visitor center

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is urging backcountry hikers and backpackers to use extra care when visiting upper elevation areas of the Lake Tahoe Basin over the next several weeks as there is still significant snow above 8,000 feet in many locations. This past winter saw a return to normal snow-pack conditions and many backcountry trails are still covered with snow and ice leaving trails slippery and difficult to find. In addition, current warm temperatures have caused streams to flow higher and faster, which can make crossing difficult.

The weather is starting to clear and temperatures are warming up, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend. Don't forget, when you are coming or going from the Lake Tahoe Basin, check out the Caltrans message board at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/. Click on "Options" and "message boards." This handy tool shows you the exact time it takes to get from town over the mountain so you can stay longer and avoid the traffic!

Here is a list of some of the things to do on the South side:

Lake Tahoe Summer Kick Off Car and Bike Show at the Heavenly Village

WHO:
Spectators, volunteers, residents, visitors, businesses, sponsors, media, and cycling enthusiasts

WHAT:
Amgen Tour of California returns to Lake Tahoe, May 19:
Men’s Stage 5 races 132.4 miles from Lodi to South Lake Tahoe
Women’s Stage 1 start/finish in South Shore 72.7 mile circumnavigation of the lake

WHERE:
Race headquarters: Heavenly Mountain Resort California Base Lodge
3860 Saddle Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

WHEN:
Thursday, May 19 from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Sierra State Parks Foundation is excited to announce our first Archives Bus Tour on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. Attendees will meet at Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center for a day of discovery and fun. Hopping aboard the bus at 9am, we will make our way to the California State Archives in Sacramento, with a stop in the heart of Gold Country, the Auburn State Recreation Area. Tickets are $60 ($55 for members) with limited seating. Reservations are required and parking for the day is included in the ticket price.

Location

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

Get in on the fun and excitement of the Amgen Tour of California Women's Race at a public viewing party being held at the Nevada Visitor Center, Thursday, May 19, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The racers will pass by the Visitor Center across the street from Lakeside Inn at approximately 1:45 p.m. on May 19, 2016.

Location

The opening dates for recreational facilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin have been announced, with the first ones set to e ready April 30, 2016.

Kiva Picnic area, Baldwin and Nevada beaches, Big Meadow trailhead, the McKinney Rubicon Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) area and Sawmill Pond, Eagle Falls, Chimney Beach and Secret Harbor parking areas will open April 30, 2016.

The Tallac Historic Site opens April 30, 2016, and will be staffed beginning Saturday, May 21, 2016 for Memorial Day weekend.

The Sandpit OHV area opens May 10, 2016.

SHORT-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County) from Chiapa Drive to Kyburz Avenue: Motorists can expect intermittent full highway closures at various locations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for survey work.

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County) from Truckee Drive to Rubicon Trail/Carson Avenue in South Lake Tahoe: Eastbound and westbound motorists can expect the #2 lane and right shoulder closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday for utility work.

The Tahoe Citizen's Committee is inviting all Douglas Country residents who live at Lake Tahoe to attend their next meeting on Wednesday, April 6 where many important topics will be discussed.

They will meet at the Visitor Center Building located at 169 Highway 50 in Stateline at 5:30 p.m.

On the agenda is followup discussion on the current Douglas County sewer issue, elections for Douglas County Commissioners as well as other potential issues for the Tahoe Township.

The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on Wednesday.

The legislation, created alongside senators Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Harry Reid, D-Nevada and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., provides federal, state, and local partners important tools to reduce wildfire threats, improve water clarity, jumpstart innovative infrastructure projects, and combat invasive species.

Those of us who live in South Lake Tahoe, or find ourselves visiting often, already know that the region is experiencing a rebirth, one that makes it exciting times to be there.

Trip Advisor customers feel the same way, voting South Lake Tahoe one of the Top Ten destinations in the country that are "on the rise."

The article:

The visions are big for a new recreation center in South Lake Tahoe. A large indoor aquatic center, a senior center with services, a modern and sustainable building. A large gymnasium

Almost 50 people attended the first of four community meetings to discuss what the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center will provide, how it will look and function. New Mayor Wendy David and Mayor Pro Tem Austin Sass were at the meeting long with members of the Planning Commission, Park and Recreation Commission, and other citizens.

The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and South Tahoe Refuse and Recycling are teaming up this holiday season to make giving to Christmas Cheer easier than ever. The LTVA’s Drive and Drop for Christmas Cheer takes place Monday, December 7 through Saturday, December 12, from 9AM-5PM. Drive through the Visitor Center parking lot at 3066 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe, and drop your donations of food or toys into the bins provided by South Tahoe Refuse and Recycling.

Location

This past summer was Lake Tahoe’s busiest tourist season in recent memory. With the economy rebounding and major population growth projected for nearby metropolitan areas, this summer is also a harbinger of change. We must be prepared to meet the challenges of increased visitation in the future.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to the "Y" junction with State Route 28 in Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore that will upgrade storm water drainage and treatment systems, add curb and gutter, resurface and realign the road, add new left-turn pockets and widen shoulders on a 9-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected in fall 2016.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to the "Y" junction with State Route 28 in Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore that will upgrade storm water drainage and treatment systems, add curb and gutter, resurface and realign the road, add new left-turn pockets and widen shoulders on a 9-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected in fall 2016.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, El Dorado County, and members of Tahoe Backcountry Alliance announced today they are partnering to create a coalition of stakeholders to maintain and enhance public access for winter backcountry skiing and snowboarding.

“We’re optimistic about this opportunity to work together to get back some of the access that we have lost in the past, and work to enhance access in the future. Let’s together reclaim and preserve backcountry access in the Tahoe Basin,” said Mike Schwartz and Todd Offenbacher, of Tahoe Backcountry Alliance.

Last year, it was the "Bear Selfie" craze that showed how people can disrespect nature. This year, the issue can be known as "Tree Tagging."

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to the "Y" junction with State Route 28 in Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore that will upgrade storm water drainage and treatment systems, add curb and gutter, resurface and realign the road, add new left-turn pockets and widen shoulders on a 9-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected in fall 2016.

During the 2014 Kokanee salmon run at Taylor Creek, spectators left pathways at the popular U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center in South Lake Tahoe to approach bears in search of a selfie photo with a bear. Not only was this dangerous for the human, it was dangerous for the bear and USFS threatened to close the area to the public.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS
State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to the "Y" junction with State Route 28 in Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore that will upgrade storm water drainage and treatment systems, add curb and gutter, resurface and realign the road, add new left-turn pockets and widen shoulders on a 9-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected in fall 2016.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to the "Y" junction with State Route 28 in Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore that will upgrade storm water drainage and treatment systems, add curb and gutter, resurface and realign the road, add new left-turn pockets and widen shoulders on a 9-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected in fall 2016.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to the "Y" junction with State Route 28 in Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore that will upgrade storm water drainage and treatment systems, add curb and gutter, resurface and realign the road, add new left-turn pockets and widen shoulders on a 9-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected in fall 2016.

Now that history buffs have started the hunt with the City of South Lake Tahoe's week full of treasure, the Lake Tahoe Historical Society picks up the trail.

August 29 is the last day of the City's hunt. Maps can be picked up at any City facility including the Recreation Center, Explore Tahoe, the Campground by the Lake and Bijou Golf Course. The maps maps can also be downloaded. There will be a chance at prizes for those that complete the hunt.