Seasonal Favorites
We love our trips back to Rewind and getting away from it all.....but we also appreciate what is new and interesting. Here are some of our current vibes, experiences and places to share!
Try the Rubicon Rewind 1977 Playlist on Apple Music
What's new -
Spring 2026 Edition
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Well, I love Spring because that leads to Summer - but this year Spring started in February!! Not the best ski year - only broke out the equipment one time between storms!!
But getting a little taste of summer is always welcome! We are even seeing a few boats on the lake early!!!
Spring brings new things - even if they are "vintage". We are digging deep into obscure 70s and finding all kinds of new tunes.....have you heard of any of these?
Crabby Appleton
Wilderness Road
Sparks
Mother's Finest
and a little more known, Little Feat
We have a lot of visitors coming to Tahoe for the first time so we are already in planning mode. Our "quintessential" week in Tahoe must include the following:
1. Get ON the lake.
There are so many options....our favorite is the West Shore Tahoe Gal which leaves out of Tahoe City. Several trips a day (starting in early June) go to Emerald Bay (our favorite) or head north for a 90 minute cocktail cruise. But there is also the larger MX Dixie out of Zephyr, wine tours out of South Lake Tahoe (on my list!), charter fishing trips, as well as the option to rent a boat for a few hours or a day out of Sunnyside or South Lake.
2. Get IN the lake.
Spring is chilly to be in the lake but with the popularity of the polar plunge it may be calling to you. If jumping in is not your thing, try Kayaking or Paddle Boarding!
3. Eat on the lakeshore.
Two of our favorites that are open all year round are Garwoods in Carnelian Bay (try the Wet Woody if you want something cold and adult tasting!) or a pretty good meal next to the sand at the Grove, in Camp Richards. Live music on the weekends!
4. Hike and explore!
A few we have lined up for our crew is the easy, flat 2 mile hike off of Grand Avenue in Tahoe Pines that leads to the gnome village! A favorite for kids. Also fun is exploring the old train tunnels above Donnor Lake. The original train tunnels built for the silver rush are still intact with amazing graffiti art. Fun for everyone!
5. Head to Chambers Landing - when they open.
Always a fun scene! You can hang at the beach or go to the oldest boathouse in Tahoe for a Chambers Crush and watch it all - people, boats, pets, ...always filled with surprises!
Curling! Yes we can know try curling in South Lake Tahoe. The rink is now open to the public for curling team experiences!!
Excited to finally hit the Tahoe City Art & Wine festival in early June!
What's new -
Winter 2026 Edition
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Happy New Year!
Cheers to more time in Tahoe in 2026!!
Our favorite ways to "spin" in the New Year 1970s style!
Don't Stop Me Know - Queen
Celebration - Kool and the Gang
Dancing Queen - ABBA
Good Times - CHIC
Oh, What a Night - The Four Seasons
Further into the winter, we are having a David Bowie moment! 10 years since his passing - if you are not familiar check out:
Life on Mars
Sound and Vision
Rebel Rebel
Suffragette City
Modern Love - because I am really an '80s gal!
Follow Rubicon Rewind on Apple Music for our latest favs
Sugar Pine Park is a great way to explore the waterfront with snowshoes!! Who knew snowshoeing is amazing? It's a great place to wander around and see the snowy lakeshore. Wander into Meeks Bay with snowshoes - the snow on the rocks against the beautiful blue lake. It. Does. Not. Get. Better.
Homewood Ski Area is open!! The most beautiful view while skiing that Tahoe has to offer. Closed last year due to negotiations with Tahoe locals, it is now open and will begin investments in the equipment next year.
This was considered the "locals ski area" - not a lot of infrastructure - but great runs, great views and close to our place!
So excited by TK Cafe! A pop-up in the Cult Burger location (temporarily closed for the season). TK Cafe brings amazing pastries, breakfast burritos and sandwiches so close to our little haven! Check them out - but go early, they close at 1pm.
Just went to our first move at Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema in the Cobblestone Mall in Tahoe City. What a great find! New movies, great snacks - and drinks, if you are so inclined (dry January is only 31 days!). Fun for everyone! And activity on a "bad" weather day!
Or if you are going to South Lake Tahoe - Cascade Kitchen is totally new for this area. A food hall for everyone. Many restaurants, bars, beers and gathering spots. We are headed over this month to check it out!
What's new -
Fall 2025 Edition
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Now is the time for some moody fall music. Something to snuggle up to or to listen to while watching the falling leaves and definitely to get into a spooky Halloween vibe!
Top 5 dark & stormy favorites, with attitude:
1. Hurt - Nine Inch Nails & Jonny Cash
2. The Killing Moon - Echo & the Bunnyment
3. Pretty Noose - Soundgarden
4. Lonely Day - System of a Down
5. Exit Music (for a film) - Radiohead (pretty much all Radiohead works!)
Currently on repeat:
Fiona Apple - rediscovering a favorite
Cass McCombs - love the new single, Priestess
Lucy Dacus - love her smokey voice
Wes Montgomery - amazing jazz guitar - try West Coast Blues
Follow Rubicon Rewind on Apple Music for our latest favs
Now is a perfect time to find fall color in the Sierras. There are many gorgeous areas, but a few of our favorites, include:
Hope Valley
Page Meadow
Fallen Leaf Lake
Also don't miss the salmon swimming upstream to spawn at Taylor Creek. The visitor center is wonderful and the walkways through the marsh are fun for all. Lazy bears are also often seen grabbing salmon snacks!
Shoulder season on Tahoe is the best kept secret. The crowds are much smaller, the weather is warm with a chill in the air. The sunny days are plentiful. Perfect time to hike or check out the more touristy areas.
A few things to check out -
Donnor Memorial Park - Very interesting docent sponsored hikes detailing the tragic Donnor Party history and facts. While you are there, check out the old train tunnels off of Donnor Pass road. A little creepy, a lot to look at (full of graffiti) and an interesting area to photograph.
Before the snow starts, check out Van Sickle Bi-State Park in South Lake. Beautiful hiking trails covering the border of California and Nevada. You can see waterfalls, incredible lake views, the Heavenly Gondola and miles and miles of trails.
River Ranch Inn's creekside bar. What a beautiful location to have a beer and watch the river in the final days of warm weather!
What's new -
Summer 2025 Edition
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With our love for all things 1970s (and earlier) + sprinkling in the best summer tunes + the necessary acknowledgement of Brian Wilson = our summer vibe is all things The Beach Boys.
Top 5 The Beach Boys favorites:
1. God Only Knows - one of the best and now has a very personal meaning to us 🤍
2. In My Room - so good
3. All Summer Long - makes us smile
4. Good Vibrations - heard an amazing story of the making of this song and will never think about it the same way!
5. California Girls - well.....what can we say
Currently on repeat:
Sufjan Steves - Carrie & Lowell is a mood!
Warren Haynes - Go Down Swinging
Watchhouse - Wildfire - love the guitar
Not really "pop" people but can't help bouncing to...
Wet, Hot American Dream - Ava Max
Priceless - Marroon 5 & LISA
lemonade - Maren Morris
Luther - Kendrick & SZA
Benson Boone - its a thing, what can we say?
Follow Rubicon Rewind on Apple Music for our latest favs
Well the plan was to map out day hikes for the Tahoe Rim Trail and try to get some under our belt. The full 72 miles but not the camping way....more of the comfort of Rubicon Rewind. BUT I broke my toe (yay!) so I guess that is next year's plan!
Instead, while taking it easy, I am learning cribbage, enjoying time in the hammock and reading lots of trashy lake books. My favorite so far is The Family Upstairs, by Lisa Jewell. Twists around every corner!
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Hitting the summer concert series at Commons Beach in Tahoe City every Sunday. Where can you go wrong with live music with a Lake Tahoe backdrop?
Also checking out Truckee Nights every Thursday.
Slowly trying to become a local. So far LOVING it!
What's new -
Spring 2025 Edition
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For my 70's vibe, I am reliving DEVO - so good! Try "Q: Are We Not Men A: We are DEVO"
Top 5 on Repeat:
California Honeydrops (so much energy - saw them at WinterWondergrass in Palisades)
Lucy Dacus
Hamilton Leithauser
Patty Griffin (try Don't Mind feat. Robert Plant)
Blonde Bones
Follow Rubicon Rewind on Apple Music for our latest favs
Approaching Kayak time of year - before the boats are in the water and the lake is at its calmest. Our favorites are heading to D.L. Bliss for a picnic on the beach, or going further around Rubicon point to look for the Osprey! We also love heading north and exploring Meeks Bay and Sugar Pine Point. How is the water so blue?!
Tahoe City has a new yummy place (from the chef at Christy Hill) called Sylva. Super cozy vibe, great food, and lots of locals! Get there early!
Also look for the Cult Burger Pop-Ups! Fried chicken Friday, Sunday Brunch specials - and a new pop-up location in Truckee. Check out their IG for more updates!
What's new - Winter 2024/2025 Edition
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Besides feeling the Yacht Rock vibe of Rubicon Rewind, we are enjoing the chill vibe of winter.
Top 5 on Repeat:
Real Estate - Courtney Barnett - Wilco - Mac Miller - Julian Lage
Follow Rubicon Rewind on Apple Music for our latest favs
Exploring...
Snowshoeing. Who knew we would love to snowshoe. Favorite spot - Sugar Pine Point into Meek's Bay.
Just found the old Girl Scout camp in Meeks Meadow. Worth a few mile walk to find the old stove, foundations and even latrenes!
Trying...
Cribbage. Yes. Cribbage. I am determined to compete (and maybe some day win) the annual HOA Cribbage Tournament. AND I was gifted a beautiful board made from a Canoe maker in Minnesota. Outstanding.
Lots of travel coming up, so stock piling some good mysteries. We found an entire series set in Lake Tahoe - buying them used where we can as many our out of print. Keeping them all at RR for our guests to read! (Can you say hammock and summer! YES!)
In honor of the 90th birthday of the original Fleur du Lac Estate - we will be hosting a family Godfather film marathon (Godfather II filmed in Tahoe), with some baked Ziti (a nod to the Sopranos) and a nice Chianti (Hannibel Lecter).