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Visitors' Guide
ENLARGE
LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Summer officially kicks off in North Lake Tahoe Memorial Day Weekend with the fifth annual Opening Day at the Lake. This four-day special event is Friday, May 27 to Monday, May 30, composed of celebrations and festivities along the West Shore and in downtown Tahoe City.
“This is our official launch into the boating and summer season,” said Tourism Director Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. “The first days of summer bring with them a buzz of excitement and we wanted to capture that. People are eager to get outside and enjoy themselves. Whether it's on the water, on the beaches or taking part in other seasonal events, it's a great time of year to explore North Tahoe.”
Vikingsholm Castle, at Emerald Bay, was built in 1929 by Lora J. Knight as her summer home with a Scandanavian design. The grand residence, within the California State Parks system, opens Memorial Day weekend for guided tours, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with the last tour at 4:30 p.m. All tours are guided and take approximately one-half hour. The tour fee is $5 for adults and $3 for youths 6 to 17. Children under 6 are free. The maximum number of people on a tour is 30.
Limited parking is available in the Vikingsholm parking lot off of Highway 89. The parking fee is $7 (It is advisable to come for morning tours as there are more parking opportunities at that time.) A one-mile steep, but well defined, trail leads from the parking lot to Vikingsholm. Many scenic views can be enjoyed during this walk. There are various resting places along the trail. It is to be stressed, though, this is a steep trail at an elevation of over 6,300 feet (information from www.vikingsholm.org).
Meeks Bay Resort boasts a family oriented, white-sand beach with shallow water for swimming and play, operating 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. until June 15, then 7 a.m.-7 p.m. until after Labor Day. The marina is open Memorial Day with kayak, peddle boat and powerboat rentals. Slips are also available. Please call the marina at 530-525-5588 for details.
The Tahoe Maritime Museum celebrates boating tradition this weekend with its annual Launch Into Summer fundraiser May 28, 5 p.m., 5205 West Lake Blvd., Homewood. It is also the grand opening of the new exhibit Gar Wood's Tahoe Legacy. On Sunday and Monday, take guided tours of the new exhibit at 10:30 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. with price of admission.
“We are very excited to be opening our new exhibit and continue our mission to share the rich maritime history of Lake Tahoe,” said Jesse Siess Hadley, executive director.
Peddle, paddle or boat to Lake Tahoe's West Shore Café & Inn, 5160 W. Lake Blvd., Homewood, for the Spirit of the West Shore cocktail competition Saturday, May 28, 1-4 p.m. Bartenders and elixir aficionados submitted recipes for review. The 10 lucky competitors will mix and pour 3 oz. samples, and for $2, have one of each.
“The submissions were amazing — there will be some tasty, tasty drinks,” said Rachael Woods, of West Shore Café and Homewood and Alpine Meadows resorts.
The judges' favorite will be deemed West Shore Café & Inn's signature cocktail. The winner receives bragging rights and a 2011/2012 season pass to Alpine Meadows and Homewood Mountain resorts.
Homewood Mountain Resort will hold an open house Sunday, May 29, 2-5 p.m. to showcase the proposed master plan with models, information, renderings and representatives to answer questions.
Obexer's Boat Marina and General Store in Homewood will host Mike Brown's Seaplane Splash on Monday, May 30, with a pre-event breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Smaller planes are due to arrive after 8 a.m., with bigger planes an hour or two later, weather permitting.
“It's a great way to kick off the season, and let folks know the West Shore is alive,” said Gary Chaney, president of the West Shore Association. “Last year, the number of people made it like a whole neighborhood gathering.”
It's open to visitors and residents alike, with Obexer's General Store barbecue offered 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
More Opening Day at the Lake events include deck opening celebrations at Sunnyside Resort, West Shore Café, Chambers Landing Bar & Restaurant and Bridgetender; West Shore Clean Up Day; Granlibakken Resort's Contractors Home Improvement/Repair Fair; the opening of Tahoe City's Tahoe Gal (Mississippi paddlewheeler), as well as Tahoe Sailing Charters; McBride's Nursery's (Tahoe Tree Company) annual Truck Load Sale of perennials and shrubs; openings and tours of the historical Vikingsholm Castle and Ehrman Mansion; guided museum tours, with admission, of the Tahoe Maritime Museum; Preview Center Open House at Homewood Mountain Resort; open house at the Rideout Community Center; and the historic walking tour at Tahoe City's Gatekeeper's Museum. North Lake Tahoe's paved bike trails are also open, accessible and cleared of snow.
For more information about Opening Day at the Lake (including a complete calendar of events), recreational activities, lodging and cool deals, social media sites, videos and images in North Lake Tahoe, visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com.
“This is our official launch into the boating and summer season,” said Tourism Director Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. “The first days of summer bring with them a buzz of excitement and we wanted to capture that. People are eager to get outside and enjoy themselves. Whether it's on the water, on the beaches or taking part in other seasonal events, it's a great time of year to explore North Tahoe.”
Vikingsholm Castle, at Emerald Bay, was built in 1929 by Lora J. Knight as her summer home with a Scandanavian design. The grand residence, within the California State Parks system, opens Memorial Day weekend for guided tours, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with the last tour at 4:30 p.m. All tours are guided and take approximately one-half hour. The tour fee is $5 for adults and $3 for youths 6 to 17. Children under 6 are free. The maximum number of people on a tour is 30.
Limited parking is available in the Vikingsholm parking lot off of Highway 89. The parking fee is $7 (It is advisable to come for morning tours as there are more parking opportunities at that time.) A one-mile steep, but well defined, trail leads from the parking lot to Vikingsholm. Many scenic views can be enjoyed during this walk. There are various resting places along the trail. It is to be stressed, though, this is a steep trail at an elevation of over 6,300 feet (information from www.vikingsholm.org).
Meeks Bay Resort boasts a family oriented, white-sand beach with shallow water for swimming and play, operating 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. until June 15, then 7 a.m.-7 p.m. until after Labor Day. The marina is open Memorial Day with kayak, peddle boat and powerboat rentals. Slips are also available. Please call the marina at 530-525-5588 for details.
The Tahoe Maritime Museum celebrates boating tradition this weekend with its annual Launch Into Summer fundraiser May 28, 5 p.m., 5205 West Lake Blvd., Homewood. It is also the grand opening of the new exhibit Gar Wood's Tahoe Legacy. On Sunday and Monday, take guided tours of the new exhibit at 10:30 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. with price of admission.
“We are very excited to be opening our new exhibit and continue our mission to share the rich maritime history of Lake Tahoe,” said Jesse Siess Hadley, executive director.
Peddle, paddle or boat to Lake Tahoe's West Shore Café & Inn, 5160 W. Lake Blvd., Homewood, for the Spirit of the West Shore cocktail competition Saturday, May 28, 1-4 p.m. Bartenders and elixir aficionados submitted recipes for review. The 10 lucky competitors will mix and pour 3 oz. samples, and for $2, have one of each.
“The submissions were amazing — there will be some tasty, tasty drinks,” said Rachael Woods, of West Shore Café and Homewood and Alpine Meadows resorts.
The judges' favorite will be deemed West Shore Café & Inn's signature cocktail. The winner receives bragging rights and a 2011/2012 season pass to Alpine Meadows and Homewood Mountain resorts.
Homewood Mountain Resort will hold an open house Sunday, May 29, 2-5 p.m. to showcase the proposed master plan with models, information, renderings and representatives to answer questions.
Obexer's Boat Marina and General Store in Homewood will host Mike Brown's Seaplane Splash on Monday, May 30, with a pre-event breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Smaller planes are due to arrive after 8 a.m., with bigger planes an hour or two later, weather permitting.
“It's a great way to kick off the season, and let folks know the West Shore is alive,” said Gary Chaney, president of the West Shore Association. “Last year, the number of people made it like a whole neighborhood gathering.”
It's open to visitors and residents alike, with Obexer's General Store barbecue offered 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
More Opening Day at the Lake events include deck opening celebrations at Sunnyside Resort, West Shore Café, Chambers Landing Bar & Restaurant and Bridgetender; West Shore Clean Up Day; Granlibakken Resort's Contractors Home Improvement/Repair Fair; the opening of Tahoe City's Tahoe Gal (Mississippi paddlewheeler), as well as Tahoe Sailing Charters; McBride's Nursery's (Tahoe Tree Company) annual Truck Load Sale of perennials and shrubs; openings and tours of the historical Vikingsholm Castle and Ehrman Mansion; guided museum tours, with admission, of the Tahoe Maritime Museum; Preview Center Open House at Homewood Mountain Resort; open house at the Rideout Community Center; and the historic walking tour at Tahoe City's Gatekeeper's Museum. North Lake Tahoe's paved bike trails are also open, accessible and cleared of snow.
For more information about Opening Day at the Lake (including a complete calendar of events), recreational activities, lodging and cool deals, social media sites, videos and images in North Lake Tahoe, visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com.
