special twist. Guests board the single- or double-occupancy coaster cars, buckle in and take the controls. What makes this ride unique, apart from its over half-mile journey down the mountain and through the trees, is it’s operated by gravity, and riders control the speed at which they hit the dramatic twists and turns while taking in breathtaking mountain views. You can move along at breakneck speed, or take a more leisurely ride, and the braking mechanism is easily explained and simple to use.
For a slower-paced way to experience the lake, Clearly Tahoe offers guided LED kayak tours. We checked in at Tahoe Keys Marina for our 90-minute sunset excursion. From there, we embarked on a guided tour, with the clear kayaks lighting up the water below with glowing LEDs. This excursion offers incredible views in every direction, as visitors explore the path less paddled.
Something for everyone
When Heavenly Mountain Resort opened in 1955, it featured a single chairlift and terrain known for reliable snow. Development increased rapidly after Lake Tahoe hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, leading to expanded ski runs and infrastructure. By the 1980s, a year-round community had taken shape around the resort.
That evolution became more visible in 2004 with the debut of Heavenly Village at the California base. Designed to appeal beyond skiing, the pedestrian-friendly area features restaurants, shops, live entertainment and seasonal attractions. Visitors enjoy more than 20 specialty stores, along with an ice skating rink, a movie theater, a miniature golf course and live performances.
“I love wandering the shops at Heavenly Village now,” said Courtney Lynn Muro of The Haute Bøhemian. “It’s one of the few places in Tahoe where you can wander, snack, shop and people-watch without committing to an outdoor activity.”
The Retroactive Arcade caught my family’s interest. Walking through the doors was like stepping back into an ‘80s mall arcade we remember fondly, similar to what you might have seen on “Stranger Things.” Walls lined with cabinet after cabinet of classic arcade games: from Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Frogger, to Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter and X-Men. Air hockey, driving games, retro shooters, skeeball and other skill games, and a handful of Stern pinball machines round things out. Adults can play all day for $25, kids for $15. And snacks are retro-priced too, with nothing over $7.
Eating good in the neighborhood
The communities surrounding Lake Tahoe offer more than 400 dining options, ranging from casual cafes to long-standing local favorites. In South Lake Tahoe, Bert’s Cafe is an excellent, old-school diner-style breakfast spot. They’re open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and take pride in their pancakes and huevos rancheros. Just a few doors down, you’ll find Ernie’s Coffee Shop, serving much more than just a cup of joe. Another family-owned restaurant, guests recommend the Big Mountain Breakfast and the Avocosmic burger.
Lake Tahoe Pizza Company, the area’s oldest independent family-owned pizza restaurant, remains known for its house-made doughs, including white, corn crust, whole wheat and gluten-free herb varieties. Pizzas bake in a brick deck oven, with options that range from meat-heavy specialties to vegetarian selections.
If you still have room after dinner, or just want a sweet treat, you can’t go wrong at Camp Richardson’s old-fashioned Ice Cream Parlor. Only open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, the nostalgic ice cream shop is a South Lake Tahoe favorite. Their generous portions are so tasty that even the local bears stop by.
The long way round
Even carefully planned road trips leave room for detours. A quick exit can lead to local history or roadside oddities, such as the Cabazon Dinosaurs or the world’s largest rubber band ball.
Adding Lake Tahoe to our drive to Disneyland only added an extra five hours to our drive time from Seattle, but the stop delivered scenery and experiences far removed from theme park attractions. As exciting as a trip to the happiest place on earth can be, taking on a side quest added countless emotional souvenirs to our kids’ memory banks.
Karee Blunt is a nationally syndicated travel journalist and creator of the travel blog Our Woven Journey. Karee enjoys sharing what she learns about places she visits, including history museums, unique things to do indoors and out, one-of-a-kind festivals and upscale dining and accommodations. She is the mother of six kids, including four through adoption, and lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.
The post Lake Tahoe delivers big adventure for families on the road appeared first on Food Drink Life.
