Gal on the Go: Perfect Day on Lake Tahoe’s South Shore

This week I’m having a fine time on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, which straddles the Nevada-California border in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. I’m attending my first Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Western Chapter meeting, and it’s been a great introduction to the organization, with networking and professional development, as well as plenty of activities that highlight this gorgeous area of the country (one I hadn’t seen before). My personalized events today centered around snowshoeing, snacks & a spa treatment. That’s my kind of ideal day!

With my private tour guide, Jennifer Boyd of Weidinger Public Relations (a peach!), I traipsed around the snowshoe trails at Camp Richardson, a historic, lakeside resort. Here, visitors can rent cross-country skis and snowshoes at the Mountain Sports Center to explore the 35 kilometers of trails on the property.

Jen and I checked out the neighboring Tallac Historic Site; maintained by the U.S. Forest Service, it’s the site of the former estates of three very wealthy families who descended upon the lake every summer to escape bustling San Francisco around the turn of the century. The restored buildings — from grand homes and big ol’ barns to  gardeners’ quarters and the tutor’s house — are open in the summer to visitors and are decorated with period furniture. But even in the wintertime, boarded up and buried in snow, the buildings evoke a romantic, opulent era — I could easily envision women in Victorian dresses, and later Great Gatsby-esque flapper dresses, enjoying tea in the wooden gazebo or playing croquet on the lawn.

We also skirted the lake on snowshoes, taking in the absolutely incredible view of Lake Tahoe. Surrounded by snow-covered peaks that rise from the water, the lake is so clear by the shore — reflecting the sandy bottom, it appears tan — but blends into a bright royal blue and then deep midnight blue as it increases in depth. Truly stunning!

After about an hour and a half of post-holing through deep snow and walking along packed trails, we met up with our group of SATW cross-country skiers for appetizers and beer at the Beacon Bar & Grill, also part of the Camp Richardson resort and an amazing venue for enjoying lovely views of the lake.  In the summer, I’m told, it’s packed with locals and visitors especially when bands play on the patio. The restaurant offers a great mix of beers on tap — plus its locally famous Rum Runner — and a family-friendly menu. After working up an appetite, we devoured plates of steamed clams in savory broth, tortilla chips with spinach and artichoke dip, meaty calamari (right) and cheesy garlic bread with vodka marinara sauce — all washed down with microbrewed beers, including yummy Back Country Blonde from the local Mt. Tallac Brewing Company.

As if vigorous outdoor exercise and good beer weren’t wonderful enough, I topped off my afternoon with a half-hour massage and a steam at the MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa. With a nondescript exterior and massive, old-time, individually lettered sign (circa 1970 Vegas), the MontBleu doesn’t exude hipness from the outside, but its Onsen Spa is all about tranquility and sophistication. Removed from the blinking lights and dinging slot machines at the hotel casino, the Zen-like spa with Asian decor, trickling stone fountains, and muted grey and beige accents soothe the soul. Heated massage tables, a women’s steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi (with ice-cold towels on hand), plus two women-only relaxation areas, are appreciated amenities at this upscale hotel spa.

Great food, outdoor adventures, pampering relaxation — three ingredients for my perfect afternoon at Lake Tahoe’s South Shore.

Disclosure: I paid a fee to attend the SATW conference, but most outfitters and restaurants provided complimentary activities and meals to travel-writer participants.