During your late summer and early fall Historian Inn stays, pick up picnic fixings at our Market Café and discover fun nuggets of local American West history.
Tour former millionaires’ Sierra hideaways scattered around the lake and what was once one of Nevada’s largest ranches.
Just a few miles from South Lake Tahoe’s intersection of Highways 50 and 89 – the Pope Estate once welcomed Rudolf Valentino. It still radiates a luxurious 1920s charm.
Under towering pines is the small path leading to the Baldwin Estate. You will like the rustic camp-like feel. Its first owner, Lucky Baldwin, was one of Lake Tahoe’s original hoteliers and founded the Santa Anita Race Track.
Visiting Vikingsholm involves a one-mile hike down from the parking lot overlooking Emerald Bay – and a steep hike back up. No worries, there are gorgeous spots to sit and catch your breath. A Tahoe/Scandinavian design delights with wildfire sod roofs, dragon-headed wooden beams and other handcrafted décor. Inside meet “Selma” – a gal with time on her hands.
We love how the décor at the Hellmann-Ehrman Estate, just north of Meeks Bay, looks like the family has just stepped away to play tennis or go boating from their private pier. Located at California’s Sugar Pine State Park after it closes in late September you can still walk or cross country ski around it during the winter months.
Just east of Incline Village in Nevada lies Thunderbird Lodge.
Open until late October its design is as unique was its original owner. Captain George Whittell, Jr. was an irascible sort who called a lion named Bill his best friend. Bill wandered freely including the underground tunnel and its then-legal opium den. Outer buildings housed Whittell’s premier mahogany yacht, the “Thunderbird,” and pet elephant Mingo – now long gone. View the “Thunderbird” as part of the tour or board her for a water tour departing from South Lake Tahoe – Tuesday through Saturday.
Cattle and sheep were the four-legged occupants of Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park. Throughout the year, from Wednesday to Sunday, tours of this 1850s ranch, with its rare artifacts, are available. Just call 24 hours ahead to book your time.
