Tahoe City and the Truckee River

This Lake Tahoe driving tour starts at Tahoe City, the only outlet for Lake Tahoe's waters, located on the west side of the lake. It's a loop tour that ends in the same place it started, so you can start at whatever point is closest to your lodgings. It goes around Lake Tahoe clockwise, which always keeps you on the lake side of the road for the best views.

The drive all the way around the lake with no side trips is a little over 70 miles and when there are no traffic jams at South Lake Tahoe, it takes about 3 hours with no stops. The section of Highway 89 between South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City may be closed in winter because of snow and danger of avalanches. Check road conditions online, use your smartphone app if you have one or call 800-427-7623. If it is closed, you can still travel around the rest of the lake, but will have to backtrack to return to your starting point.

You'll find some things to explore in Tahoe City before you go, including a bridge with a funny name.

The bridge that carries CA Hwy 89 over the Truckee River is affectionately called "Fanny Bridge" for the backside view of all the people peeping over the edge. Join them and feed the trout in who swim below. Just downstream, the Truckee River is a great place for a leisurely rafting trip. Use the Truckee River rafting guide to find out how you can join the fun.

Annual events in Tahoe City include summer movies and concerts at Commons Beach, Fourth of July fireworks and the SnowFest Parade, held in March.

To get started on the driving tour, go north. If you've been at the bridge, you may be on CA Hwy 89, which makes a hairpin-shaped turn west just north of the bridge to follow the river. From the intersection just north of the bridge, take CA Hwy 28 north toward Tahoe Vista and Kings Beach.