Author: Kayla Anderson

My name is Kayla and I live in North Lake Tahoe, one of the most beautiful places in the world. Along with snowboarding, wakeboarding, hiking, paddleboarding, and golfing, I love to read, write, and drink coffee. As a full-time freelance writer, I regularly contribute to The Tahoe Weekly, the Sparks Tribune, and Enjoy magazine. To see samples of my work, view all of my recent articles here. I’ve also written a few eBooks. I'm also excited to announce that I co-authored a book with Stuart Thornton titled Northern California Road Trips out in stores now! It is the perfect companion for a trip around Northern California, spelling out where to go, what to see, and what to do in the state's coastal and inland regions. This comprehensive guide also includes a variety of maps, images, and information about national parks such as Lassen, Crater Lake, Yosemite, and more. I hope you enjoy reading Northern California Road Trips as much as I enjoyed writing it and that you find a place (or a few) that you connect with. I'm currently working on the second edition of this book, set to be released in Summer 2023.
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In The News – Lake Tahoe’s best happy hours

September 6, 2023 | Kayla Anderson

Originally Published in The Sierra Sun 9/01/2023, Written by Kayla Anderson

While the pandemic changed the way that some restaurants and bars do business now, there are still several places around the Tahoe basin that offer patrons some of their most popular food and drinks at amazing prices near the end of the workday. Here are some of the best midweek (and sometimes weekend) après-activities food and beverage deals around the lake that invite you to come eat, drink, and be happy: 

Incline Village

Glasses Wine Bar

On Tuesdays-Fridays from 3pm-6pm, head over to Glasses Wine Bar on 760 Mays Boulevard #8 to get 15% off all wine, including the ones you can pour yourself out of the various wine dispensers. Sit at the bar and you can also try four wines for just $15. Ladies can get 20% off wine selections on Thursdays all day long, and Glasses opens at 3 p.m. 

http://www.glasseswinebar.com

READ MORE >

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Tahoe Multisport for Year-Round Adventure Gear

July 15, 2023 | Kayla Anderson

The snow melted and the chickadees are singing, marking the time for residents and visitors alike to come out of their dens and start enjoying the outdoors. But there is so much to do between biking, kayaking, and paddleboarding…where to start? 

It usually depends on what kind of equipment you have, who you’re with, and the easiest/safest way to get to the beach. 

Fortunately, Tahoe Multisport is a small locally owned business located in the upper corner of the Village Shopping Center (on 797 Southwood Boulevard Unit #10 next to Tahoe Family Solutions in Incline Village) run by JP Donovan and Belinda Quené. They are both passionate about the outdoors, extremely knowledgeable about the East Shore (and greater Truckee/Tahoe basin) and are open year-round to ensure that you and your friends have a good time. 

On a warm sunny afternoon, Quené is outside rearranging their quiver of kayaks and paddleboards. Inside is an inviting reception area and rooms of equipment including cross-country skis, poles, boots, paddles, and e-Bikes. 

Many people in the IV/CB area know of JP Donovan, who grew up in Incline Village and spent a lot of his life running cross-country and competing in triathlons. Quené was born in South Africa and relocated to the United States with her parents when she was young, then moved to Lake Tahoe in 2014 after college when she got a job at Northstar California.  

“I came here to ski, and liked the idea of living by a lake,” she says. After that first winter season, she stayed in the area and continued working seasonal jobs until she met Donovan at the climbing gym the following year. 

Before Donovan met Quené, he was renting out paddleboards as a side job, storing them at his house, and delivering them to customers when they booked the gear online. As his side hustle grew, he acquired more SUPs and eventually needed more space to store them all. 

“Then we started doing this full-time,” he says. Seeing what Backroads was doing, Donovan also had the goal of hosting tours and needed gear to do that. At that time, stand-up paddleboarding began taking off and he responded to the growing trend by investing in some inflatable ones. 

“The equipment has gotten better in the last 10 years and there are a lot of advantages to paddleboarding- it’s easier to get on the water and you’re able to see down to the bottom of the lake. I also saw the advantages to inflatables- I like that you can take them in a backpack and not have to get one only on a beach,” Donovan adds. 

However, he says he felt stifled in putting on tours while trying to keep up with purchasing enough equipment, so he decided to rent out the equipment first. “Then I met Belinda, and we started working and growing the business together,” Donovan explained.  

They opened their brick-and-mortar business in March of 2021, and being in a place like Tahoe and operating an outdoor multisport company during the pandemic helped sales (when businesses were allowed to reopen). 

“We got busy when covid hit,” Quené adds. Tahoe Multisport started renting out SUPs first, but then found that when the lake got colder their customers preferred kayaks since there was less of a risk of falling in.

Providing not only the boards, boats, and bikes but other accessories as well (like bike trailers, baby seats, and dog carriers), Tahoe Multisport noticed that people would bike down to the beach with a kayak trailer or inflatable SUP. Customers were renting multiple types of equipment in one transaction, which is how they came up with their business name. 

“The other day we had people renting snowshoes, kayaks, and bikes all in the same day,” Donovan reiterates, back in the springtime when we still had an abundance of snow. 

“When we moved into this shop, we bought a bunch of bikes to offer an activity when it’s windy out, too,” Quené says. 

No matter where they’re coming from, people tend to rent equipment and take it to the beach or on the bus that runs to Sand Harbor, as Tahoe Multisport is conveniently located next to the temporary/future transit center as well. 

Considering that the local beaches are always a bit vague on how many people they let in, when, and who, Tahoe Multisport can also be a vital resource for how to best enjoy the lake or surrounding trails no matter what time they arrive. 

“People come here and don’t know where to go, and we can help save the day…if parking is full or it’s a busy time and people just drove from a long way away to experience Tahoe,” Donovan says. Especially when taking a tour with someone who intricately knows the area. 

Open year-round, Tahoe Multisport also provides winter equipment. The owners have rented out cross-country equipment to the Gateway Mountain Center, different Boys & Girls clubs around the Tahoe area, Tahoe Expedition Academy, and Strider Gliders. Tahoe Multisport has equipped the Incline middle school high school with snow equipment, and they store winter gear for UNR at Lake Tahoe. 

At that moment, a local guy brought back a pair of kids’ cross-country skis that he rented for the season, grateful that he didn’t have to buy and store them at his house. 

Since business was picking up even when there was still a lot of snow on the ground, I wondered if they ever ran out of equipment.

“We do sell out of bikes sometimes, but we offer online bookings for all tours and rentals. We accept rentals as far as a year out, and we do last-minute walkups. There’s about a 50/50 of each [people booking online and just coming in],” Donovan says. 

“Unless it’s a holiday weekend, you can usually reserve gear the night before,” Quené adds. 

With the ease, convenience, and accessibility to Tahoe’s East Shore beaches, going to Tahoe Multisport for all your summer outdoor equipment needs is a no-brainer.

“We’re set up to be the emergency last minute outfitter for the outdoors,” Donovan says. 

For more information about Tahoe Multisport or to book a tour/reserve equipment online, visit https://tahoemultisport.wordpress.com/. 

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The Top Can’t Miss Special Events in IV/CB This Summer

June 13, 2023 | Kayla Anderson

While there are plenty of things to do all summer long in this northeast corner of Tahoe, there are a few prominent events in Incline Village that are worth carving out time in your calendar for. Between drone shows, art hikes, theatre performances, and classical concerts with the nation’s top musicians, here are a few one-of-a-kind experiences to take part of this summer: 

July-September: Take in Tahoe’s classical music at its best with TOCCATA

Following its early summer Classy Classics concert series and “Soiree Musicale” fundraising events, TOCCATA Tahoe Symphony Orchestra is gearing up for its Red White and Tahoe Blue concert on July 2nd, an August concert series, and a 9/11 memorial concert. Visit https://toccatatahoe.org/ for an updated schedule. 

July 2-4: Take part in the Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration presented by the IVCBA

Our very own Incline Village Crystal Bay Business Association is organizing the 4th of July Celebration this year with pancake breakfasts, a BBQ, flag retirement ceremony, and more. Be sure to catch the parade that goes down the main street of Incline Village starting at 10am on Sunday, July 2nd and the July 4th SkyShow activities from 7pm-11pm at the Incline Village Ridgeline Ball Fields. https://ivcba.org/events/local-heroes/ 

June 30-August 20: See Little Shop of Horrors at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival

The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has been around since 1972 and each year it has just gotten bigger and better. In 1979 a stage was built exclusively for the festival at Sand Harbor State Park, and hundreds of Shakespeare fans came to see the nine performances. Nowadays upwards of 33,000 attendees catch one (or a few) of the many productions held there, and the D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program reaches more than 8,500 children in the Tahoe basin. This year’s featured show is the musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors; to see a schedule of events or to buy tickets, visit https://laketahoeshakespeare.com/ . 

July 9-August 17: Sway to the music with Classical Tahoe at UNR at Lake Tahoe

Every summer, the nation’s top classical musicians come together in Incline Village for a 16-concert series at the intimate outdoor pavilion located at UNR at Lake Tahoe. In this year’s four-week series, musicians from the MET Opera Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and more will delight and entertain attendees by playing beautiful tunes that match the peaceful Tahoe setting. For more information or to buy tickets, visit https://classicaltahoe.org/ . 

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Member Profile – Thania’s Juice Bar

April 26, 2023 | Kayla Anderson

Walking into Thania’s Juice Bar on one of the warmer Incline Village afternoons, Thania Medina and her mom Julia are surrounded by fresh fruits and veggies that are just waiting to be blended up into smoothies, juices, or made into healthy meals. 

Thania’s Juice Bar has been around for several years, opening before the COVID pandemic in July 2019. Although the pandemic did hinder business, it was a time when people were looking for healthy sustenance to boost their immunity. With delicious drinks like the Detox (made up of carrot/beet/apple/celery) and Stamina Booster (pineapple/carrot/turmeric/orange), you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu if you need something to help get through the rest of the day. 

Thania was originally born in Mexico and later emigrated to Carson City when she was a teenager to be with her mother. She attended Carson High School and Western Nevada College, then worked at Lupita’s for 10 years. Thania always wanted to work for herself, though, while staying in the service industry, so Julia encouraged Thania to open a Mexican-style juice bar. 

It took Thania two years to remodel the space and get it open but then she ran into kind of an odd problem- she didn’t know how to explain to people what an authentic Mexican juice bar was. 

“I wanted to serve traditional Mexican fruit snacks and aguas frescas with an emphasis on made-to-order, good-for-you, healthy food. I wanted to show off my culture because I’m proud to be Mexican,” Thania says. Customers that were coming in started suggesting items that were doable but not on the menu, so Thania paid attention, researched, and adjusted the menu to meet their requests. 

“I listened to people coming in and saw that they loved the smoothies and the juices. They suggested acai bowls, avocado toast, and matcha drinks,” she says. 

Gesturing towards the chalkboard on the wall, Thania says, “Everything on the menu, it’s like the customers said they wanted it, and I figured out how to make it my own.” 

It’s obvious that she’s passionate about the food as she talks about how she came up with a protein bowl full of a green mix, cucumbers, shredded carrots, apples, and celery topped with her own homemade vegan organic dressing. Thania added food items that are gluten and dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian, crafting a menu that appeals to the locals. 

Sipping on a creamy Chocolate Monkey smoothie, Thania explains that when she was growing up, her grandmother had papaya and lime trees, cactus, herbs, chickens, and the eggs that they laid. Her offerings at the juice bar are heavily influenced by her grandmother and time in Mexico and she hopes that the atmosphere will carry over, too. 

“My grandmother believed in natural medicine. She had homemade remedies for everything. She would say, ‘You want to lose weight?’ And hand me pineapple, nopales, orange and celery blended together. And she had aloe vera to cure almost everything. 

“I want people to feel when they come here like I felt at my grandmother’s house, and to be able to cook and have a conversation at the same time. I want this to be their living room with their family, their second home away from home, and for them to remember our juice, and come back to Tahoe just for that.”

Thania’s Juice Bar is on 868 Tahoe Blvd. Ste 7 in Incline Village and is open Monday-Saturday from 8am-3:30pm. 

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IV/CB’s Summer Camp Roundup

April 17, 2023 | Kayla Anderson

It’s officially summer camp sign-up season! Here are some local summer camps to keep an eye on designed to engage, inspire, entertain, and educate your young ones while they’re out of school! Be sure to bookmark this page so you can visit it again, as we will update this page with updated details.

IVGID

The Incline Village General Improvement District’s recreation venues offer all kinds of fun entertainment for kids and teens, ranging from multi-day golf, tennis, basketball, and volleyball camps to skateboard, paddle, lifeguard, and leadership camps. Summer camp season at IVGID basically kicks off in the final weeks of June and many of the sessions run through August. There are different camps for different age groups appealing to kids and teenagers 5-19 years old.

Registration for IVGID’s summer youth camps is now open, and they fill up quickly! Visit https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/recreation/youth-camps for details.

SKIING IS BELIEVING

Seven weeks of summer camp to choose from! Ages 5-14. 
6/19-6/23 – Community Service Week
6/26-6/30  – Happenchance Sports Week
7/10-7/14 – Around the World Week
7/17-7/21 – Endurance Sports Week
7/24-7/28 – Individual Sports Week
7/31-8/4 – Team Sports Week
8/7-8/11 – Balance Sports Week

Multi sport – rock climbing, mountain biking, community service, outdoor education, Dance, martial arts, rugby, fencing, soccer, fitness, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, power boards & more!

Full week & or individual day registration available. 

Get all the Details Here >

Washoe County Library System- Incline Village

The Incline Village Library kicks off summer with its first ever Block Party and Summer Reading program on June 3rd. From 11am-2pm, sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and claim a free book, play some cornhole, and enjoy hamburgers, hotdogs, and more with your friends, fellow librarians, and neighbors. In early June, Teen Movie Nights will also start to be held at the library every other Tuesday (June 6, June 20, July 11, and July 25) where they can watch a blockbuster movie at the library while snacking on free popcorn at 4pm. Be sure to check out the IVCBA Community Event Calendar for upcoming library events.

On June 20-22nd, kids can participate in the All Together Now Summer Cooking Camp. In this multi-day camp, kids ages 10 and up will learn how to follow a recipe, measuring out ingredients, basic knife skills, kitchen and food safety, and basic cooking techniques to create healthy and delicious meals. The All Together Now Summer Cooking Camp takes place from 1pm-2:30pm all three days; registration for this camp opens on Tuesday, May 23rd.

Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe (BGCNLT)

The Boys & Girls Club runs several daily and multi-day specialty camps at its locations throughout North Lake Tahoe, as well as manages the Duffield Youth Program summer camp in Incline Village that runs for seven weeks in the summer. It usually starts at the end of June or a week or two after school gets out. Get all the details here >

Tahoe Family Solutions Camp Explore

Tahoe Family Solutions also holds Camp Explore summer sessions for five weeks starting at the end of June and running through the beginning of August. In these 5-day/4-night camps, participants go out into the wilderness and learn valuable life skills. TFS admits kids in the 3rd-8th grade and 30 participants are accepted each week. Since these camps are free, they fill up extremely fast. Registration opens in late April or early May.

Lake Tahoe School Summer Camps

Lake Tahoe School offers a whole slew of summer camps that run June 19th through August. In Fairy Fest Camp, kids hear stories and make fairy-related crafts in the woods while the older kids in grades 4-6 make bath soaps and essential oils using natural materials that they can then take home to their families. Storybook and Bobcat Adventure camps incorporate all sorts of activities that are so much fun that the kids won’t even realize that they’re learning.

For the more active students, the Nike girls volleyball camp for ages 10-18 to be held June 26-29 help athletes practice skills and fundamentals allowing them to reach their full potential on the court, and the Nike Basketball Camp held July 10-13th is for both girls and boys where they will practice their footwork, shooting, defense, and offense skills. Tennis and sports camps held June 19-23 and August 7-11th are taught by Incline favorite LTS teachers and coaches Mr. Kris and Mr. Jon and attendees play soccer, lacrosse, basketball, capture the flag, tennis, and more.

Lake Tahoe School Summer Camp Details >

Tahoe Tutoring

Last month, Tahoe Tutoring (located on Southwood Boulevard in Incline Village) launched a survey asking parents with kids in grades K-5 what they’d like to see in its summer academic camps. You can take the survey here! Its summer program usually launches at the end of June and are held for the following eight weeks.

North Tahoe Arts

North Tahoe Arts, Kids Art Camp, is a summer day camp for kids ages 5-12, designed to expose campers to a variety of styles of art and different mediums. They lead hands-on fun in a supportive environment where campers get creative alongside their peers, lead by experienced, kind, and warm staff of art teachers. Campers will explore all kinds of art making, including ceramics, drawing and painting, sculpture, collage, and more!

North Tahoe Kids Art Camp Details >

Tahoe Trail Blazers Summer Camp

Saturdays in Tahoe are made for adventure! We will meet at a trailhead each Saturday and
have an awesome day filled with wonder and adventure. With the Lake Tahoe Basin as our
classroom, we will learn and grow together. All classes will help us learn in some way, how to
care for ourselves, our friends, and our environment. Ages 2-9, Saturday 9 am – 4:30 pm.

Tahoe Trail Blazers’ Saturday camps include snacks and enrichment classes such as yoga, tai chi, and local flora/fauna specialists.

Tahoe Trail Blazers Camp Details >

Tahoe Tutoring Summer Camp

Help prevent the summer slide by enrolling your children in our unique camps geared towards keeping their academic skills sharp while having fun.

Tahoe Tutoring Summer Camp Details >

Cornerstone Church Summer Camps

Cornerstone Church is offering 2 exciting a fun summer camp this year!

Ambassadors Soccer Camp is back! Cornerstone Community Church is excited to partner with Ambassadors once again to bring this wholesome and unique camp to our community in Incline Village. International coaches will travel to Incline Village to bring a camp that will sharpen your soccer skills, promote good character, deepen your knowledge of the gospel, and spark new friendships.

Vacation Bible School is also back! Cornerstone Kids and Village Christian Church are bringing you 4 days of summer FUN solving the mysteries of the parables told in the Bible. Get ready to put your detective badges on and find clues as we play epic games, create beautiful art, munch on snacks, and make new friendships! 

Cornerstone Church Camp Details >

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IV/CB’s Summer Camp Roundup

March 15, 2023 | Kayla Anderson

I know it’s hard to think of summer right now with all of this snow, but having the kids home for Spring Break may have you wondering how you’re going to keep them entertained when they have even more time off during the summer. Therefore, here are some local summer camps to keep an eye on designed to engage, inspire, entertain, and educate your young ones while they’re out of school! Be sure to bookmark this page so you can visit it again, as we will update this when more details are released.

IVGID

The Incline Village General Improvement District’s recreation venues offer all kinds of fun entertainment for kids and teens, ranging from multi-day golf, tennis, basketball, and volleyball camps to skateboard, paddle, lifeguard, and leadership camps. Summer camp season at IVGID basically kicks off in the final weeks of June and many of the sessions run through August. There are different camps for different age groups appealing to kids and teenagers 5-19 years old.

Registration for IVGID’s summer youth camps opens in mid-April and you’ll want to get on it fast because they usually fill up quickly. Visit https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/recreation/youth-camps in the upcoming weeks to view the schedule, prices, and more information when it is released. Here’s a first look at the schedule –

Washoe County Library System- Incline Village

The Incline Village Library kicks off summer with its first ever Block Party and Summer Reading program on June 3rd. From 11am-2pm, sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and claim a free book, play some cornhole, and enjoy hamburgers, hotdogs, and more with your friends, fellow librarians, and neighbors. In early June, Teen Movie Nights will also start to be held at the library every other Tuesday (June 6, June 20, July 11, and July 25) where they can watch a blockbuster movie at the library while snacking on free popcorn at 4pm. Be sure to check out the IVCBA Community Event Calendar for upcoming library events.

On June 20-22nd, kids can participate in the All Together Now Summer Cooking Camp. In this multi-day camp, kids ages 10 and up will learn how to follow a recipe, measuring out ingredients, basic knife skills, kitchen and food safety, and basic cooking techniques to create healthy and delicious meals. The All Together Now Summer Cooking Camp takes place from 1pm-2:30pm all three days; registration for this camp opens on Tuesday, May 23rd.

Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe (BGCNLT)

The Boys & Girls Club runs several daily and multi-day specialty camps at its locations throughout North Lake Tahoe, as well as manages the Duffield Youth Program summer camp in Incline Village that runs for seven weeks in the summer. It usually starts at the end of June or a week or two after school gets out. At the time of this publication, the summer schedule has not been released yet, but registration usually opens in early April.

Tahoe Family Solutions Camp Explore

Tahoe Family Solutions also holds Camp Explore summer sessions for five weeks starting at the end of June and running through the beginning of August. In these 5-day/4-night camps, participants go out into the wilderness and learn valuable life skills. TFS admits kids in the 3rd-8th grade and 30 participants are accepted each week. Since these camps are free, they fill up extremely fast. Registration opens in late April or early May.

Lake Tahoe School Summer Camps

Lake Tahoe School offers a whole slew of summer camps that run June 19th through August. In Fairy Fest Camp, kids hear stories and make fairy-related crafts in the woods while the older kids in grades 4-6 make bath soaps and essential oils using natural materials that they can then take home to their families. Storybook and Bobcat Adventure camps incorporate all sorts of activities that are so much fun that the kids won’t even realize that they’re learning.

For the more active students, the Nike girls volleyball camp for ages 10-18 to be held June 26-29 help athletes practice skills and fundamentals allowing them to reach their full potential on the court, and the Nike Basketball Camp held July 10-13th is for both girls and boys where they will practice their footwork, shooting, defense, and offense skills. Tennis and sports camps held June 19-23 and August 7-11th are taught by Incline favorite LTS teachers and coaches Mr. Kris and Mr. Jon and attendees play soccer, lacrosse, basketball, capture the flag, tennis, and more.

Lake Tahoe School Summer Camp Details >

Diverse group of children playing with puzzle game indoors, focus on blonde little boy, copy space

Tahoe Tutoring

Last month, Tahoe Tutoring (located on Southwood Boulevard in Incline Village) launched a survey asking parents with kids in grades K-5 what they’d like to see in its summer academic camps. You can take the survey here! Its summer program usually launches at the end of June and are held for the following eight weeks.

Although this may feel like the endless winter, sunny days are on the horizon so happy camping!

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In the News: Best Noodle Joints at Lake Tahoe

January 16, 2023 | Kayla Anderson

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune on 1/12/23. Written by Kayla Anderson.

Lake Tahoe is known for its 300 days of sunshine per year, but in the wintertime an epic Sierra storm or two can come in and blanket the basin making it chilly pretty fast. That’s when a nice bowl of hot, hearty Asian noodles come into play.

After a day of being in the snow, whether it’s after shoveling that berm blocking the driveway, skiing or snowboarding down the slopes, or simply taking the family or friends out to a nice dinner where everyone leaves satisfied, here are some of the best places in Truckee/Tahoe to get noodles. The colder outside, the better.

Continue Reading >

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Places to Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Incline Village & Crystal Bay

December 20, 2022 | Kayla Anderson

Published on the Northern Lights Website

Now that things are back to normal in IV/CB, businesses are continually welcoming locals and visitors alike. And as we approach the holidays, there are several restaurants (ones that have been around forever and even new ones that have sprung up during the pandemic) that offer all kinds of fare to tantalize anyone’s palate.

From grab-and-go Korean BBQ wings or tamales from the San Miguel Mexican market on Tanager to fine dining experiences at places like the Lone Eagle Grille, the Crystal Bay Steakhouse, and others, Incline Village/Crystal Bay has you covered. Therefore, no matter what the occasion is- whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just want a delicious meal at a great price, here are some places worth trying out:

FINE DINING

Hyatt Regency/Lone Eagle Grille, 111 Country Club Dr., Incline Village

At the end of Country Club Road where the town of Incline Village meets Big Blue, Lone Eagle Grille offers fine lakeside dining right on Tahoe’s shores. Its menu features meat, seafood, and vegetarian favorites that pair nicely with unique side dishes and a signature Golden Eagle cocktail or glass of wine. Its oversized panoramic windows give most diners a glimpse of the setting sun in a romantic, comfortable atmosphere that can accommodate groups of 2-20 people. It also offers special menus around the holidays that usually consist of a four-course meal, dessert, and wine pairings (so keep a look out for LEG’s New Year’s Eve menu). Call (775) 886-6899 or visit the Lone Eagle Grille website to make a reservation.

Crystal Bay Casino Steak & Lobster House, 14 State Route 28, Crystal Bay

Open from 5 p.m.-9 p.m., the Crystal Bay Steak & Lobster House right on North Shore’s state line serves surf & turf, Muscovy duck, bone-in pork chops, and salmon filets, along with a variety of hearty sides like the lobster mac-n-cheese to choose from out of a pre-fixe menu. Or you can just go for the 20-oz. T-bone steak a la carte. Pair your meal with one of the many vintage wines, cognacs, or ports on its page-long wine list and you’ll go to bed full and happy. Call (775) 831-0512 to make a reservation.

Azzara’s, 930 Tahoe Blvd. Ste. 101, Incline Village

Family-owned and operated for more than 30 years, fine Italian cooking is a passion for Andrea Azzara and her husband Cord Gitchell. From the moment you enter the Raley’s Shopping Center, you can smell the garlic and butter wafting out of the restaurant. Once inside, you’re greeted by friendly servers, lively patrons, and mouthwatering options. 

You can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu from the pasta al dente to the pizzas or specials, but my favorite “treat” is a seasonal stuffed artichoke or tiramisu paired with prosecco. Azzara’s provides take-out, delivery, and in-house dining, but it’s best to get there early to get a seat. Read more about this Incline Village staple in the Winter 2021 edition of Live Work Play, and be sure to keep an eye out for their New Year’s Eve special dinner menu which is usually off-the-charts delicious.

Austin’s/Fumo, 120 Country Club Dr., Incline Village

Known for their gigantic salads, buttermilk fries, and hearty hamburgers, Austin’s is a nice sit-down restaurant with a decent-sized patio for outdoor dining. Located next to Incline Spirits, the Saia family also opened the Cool Mess coffee and ice cream shop as well as Fumo– a cozy lounge that provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, and craft cocktails. 

PLACES TO EAT (OR PICK UP PROVISIONS) AROUND NEW YEAR’S

Incline Spirits, 120 Country Club Dr., Incline Village

If your plan is to stay in and curl up on the couch with some Netflix or in front of the fireplace with a little bubbly or craft beer, then Incline Spirits is the best place to load up on any aperitif you’re looking for from wine and spirits to non-alcoholic beverages and hard kombucha. They even carry essential items for the morning after such as Tylenol, Swedish fish and The Townie Special. Incline Spirits is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

Sage Leaf Restaurant, 893 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Located on Tahoe Boulevard across from Starbucks, the former chef from LEG has his own restaurant now and is putting his creative spin on breakfast and lunch cuisine from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Monday. Therefore, if you wake up craving healthy and hearty food such as the braised bacon tacos or a Tahoe Food Hub salad, then Sage Leaf is your spot (if you make a reservation in advance). Sage Leaf is also always changing and introducing new menu items all made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. For more information, visit the Sage Leaf website or call 775-413-5005 to reserve a table.

Susie Scoops, 899 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Serving ice cream, smoothies, shakes, malts, and maybe donuts, this place is sure to help you appease your sweet tooth while you’re out doing your holiday shopping. Voted Best Ice Cream Shop in North Lake Tahoe, the Goldenbergs also own Village Toys connected to Susie Scoops (across from Starbucks in the same shopping center) and they are offering 20 percent off all charitable purchases throughout the holiday season to organizations like Toys for Tots and to other families in need. 

Drink Coffee Do Stuff, 907 Tahoe Blvd. #20A, Incline Village

If you’re yearning for some fresh air and some sunshine (or maybe snowfall) instead of lazing around on the couch on New Year’s Day, then head over to Drink Coffee Do Stuff located at 907 Tahoe Blvd. #20A open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. for a caffeinated pick-me-up. When you’re recharged, head up the hill to Incline’s resident ski resort, Diamond Peak, and take in the incredible view of Lake Tahoe from the top of Crystal Ridge.

Thania’s Juice Bar, 868 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Starting your new year off with a healthy quick meal or energy boosting juice is also a subtle way to gently ease into 2023. Fortunately, Thania’s Juice Bar in Christmas Tree Village has a wide selection of healthy, antioxidant-chocked drinks, granola bowls, and vegetarian cuisine. Try the Cactus/Aloe/Lemon juice, lox toast, or seasonal tomato basil soup. This is also a favorite spot of local athlete Lila Lapanja.

San Miguel Tahoe Store, 895 Tanager St., Incline Village

Over on Tanager Boulevard right next to the Hive Collective, a new and authentic Mexican market opened. Find household staples like laundry detergent and cereal along with a whole refrigerator case of flavored coconut waters, leche, non-alcoholic sangria, Electrolits, and ballenas of cerveza. It also sells a floor-to-ceiling display of spices to go along with your chicharrons or flavor one of the gigantic slabs of meat available. In that department, you can find el pastor, cuts of ranchera style beef, and 12-lb. wheels of queso fresco. Its produce section features fresh veggies as well as ready-to-cook nopales (cactus), along with a wide variety of galletas (cookies) and topos (tortilla chips) to go with your homemade guac. Every once in a while, they’ll serve up special tacos and guaraches; check out San Miguel’s Facebook page to stay in the loop.

Wing’s Korean Chicken, 893 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Located on the other side of the building shared with Starbucks and Susie Scoops, Wing’s may look tiny, but it has a big menu with a lot of items chocked full of flavor. Try the Galbi or K-sauce wings (normal or boneless) made with their proprietary sweet Korean BBQ sauce recipes, with pickled radish on the side. Or dare your friends to try the spicy wings (one of the sauces has five peppers in it- including ghost pepper), If you do so, keep a cold drink or bottle of Soon Hari Yogurt Soju Korean liquor on the side to help calm down your flaming tastebuds.

RECENTLY OPENED RESTAURANTS IN IV/CB

While it’s true that the pandemic changed our lives in many ways, it also offered some people in the IV/CB area to pursue their dreams of opening their own restaurant. Here are a few new businesses that have opened in 2022…despite all the challenges that lay before them:

Nevada Jane, 930 Tahoe Blvd. Ste 601, Incline Village

Owned by the same family that runs Fumo, Austin’s, and Cool Mess in the Country Club Shopping Centre, the Saias have taken over the former Gus’ barbeque restaurant and turned it into an upscale eatery and cocktail lounge open until midnight on weekends. Its Latin street food inspired menu includes elotes, steak frites, pork belly, and halibut. Read about them more in this IVCBA Member Profile and be sure to head over there for a nightcap and a snack soon. 

Ohana Diner at Bowl Incline, 920 Southwood Blvd., Incline Village

Built by renowned chef Sam Choy, the newly opened Ohana Diner in the remodeled Bowl Incline serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner six days a week. The “Godfather of Poke” characterizes his cuisine as “a melting pot of the freshest ingredients from every culture on the Hawaiian islands” and the bowling alley also serves incredible cocktails and late-night snacks. Read about Incline’s newest restaurant in the Winter 2022 edition of Live Work Play magazine. 

Happy Tiers, 868 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Happy Tiers Bakery started out making extravagant and memorable cakes for special occasions happening in Incline Village/Crystal Bay but has since morphed its menu to include hot chocolate bombs, quiches, pies, its signature delicious cinnamon rolls, and more in its new brick-and-mortar location in the Christmas Tree Village. Read about their incredible journey in the Winter 2022 edition of Live Work Play magazine. 

Mehfil Bistro, 868 Tahoe Blvd. 18-19, Incline Village

Those of you who’ve been around for a while may remember a Sri Lankan restaurant in the Christmas Tree Village called Indu’s. The space has been vacant for a while, but recently the Mehfil Indian Bistro moved in and is now open. Find vegetable samosas and pakoras, tikki masala, allo gobi, and paneer combinations. Its extensive menu includes all of your favorite Indian dishes, and there’s a Mehfil Bistro in Truckee as well.

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Winter is Off With a Bang in IV/CB… Here are Some Places to Sip and Shop

December 7, 2022 | Kayla Anderson

Photo by Lora Wagner

Wow, we are in the throes of winter with the promise of a white Christmas up ahead. Diamond Peak opened early with a crazy amount of natural snow (check out current weather conditions from its live webcams here), shops are fully stocked with goods, and Santa Claus has been making his rounds. The holiday season is arguably our favorite time of the year as it allows us to celebrate our Incline Village/Crystal Bay businesses. 

Hopefully you’ve had a chance to enjoy Giving Tuesday, Small Business Saturday, and the past Northern Lights sip and shop events at the Village Center and Country Club Center, but if not, that’s okay because there is still more to come. 

There will be another Sip & Shop event at Christmas Tree Village on December 10th with Village Interiors, Karma Tahoe Consignment, Crosby’s Pub, Village Ski Loft, Mofo’s Pizza, Thania’s Juice Bar, Monaco Nails, Koi Sushi, High Sierra Gardens, and the new Happy Tiers Café participating, allowing one to shop local while having fun.  Tahoe Gifting Co will also be participating. They just opened a new retail location at 800 Southwood (at Mays Blvd). for all things locally made (and they ship and deliver!)

Other businesses that offer unique and special items in IV/CB shopping centers include: 

Tahoe Time Plaza – Rainbow Printing, a good place to print out family pictures and purchase art supplies for those blustery winter days) and save 20 percent on gift cards for Clearly Tahoe kayak tours through December 31st. 

Across from the Raley’s Shopping Center on Tahoe Boulevard in what we call the Bite Building – Bridget Giroux Design (this mother/daughter team makes amazing Tahoe-scented candles and promotes local artists), Drink Coffee Do Stuff, Frederick’s Fusion Bistro, The Local, Bite American Tapas.

Village Toys in the Starbucks Plaza is also offering a 20% discount on the purchase of new, unwrapped toys that are being donated to Toys for Tots and other local charities. For a list of all Incline Village/Crystal Bay businesses and a map of where they are located, visit our Northern Lights Shopping page. 

Personally, the week I moved to Incline Village the first event I ever attended was the IVCBA’s Sip & Shop at the Christmas Tree Village in December of 2006. Santa Claus was taking photos with kids, the shops were warm and inviting, and people were gathered around barrel bonfires in the parking lot. Everyone was so friendly, so merry, and it was a great way to meet my neighbors and future employers… a few who have since become my lifelong friends. And with all the snow we were getting at the time, I felt assured that Incline Village/Crystal Bay was the perfect place to be for the holidays.

Therefore, let it snow!

Other events coming up this month:

December 9- Nativities from Around the World at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church and a ski season kickoff party at Alibi Incline Public House

December 10- Tahoe Family Solutions’ Brunch With Santa at The Chateau

December 11- TOCATTA Messiah Concert at the Cornerstone Church

December 15- Starbucks Plaza Santa Party

December 17- Wreaths Across America

December 17- Raley’s Incline Center Sip & Shop Event

December 18- Hannukah begins- North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation Party

December 20-22- Deck the Halls Lighting Judging

December 21- Hannukah Celebration at the UNR at Lake Tahoe Prim Library

December 25-26- Diamond Pete and Santa ski at Diamond Peak

December 31- New Year’s Eve Parties at Glasses Wine Bar, Alibi, Crystal Bay Casino, and the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe

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Local Shopping Guide

December 7, 2022 | Kayla Anderson

Shop Local, Shop Small

Tis the season for holiday shopping, and what better way to celebrate your loved ones than by getting them something unique, original, and made or sourced in your own town. And from now until Christmas, there are dozens of events, shops, and promotions within Incline Village and Crystal Bay that are worth checking out. Here are a few options for finding gifts close to your holiday home:

Panache (930 Tahoe Blvd. Ste 204, Incline Village) next to Raley’s in Incline Village carries home décor items such as nice-smelling candles, Tahoe-centric coffee table books, and warm women’s clothing, everything from stylish activewear to Emu boots and slippers.

You can also scoop up comfortable, warm second hand clothing at the Village Christian Thrift Shop (799 Southwood Blvd., Incline Village), Pet Network Thrift Store (760 Mays Blvd. Ste 9, Incline Village), and Tahoe Family Solutions (774 Mays Blvd. #13, Incline Village) all in and around Mays Boulevard. All these thrift stores have kitchen appliances, furniture, sports equipment, greeting cards, and an abundance of other good finds, so you can really stock up on gifts while saving money and supporting worthy causes. Tahoe Forest Hospice Gift & Thrift (893 Tahoe Blvd. Ste 1500, Incline Village) also has an amazing assortment of items, and its staff is super friendly. 

Karma Tahoe (868 Tahoe Blvd. Ste. 12, Incline Village) in Christmas Tree Village started out as a women’s clothing boutique but expanded to include children and men’s clothing. Find gently used boots, shoes, purses, and jewelry too.

Speaking of jewelry…if you’re thinking of taking your relationship to the next level, consider checking out specially sourced turquoise, stone, and metallic necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings at family generational business The Potlatch (930 Tahoe Blvd. Ste 401, Incline Village), or the glimmering Forever Rox jewelry store (930 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village) to find priceless diamonds, also located in the Raley’s Shopping Center.

For things exclusively made in Lake Tahoe, Handmade at the Lake (865 Tahoe Blvd. Ste 104, Incline Village) sells quilts, kitchen and bath accessories, Lake Tahoe ornaments, bath sets, and pottery made right here in Tahoe. 

FOR THE FOODIE IN YOUR LIFE:

Raley’s (930 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village) and Happy Tiers Bakery (Christmas Tree Village, Incline Village) has you covered, with sweets, specialty breakfasts, and more. Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe’s Tahoe Provisions (111 Country Club Dr., Incline Village) also has Tahoe made snacks and to-go treats that are made right here at the lake, and you may get to catch a glimpse of its impressive holiday gingerbread display. Sunshine Deli (919 Incline Way, Incline Village) sells delectable pastries, specialty donuts made inhouse, and other belly-filling yet healthy breakfast and lunch items.  

Alcohol makes a good gift for those ages 21 and older, and there’s no better place to find it than at Incline Spirits & Cigars (120 Country Club Dr. Unit 25, Incline Village). If you’re looking for more of a laidback wine night, head over to Glasses Wine Bar (760 Mays Blvd. Ste. 8, Incline Village) to grab a bottle to share with friends or pour your own glass our of one of its many wine dispensers.

A great idea for hostess and holiday gifts with a Tahoe flair, the thoughtfully curated Tahoe Welcome Basket are chock full of unique locally crafted food and artisan products.

FOR THE KIDS:

If you are shopping for young ones, The Potlatch has an entire kids books and games section. And while you’re so close, it’s worth meandering across the parking lot about two hundred yards away to cuddle up with the soft plush toys at Panache. To find a whole shop dedicated to kids, venture over to Village Toys (899 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village) that’s now located next to Starbucks on the corner of Highway 28 and Village Boulevard. Buy an unwrapped gift for charity (Toys for Tots and others) and receive a 20 percent discount through the holiday season.

Have you checked out the new Bowl Incline (920 Southwood Blvd., Incline Village)? If not, consider buying a bowling session for your family for an experience you’ll never forget in the newly renovated building. There is something for everyone here, including three pool tables, a state-of-the-art arcade, cornhole boards in an outside enclosed patio area, and a fancy cocktail menu for adults. Learn more about the business’s reinvention in the Winter 2022 edition of Live Work Play magazine. 

FOR THE GARDENER/INTERIOR DESIGNER IN YOUR LIFE:

If you have that special person who takes pride in their yard and home, check out High Sierra Gardens (866 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village) for a lovely variety of plants and their holders, or put together a nice fresh flower bouquet to bring to your party host. For a gift that lasts a bit longer, head over to ACE Hardware (910 Tahoe Blvd. Unit 103, Incline Village) for tools, hoses, paint, appliances, barbeques, and other garden equipment.

For more interior decorating, Village Interiors (868 Tahoe Blvd. Ste. 9, Incline Village) sells furniture, art, and will even design your space for you, and the new Bridget Giroux Design (Above Drink Coffee Do Stuff in Incline Village) mother/daughter team brings a fresh, modern take on how to design a mountain rustic home with aesthetic tastes close to the Holly Hunt brand. Every month, the design studio also hosts exhibits featuring local artists in its pop-up gallery and hosts a holiday shopping event open to the public in late November/early December. 

FOR THE SKIER OR SNOWBOARDER:

For all things outdoor-related, visit the Village Ski Loft (800 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village) for socks, skis, snowboards, goggles, jackets, pants, and more. It also carries mountain bike and hiking accessories for the summer aficionado. If you have a four-legged that you like to explore the outdoors with, pick up some stocking stuffer treats for them at the newly expanded Pet Station (800 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village) located underneath VSL.

Speaking of skis, check out the line of Praxis sticks made right here in Incline Village (848 Tanager St. Unit J, Incline Village). Take them up to our local, community-owned Diamond Peak Ski Resort (1210 Ski Way, Incline Village) and pick up a signature DP gift item at its shop within the base lodge. 

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