South Lake Tahoe is a great place to live! Known for its beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and vibrant culture, whether you’re a local or a visitor, there are plenty of things to do in South Tahoe that can improve your overall health and well-being. Here are 5 fun activities to keep you healthy and happy whether you’re visiting for a few days, or have put down roots for good.
- Take a Hike
South Tahoe is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world. Hiking is a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the fresh air, and improve your overall health. It’s also a great way to promote dental health. Studies show that people who exercise regularly have a lower risk of heart disease.
Some of our favorite local hiking spots are Eagle Falls–just a few miles north of the city of South Lake Tahoe in Emerald Bay State Park, the Saddle to Ski Run trail in the Van Sickle Bi-State Park, and for the extra adventurous, summiting Mt. Tallac.
- Visit the Beach
South Tahoe has many beautiful beaches where you can swim, sunbathe, and relax. Swimming is a great exercise for your overall health, as it can help improve your cardiovascular health and reduce stress levels. And if the cold water is making you nervous, don’t be! Researchers have found that swimming in cold water is great for health, helping to reduce “bad” body fat, increase “good” fat, as well as promote heart health and improve mental health. With Tahoe’s temperature hovering around 50 degrees most of the year, this is the perfect place to improve your health.
Some of our favorite beaches are Nevada Beach–just minutes away from our location in Zephyr Cove, beautiful, sandy Baldwin Beach a few miles from the city of South Lake Tahoe, and Reagan Beach in South Lake Tahoe itself. (And bring your pups along! Our dogs LOVE the water dog park on the east end of Reagan Beach!)
- Try Water Sports
South Tahoe is home to many water activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing, and boating. These activities can help strengthen your muscles, improve your coordination, and boost your mental health. A healthy body and mind are key components of good overall health, and they can also help you maintain good dental health.
Take your stand-up paddleboarding to the next level with SUP Yoga! Yoga is a great way to reduce stress and improve your flexibility, which can help prevent dental problems like jaw pain and teeth grinding. In addition, yoga can help improve your posture, which can help prevent dental issues like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
- Eat Local
If you’re in the area during the summer, there are a number of great farmer’s markets to help you connect to the community, eat fresh, local produce, and even get some steps in. We all know that getting your fruits and veggies in is important for supporting your health. But did you know that produce starts to lose its nutrients within 24 hours of being picked? Getting your veggies a famer’s market means you get to enjoy fresher, more nutritious food.
In fact, in the city of South Lake Tahoe, you can spend almost every summer night at one of the different farmer’s markets in town. Check out the El Dorado County Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays at the American Legion parking lot, the Meyers Mountain Market on Wednesdays at Tahoe Paradise Park, and the Ski Run Farmer’s Market on Fridays on Ski Run Blvd.
- Take Care of Your Oral Health with Sierra Smiles
Regular dental exams are essential for maintaining good oral health and preventing serious health problems like heart disease. At our Sierra Smiles practice in Zephyr Cove, we’re dedicated to providing comprehensive dental care that helps you look and feel your best. Regular dental checkups can help catch dental problems early, prevent serious health issues, and ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and clean.
Sierra Smiles offers a range of services, including blood pressure screening, oral cancer screening, airway and breathing screening, and helping you maintain a healthy mouth baseline. Dr. Samina Quidwai is passionate about dentistry and believes in merging her compassion, knowledge, and cutting-edge dental technologies to provide the highest quality care and dentistry. She believes oral health is a key component to systemic health and mental health, and is excited to be part of Sierra Smile’s complete health dentistry team in South Tahoe.
In fact, our passion for our Lake Tahoe community and complete health is paying off. We’re thrilled that we’ve been nominated as the best dental practice in the Tahoe area for the Best of Tahoe awards. We would be thrilled to have your support! You can vote for Dr Bocchi and our great team in Tahoe at the Tahoe Daily Tribune in the Health category. We look forward to continuing to provide you with the best possible dental care in the Tahoe area!