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“Everyone has a place they call home.”
I’m not sure if I got that quote right, or who even said it first, but it rings so true to my gypsy soul’s journey of finding the perfect place to finally plant some roots.
And funny enough, Tahoe has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. Decades before it became my permanent basecamp, it was my family’s second home. A place that held core memories, magic and moments of connection. A place where we could truly unplug and leave the worries of work, school and the stresses of life behind us and just enjoy life in the stillness and adventure. A place that defined us, shaped us and kept us coming back for more every year.
Photo: I'm forever in awe of the beauty of this place and how blue the lake is! Photo Credit: Kirsten Alexis
My grandfather, an avid skier and entrepreneur, bought a home here before I was even born. I consider myself and my brother some of the lucky ones to have had access to such a special place from a young age. Our summers were spent skipping rocks, swimming in the shallow shores of Sand Harbor and Meeks Bay, climbing boulders, searching for crawdads, building sandcastles and digging holes, parasailing, paddleboarding, biking and hiking. And, of course, begging our parents to launch us into another dimension when we went tubing, which they were more than happy to do after dealing with our bickering and making fun of their music choices.
Winters were spent skiing or at least learning. By the time I was in high school, I rebelled a bit and tried snowboarding. There was no better feeling after a fun day on the slopes than to come back to the warm fireplace with a good book and blanket.
A beautiful morning with idyllic glassy lake conditions. Best time to get out! Photo Credit: Kirsten Alexis
Life is different in Tahoe. You can feel it the moment you first arrive, greeted with the strong scents of towering pines, fresh alpine air, abundant sunshine and endless views of the sparkling blue lake and surrounding snow-covered peaks.
You can truly have it all here and create the life of your dreams. One that is built upon a strong balance of work, life, adventure, wellness, creativity and connection.
From walking along my favorite local trails to standing on the summit of the mighty mountain peaks to competing in summer and winter endurance races and even capturing a rare sighting of the Northern Lights, there is never a shortage of opportunities for adventure, exploration, challenges and creative inspiration.
I have found balance, peace and growth here and continue to seek connection with the natural world, the community and myself as I continue on my journey at my favorite big blue lake.
Below, I have outlined some of the many reasons why I am proud to call Tahoe my forever home. I hope you can find as much joy, excitement, awe and peace as I have, and strive to preserve this treasure through sustainable practices and tourism. Hope to see you out there!
Mount Tallac has been one of my go-to training summits for over a decade. Photo Credit: Rachel Obendorf. Photo Courtesy of Kirsten Alexis
The Adventure: It's a Way of Life
In Tahoe, you truly live an elevated lifestyle, and that means you have an unlimited supply of opportunities for adventures, right in your backyard.
For as long as I can remember, outdoor recreation has been a defining part of my life, and Tahoe is always the top place I recommend for year-round adventures suitable for all ages, abilities and itineraries. From the East Shore Trail to the summit of Mount Tallac, there is something for everyone to enjoy, challenge themselves safely and ignite a spark within them to pursue personal greatness through exploration.
In Tahoe, since everything is so centrally located, you also have the opportunity for multi-sport days. You can hike, bike and swim all in the same day! You can find beaches and trails that are locally loved around the lake, and I highly recommend exploring the different regions to get the most of it. Want to explore more and get off the beaten path? The Tahoe region is home to a vast network of stunning and serene backcountry trails that offer day use, camping or multi-day options such as the iconic Tahoe Rim Trail.
More of a winter person? The Tahoe-Truckee region is home to some of the top ski destinations in the world, offering varied and exciting terrain, picturesque views and a fun, casual and supportive vibe.
Are you into endurance races? Tahoe is home to some of the nation's most revered events, including the Tahoe 200 Endurance Run and Broken Arrow Skyrace. You can find fun and challenging events throughout the year, including triathlons, open-water swimming, marathons, trail running, cycling, cross-country skiing, skimo and more!
Whether you're hiking your first trail or are a seasoned endurance athlete, you have a home base here to build your skills and memories and meet some incredible people along the way. The outdoor recreation community here is very welcoming and always happy to share knowledge, stories and passion for living life to the fullest. It's contagious!
The Landscape: A Natural Masterpiece
Living in Tahoe means that you get to wake up to a postcard-worthy view every single day and never get tired of it. From the iconic sparkling blue lake to surrounding snow-covered peaks to the towering pines to the backcountry alpine lakes and landscapes, there’s an abundance of varied terrain and views to experience, and trust me, it can’t all be done in one trip! I still have so many places on my “Tahoe To-Do List” that are impatiently waiting to be checked off!
Regarded as the “Caribbean of the Sierras,” it’s not a surprise that the main destination is Lake Tahoe itself. With more than 40 accessible public beaches lining the shores, there are countless options for swimming, kayaking, boating and photography to build into your itinerary. A lot of times I like to go to beaches to take a break and take it all in. To just look at the clear blue water, hear the sounds of the waves, touch sand and take in those Sierra views.
But Tahoe is more than the lake. There are so many beautiful trails, offering chances to see wildlife and a new perspective of the region. You truly don't just see it here, you experience it fully, with humility and full presence.
Living here means I get to experience it in all four seasons, something I didn’t get back in Silicon Valley. We have a real fall here, where the leaves turn shades of yellow and orange and completely change the landscape before winter covers it with a pristine blanket of snow. In the spring, flowers start to bloom, the sun shines longer and the peaks still have snow on them, offering a surreal view of a tropical-looking lake contrasting snowy summits. Something to look forward to every single morning. Something that feeds my soul. Sometimes I wonder how this place is even real!
And another great reason to love it here? Living in a high altitude means you have access to fresher air. Living here makes you very aware of the effects of overconsumption, pollution and unsustainable tourist practices. Luckily, the locals here love their home and fragile ecosystem and strive to create a harmonious balance with innovative ideas, sustainable habits and education.
In Tahoe, you get to experience life in a landscape that looks just like the postcards! Photo Credit: Kirsten Alexis
The Creative Inspiration
Feeling uninspired? Maybe a bit stuck in your routine? Come to Tahoe, and you have all of the inspiration right outside your doorstep!
There’s a different energy here. There’s no rush or sensory overload. Life moves at a different pace, and in this place, you have room to breathe and find clarity everywhere you go.
Although there are endless opportunities for adrenaline-inducing adventures, life moves at a much slower pace here in the mountains. It’s a lot harder to be stressed when you’re surrounded by a sensory smorgasbord: the sounds of birds chirping, the smell of the fresh pines, the feel of the afternoon sun and the sights of the vibrant landscape. You feel alive here and free to actively pursue balance, peace and creative prosperity. Here, stress is not welcome.
Here, time stands still. You can get lost in the stillness and be inspired by the liveliness. I, for one, have found myself seeking silence more, writing more, drawing more, connecting to my passions and purpose more. Things I used to just do as a kid more and not have to put off or schedule in a spreadsheet. Now, that balance comes naturally. It flows, and I feel more alive, connected and motivated because of it.
This place doesn’t just offer inspiration, it amplifies what’s already inside you.
The Healthy Lifestyle
Health and wellness is not just a hot topic here, it’s woven seamlessly into the Tahoe mindset. The lifestyle here is so abundantly centered around outdoor adventure and recreation that it just comes naturally to prioritize performance, endurance, longevity and overall well-being.
Living here also provides a natural playground that helps improve your mental well-being as much as your physical fitness levels. You will see people of all ages and abilities enjoying the outdoors and recreational facilities to the fullest, and it really inspires you to be your best and experience everything you can with the time you have.
With access to fresh air, abundant sunshine, farmers markets, fitness centers, spas, sustainable restaurants and storefronts, innovation and community events, it's no surprise that the population here (locals and visitors) are healthy and happy and put wellness high on their priorities.
There are endless opportunities for recreation and well-being out here! Photo Credit: Kirsten Alexis
The Community
Above all, Tahoe has an incredibly welcoming, positive and connected community. I have made so many incredible friendships here, through work, endurance races, networking, events and even meeting on the trails or taking photos!
It’s easy to connect with people here because they are so excited to share their passions, tips and stories with like-minded people. Tahoe is an eclectic blend of long-time locals, digital nomads, entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, tourists and everyone in between. Everyone here has an interesting story and a reason why they stayed, wish they lived here or keep coming back with their loved ones. Every time I hear a new visitor delight in the views or experiences, it ignites a spark to keep sharing the beauty and conservation practices to preserve this fragile gem I am blessed to live in as a visitor in this time.
Ultimately, I decided to live in Tahoe because it felt like the right choice. I couldn’t ignore the signs and strong pull anymore and knew in my heart it was time to move to my home full-time.
Although I think Tahoe is the most beautiful place on Earth, there’s an undeniable energy here that just can’t be ignored. My soul feels alive here. I can breathe easily in the high-alpine air. I get creative inspiration on the trails. I have come here many times to heal, rebuild and redefine what it means to truly live life as my authentic self.
I started writing new chapters, dreamed up new wild and audacious goals, reignited my spark for life and remembered who I am by connecting with what used to fuel my youthful imagination and purpose.
Tahoe isn’t just a place I came to find a new home. It’s where I came to come home to myself and continue to build upon a legacy I hope will inspire others to live a life beyond the limits they placed upon themselves.
About the Author Kirsten Alexis
Kirsten is an outdoor adventure enthusiast, writer and photographer. You can typically find her hiking, paddleboarding, cross-country skiing and checking out new spots to share in the Tahoe Donner region. She has been lucky to call Tahoe her second home since she was a child and aims to inspire people to experience Tahoe and fall in love with the beauty and adventurous spirit of the region through her blogs and content. 
