This is a sponsored post by Chase Ultimate Rewards®. The content and opinions expressed below are that of A Taste of Koko.

Everyone knows that Lake Tahoe is one of the top ski destinations but did you know it’s the perfect summer getaway? Austin is impossibly hot and humid during the summer so I’m always looking for any excuse to getaway.

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Lake Tahoe has a high of 80°F and low of 40°F during the summer, which makes it perfect for outdoor activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, and hiking. You can even still ski right now. Yep, you can ski during the summer! California received so much snowfall this year that they’re expecting to ski year round this year. With the perfect weather and combination of outdoor activities, Lake Tahoe is the ultimate summer trip!

To learn more about North Lake Tahoe visit gotahoenorth.com.

HOW TO GET TO LAKE TAHOE

Fly into Reno-Tahoe Intl Airport and rent a rental car with Chase Ultimate Rewards to drive to Lake Tahoe. It’s a 40 minute to one hour drive so stop by the newly opened Canter’s Deli in the Silver Legacy.

WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE TAHOE

HYATT REGENCY LAKE TAHOE RESORT

We stayed all four nights at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe and absolutely loved the property. Hyatt Lake Tahoe is a hotel, resort, spa, and casino that’s surrounded by mountains and located right on Lake Tahoe. The hotel actually has its own private beach that can only be accessed if you’re a hotel guest. Hyatt Lake Tahoe is just minutes from Incline Village and has its own house car that can take you anywhere within a 1/2 mile radius. The lagoon-style pool is heated and there’s a fire pit that overlooks the lake.

Hyatt Lake Tahoe is an alpine paradise and I absolutely loved staying here and would stay here on my next visit to Lake Tahoe. I loved dining at Lone Eagle Grille and lounging at the cabanas by the lake! A week of hiking definitely took a toll on my feet so I got a pedicure at the Stillwater Spa (Hyatt Lake Tahoe’s on property spa) before flying back to Austin.

111 Country Club Dr, Incline Village, NV, laketahoe.regency.hyatt.com

THINGS TO DO IN LAKE TAHOE

KAYAKING ON LAKE TAHOE

When visiting Lake Tahoe, you have to go to the lake and the best way to see it is by kayak. We did a kayak tour with Tahoe Adventure Company, a locally owned company that leads adventure travel trips and tours that focus on experiencing the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe. Other adventures include paddleboarding, mountain biking, snowshoeing, hiking, backpacking, and more.

Our tour guide gave us a 2-hour tour around North Lake Tahoe and explained to us the history of the lake and city. Did you know Lake Tahoe is over 2 million years old? The water is so clear in the lake that you can see 30+ feet down. I was blown away by the clarity of the lake! It’s a chilly 50 degrees in the Spring but I highly encourage you to jump in!

7010 N Lake Blvd Tahoe Vista, CA 96148

EXPLORE SAND HARBOR

We wanted to originally go paddleboarding at Sand Habor but ran out of time. Instead, we found an incredible photo opp by the boardwalk with a path of rocks leading out to the lake. There’s also a beach at Sand Harbor to lay out and enjoy the view. I want to come back and paddleboard at Sand Harbor!

2005 NV-28, Incline Village, NV, parks.nv.gov/parks/lake-tahoe-nevada-state-park

JET SKI ON LAKE TAHOE

Have a need for speed? Jet ski around Lake Tahoe! We rented jet skis from Hyatt Lake Tahoe’s private beach and did a lap around the lake.

DRINK LOCAL BEER AT ALIBI ALE WORKS

Cool off after a day of outdoor activities at Alibi Ale Works. This local craft brewery is located in Incline Village that produces a wide range of rotating beers with pure Lake Tahoe water. The middle beer pictured above is their strawberry beer made with organic strawberries!

204 E Enterprise St, Incline Village, NV, alibialeworks.com

GO SHOPPING IN TAHOE CITY

Tahoe City is filled with local clothing boutiques and shops. Check out Gatekeepers Museum if you’re there – it’s a reconstruction of the original Gatekeeper’s cabin that is now filled with Native American baskets and historical photographs.

130 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA

HANG OUT IN COMMONS BEACH

Commons Beach is in Tahoe City – it;s a great place to hang out and a live band plays every Sunday night during the summer.

130 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA

BEST HIKING TRAILS IN LAKE TAHOE

EAGLE ROCK

Hike to the top of Eagle Rock for an incredible panoramic view of Lake Tahoe. Eagle Rock is a volcanic outcrop that’s 250 ft above Lake Tahoe.

3370 W Lake Blvd, Homewood, CA 96141

SECRET COVE

Secret Cove is one of the series of beaches located around Lake Tahoe. Park along the side of Hwy 28 and walk towards the signs marking the trails down the hill. Don’t be alarmed if you see someone nude like we did – it’s a popular nude beach!

NV-28, Incline Village, NV 89451

EMERALD BAY

Emerald Bay State Park is the state park of California and considered one of the most beautiful gems. It’s tucked in the southwest corner of Lake Tahoe but well worth the drive. Hike down the mile-long trail to the main beach at Vikingsholm.

138 Emerald Bay Rd

BEST SKI IN LAKE TAHOE

SKIING AT SQUAW VALLEY

Lake Tahoe has several options for skiing but we went to Squaw Valley. Yes, we skied in mid-June and you can still ski this July! Squaw Valley Ski Resort in Olympic Valley, California, is one of the largest ski areas in the United States that boasts the longest ski and snowboard seasons. For beginners like myself, I skied down the learning zones of this iconic Sierra Mountain Resort. There are 100 trails spread over 2,400 acres!

1960 Squaw Valley Rd, Olympic Valley, CA,

BEST RESTAURANTS IN LAKE TAHOE

LONE EAGLE GRILLE

Our first meal after we checked into Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe was at their restaurant, Lone Eagle Grill. Located right across the street, Lone Eagle Grill is a gourmet lakefront dining on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. Loved having wine during dinner and watching the sunset across the waves. Order the Baked Tahoe (aka Baked Alaska)!

111 Country Club Dr, Incline Village, NV, loneeaglegrille.com

SIERRA CAFE

For breakfast, we’ve been grabbing something quick in the morning from Sierra Cafe. If you have time to sit down and enjoy the view, the huevos rancheros was so good.

111 Country Club Dr, Incline Village, NV, laketahoe.regency.hyatt.com

JASON’S BEACHSIDE GRILLE

After morning hike at Eagle Rock, we stopped by for a quick lunch at Jason’s Beachside Grille.

8338 N Lake Blvd, Kings Beach, CA, jasonsbeachsidegrille.com

BITE AMERICAN TAPAS

If you’re looking for a local dinner spot, try Bite American Tapas. Bacon wrapped dates, local andouille sausage & shrimp gumbo, Fulton Valley Farms fried chicken sliders, and onions rings were our favorite.

907 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, NV, bitetahoe.com

ROCKER@SQUAW

After a day of skiing at Squaw Valley, you’ll want to refuel at Rocker@Squaw. Start with cocktails and the pickle fries – they’re dangerously addicting. Loved the chicken and rice bowl!

1960 Squaw Valley Rd, Olympic Valley, CA, squawalpine.com/events-things-do/rockersquaw

CRYSTAL BAY CASINO STEAKHOUSE

14 NV-28, Crystal Bay, NV, crystalbaycasino.com

SUNNYSIDE

One of my favorite restaurants in Lake Tahoe was Sunnyside. Loved the fried zucchini, sesame crusted ahi tuna bowl, beer battered fish tacos, and you have to order the hula pie!

1850 West Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA, sunnysideresort.com

WOLFDALE’S

If you’re looking for a date night restaurant, Wolfdale’s is the spot. Wolfdale’s serves locally sourced and fresh ingredients with an award winning wine selection by the lake.

640 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145, wolfdales.com