Lake Tahoe Day Trip Itinerary (COVID-19 Safe)
The Pandemic has allowed many, including me, to spend more time exploring locally. It’s honestly so funny to think about how my fear of getting dirty and bugs prevented me from experiencing the joys of the outdoors. This past weekend, my dad and I ventured to South Lake Tahoe for a birthday trip planned by yours truly. We live in Folsom, CA which is so close to South Lake Tahoe, and made it an ideal day trip! Given the difficulty planning trips in our recent environment due to not knowing if restaurants are open, how crowded beaches are, etc. I decided to post our trip’s itinerary for anyone who is able to make it work because it was so fun, so easy, yet still refreshing!
Main Activity: Morning Hike
We left Folsom, CA at 7:30am and navigated to D. L. Bliss State Park, in South Lake Tahoe which took us approximately 2 hours by car. The park opens at 7:00am and costs $10 to park. Parking is first come first serve, but there are a few spots right outside the first kiosk where you don’t have to pay. The parking lot was full by our arrival time (9:30am) but we were lucky enough to snag a free spot by the kiosk.
Pro Tip: Don’t want to pay for parking? Park by the kiosk!
Recommendation: The free parking is ~1 mile to the trailhead, which adds 2 miles to the hike. If you want to shorten the hike/ increase time on the Rubicon Train, park in the parking lot close to the trailhead.
We hiked to Lower Eagle Falls, which was a short distance from Vikingsholm. Be sure to check out the castle by the water! Normally it’s open for tours but was closed when we went. Still cool to see outside.
Pro Tip: Want a better picture of the Falls? Go past the viewing area onto the rocks for gram worthy shots!
Recommendation: Be sure to refill your water here! Great place to snack too if you packed one to refuel before the trek back.
Afternoon: Za on the Beach, and Chill
After the hike, we were famished. We grabbed a delicious Margherita Pizza from Lake Tahoe AleWorkX to go and ate it on the beach. AleWorX has an ‘all you can drink” beer wristband AND huge outdoor seating patio with live music if you’re comfortable dining!
Now to endure the aroma of the pizza while you try to find parking near El Dorado Beach. Finding a spot on the beach is the trickiest part. Depending on the weather and day of the week, this area can be crowded. We walked down a decent distance, past the sand, to find a secluded area with no people near us. The lack of sand was worth the lack of people for us but if you’re comfortable being near people with your mask on, be sure to keep distance.
Pro Tip: Set an alarm to reapply sunscreen!
Recommendation: We ate on the grass right before you walk down to the beach! It was shaded and flat which made it easy to grub.
Evening: Explore Town & Dinner
The trail was beautiful! Gorgeous views of the lake the entire way. I honestly couldn’t stop taking pictures.
Pro Tip: Don’t want to get your shoes dirty? Don’t wear the newer/cuter pair, the pictures will be focused on the nature anyways.
Recommendation: I highly recommend doing so to dip in the water along the way! There were 2-3 spots, completely secluded, where you can cool off.
Besides the halfway point, the trail was not crowded at all! Definitely a COVID-19 friendly trail. In total, we hiked 10.5 miles but it was pretty easy!
Pro Tip: Advanced hiker/up for a challenge? Run the route!
Recommendation: Use the restroom near the trailhead if you need to before heading to South Lake Tahoe, restrooms there will be more crowded.
We decided to grab some coffee from a local coffee shop and head back into Folsom for takeout dinner but if you want to make a full day out of your stay, I’d recommend walking around the town and getting dinner from one of the options listed below if you are comfortable with outdoor dining.
Pro Tip: Don’t feel comfortable dining outside at restaurants? Get takeout, park in a highly populated pedestrian area and eat in your car while people watching! (Am I crazy for enjoying this?!)
Recommendation: My Thai Cuisine, Himmel Haus, Freshies, and Basecamp Pizza