Lake Tahoe Archives - Page 4 of 8

Lake Tahoe Lodging: The Ridge Tahoe Review

October 21, 2013 by The Mom Jen 6 Comments

My girlfriends and I have been getting together once a year for a getaway for about a decade now and it’s a weekend that stays in my heart for weeks after. This group of us all once lived in the same town but because of jobs or family needs have moved to different parts of the US. It’s a weekend I look forward to every year and one that I hate to miss. This year we packed up and headed to one of my favorite spots, Lake Tahoe and stayed at The Ridge Tahoe for a long weekend.

Overlooking the Carson Valley on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, I’ve seen the views to be pretty spectaular. When we arrived we learned that the smoke from the Tuolumne Meadows fire near Yosemite was impacting the area, and the views were obscured yet still very fascinating! Looking toward the Carson Valley below:

Looking toward Lake Tahoe:The four of us settled into our luxurious 2 bedroom condo. The large living space allowed us to be able to move around and feel comfortable all while coming together to enjoy meals, coffee, or conversation.The glare from the near white-out smoky conditions during the day had our drapes drawn and the fans blowing. Not normally having the temperatures rise too high in the area, the condo did not have air conditioning. Though it wasn’t hot per se, the conditions had us wanting our windows and doors shut and the smoke out. Needless to say, the rooms got stuffy and we utilized the 3 fans provided to circulate air. It was hard missing the cool crisp mountain air that Lake Tahoe usually boasts.The fully equipped kitchen with microwave oven, dishwasher, full-sized refrigerator, oven, small appliances, dishes and utensils, and cooking necessities are always a plus for our getaways. We invite the opportunity to shop and cook for ourselves to save money and there was plenty of room and amenities to do so. The bedrooms have everything you need for a relaxing getaway whether it be for girlfriends, family, or romance. The views from the rooms are stunning (on normal conditions) and we absolutely fell in love with the Sleep Number Beds! With dual controls, the four of us had the ability to find and choose the best number to fit our sleeping mode! Over the course of the 3 nights, we could change our numbers to find out what worked best and I’m definitely a 40 on the spectrum where the other girls were enjoyed a more firmer mattress. I still think about that bed and think that’s one luxury I’d like to bring home with me!Though we didn’t catch the main event, we spied out our dining room window the setup for a wedding and also caught part of what seemed to be the rehearsal. It’s undoubtedly a gorgeous spot with lovely photo opportunities! Pool and jacuzzi time was something we took advantage us on site. Fire pits as well as gas barbecues are available to take your dinner outdoors!The Ridge has so many other outdoor activities plus Elevation Spa to pamper yourself but also has many organized activities on site that you literally get a booklet with all the necessary info upon check in:

Evening with the Chef Cooking Series. Hosted by Executive Chef Stephen J. Moise every Tuesday from 4-9PM.

Craps Classes
Glass Painting Classes
Group Snow shoe and Trail Hikes
Movie Nights
Tennis Instruction
Water Aerobics
Skin Care Classes
Teenager Skin Care Classes
Cooking Demonstrations
Wine Tasting Classes
Group Rock Climbing
Bingo Nights
Stretch Classes
WallyBall Mixer
Scarf Making Class
Pilates
Zumba
Dance off Challenge (with X-box)
SO MUCH MORE!

If you’re looking to head down to Stateline, the booklet includes a full casino shuttle schedule!With a restaurant, small grocery/souvenir store, deli, and bar on site, you can really never leave the resort during your stay. My friends and I enjoyed a meal at The Hungry Bear Restaurant which allows elegant dining in a casual atmosphere. The menu has something for everyone with delicious desserts to round out your meal. There is indoor and outdoor seating and because of the smoke we dined inside but had a gorgeous sunset view!The Ridge Club Deli serves a more casual fare all day long with indoor and almost-outdoor seating. We enjoyed a variety of goodies for breakfast one morning that included traditional bacon and eggs, cinnamon rolls, fruit, and quiche!Aside from the air conditions, our stay at The Ridge Tahoe was lovely. All the amenities were ideal for our group of ladies and it’s definitely a place we’d stay again when in the area. To learn more about The Ridge Tahoe, visit http://www.ridgetahoeresort.com/ and enjoy all that Lake Tahoe has to offer, year-round!

Our stay was hosted, all opinions our own.

South Lake Tahoe Dining: Base Camp Pizza Co. Review

July 10, 2013 by The Mom Jen 2 Comments

After spending a wonderful weekend on the south shore of Lake Tahoe we decided to stop for pizza before heading home and had an amazing lunch at Base Camp Pizza Co. Live music, balloons and comfortable Adirondack chairs welcomed us to the restaurant in Heavenly Village near the ice rink/mini golf course. It was celebration day, one year in business at this location! Claims of “The Best Family Dining Experience in the Heavenly Village” are validated by the friendly service, cozy atmosphere and mouthwatering menu.

Our servers were very friendly and welcomed the chance to explain the menu offerings and make suggestions based on our feedback. The Base Camp Pizza menu is not your typical pizza place menu and includes an enticing array of appetizers, soups & salads, pizza, pasta and desserts. After perusing the wide variety of choices on the menu we decided to go with a large Base Camp Pepperoni, a personal Thai Curry Chicken and Paige’s Penne Pasta with butter for our youngest. Probably a pretty boring choice considering all the delicious options available but hey that’s what we’ll hit next time we’re in town. Little details like drinks in mason jars were a neat added touch, something the kids had never experienced!

After ordering the décor decidedly consumed our attention. Granite tables lit by faux camp lanterns and draped with prayer flags are surrounded by eye catching large black and white photographs of the chef’s world travels.

The food arrived and it was as delicious as promised. The pepperoni was spot on with a light airy crust and the penne pasta was quickly gobbled up. But, the star of the show was the Thai Curry Chicken. Our family is not very daring in the culinary sense (as evident in our other menu selections) but the excitement the staff showed in the menu options sparked a sense of adventure that we did not regret. Base Camp’s Thai Curry Chicken Pizza is a delicious gourmet combination of sweet curry sauce, roasted chicken, yellow bell peppers, tomatoes, onion, mascarpone, lime, basil and cilantro on a delicious pizza crust that dramatically changed the way I’ll consider pizza as a meal.

We shared a contrast of cool ice cream and warm pear crisp for dessert, utterly scrumptious and and enough for the 5 of us to share! We headed west down out of the mountains with full bellies and smiles on our faces. Plans are in the works for another trip to South Lake Tahoe to include mountain biking, hiking, a swim in the lake and most definitely a visit to Base Camp Pizza Company for a decidedly different and delicious pizza experience. With plenty of seating indoors and out, (think firepits and heaters in the cooler weather) a full bar, and live music daily, this is the way to spend the afternoon or evening with loved ones in Tahoe!

Our meal was hosted to facilitate this review, all opinions and gratuities our own.

Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel: 4 Doors to Tahoe Tourism

June 20, 2013 by The Mom Jen 3 Comments

When you think of Lake Tahoe, you think of the beach on the lake, the mountains for skiing/snowboarding, the forest for mountain biking or hiking, and Stateline for entertainment. On each of our trips we love partaking in 2-3 of those lovely area amenities. Formerly the Embassy Suites, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel is a newly independent property as of April 1, 2013 and has doors that open to each of those amenities. Sitting on property that is literally on the border of California and Nevada, this hotel is close to all you love in Tahoe and is a fabulous place to stay with your family!

From a 30 second walk to Harrah’s Casino, a 7 minute walk to the lake, a shuttle ride to Heavenly ski resort, or quick mountain bike ride to hop on the Powerline Trail, the Lake Tahoe Resort is in the heart of Tahoe. Find a staff member of the hotel and check out their badges, you’ll see each person’s unique and personal connection to Tahoe. Ask them about their interest and maybe it’ll be something you take up on your trip! That is, if you leave this great hotel.

From the outside it looks small, but once inside the towering floors, open skylight ceiling, and atrium feel shows the magnitude of the hotel.

Every room in the hotel is a 2-room suite with tons of room to relax, sleep, and even share a meal. A full living room with a sleeper sofa, chair, and flat screen is adjacent to a dining table and chairs. Then walk over to the wet bar across from the full bathroom. Through a door you’ll find a king or two queen beds offering comfort and privacy at the same time.

I love added touches like a second flat screen so kids and parents can watch their favorite shows, a separate sink/vanity when fighting over the bathroom ensues with the teen, and robes are always a homey touch!The bedroom view gives you a taste of what’s out the doors of the hotel.

With your stay you get a generous happy hour with unlimited full-bar and veggies, dip, and popcorn. There are tons of seating, and with the aid of plastic cups you can even enjoy your food and beverage while watching the kids in the pool on the same level. A large flat screen TV offers sports in one section, or grab a tray and take your goodies back to the room. I have to admit we planned out two nights around the fun happy hour, you get a community feel and it reminds me of eating in the dining halls in college but only family style, it’s a great vibe.

Also included is the huge breakfast buffet. Want a special order omelette, pancakes, eggs, bacon, fruit, oatmeal, cereal, etc? You’re bound to find it cooked fresh and to your liking, you surely will not leave hungry! They have a large menu on the wall with what they change up during the week as far as meats/potatoes/hot line/cold line/eggs.

The kids will love the indoor heated pool and parents will love the hot tub.

We dined in the hotel restaurant Echo one evening and enjoyed their delicious cuisine, husband and son shared the El Grande Nachos and I enjoyed the flavor of the blackened beef bruschetta, the girls ate off the children’s menu that I appreciate they had! Take a walk outside and down the road and find tons of shopping, restaurants, a theater, mini-golf, and the Gondola that will take you to the top of Heavenly mountain, you are so close to everything.

This hotel has so much and it’s amenities will have us coming back again and again due to it’s competitive price.

Our stay was hosted, all opinions and gratuities are our own.

Lake Tahoe: Tahoe Queen’s Emerald Bay Sightseeing Cruise

June 18, 2013 by The Mom Jen 10 Comments

Take a few hours and cruise the lake on your next trip to Lake Tahoe! The Tahoe Queen cruises out of the Ski Run Marina in South Lake Tahoe and is 2 and a half hours of relaxation, beauty, sunshine, and cool mountain air!

The 312-passenger Tahoe Queen, is the lake’s only authentic Mississippi paddlewheeler. This elegant Lake Tahoe icon recently underwent major renovations to reflect the allure and luster of the early 1900’s when there was truly no finer way to travel.Daytime Scenic Cruises feature a tour through South Lake Tahoe history on the way to Emerald Bay, and the Sierra Sunset Dinner Cruise offers an unforgettable elegant evening cruise complete with famous Tahoe sunsets, breathtaking views, local cuisine and live music. Food is available for purchase and drinks can be bought at our full bar.

Two levels on the boat are indoors with full bars and food service provided by waitstaff where you can order drinks, snacks, and lunch items such as sandwiches and salads. You can spend as much or a little time here you want.

As you board you can find a table to make your home base. My oldest daughter gets a touch motion sick so with some Dramamine and a fabulous window seat, she found herself enjoying the cruise, snapping pics on social media, and snacking during our trip!There’s a lot of great outdoor space on each level to stand or sit the duration of the trip. These are the spots with the best views!

As you leave port, you watch the water change colors and take in the scenery around you. Here you can see just over Stateline, the casinos towering above the pines!Water watch was definitely a highlight for all the kids to experience. Not to mention the stunning snow capped mountains.

We slow down and take some time when you reach Emerald Bay.

The island in the center is neat, has a little castle looking structure at the top and some of the trees have large nests in them.At the end of the bay is Vikingsholm Castle, you can hike to it from a trailhead off Emerald Bay Road, my husband I have done it and it’s short and appropriate for children!The views never stop!

On the way back from the bay, my youngest was fascinated by the paddlewheel windows.There’s a gift shop on board with toys, clothing, souvenirs, and books to please everyone in your party.
Prior to boarding every group snaps a photo, these photos are available for purchase the last ten minutes of the cruise. I’m a sucker for these kind of memories!The cruises are scheduled about 4 times per day and more often on the weekends with sunset cruise options as well as dinner cruises. Check out the Tahoe Queen’s Emerald Bay Sightseeing Cruise and more Tahoe Cruises here for prices and schedules, http://www.zephyrcove.com/cruises.aspx.

Our cruise was hosted, food, drinks, opinions, and gratuities all our own.

Lake Tahoe Photography: Colors of the Lake

June 16, 2013 by The Mom Jen 2 Comments

Something I love to see when we head to Lake Tahoe is the vivid colors of the lake. Just as you make that curve in the road at Highway 50 before that last straightaway towards Stateline, the water looks like a paint chip of turquoise green and blue. Against the bright blue sky and deep green pines, you fall in love again with this beautiful area. Well at least I do!