Go solo. My husband loves a dawn ski trip and I enjoy a morning paddle. As much as we like to do these things together, it’s also nice to spend time alone. My natural rhythm is to wake with the sun and birds, so I'm often up and out for a run, bike ride or paddle during the Summer months. In the Winter months, an alarm reminds us to wake and play. The best thing about being in Lake Tahoe is you can have a multi-sport day, any day of the year. Book the first tee time of the day, then go for a mountain bike ride and finish your day with a swim in the lake.  You can also ski in the morning, road cycle in the afternoon and end your day with a boat cruise and wine tasting.
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Rising early sets you up for a full day at Lake Tahoe. Access adventure, peacefulness, nature and food. For those of you that are like me and wake with the sun and birds, go outside and play! For visitors, at least once during your stay, set your alarm for before dawn and experience a Tahoe morning.

Tahoe is full of boss babes.  When you're out on the town seeking the best things to see, places to go and spots to hit up keep these fabulous female businesses in mind.

Wildwood is not only woman owned, but also supports local and independent makers as well as artists.  Lisa, the owner, keeps Wildwood's Instagram feed up to date with the latest arrivals and fabulous finds she's discovered.  You'll find coloring books, greeting cards, jewelry, stickers and more creatively displayed throughout the store.

Tahoe residents and visitors will find unique gifts for friends and family (and maybe yourself).  You'll discover local artists like Ellen Nunes, Lisa Michele Studios, Bella Drops and Mountain Love Pottery.  I've never failed to find the perfect gift and, often, something for myself when I've visited.   

Since Tahoe sits on the line between Nevada and California there are a variety of dispensaries to choose from in the area.  Only one is woman owned.  Christy Wilson owns Embarc Tahoe and has committed to ensuring the cannabis ecosystem remains open and diverse. They prioritize shelf space for BIPOC, female, social equity, LGBTQIA+ and small and locally farmed brands, leveraging their platform to amplify their voices with consumers. 

​Embarc donates 1% of all sales in perpetuity to a local Community Investment Fund. This fund is directed by a Community Advisory Board – a group of local residents and community leaders that ensure they're focused on meeting the community’s needs​​.

Whether seeking a recreational experience or treatment for discomforts or ailments, visit Embarc and meet their incredible team who live right here in Lake Tahoe.

Did you know that plants in your home can help you to breathe better and feel healthier?  They look pretty, too.  Knowing how to care for indoor plants is important for their health and yours. 

​Drea approaches plant care and design with intention; ensuring plants & people alike thrive.  From children’s Paint’n’Pot" parties to "Pot and Sip" events she creatively introduces people to plants and vice versa. You can visit the shop, book private consultations and catch them at the local farmer's markets.

From plant walls to succulent displays and living arrangements to business displays, HMG bring greenery to Tahoe in unique and beautiful ways.  Drea curates a conscious botanical bazaar, growing community and the interconnection of flora, fauna & fungi.

Everyone knows that Tahoe is for dogs.  There are few places you can go in the basin where you won't run into a four-legged friend.  Visit any resident's home and they might have a few, and a cat or two, as well.  If you plan on bringing your pet with you on some Tahoe adventures you're going to need supplies.

Julie Shaw, who owns Earthwise Pet Tahoe, has developed quite a following.  Earthwise is  a local neighborhood Pet Nutrition Center & Wellness Spa. They specialize in natural pet foods, raw foods, treats, toys, litter, leashes & collars.  They also offer both a pet wash and grooming for all the dogs including my friend Baxter, a labradoodle with a wild coat.

Next time you and your pup or feline are at the Crossing at the Y, stop in for a treat.  You're sure to find something that makes tails wag.  

You bet Tahoe has a brewery owned by a woman!  I can't say enough about how much Nicole Smith and South Lake Brewing rock.  Nicole is the co-founder and vice president of SLBC. She and her husband & fellow beer-lover, Chris Smith, have not only provided jobs for locals, but also support organizations in the area, and they host incredible events.  From fundraisers to food trucks and parties to live music there is always something happening at SLBC.

Nicole thought she was going to enter into a career in engineering, but always wanted to start her own business in Tahoe.  In 2017 South Lake Brewing opened and has continued to grow as a community meeting spot and provider of craft beers ever since.  If you're seeking some hoppy libations and a connection with the locals pop in for a pint and grab a seat on one of their picnic tables.

Check out the posturing of any athlete and you might be able to identify the activity they engage in the most.  Road cyclists have developed calves and glutes.  Tennis players have one arm that is more developed than the other.  Horseback riders have developed hips.

What about mountain bikers?  A forward chest, developed legs and arms.   When I see a mountain biker's body all I want to do is help them adjust so they can stand in an upright position.  Like so many activities we engage in on a daily basis mountain biking requires front body strength which can create muscular imbalances among our front and back bodies.

Yoga is a practice of, first, establishing awareness of our postural habits.  A well trained guide will help you to become aware of the muscles you tend to contract as well as those you lengthen more often than others.  Consistently practicing engaging in complimentary movements or "opposite process" will help you to become more physically harmonious so that you can keep riding for the rest of your life.

You might not realize it, but you may be ignoring some of the most powerful muscles in your body while you're riding.  I find mountain biking to be incredibly challenging.  This is mostly due to my lack of upper abdominal strength.  My lower abs are really strong, but my upper abdominal muscles aren't quiet as powerful.  When I get on my bike I can feel this weakness. 

I've seen plenty of mountain bikers who rely on their arms to do the work on the bike.  As they climb they are pumping up and down like they're doing a push-up on the handle bars.  When they descend, they muscle the bike around corners and over obstacles.  Building strength in your core through a variety of Yoga postures is key to feeling more in control of your body and bike while riding.  It can help you to reduce the work in your arms so that you don't get fatigued and can ride longer and more challenging terrain.

Bike geometry has certainly improved over time offering more balanced bikes, more travel, increased wheel sizes and more.  Whether you are developing new skills or adjusting to a new bike balance can be what keeps you on the bike or dumps you off.  Developing steadiness in your body and awareness of your breath can help you to remain calm and focused while riding even when on a new trail, in tricky terrain or while getting comfortable on a new bike.

Lake Tahoe Yoga guides practices in RajaHatha Yoga.  What does that mean?  Every movement is combined with a breath.  Learning to breathe to move when going through poses on the mat can help you to do so while on your bike.  If you can keep a calm and steady breath while balancing on one foot or moving through a flowing sequence of postures, you can likely do the same while climbing over rocks or riding a log.

At the end of every Yoga practice we rest on our mats in savasana (corpse posture).  The intention is to offer an opportunity to "soak it all in."  Your body has been moved, manipulated, adjusted, engaged, stretched and balanced.  As you lay on the earth you get an opportunity to relax physically, energetically and, maybe, mentally.  

Translating this sense of tranquility onto your bike can help you to feel more calm and at ease while riding.  If you take the time to stretch and prepare before and after you ride, include a moment to sit or lay down and consider your ride.  What do you hope to accomplish?  What are you proud of?  What are you going to work on next time?

Want to learn more about mountain biking in Lake Tahoe?  The Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) brings the community together through rides, trail development and maintenance, mtb events and more.

Need guidance and gear for riding?  Tahoe Sports LTD is one of Tahoe's best shops staffed with local pros who know about mountain biking from tires to trails.

Are you a mountain biker who wants to try Yoga?  Lake Tahoe Yoga is a supporter of TAMBA and offers classes for you.

Do you travel to ride?  LocalFreshies.com features articles and videos about the best places to ride and how to "Be a local wherever you go."

Seeking bliss while vesting the basin?  We recommend checking out these things to do in Lake Tahoe in Summer.  They include opportunities for exploration of our outdoor playground as well as peaceful moments for reflection and connection.

Become one with the lake when you join a tour with Clearly Tahoe.  Their kayaks are designed for exploration.  Take a slow tour around Sand Harbor, the south shore, or Bonsai Rock, as well as other locations.  Soak up the morning sun or watch the water change color as the sun sets over the West Shore.

Their specialty lies in protecting, transporting, and managing these unique boats that offer an experience that gives you the sense of feeling as though you are truly one with the lake.  Take advantage of this opportunity to view all of Tahoe from sky to lake bottom.  Gaze down into the depths of the lake and sit back to ponder the the height of the mountains.  Spend time listening to the surrounding sounds.  Allow yourself a few moments of peace as you float among giant boulders on peaceful water.

When asked what time of day is the best for visiting the beach we recommend two: early morning and late afternoon.  Summer days in Tahoe are long and we recommend taking advantage of the entirety of the day. 

Beach Yoga classes are offered during the more mild parts of the day; at 9am and 5:30pm.  Private Sessions can be requested for just about anytime, but Lake Tahoe Yoga recommends avoiding the heat of the day.  These classes include so much more than poses.  Your guide is trained in varying the practice using the surroundings as tools.  You'll be challenged to focus upon the practice instead of the happenings around.  The sand will move beneath you creating new experiences in balance and steadiness.  Listen carefully to the cueing and may find yourself attempting postures you never have before.  Considered the second best savasana in Tahoe, the final resting pose includes a special trick for creating comfort while you rest on the sand, soak up the sun, and relax on the beach.

Early birds definitely get the best experiences when it comes to things to do in Lake Tahoe in summer.  Lake Tahoe Balloons offers a truly unique way to experience the basin.  After traveling on their custom balloon boat to the perfect launching spot, you'll embark on a hot air tour high above the lake.

You'll receive refreshments and food to energize your body and mind for the flight.  Climb into the basket and launch up into the endless blue skies above Tahoe.  Your captains are highly trained professionals who keep the boat and balloon afloat while you gaze upon the beauty of the glassy waters below you.  With the exception of the sound of the burner and your fellow travelers, the silence of the morning draws your attention.  Soak in the scene from your bird's eye view.  

Did you know that Tahoe has trees that smell like vanilla or maple syrup?  Falcons, Eagles, and Mountain Chickadees reign the skies.  Tiny creatures hide in every crevice and crack waiting for the moment to spring into action gathering supplies for the Winter.  If you take your time to experience the space around you, your senses will become more refined and you'll notice so much more.

Take a walk with a guide who will show you how to truly appreciate the sounds, sights, smells, and even tangible aspects of the trip.  Forest Bathing is more than walking through the woods.  It is a mindful experience and connection with the natural world.  Felix Brosch of EarthKraft is our recommended guide for these blissful strolls through the woods.  In his words, "Forest Bathing is a chance to allow someone else to hold space and time for you so you can let go and be on Forest Time."  

In my opinion, there is no better variation on savasana than the one offered during Paddle Yoga with Lake Tahoe Yoga.  The studio has been guiding practices on the water since 2011.  Most likely the first to do so in the Tahoe basin, they are the most knowledgeable and offer the most robust experience.

Your Paddle Yoga session includes all of the tools necessary for accessing the water.  Beginners are welcome.  Everyone receives a mini-lesson that includes instruction in paddling as well as what to expect once out on the water.  You'll participate in a leisurely paddle well beyond shore to a peaceful spot with 365* views.  Every posture is an opportunity to take in a new perspective and soak up that Tahoe magic.  Your movements are complimented with floating restoration as you relax in the corpse posture being rocked by the water.  This experience wouldn't be complete without complimentary photos that you can download for use on all your social media apps.

As you can see if you're looking for bliss the list of things to do in Lake Tahoe in summer are almost infinite. For more ideas on what to look for check out Tahoe South's things to do homepage.