Lake Tahoe Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Embark on a self-guided audio tour of Lake Tahoe, exploring its stunning landscapes, historic sites, and hidden gems. Learn about its history and enjoy the flexibility of driving at your own pace. Book now!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Visitor Center Road - Your tour of Lake Tahoe begins at the Tahoe South Visitor Center in South Lake Tahoe. From here, you’ll embark on a scenic journey around the lake which some have called the most beautiful lake in the United States. Along the way, you’ll pick up essential history, pass top notch hiking trails, and of course have plenty of opportunity to visit the lakeshore!

NOTE: This 88+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Lake Tahoe in 2-3 hours.

  • Tallac Historic Site - The Pope Cabin owes its name to its eccentric former owner, George Pope. Pope called this home the Vatican, and would bring celebrities out for all kinds of crazy parties. While Pope and his family vacationed here, they hired a retinue of 35 servants!
  • Pope Beach - Pope Beach is one of Lake Tahoe’s 40 public beaches. It’s defined by dunes and pine trees and makes for a perfect swimming, boating, or picnicking spot. Entry is $8 most days, but can go up to $20 on peak holidays.
  • Vikingsholm - Like Valhalla, Vikingsholm is built to emulate the architecture of Scandinavian castles. This 38-room mansion sports Norse carvings around the entrances and Nordic dragons on its roof. It also boasts a view that rivals any of Norway’s fjords!
  • Emerald Bay State Park - Emerald Bay gets its name for the lovely green hue created by the sun shining on the bay’s crystal clear waters. At Emerald Bay State Park, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on all manner of activities in this water, from kayaking to scuba diving and beyond. If you didn’t bring your own gear, don’t worry, the park offers rentals!
  • Eagle Falls - Eagle Falls Trail leads to the only waterfall that flows into Lake Tahoe. This moderate, 2-mile hike is a hugely popular stop, and for good reason. The trail boasts not just the beautiful waterfall at the end, but also some splendid views along the way.
  • Meeks Bay Trail - Meeks Bay features a pristine white sand beach that’s perfect for lounging lakeside. The water also remains shallow for a long way out, making this a great spot for families. This beach can get pretty crowded in the summer, so it’s important to plan ahead.
  • Sugar Pine State Park - An optional detour can take you to Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. As the name would suggest, sugar pines dominate this park. Interestingly, a huge portion of this 2,500-acre park is new growth forest due to heavy logging in the 1800s.
  • Olympic Valley - If you’re visiting in the winter, you won’t want to miss this detour. Olympic Valley, high in the Sierra Nevada, offers some of the best skiing areas in the region. It has actually hosted the Winter Olympics, hence the name!
  • Tahoe City Visitor Information Center - The Tahoe City Visitor Information Center marks just how far you’ve come. Located on the north side of the lake, it’s a great place to pause, find restrooms, and pick up snacks for the final leg of your journey.
  • Carnelian Bay - Carnelian Bay is a popular, picturesque spot which was once famous for something besides its postcard beauty. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, this was a major destination for boat racing! Today, it’s a great spot for fishing, paddleboarding, and all sorts of other activities.
  • Kings Beach - Kings Beach is one of the warmest beaches on the lakeshore, so if you’re wary of the chilly alpine waters, this is the spot for you! The recreation area also features a playground and a basketball court, and there are plenty of well-shaded picnic tables here as well. It’s got a little something for everyone.
  • Memorial Point - Memorial Point Trail is an easy half-mile hike along the lakeside. It offers some seriously unbeatable views, so make sure to keep your camera at the ready!
  • Sand Harbor - Sand Harbor isn’t just another beach. It features unique rock formations that make it a favorite spot among scuba divers, and has some of the clearest water of anywhere on the lakeshore. It’s also where you’ll find the trailhead for the fully accessible Sand Point Trail.
  • Logan Shoals Vista Trail - Logan Shoals is hands down one of the best vistas of Lake Tahoe. It rises 300 feet above the lake, offering panoramic views of the water and the lush greenery all around. There’s a reason this is a hugely popular wedding spot!
  • Cave Rock - Cave Rock, also known as the Lady of the Lake, is the remnant of an old volcanic core. This three million year old rock was very important to the Washoe people. Today, it’s a popular sunbathing spot and fishing hole. This is the last stop along your tour route, but there are plenty more optional stops to keep the journey going.
What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Food and Drinks.
Additional Information

Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone can listen together!

Explore Lake Tahoe’s dazzlingly blue waters and stunning mountainous backdrop with this self-guided audio tour! Drive around the entirety of the lake as you learn about its origins, admire its breathtaking vistas, and dive into its Gilded Age history. Explore hikes, historic homes, and waterfall views along the way. This self-guided driving tour allows you to experience all of Lake Tahoe with maximum flexibility and value.

• Fun and flexible way to make the most of your time in Lake Tahoe
• Learn Tahoe trivia and history as you drive to different landmarks
• Low price for the budget-friendly app is per car
• New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Location
7815 N Lake Blvd
North Lake Boulevard
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(296 Ratings)
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1 star
Linda_r
Aug 18, 2024
A fun way to explore Lake Tahoe - We loved the various stories about the history of the lake and its visitors. We all learned something we didn’t know.
Review provided by Viator
As_murnane2
Aug 17, 2024
Saved the day!! - We had planned on kayaking or paddleboarding, but due to the wind and decreased temp decided last minute a drive and some trails would be a better option. We weren't sure where to start or how to find trails, so I decided to download this tour... It was amazing! Full of info, well paced and worked flawlessly following along with where we were, stopping and starting on it's own and suggesting turn offs or trails!! . My daughter and I were VERY impressed!! Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Craigcw9028kz
Aug 15, 2024
Comfort of our own car! - So great. Loved the “take our own pace” concept. The information was so wonderful as we took our trip around beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Exploration591673
Aug 14, 2024
Lake Tahoe audio driving tour - Awesome way to drive around the lake and discover places to stop and sightsee. Very professional. The tech worked great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fellowtraveler584051
Aug 12, 2024
Timely detail after detail...and then some - This audio tour brought the lake to life with timely details not known by my party as we explored the lake. The tour platform was easy to navigate through the App, and the drive would not have been anywhere as good without the accompanied audio. Well worth the nominal cost!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kari
Aug 10, 2024
Very informative - Very informative. Enjoyed the every minute of it. Took us a little over 3 hours to complete. Would take other self driving tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bent180
Aug 4, 2024
Worked perfect, highly recommend. - The self guided audio tour worked great. We had to run an errand and have lunch along the way and thanks to gps, the tour knew when we were back on track and ready to resume. The info provided was informative, interesting and useful. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roshonda_g
Aug 16, 2024
Lake Tahoe from different perspective - Guide was very nice personable and knowledgeable about Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, the wind and water conditions shortened our time in the water.
Review provided by Viator
Kristin_d
Aug 16, 2024
Good info, needs some work - Started off okay, but went off route when not enough notice for a turn was given. Unfortunately no way to turn around for 10 miles. Once back on route - could not get it to pick back up. What information I heard was interesting.
Review provided by Viator
Frequentflier24573
Aug 15, 2024
Some interesting comments on surroundings. - The tour did not meet my expectations. The written instructions tended to confuse, directing me to bring a voucher to a site to get started on the tour. There was no person to give a voucher to at the site.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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