On this post, tips on what to pack and what people are wearing in Lake Tahoe at the summertime!
In my mind there is no more magical spot than Lake Tahoe in the summertime. I spent my summers on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe as a girl. My parents would save their money and rent a cabin or A-frame in Chamber’s Landing, which had a terrific beach. I still think the best summer day is one spent biking in swimsuit to the beach and ending with an ice cream cone from the corner grocer..You can still do that on the West Shore and the pine scent of the air and the cold lake on a hot day just brings back those memories of carefree kid days. The West Shore still feels very much old school in that way to me..
I am so fortunate to now own a small vintage kit cabin not far from that same area on the West Shore.. I count down the days until I can be there. Now that I have spent more seasons recently here, I feel like I can give tips about what you need for a getaway here.. The fact is, I always overpack and wear the same things on repeat as it is VERY casual everywhere.
Tahoe is not a swanky place. In winter you sometimes see people with expensive ski jackets and such, but the truth is, at its heart Tahoe is mostly log cabins and people doing things outside!
Things to leave home– your heels and designer bags and makeup..
Things to bring- hats and sunscreen and – anything you might wear for a campfire or hike- and a few others..
Tahoe looks I wear…
A puffer with shorts and flip flops
A sundress with Tevas
Shorts over swimsuit
Cord shorts with a white blouse
Chunky sweaters with shorts
Fleece with jeans and sandals at night ( I call it the out to dinner look!)
Fleece jackets over skirts
I like to throw white jeans into the mix, a few cute pieces like a coverup and easy sundresses..The chicest people here have air dried hair and no makeup or the natural look. The biggest thing you really need is a hat and sunscreen- and good sunglasses. The higher altitudes makes it an easy place to get super burned even on a cloudy day..
A few looks from the past year or so..
What to Pack for Tahoe May – October
As in most of California, nights and mornings are cool, especially in the Sierras. Make sure you bring lots of layers and warm jackets as well as swim gear and shorts.
- Light jacket – ideal would be a light puffer, or windbreaker
- Fleece or sweatshirt for cooler days and nights
- Several t-shirts long sleeve and short
- Leggings or athletic sporty pants- or beach pants like these.
- Jeans – and I’ll bring a white pair too
- Windbreaker or light jacket- this by Vuori is nice.
- Shorts
- Swimsuits and rash guard
- Coverup- or one that can double as a dress- This is almost just like mine on bike and this is similar .
- Casual sundress or two.
- Button up blouse to pair with shorts or pants for going out.
- Tevas or some kind of sporty sandal.
- Flip flops I love these by Olukai.
- Hats-one with a cord for biking or boating and beach or a baseball cap.
- Sneakers or hiking shoes.
- Sunscreen.. I love this one.
- A mini backpack or sling bag you can take on hikes and walks.
- Sunglasses- I love Ray-Bans. This is a new style thats cool and the classic ones are my everyday pair.
Great pieces to consider:
Love this Uniqlo ultralight puffer and this windbreaker is also a great one.
I wear shorts most of the time in summer in Tahoe and these J. Crew Chinos and these Carve cord shorts are my go-tos.
I always have hats and I love ones with cords so I can wear them riding my bike or on a kayak or raft. This is a crushable option from Carve and this is another option – both with cords.
I love this rash guard/sun dress by Carve. Very flattering and with UPF 50 coverage, which you need up here in the mountains and on the water.
I always have a felt hat I bought in Switzerland at the hardware store! I wear mine in the fall and spring a lot in Tahoe. This one is very similar.
You have to have sandals for the beach in Tahoe. It’s super rocky.. I have these thin strapped Tevas – my favorite shoe to wear up there.
You need casual pair of jeans or sport pants. I love these Carson relaxed jeans and these Vuori Ripstop pants and these joggers for comfy cabin time.
These new Ray-Bans are pretty and come in a deep blue and this gray.
Photos are linked…
If you are visiting Tahoe and need ideas for the West Shore this post has some of my favorite spots…and if you are going in winter you may like this post with a Tahoe Winter Ski look.
Now please stop by my friends who are sharing their tips for packing and holidays in their special parts of the country..
Thanks for stopping by! I’d love to hear what you bring to Tahoe or favorite spots there..
Pleases leave a note in comments. Hoping you all get a little lake time soon!
Kim
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