Guidebook for Thunder Lodge
Food Scene
Amazing location on the lake. Crowded on holiday and summer weekends so you should make reservations well in advance. Only a one mile walk or level bike ride along the bike trail.
266 locals recommend
Sunnyside
1850 W Lake BlvdAmazing location on the lake. Crowded on holiday and summer weekends so you should make reservations well in advance. Only a one mile walk or level bike ride along the bike trail.
Fire Sign Cafe
1785 W Lake BlvdGreat breakfast . A one mile walk or bike ride along bike trail.
Deli plus so much more (Gelato/coffee bar) with amazing sandwiches. (Love their BLAT) . Outdoor barbecue on summer weekends. Small market with gourmet, organic staples and nice beer and wine selection.
86 locals recommend
West Shore Market
1780 W Lake BlvdDeli plus so much more (Gelato/coffee bar) with amazing sandwiches. (Love their BLAT) . Outdoor barbecue on summer weekends. Small market with gourmet, organic staples and nice beer and wine selection.
Our favorite for Breakfast all day. Love their Eggs Benedict (s). Can be very crowded if you arrive after 9 a.m., but the line moves fast.
70 locals recommend
Rosie's Cafe
571 N Lake BlvdOur favorite for Breakfast all day. Love their Eggs Benedict (s). Can be very crowded if you arrive after 9 a.m., but the line moves fast.
Christy Hill
115 Grove StFabulous food and views
Only open during the summer but great food and amazing views when you can dine here. Very limited number of nights they are open to the public for dinner due to summer weddings so check their website.
118 locals recommend
West Shore Cafe and Inn
5160 W Lake BlvdOnly open during the summer but great food and amazing views when you can dine here. Very limited number of nights they are open to the public for dinner due to summer weddings so check their website.
Worth the drive to Truckee to eat at this phenomenal restaurant if you are a foodie. The chef and owner is NY trained (worked at Daniel's and the Cheese Shop). Their food is over the top amazing. Try their chef's pairing if available!
53 locals recommend
Trokay
10046 Donner Pass RdWorth the drive to Truckee to eat at this phenomenal restaurant if you are a foodie. The chef and owner is NY trained (worked at Daniel's and the Cheese Shop). Their food is over the top amazing. Try their chef's pairing if available!
Great Views. Always busy, summer, winter- plan on waiting for seating or book a reservation well in advance.
275 locals recommend
Gar Woods Grill & Pier
5000 N Lake BlvdGreat Views. Always busy, summer, winter- plan on waiting for seating or book a reservation well in advance.
Great food, live music some nights. Try for a table along the river for a special night. They do take reservations which are advisable although sometimes you get lucky without.
75 locals recommend
River Grill
55 W Lake BlvdGreat food, live music some nights. Try for a table along the river for a special night. They do take reservations which are advisable although sometimes you get lucky without.
This is classic Tahoe City. Seating all along the river in summer is not to be missed. Great burgers and pints of local beers. They do not take reservations and during summer weekends it is very crowded, but worth it!
150 locals recommend
Bridgetender Tavern and Grill
65 W Lake BlvdThis is classic Tahoe City. Seating all along the river in summer is not to be missed. Great burgers and pints of local beers. They do not take reservations and during summer weekends it is very crowded, but worth it!
Drinks & Nightlife
Pool, pitchers and friendly bartenders. Youngish crowd- bring your ID, they will card you!
37 locals recommend
Pete 'n Peters
395 N Lake BlvdPool, pitchers and friendly bartenders. Youngish crowd- bring your ID, they will card you!
Arts & Culture
History of the Tahoe area and the Truckee river. Pictures of pre-historic looking Mackinac trout for the fish loving.
45 locals recommend
Gatekeeper's Museum
130 W Lake BlvdHistory of the Tahoe area and the Truckee river. Pictures of pre-historic looking Mackinac trout for the fish loving.
Parks & Nature
Take the hike down to Vikingsholm for spectacular views of Emerald Bay. Tours available of the old mansion for a fee. Parking is extremely limited especially during the summer months.
Emerald Bay Road
Emerald Bay RoadTake the hike down to Vikingsholm for spectacular views of Emerald Bay. Tours available of the old mansion for a fee. Parking is extremely limited especially during the summer months.
You can walk 100 yards to a trail leading to the Pacific Crest Trail.
15 locals recommend
Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout
Pacific Crest TrailYou can walk 100 yards to a trail leading to the Pacific Crest Trail.
Short but very steep hike to the top of Eagle rock for stunning panoramic views of Lake Tahoe.
77 locals recommend
Eagle Rock Hiking Trail
3370 West Lake BoulevardShort but very steep hike to the top of Eagle rock for stunning panoramic views of Lake Tahoe.
Approximately 15 minutes south of Thunder Lodge, this is the most photographed place in the United States! Emerald Bay State Park is a World Class destination with a one mile hiking trail to the lake at the bottom and tours of Vikingholm.
435 locals recommend
Emerald Bay State Park
138 Emerald Bay Rd Approximately 15 minutes south of Thunder Lodge, this is the most photographed place in the United States! Emerald Bay State Park is a World Class destination with a one mile hiking trail to the lake at the bottom and tours of Vikingholm.
Essentials
Save Mart Supermarkets
11399 Deerfield DrHardware store with a little bit of everything. If you can't find it- ask and they probably have it (up high or down low). Fishing, camping, beach basics as well as hardware
Tahoe City Ace Hardware & Lumber
715 W River RdHardware store with a little bit of everything. If you can't find it- ask and they probably have it (up high or down low). Fishing, camping, beach basics as well as hardware
CVS
950 N Lake BlvdDrug Store plus
Entertainment & Activities
Squaw Valley Adventure Center
1960 Squaw Valley RdSkiing, skating, shopping, eating
Skiing- now part of the combined Alpine and Squaw Valley group, one ticket for both ski areas.
128 locals recommend
Palisades Tahoe at Alpine Meadows
2600 Alpine Meadows RdSkiing- now part of the combined Alpine and Squaw Valley group, one ticket for both ski areas.
5 minutes to this old style Tahoe ski area. Great for families
58 locals recommend
Homewood Mountain Resort station
5 minutes to this old style Tahoe ski area. Great for families
Granlibakken Ski & Sled Hill
725 Granlibakken RdGreat family sledding area or skiing for beginners
Beautiful sand beach. Beach chairs, umbrellas and coolers in the garage to make a day of it!
20 locals recommend
Meeks Bay Resort
7941 Emerald Bay RdBeautiful sand beach. Beach chairs, umbrellas and coolers in the garage to make a day of it!
5 minute walk to this half mile stretch of public, dog-friendly beach. We have beach chairs in the garage for your use as well as beach umbrellas and cooler.
Hurricane Bay
5 minute walk to this half mile stretch of public, dog-friendly beach. We have beach chairs in the garage for your use as well as beach umbrellas and cooler.
Rent boats, paddleboards, kayaks, etc. and only a mile walk or bike ride down the bike trail.
Sunnyside Marina & Watersports
1835 W Lake BlvdRent boats, paddleboards, kayaks, etc. and only a mile walk or bike ride down the bike trail.