Kings Beach offers lakeside accommodations and tasty food and drink.
Every time I catch sight of Lake Tahoe, sparkling Big Blue takes my breath away. Yet, though I live near this world-renowned jewel, I don’t often take time to enjoy this slice of paradise.
The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to unplug from technology and plug into nature, which rejuvenates and heals me and washes away the hurry and worry of the workweek. So in late December, I pulled myself away from the computer and set off for a two-day stay at the Crown Motel in Kings Beach. My lake-facing room on the top floor was the perfect respite. It came with its own veranda outfitted with two Adirondack chairs in which to sit and soak up the view.
While the Crown’s weathered exterior shows its age (built in 1958), the property is affordable and full of character, and the rooms were recently updated with comfy memory-foam beds, kitchenettes, and cute faux fireplaces that keep the room warm and toasty.
For me, the main draw is the truly magnificent beach just steps away from the room — particularly since the hotel and beach are dog friendly. My dogs gleefully ran through the water and sand and caught frisbees in the snow.
The motel also serves, from 8 to 10 a.m. daily, locally roasted Sierra Pacific Coffee and freshly baked croissants, as well as an array of tea, hot chocolate, cider, and instant oatmeal in the family/media lounge.
Tahoe Dining
Of course, a vacation for me is as much about food and drink as anything else. And luckily, Kings Beach has a few great choices.
Tahoe Central Market is more than a boutique grocery store. Locals and visitors alike stand in line for its freshly made sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, including a yummy, toasted everything bagel topped with melty cream cheese and lox.
For a delicious dinner, just down the street in Tahoe Vista is the Old Range Steakhouse. The restaurant, opened in 1996, offers a comfy space with a dimly lit, old-school vibe. Character-laden décor includes moody vintage lamps, wooden cowboy figurines, and rustic framed mirrors. You can dine at the bar or one of the tables downstairs or upstairs.
The Old Range is known for its prime rib, which is served with horseradish sauce. The cowboy cut is huge, and the cowgirl cut is slightly less enormous. Salads are big enough to share, family style. Creamed spinach, prepared with whole leaves, is dreamy. The wine wall conveniently allows diners to pick their own bottles.
Sauces, the brownie, and stellar cheesecake all are made from scratch, and the smoked salmon appetizer on a wood plank with brown sugar is a great starter. Finally, the lamb and pork shank are winter favorites.
Other dining choices in the area include La Mexicana meat market for tasty burritos, Whitecaps Pizza, Char-Pit for an indulgent burger and fries, The Grid Bar & Grill for sandwiches and burgers, The Dog House for gourmet hot dogs, the Burrito Window Lake Tahoe run by D’lish Catering, Hiro Sushi, and Lanza’s Restaurant for classic Italian cuisine.
You can earn your meals by embarking on one of many options for outdoor adventure, including skiing, walking along the beach, and hiking on long trail systems.
Whether the day is overcast or you’re blessed with blue skies, it’s always a joy to vacation at Lake Tahoe.
Amanda Burden is editor/publisher of edible Reno-Tahoe. On this trip, she enjoyed walking along the beach watching big flocks of mallards bobbing in the water.
RESOURCES
Char-Pit Find Char-Pit on Facebook
Hiro Sushi Find Hiro Sushi on Facebook
The Dog House Find The Dog House on Facebook
La Mexicana Lamexicanakb.com
Lanza’s Restaurant Lanzastahoe.com
Old Range Steakhouse Steakhousetahoe.com
Tahoe Central Market Tahoecentralmarket.com
Crown Motel Tahoecrown.com
The Burrito Window Lake Tahoe Dlish.com/burrito-window
The Grid Bar & Grill Thegridbarandgrill.com
Whitecaps Pizza Whitecapspizza.com
