A view of Lake Tahoe from the observation deck of the Heavenly Gondolas [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
A view of the Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe [Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe]
The sculpture of the Blown Out Flip Flop in the lobby of Margaritaville [Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe]
Living Area of the Suites at Margaritaville [Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe]
Bedroom of the Suites at Margaritaville [Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe]
Tropical flowers abound in the lobby of Margaritaville [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
Water features burble throughout the property [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
There are turtles too! [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
A view of Come Monday Café [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
The Heavenly Gondolas [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
There is a lot of fun to be had on the water of Lake Tahoe [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
Pink Cadillac Margarita from the LandShark Bar & Grill [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
Fried Pickles from the LandShark Bar & Grill [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
Mahi Sandwich and Fries from the LandShark Bar & Grill [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
Panzanella Salad from JWB Prime Steak & Seafood [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
Classic Shrimp Cocktail from JWB Prime Steak & Seafood [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
Crab Cakes from JWB Prime Steak & Seafood [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
Domestic Lamb Chops and Crispy Brussel Sprouts from JWB Prime Steak & Seafood [Candice Merrill/Pasadena Now]
It’s August in Pasadena and the heat is on. Cooler climes beckoned, but where? Someplace lush, the mountains, go North? How about all three? We were headed to a resort with a tropical vibe, high in the mountains, near one of the most beautiful of all lakes; Lake Tahoe. We were booked for a three-night stay walking distance from Heavenly Village in the Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe.
Tucked at the foot of Heavenly Mountain, Margaritaville offers a breezy, tropical atmosphere that feels worlds away from the everyday. Every one of its 399 suites has great views—some gazing out over the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, others toward the rugged Sierra peaks—with comfortable bedrooms and living areas. The rooms face into a central courtyard with tropical plants, water features with bridges and paths to view it all. What blew my mind was that all the plants were real. There is so much tropical greenery that I had to touch a leaf just to verify what my eyes were seeing.
As you might deduce from the name, the hotel chain plays homage to all things Jimmy Buffet. There’s even a sculpture of the blown out flip flop with the pop top in the lobby. There’s also music live and canned by the license to Chill Bar, on the patio of the LandShark Bar & Grill, in the hallways and elevators. It’s one big party!
The flavors around the resort are as varied as the scenery, ranging from morning coffee at Joe Merchant’s to classic American bites at LandShark Bar & Grill, fresh breakfast at Come Monday Café, and refined steaks and seafood at JWB Prime. Guests can start their evenings at the License to Chill Bar, and listen to nightly live music, then move on to a meal that’s upscale or family comfortable. My companion and I tried them all! From fun pancake creations at Come Monday Cafe to Lamb Chops and Crab Cakes at JWB Prime we had some enjoyable meals. I highly recommend having a meal on the patio of the LandShark Bar & Grill. It was one of the highlights of our trip. The vibe was chill, the live music was mellow and the weather was cracking!
Recreation time revolved around Lake Tahoe’s sapphire blue waters and shopping excursions at the many shops in Heavenly Village. A highlight of the trip was a ride on a gondola up to the top of Heavenly Mountain. Accessed from Heavenly Village, the gondolas traveled up the mountain with a stop in between the top to enjoy the scenery. At the top there were all sorts of activities from tubing to zip lining, lunch to hiking. We just opted for the Gondola ride because we had other plans.
After a quick trip to Joe Merchant’s to pick up picnic supplies we headed off to Regan Beach. It was an idyllic afternoon. The sun was shining and the breeze was cool. We found a bench along the water front and sat down to eat and people watch. Amenities at the beach included a large grass area, free parking, observation deck, playground, restroom, and a sand volleyball court. It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
South Lake Tahoe fit the bill for our short get-away, it was cool, beautiful, with plenty to do and given a tropical vibe by the laid-back atmosphere of the Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Over Labor Day weekend, which this year aligns with the annual Jimmy Buffett Day celebration, Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe is inviting everyone to gather for a long weekend of live music, outdoor activities, and a festive atmosphere. Guests who want to extend the experience can take advantage of the resort’s “Keep the Party Going Package.” In keeping with Buffett’s legacy of community-minded fun and environmental stewardship, the resort will contribute $10 per night from each booking to Keep Tahoe Blue, a nonprofit organization focused on preserving the clarity, natural beauty, and long-term health of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
The 411:
Margaritavilla Lake Tahoe: 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe. (530) 544-5400, www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-resort-lake-tahoe.
Heavenly Scenic Gondola Rides: 4080 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe. (800) 432-8365, www.skiheavenly.com/explore/experience-heavenly-summer.aspx.
Regan Beach: 3199 Sacramento Avenue, South Lake Tahoe. (530) 542-6056, www.tahoepublicbeaches.org/beaches/regan-beach.
