Mark Twain famously called Lake Tahoe “the fairest picture the whole earth affords.” Take one look and you’ll see why. At 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, Lake Tahoe is a kingdom of cobalt water straddling the line between California and Nevada. The towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada circle like a hug, casting their reflection into the lake’s mirror-like surface to create the illusion that the mountains, water, and sky are one.

All that beauty is perhaps best experienced from the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, where jaw-dropping views meet exciting activities and excellent restaurants. There, the concept of a combo meal is one that starts and ends with adventure, be it an epic pre-lunch hike or a post-dinner waterfront concert. So be sure to bring an appetite for food and fun on your next trip to the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Here’s what to seek out when you arrive.

Hit the beach, then hit The Grove

Photo: Rachid Dahnoun/Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

Everyone is invited to celebrate the great outdoors on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Near Camp Richardson Resort and Marina, El Dorado Beach offers a beach wheelchair on a first-come-first-serve basis, and you’ll find wheelchair-accessible pathways at the Pope-Baldwin Bike Path and the Rainbow Trail at Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

Just down the shore from El Dorado Beach, all are also welcome at The Grove restaurant at Camp Richardson. While the adults at the table peruse the signature cocktail list and choose between creative plates like miso salmon and fried chicken with beignets, kids can tackle the word search that comes with their menu before chowing down on classics like grilled cheese and buttered noodles. Whatever you order, the indoor and outdoor dining options will keep the killer waterfront views going.

The Grove: 1900 Jameson Beach Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Bike up an appetite for Brooks’ Bar at Edgewood

Van Sickle Bi-State Park is the place to head for mountain biking. Located just uphill of the casinos and restaurants in Stateline, the park is jointly operated by the states of California and Nevada. The trails here are easy to access, traveling through timber and past colossal rock formations with dramatic lake views. The trails are open to hikers too, and in winter it’s a popular spot for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

When you’ve had your fill of the park, Brooks’ Bar & Deck at Edgewood on Edgewood Tahoe’s stunning golf course is calling. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available to showcase lake and mountain views while you sip handcrafted cocktails and dig into fresh seasonal options like salads, tacos, and sandwiches. And if you want to follow drinks at Brooks’ Bar with a decadent dinner, head to Wolf by Vanderpump at Harveys Lake Tahoe, just a few minutes away.

Pro tip: Lake Tahoe’s trails are most rewarding on weekdays and during shoulder seasons when they’re quieter and less trafficked. (Sunny late spring and early fall days happen to be an excellent time to visit Brooks’ Bar & Deck, too.) Help preserve Tahoe’s natural beauty by keeping to dedicated pathways and leaving no trace behind.

Brooks’ Bar & Deck: 180 Lake Pkwy, Stateline, NV 89449

Take it easy at The Hangar after an epic hike

Photo: Rachid Dahnoun/Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

If you’ve come to Lake Tahoe seeking a challenge, you’ll have myriad opportunities. The region’s highest point is located on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe in the nearly 64,000-acre Desolation Wilderness, where the 9,738-foot Mount Tallac soars above the lake’s sapphire waters. It’s a 10-mile hike, but the commanding views of the lake, mountains, and iconic sights like Emerald Bay and Fannette Island make it all worthwhile.

After you’ve touched the top of Mount Tallac, reward yourself with an ice-cold beer at lower elevations. The Hangar Taproom and Bottle Shop offers 30 rotating taps and an extensive bottle and can collection. You’ll also find corn hole, bocce, and a patio to unwind at this dog-friendly favorite.

The Hangar: 2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Suite B, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Après at South Lake Brewing Libation Lodge

Photo: Ryan Finn/South Lake Brewing Co

There’s nothing like a pint after a day on the slopes. That goes double if you’ve spent your turns exploring the 4,800 skiable acres at Heavenly Mountain Resort, Lake Tahoe’s tallest. And there’s no place to grab a post-schuss brew like South Lake Brewing Libation Lodge. Located right across from Heavenly Village, the taproom is operated by South Lake Brewing Company, the area’s largest craft brewery. Look forward to a full tap list including beer and wine, elevated pub fare, and a grab-and-go fridge stocked with craft beer.

Fun fact: Accessibility means more than just a short commute to the South Lake Brewing Libation Lodge for the folks at Heavenly. In winter, the resort offers adaptive ski and snowboarding lessons with personalized instruction for visitors with disabilities; the gondola is wheelchair-accessible, and snow-accessible wheelchairs are available at the top.

South Lake Brewing Libation Lodge: 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd STE 26, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Do dinner at Elements, then a show

Photo: Brian Walker/Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

In Stateline, casinos glimmer against the backdrop of the wilderness. This is the best place in Lake Tahoe for nightlife — check out spots like Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, which have numerous nightclubs, bars, and restaurants within walking distance.

Harveys Lake Tahoe is home to the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series. In recent years, headliners have included the Foo Fighters and Rod Stewart. A few blocks away, the new Tahoe Blue Event Center is the permanent home of the Tahoe Knight Monsters professional hockey team. The venue has also hosted performers such as Adam Sandler and Colin Jost.

Before you head into the theater, soak in waterfront views while you enjoy Mexican-American fusion dishes at Elements Eatery & Bar. The restaurant celebrates diverse flavors with handmade tortillas, smash burgers, and craft cocktails. Alternatively, after a long night out, you can start the day off right at Elements, with breakfast options like chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, and horchata french toast.

Elements: 3310 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Get your fresh catch fried up at MacDuff’s

Photo: Brian Walker Photography/Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

You’ll find a wealth of free concerts on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, too. Some of the most popular include the Live at Lakeview summer concert series at El Dorado Beach, free summer lawn concerts at Valhalla at Lake Tahoe, and the Heavenly Village Summer Concert Series on Friday and Saturday nights.

Grab dinner before the show at MacDuff’s Public House, which serves up crowd-pleasing favorites like fish and chips, burgers, and pasta. If you went fishing with a local outfitter like Mile High Fishing Charters, they’ll even prepare your catch for you.

MacDuff’s: 3310 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Wind down with low-and-slow barbecue at Fox & Hound

Photo: Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

Lake Tahoe is so clear that depths of up to 75 feet are visible from the surface. Kayaks and SUPs can be rented at most beaches on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, so you can swish peacefully across the water and peer down at the world below. If you’d rather let someone else do the driving, book a daytime or dinner cruise on the beloved M.S. Dixie II Paddlewheeler, which departs from Zephyr Cove Resort.

For a day of laid-back family fun in the area during winter, head to nearby Tube Tahoe. The price of admission includes tube rental, and their slopes are over 500 feet long. But whatever the season and however you spend the day, make sure it includes a plate of barbecue from Fox & Hound Smokehouse Grill & Bar. The eatery is perched more than 7,000 feet above sea level to offer stellar views of the Carson Valley. If you’re really hungry, try the burger challenge — finish the whopping four-pound monster in 60 minutes or less and it’s free.

With so many food and fun pairings, you might not get to try everything during a single visit — but that’s okay. The South Shore of Lake Tahoe will welcome you when you come back for seconds.

Fox & Hound: 237 Tramway Dr, Stateline, NV 89449