Lake Tahoe, California, is probably best known for its wintery charms, namely snowy ski resorts. But this is to seriously underestimate the region’s warm weather assets, like lakefront, lots of it. So while we can’t say enough good things about outdoor possibilities here during the colder months, there are also plenty of fine reasons to rave about summer.

Obviously, Lake Tahoe itself is a big draw. This alpine lake is one of the deepest in the country, but really this is one case when surface beauty, not depth, should be your focus. In addition to the expected basics like fishing, swimming and boating, you’ll also find opportunity to circumnavigate the lake in a canoe (or kayak), hike, bike, sunbathe and so forth. There is even a good selection of boat cruises you can book, if you’re in town short a boat or simply of a mind to let someone else play captain.

One of the best ways to maximize your time lakeside is to make advance reservations for a stay at D.L. Bliss State Park, set right on Lake Tahoe’s west shore. You can’t quite roll out of your tent into the lake but it’s pretty darn close. Keep an eye on the Lake Tahoe events calendar during these warmer months, too. The likes of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, set on an outdoor stage right by the lake, inject some serious cultural zip into those peaceful evenings. Another don’t-miss is the Lake Tahoe Music Festival, with assorted summer concerts (open air of course) to set the tempo.

If you can tear yourself away from the water, there’s good cause to consider a visit to local ski resorts, even if there’s not a speck of dirty snow in sight. At Heavenly, for example, you’ll find hiking trails as well as the Gondola, which runs up to an observation deck at 9, 123 feet for superb views of the Lake Tahoe, California, region. It should help put those 330 days of annual sunshine in rosy perspective.