Summer Vacation Fun for Families with Kids: Serene Lakes in California

"Serenity now!" shouts George Costanza in an episode of Seinfeld.

Well, you won't need to shout it during your summer getaway at the aptly named Serene Lakes in the Sierras in California.

Serene Lakes in California is a hidden paradise, approximately 30 minutes west of Lake Tahoe. Serene Lakes are actually two small, connected lakes, Dulzura and Serena. Motorboats are not permitted, so the lake retains a quiet and mellow feel. It was a perfect week long getaway for our family, only 3-4 hours away from the San Francisco Bay Area.

We rented a beautiful lakefront cabin through Castle Peak Vacation Rentals.
The rental home had a large master bedroom with a king bed and an attic room upstairs with two queens. The view of Lake Dulzura from the deck and living room are fabulous, with private access to the lakefront a few steps away.

We loved jumping in the owner furnished canoe and paddleboat for a quick jaunt around the lakes.

The location was perfect for our family vacation with our ten year old boy. He got a taste of some great mountain biking and hiking that was just right for his skill level:

Bike Trip 1: Norden Lake fire road: Ride from Serene Lakes up and over the hill on Soda Springs Road. Park in the Soda Springs Ski Resort overflow parking lot, a gravel lot marked "Lot 3." This is located directly across Soda Springs Road from Soda Springs Ski Resort. The trailhead can be found at the far end of the parking lot. The dirt fire road is mostly level with a few small hills. The surface is mostly smooth and the trail has plenty of shade as it goes through a pine forest with views of Lake Van Norden and Van Norden Meadow. You can travel for a few miles and turn around when you are ready.

Bike Trip 2: Ride the flat, paved road around the lake with a stop for lunch at the Ice Lakes Lodge. Enjoy the view from their deck. The food was very good.

Bike Trip 3: Across from the Ice Lakes Lodge, there is a fire road that makes for some exciting downhill mountain biking. This path is a very rocky and steep. We tried it for a few minutes and then turned around and climbed back up in an easy gear.

Hike: Pacific Crest Trail overlooking Donner Lake-gorgeous views, easy hike.

Drive out of Serene Lakes on Soda Springs Rd., take a right on Donner Pass Road and drive about 3 miles to Sugar Bowl Academy (on the right). Park here or on the side of the road. The well-marked PCT trailhead is on the other side of Donner Pass Road from the Academy. If follows the contour of the hill with great views. Continue hiking until you want to turn around. We walked out for about an hour and a half to a small alpine pond.

Nice car tour: Drive out of Serene Lakes on Soda Springs Rd., take a right on Donner Pass Road and follow the road and up and over the hill and down alongside Donner Lake into Truckee.

There are lots of opportunities for outdoor summer fun at Serene Lakes. It was a great trip for a family with a ten year old.