Fall is fleeting, but beautiful, in the Sierra Nevada — so make the most of it. Kick off the weekend with Styx at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe before taking your pick of a handful of food, beer and wine festivals around the lake on Saturday. On Sunday, head out for a hike to view the fall foliage to round out the perfect Tahoe weekend.
Styx | Harrah’s Lake Tahoe | Oct. 5
“Come Sail Away” with Styx at the South Shore Room at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe this Friday. The rock band from Chicago will be jamming to chart-topping hits like “Renegade,” “Babe,” and “The Best of Times.” Tickets start at $82.
Camp Richardson’s Oktoberfest | South Lake Tahoe | Oct. 6 – 7
Throw on your lederhosen and head down to Camp Richardson in South Lake Tahoe this weekend for the annual Oktoberfest. Drink steins of beer and chow down on a giant turkey leg or IPA-infused brat while listening to live music and watching the dog and owner dress up contest. There’s a climbing wall, pumpkin patch, bouncy house and more at the free, family-friendly event.
Know before you go: Tickets to buy food and drinks are cash only. Parking fills up quickly so consider taking a cab, Uber or Lyft to the event. Remember, riding a LimeBike or Lime-S while under the influence is illegal.
Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival | Homewood | Oct. 6
Head to Homewood Mountain Resort for a day of delicious beer, food trucks and live music. Reno-based funk band The Sextones will be playing, and participants will also have the opportunity to win a Homewood Snowcat Adventures tour for the season ahead. Beer vendors include local favorites like Alibi Ale Works and Lake Tahoe AleWorX. Tahoe Fusion, Full Moon Crepes and Mogrog Rotisserie are a handful of the food trucks set to be parked at the event.
Know before you go: General admission to the event is free, but the beer garden requires a $20 fee at the gate or $15 ahead of time. Admission includes a souvenir 12 oz. glass and two drink tickets.
Downtown Truckee Wine, Walk and Shop | Truckee | Oct. 6
Sip wine and sample local fare while strolling through Truckee’s historic downtown on Saturday. Admission includes a commemorative wine glass to sample wine at more than 30 venues as well as five food tickets. Tickets are $45 in advance or $55 the day of. Don’t forget to pop into the shops for a few goodies, including favorites like Bespoke, Tahoe University and Tahoe Oil and Spice.
Fall Foliage Hikes | Hope Valley
Ask most Tahoe residents where the best place to see fall foliage is and their answers are usually the same: Hope Valley. Hope Valley sits at 7,000 feet on the eastern side of Carson Pass. Walk along the West Carson River snaking through the valley and take in the colors on foot, or go for an afternoon drive along CA 88, stopping to snap pictures of the picturesque barns. Pro tip: Stop at Sorensen’s Country Café for a house-made quiche of the day, beef burgundy stew or fresh salad on the restaurant’s scenic patio.
Other hikes for taking in the fall colors: Big Meadow to Round Lake, Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake, or Fallen Leaf Lake.