Fall Day Trip From Sacramento: Lake Tahoe with Kids
I’ll continue to stand on my Sacramento soapbox about how amazing a city it is to live in, and the incredible day trips you can easily take from it. One of those day trips is Lake Tahoe. As outdoor adventurers, my family and I love doing day trips to Lake Tahoe. We are very fortunate to live so close to such a mesmerizing destination.
Lake Tahoe is an all-season destination. Some of the busiest times to visit are during the summer, especially during the 4th of July, and in the winter. In fact, one of the busiest weeks of the year in Lake Tahoe is the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
As much as my family wants to jump in the car and drive the two quick hours to Tahoe all the time to be awed by its endless beauty, we know it can be chaotic during peak tourist seasons. The peak crowds are why we tend to hold out for a trip in the fall, instead.
Drive Time to Lake Tahoe from Sacramento
From Elk Grove to Incline Village, the drive takes us approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. On the way home, from South Lake Tahoe to Elk Grove, the drive is sometimes even shorter, at around two hours. Even with young kids, we can make it both ways directly without making any stops. Drive time may vary depending on which part of Sacramento you’ll be leaving from.
Another bonus about going to Lake Tahoe in the fall is that you can make a pit stop at Apple Hill on the way. Stop for apple cider donuts or go apple picking at Apple Ridge Farms before continuing to Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe in the Fall
There are so many reasons to take a day trip (or a weekend trip if you want to extend the fun) to Lake Tahoe with kids in the fall. For one, it can still be triple digits in Sacramento in October, yet it might be thirty degrees cooler in Lake Tahoe. It’s considered an off-peak time, so there aren’t many crowds during this season, and kids are back in school.
When we visited during the first weekend of October on a Saturday, we did not experience any traffic, had no issues with parking, and there weren’t many people on the trails. We also had no waits at casual dining spots. It was a relaxing day with beautifully blissful weather (73 degrees), and a much-needed escape from the Sacramento heat of 100 degrees in October.
Another reason to consider visiting Lake Tahoe with kids in the fall is for the foliage. I’m originally from the northeast, so don’t expect fall foliage on the same level as Upstate New York or Vermont. However, there are plenty of aspen groves and pockets of colorful leaves around Tahoe, if you know where to look. The best time to see fall foliage in Lake Tahoe tends to be in early to mid-October.
Family-Friendly Hotel in Lake Tahoe
While this article focuses on taking a day trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe in the fall, it could be easier to make it an overnight trip if you want to extend your stay in Lake Tahoe.
Forest Suites Resort
The Forest Suites Resort in Lake Tahoe has spacious suites for families to spread out and relax. What stands out about this resort for kids is the Game Room. Kids will love playing basketball, darts, and foosball, and there’s even an Xbox at the resort. Additionally, families can enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast. Forest Suites is in a very convenient location near Stateline. It’s walkable to Heavenly Village and near the Heavenly Gondola Base.
How To Track Fall Foliage in Lake Tahoe
There are a few resources that can help nail down the right timing to visit Lake Tahoe when it’s at peak fall foliage. These include:
- Desolation Hotel Hope Valley Leaf Cam
- Alltrails
- California Fall Color Map
The Desolation Hotel Hope Valley Leaf Cam is particularly helpful for seeing when the vibrant yellow aspens are at peak. Alltrails is also a great resource as users actively upload photos, making it convenient to see how the foliage might look on a specific trail you plan on trekking.
All of these resources are regularly updated and should help with the ideal timing of catching fall foliage in Lake Tahoe.
Fall Spots in Lake Tahoe Not To Miss
- Hope Valley
- Taylor Creek
- Fallen Leaf Lake
- Spooner Lake
Hope Valley
Perhaps one of the most famous spots to see fall foliage in Lake Tahoe is Hope Valley. When fall foliage begins to turn in Tahoe, Hope Valley tends to be the first to undergo the color changes.
The Desolation Hotel Hope Valley Leaf Cam is also at one of the most popular spots in Hope Valley to see the fall colors. A popular activity is to walk around the Desolation Hotel property and get food at the outdoor tables at Sorensen’s. Make reservations in advance if you plan on dining at Sorensen’s during the peak fall foliage. They also have a kids’ menu.
Something to keep in mind is that although Lake Tahoe is generally less busy in the fall, the fall foliage can still bring large crowds to Hope Valley. To avoid crowds during peak fall leaf-peeping season in Hope Valley, visit during the week (if you can).
Taylor Creek
In South Lake Tahoe, Taylor Creek is a popular spot in the fall not just for leaf peeping, but for salmon spawning. It can vary when the salmon arrive at Taylor Creek each year. When we visited the first weekend of October, they had not arrived at the creek yet because it had been too hot in the summer. The best way to track when the salmon arrive is to follow updates on the Taylor Creek website.
When the salmon spawn at Taylor Creek, it’s common to see bears on the trail as they like to eat the salmon. So, if you have young kids with you on the trail at the time the salmon spawns, be bear aware.
Taylor Creek has a large parking lot, bathrooms (with specific hours), and a gift shop at its visitor center. There is no admission fee.
Four easy trails at Taylor Creek are suitable for kids of all ages:
- The Rainbow Trail
- Lake of the Sky Trail
- Forest Tree Trail
- Smokey’s Trail
The Rainbow Trail
The Rainbow Trail is a straightforward, paved, accessible trail. This is also the trail where you may see bears during the salmon spawning season. A beautiful paved boardwalk weaves through wetlands.
Another unique component on the Rainbow Trail is the Stream Profile Chamber. This is an underwater viewing chamber of aquatic life at Taylor Creek that kids will love. Think of it like an aquarium. Note that the Stream Profile Chamber is only open for viewing during limited hours. It tends to close early, around 3:30pm.
The Rainbow Trail begins at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center and is 0.7 miles.
Lake of the Sky Trail
It’s common to extend this trail to the Tallac Historic Site. The two trails will total a 1.9-mile round-trip trek. On this trail, expect to hike through a forest and the Kiva Beach shoreline. The Tallac Historic Site consists of historic cabins.
This is another easy, kid-friendly trail that’s flat. This trail is not paved like The Rainbow Trail, though, therefore it is not stroller-friendly.
Forest Tree Trail
This short, easy trail is 1/4 mile long. It centers around the Jeffrey Pine tree, the most dominant tree in the Lake Tahoe basin. There is educational signage along the trail.
Smokey’s Trail
Smokey’s Trail aims to educate about campfire safety on this effortless path. If kids remember what they learned along the 1/88 mile trail, they may receive a reward at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.
Fallen Leaf
Located right near Taylor Creek is Fallen Leaf Lake. The lake has patches of aspen trees along it. This trail is kid-friendly but not stroller-friendly. You really don’t need to go more than the first mile on the trail to see potential fall foliage. Note, there is a day-use parking fee to access Fallen Leaf Lake.
Spooner Lake
Spooner Lake is known for an impressive display of fall foliage. The spot you’ll want to scope out is actually North Canyon Road to find the aspen groves.
At Spooner Lake, you’ll want to walk the route that heads toward the Marlette Lake trailhead. North Canyon Road is essentially a service road that connects Spooner Lake and Marlette Lake. Once you reach the Marlette Lake trailhead, you can choose your own adventure, or simply turn back. There is a day use parking fee to access Spooner Lake.
Fall in Lake Tahoe with Kids Day Trip Itinerary
It’s hard to fit everything into a single day trip, especially with two young kids. Follow this itinerary for a perfect fall day in Lake Tahoe with kids.
1. Drink Coffee Do Stuff — Incline Village
I love to try local coffee shops and heard great things about this one. Although we began our fall day trip in Lake Tahoe at Incline Village, Drink Coffee Do Stuff has multiple locations in Tahoe.
If you’re craving some fall seasonal beverages, this is a great stop to get that fix. There’s a bathroom inside the coffee shop (no changing table, though). They also have a drinks menu specifically for kids, and there are plenty of pastries and breakfast items for the whole family. Tip: Get the pastries to go so you can enjoy them with a view before heading on one of the trails.
2. East Shore Trail / Memorial Point Overlook — North Lake Tahoe / Incline Village
Park at the Memorial Point Overlook to jump on the East Shore Trail for a little bit. There is a 20-minute parking time limitation. If you’re short on time, the Memorial Point Overlook is a good option for gorgeous Lake Tahoe views.
If you have more time, the East Shore Trail is a must-do while in Lake Tahoe with kids. Since it’s a paved path, it’s stroller-friendly. Expect to stop every five minutes to take photos.
To access the full East Shore Trail, go to Ponderosa Ranch Road in Incline Village. There are many paid parking spots in three lots.
3. Spooner Lake — Nevada State Park
Park in the lot to the left, pointing to Marlette Lake when arriving at Spooner Lake. At the trailhead, there are many picnic tables. It’s a lovely spot for a lunch or indulging in those Drink Coffee Do Stuff pastries. My toddler was mesmerized by all the pine cones at the picnic site.
When we hit the trail, we put our toddler in a hiking bag and our baby in a baby carrier. If you’re looking for a hiking bag for kids, I highly recommend the Osprey Poco.
For stunning fall foliage, when at the Spooner Lake trailhead, turn left and walk along North Canyon Road. Take this trail until you reach the Marlette Lake trailhead, then turn back. Along this route, there are dazzling aspen trees that pop with vibrant yellow color. The aspens also beautifully contrast with the redwood trees along the route.
4. Taylor Creek — South Lake Tahoe
I already shared details about Taylor Creek, but another thing to know is that the Stream Profile Chamber closes in the afternoon. It’s best to do this trail in the morning to allow time to check out the trail and the Stream Profile Chamber. There is also a small gift shop inside the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.
5. Verde Mexican Rotisserie — South Lake Tahoe
For kid-friendly fare, the casual local spot, Verde Mexican Rotisserie, is a great choice. The burritos here are massive; you could easily split one between two people. They have a kids’ menu, and there are bathrooms inside.
6. Cuppa Tahoe — South Lake Tahoe
In the same plaza as Verde Mexican Rotisserie is a lovely local coffee and bookstore combo. There are some unique things for kids at this Lake Tahoe locale.
For one, Cuppa Tahoe has tiny chairs for kids, not high chairs, but little toddler lawn chairs for the outdoor tables. My toddler loved sitting in one. There is also a chalkboard inside the cafe. Plus, you have to walk by tons of enticing books and toys. Bathrooms are available inside the cafe.
More Things To Do in Lake Tahoe with Kids
7. Kings Beach State Recreation Area — Kings Beach
Playground on the beach, next to the lake? Lake aside, that’s what you’ll find here at the Ferrari Playground. This playground is literally in the sand.
8. Preston Field Playground — Incline Village
While the Kings Beach Playground is on the beach, this one is in the middle of scenic trees. It’s very close to the restaurants and shops in Incline Village, making it a good stop to add to your Lake Tahoe itinerary if you have restless little ones.
9. AleWorX — South Lake Tahoe
AleWorX offers plenty of outdoor seating and kid-friendly options, such as pizza, making it a solid choice for dining in Lake Tahoe with kids.
10. Lake Tahoe Pizza Company — South Lake Tahoe
There’s just something about having pizza near a lake. Lake Tahoe Pizza Company is another family-friendly pizza option with outdoor seating and an expansive menu.
11. Tahoe Paradise Park — South Lake Tahoe
Enjoy gorgeous views of Lake Baron next to this playground in Tahoe Paradise Park in South Lake Tahoe.
Family-Friendly Fall Events In Lake Tahoe
Camp Richardson Oktoberfest
If you’re looking for a family-friendly Oktoberfest nestled among pine trees with nearby lake views, this might be the one for you. While steins full of beer are the main attractions, there are plenty of families with kids who frequent the festival. Expect many vendors and live music.
Made in Tahoe Festival
The popular two-day Made in Tahoe festival typically occurs during the second weekend of October. The festival is all about local vendors and food from local area chefs.
