Zephyr Cove – The Other Side of Tahoe

If breathtaking scenery, less-crowded attractions and activities, and serene mountain views are just your thing, then look no further. The Zephyr Cove area of Lake Tahoe provides the perfect day trip and a golfer’s, horse lover’s, mountain biker’s, or nature lover’s paradise.

And even if those activities aren’t your style, you’ll still love Zephyr Cove’s history, culture, and excellent dining and shopping. Zephyr Cove’s location on the lake enables visitors a refreshing change of pace compared to the busiest parts and highly touristy areas of Lake Tahoe. Emerald waters, often flat as glass, and striking mountain peaks and summits make Zephyr Cove a favorite spot to take in the enormous beauty and bounty of all Lake Tahoe has to offer.

Just south of Zephyr Cove, a few minutes from the California-Nevada Stateline, visitors will find numerous major casinos, restaurants, and shopping centers with attractions for everyone. This gorgeous area is home of Edgewood Golf Course, truly the Pebble Beach of Lake Tahoe. Arguably the most scenic golf course in the Tahoe region, this gem has been rated by Golf Digest, as one of “America’s Top Golf Courses.” In spite of its relatively young age, Edgewood hosts a variety of major annual golf events, including the famous American Century Celebrity Golf Championship.

One game on this spectacularly groomed and pristine course and you may be ruined for many other courses. Several of the holes are played right alongside a private beach on the lake and the views of wildlife, waterways, and mountains are incomparable. A bit pricey, but the best the area has to offer, Edgewood Tahoe offers both a beauty and challenge that make it no wonder that Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer are repeat visitors. You’ll want to make reservations in advance because this golf course closes during the winter months. It’s an unforgettable experience with impeccable service.

Zephyr Cove offers many different vantage points from which to experience the wonders of North America’s largest alpine lake with trillions of gallons of pure water. If golfing isn’t your preference, then perhaps a little mountain horse-back riding will spark your interest. You can choose from either the 90-minute or two-hour guided tour. Zephyr Cove Stables, locally owned by Louise McGill and family, offers a spectacular way to experience the lake and environs. What better way than to be guided by locals through real western wilderness while taking in breathtaking scenery?

Nearby Spooner Lake is another outdoor enthusiast’s common favorite, with mountain biking in the summer and cross country skiing in the winter.

Zephyr Cove also offers guided snowmobiling tours. Snow lovers and thrill seekers can board a shuttle to Spooner Summit leading to a spectacular journey to Genoa Peak. There, you’ll catch views and scenery only snowmobile riders can access, all under the supervision of thoroughly safe and knowledgeable tour guides.

If you’d like to see the lake up close, then there’s no better way than to take a Lake Tahoe cruise on the Tahoe Queen or the MS Dixie II. Now more than ever, there’s a cruise to fit every taste and activity. All the way through winter, the Emerald Bay Cruise is offered where guests can enjoy the history of Emerald Bay, fascinating Vikingsholm, and the other side of Lake Tahoe. The weekend dinner dance cruise is a favorite where guests enjoy complimentary champagne, a three-course dinner and dancing the night away to a live band. History buffs love Mark Twain’s Tales of Tahoe Cruise with nationally acclaimed impressionist McAvoy Layne telling tales of the lake and history on a scenic voyage.

For skiers in the group, December to April offers a skier/boarder floating shuttle including a buffet breakfast and après ski drinks and dinner on the way back. For a modest price this package includes an all day lift ticket and ground transportation to and from either Squaw Valley or Alpine Meadows; that’s service and fun at an affordable price. Any way you decide to cruise on Lake Tahoe, you can enjoy the best in food, entertainment, music, dancing, history, narration, and friendly service, all from a relaxing and comfortable setting aboard a unique vessel.

Zephyr Cove is known also for its annual activities, festivals and culture. The Summer Shakespeare Festival held at Sand Harbor, attracts repeat visitors from all over the world. There is nothing quite like the backdrop that Lake Tahoe and the moonlight provide for live theater enjoyed from one of Zephyr Cove’s best beaches.

This is just a sampling of what Zephyr Cove offers, year round, to visitors who come from all over the world to enjoy the other side of Lake Tahoe.