
1. Emerald Bay State Park
Emerald Bay, a picturesque notch of Lake Tahoe’s southwestern shores, features beaches, Tahoe’s only island, and an unexpected, Scandinavian-style stone castle. Like the rest of Tahoe, outdoor recreation is the primary draw here with hiking along the Rubicon Trail, kayaking to Fannette Island, and scuba diving a collection of underwater boats and barges. Make it a weekend at the park’s Eagle Point Campground.