"As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords." So proclaimed Mark Twain the first time he glimpsed the glimmering waters of Lake Tahoe framed by the domes of the Sierra Nevada. Fast forward to today, and there are plenty of people who agree with the great writer — a whopping 2 million visitors head this way each year, according to the North Lake Tahoe Official Visitors Bureaus.
Some will come for the epic skiing on the slopes of Heavenly Mountain Resort, where pistes drop straight to the lake banks. Others come to see the Scandinavian-style castle beside Emerald Bay or flock in for the outdoor adventures of nearby Truckee. And then there are the road trippers, who are treated to visions of crystal-clear waters, mind-boggling mountain views, and stacks of history in this much-loved corner of the Golden State.
But not all Tahoe road trips are made equal. There are some that really stand out from the crowd. They're once-in-a-lifetime stuff, whisking you through wildflower meadows high in the Californian sierras, out to ghostly mining towns, and — of course — along the famous shorelines of ultra-blue Tahoe itself. Here's a look at some of the very best.
Read more: The 5 Best Hidden Hot Spring Hikes In California
Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive
If you only have time to do one road trip in Tahoe, make it this one. It's the quintessential journey of the lake because it loops the whole thing, offering some of the best vistas of all. You can start it anywhere you like along the shores, joining the 72-mile highway that runs from Nevada through to California via old railroad settlements and come-laze-on-me beaches.
You'll be gasping in awe from start to finish, but some places will draw the deepest, most awe-filled gasps of all. They include the Emerald Bay lookout, known as Inspiration Point, which perches high above an island-dotted inlet. Then there's Zephyr Cove, where long, sandy beaches dip into Tahoe's pure waters.
The entire loop around the lake should take two to three hours in total, passing through two states and zipping by multiple state parks and beaches along the way. It's not for nothing that it's been hailed as America's most gorgeous road trip!
Mount Rose Scenic Byway
Starting on the northeastern edge of Tahoe and wiggling through the high alpine passes on the way to Reno, the Mount Rose Scenic Byway is surely one of the finest road trips on the Nevada side of the lake. Leave Incline Village on a winding section of road that goes all the way to the Tahoe Meadows, where wildflowers burst into life come early summer.
Up there, you can stop for a while and hike sections of the famous Tahoe Rim Trail as it skirts the back of Tamarack Peak. During the winter season, this road could also be your ticket to the Mt. Rose resort, which offers up 1,200 acres of skiable country.
As you approach Reno, notice how the Sierra Nevada drop abruptly in sheer-cut faces of rock, quickly converting the landscape to a high desert plateau. Finish up with a turn on the tables of Reno's own casinos and gaming halls if you're feeling lucky!
Lake Tahoe To Big Sur
Here's a hefty road trip if there ever was one: the 301 miles from Tahoe on the roof of the Sierras to the salt-washed coastal hills of Big Sur. This drive links two of California's most epic road-tripping destinations together in one fell swoop. The whole thing can be done in a day as the trip takes anywhere between five to seven hours from start to finish, but where's the fun in that? Take three days to a week to really enjoy all the pit stops and panoramas.
Begin with swims on Lake Tahoe's beautiful beaches and hikes along the region's famous trails before branching westwards towards the California coast. You'll have multiple options to choose from. Take the Donner Pass to witness some of the most incredible landscapes in the Sierras. Or head to the south of Lake Tahoe to skirt onto State Route 88 to cruise the Carson Pass at 8,574 feet up.
Approaching the coast, the route swings onto U.S. Highway 101 and skirts the edge of Northern California's largest state park (a paradise for wildflower lovers in spring, by the way). Later, it links up with State Route 1 before dropping into Big Sur via the rugged inlets and cypress-spotted hills of Point Lobos. The massive trip bridges the Sierras to the surf in a single jaunt.
Donner Pass Highway
The Donner Pass Highway is just a section of Interstate 80 that meanders and twirls its way through the mountains on the northwest side of Lake Tahoe. Often closed because of snowstorms in the winter, it follows the route of the old wagon trails of the pioneers from way back when.
What's great is that you can veer off the interstate to connect with the historic U.S. Highway 40, also known as the Lincoln Highway, for a more picturesque journey. It shoots out from Donner Lake and crosses the famous Rainbow Bridge — a 100-year-old arch bridge that was a wonder of construction in its day, just five minutes from the lake.
Here, you can step out of the car to hike the abandoned train tunnels of Donner Summit or push on to follow the highway right across to the enchanting territory of Californian Gold Country. Within an hour, you'll be cruising up the main street of the Victorian-styled town of Nevada City, where swimming holes, quirky antique shops, and artisan cafes await.
Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets.
Read the original article on Islands.
