UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center
UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center
UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center
5
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Reservations Required. The UC Davis Tahoe Science Center has science exhibits including a various hands-on activities, 3-D theater, research vessel, virtual laboratory, "Shaping Watersheds" Interactive Sandbox, and more. We have reopened but are now requiring advance reservations.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
75 reviews
Excellent
69
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Sidney B
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
The Tahoe Science Center is such a great place to visit for people of all ages and backgrounds in science. There is so much to learn about Lake Tahoe and all the amazing research that is going on with the Tahoe Environmental Research Center. The exhibits are all fun and engaging and provide opportunities for hands-on learning and even a 3D movie! I definitely would recommend anyone in the area to take the time to see the Science Center. The docent-led tours are great and provide opportunities to ask questions and learn more in-depth about what makes Lake Tahoe so unique.
Written July 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2Alaska09
United States196 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
The name is not exciting - and the website is not exciting - but this is an exciting place for folks of all ages to visit. The center is dedicated to research on beautiful Lake Tahoe and does a wonderful job of explaining to both kids and adults the ecosystem of the lake and what can be done to keep the lake blue. Everything is free - parking, admission, and the hourly docent-led tour. The introductory movie aboard the mock boat explains the research efforts and the cool 3-D movie goes into more of the specifics. Our docents showed us both native and non-native fish and told us about the significance of each on the health of the lake. After your visit, be sure to take a stroll through the small Demonstration Garden on the campus.
Written July 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cyril G
3 contributions
I travelled to the US from S. Africa and was told I really had to visit Lake Tahoe. It was beautiful but I could find out little about it's issues and what is being done till I came here. Bravo University of Davis! This is a must see center for any tourist. They have 3D movies and really knowledgable docents. I spent almost an hour there and would like to have spent longer
Written July 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelleygirl2
Sarasota, FL6,302 contributions
Aug 2019
When we asked the visitor center what we might do to fill our time here they suggested this place. I am an environmentalist and so this place hit my interests spot on. The docent was very friendly and informative, thankfully taking extra time with us as it was close to closing when we arrived. He gave us information about the watershed areas around Lake Tahoe and the research on water and runoffs they are doing in the area. He brought us into a brief movie that explained more. I am glad we took the time and that we were allowed inside at the end of the day.
Written September 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HillsCA
California158 contributions
Sep 2017
Tahoe Science Center
Fantastic one-hour visit.
We stumbled upon this “attraction” while looking up Incline Villige in the AAA book. Located on the Sierra Nevada College Campus, a joint effort with UC Davis. We walked in the door and 2 volunteer ladies enthusiastically greeted us and proceeded to spend 40 min explaining Lake Tahoe, is geology, and the research on is water quality. We learned about volcanos, the Tahoe watershed, the impact of development, the zooplankton, the fish stock, and pollution. The 15 min 3D movie was excellent. My wife, who originally did not want to go as “I am not into science”, ended up enjoying the visit thoroughly. And admission was free!
Fantastic one-hour visit.
We stumbled upon this “attraction” while looking up Incline Villige in the AAA book. Located on the Sierra Nevada College Campus, a joint effort with UC Davis. We walked in the door and 2 volunteer ladies enthusiastically greeted us and proceeded to spend 40 min explaining Lake Tahoe, is geology, and the research on is water quality. We learned about volcanos, the Tahoe watershed, the impact of development, the zooplankton, the fish stock, and pollution. The 15 min 3D movie was excellent. My wife, who originally did not want to go as “I am not into science”, ended up enjoying the visit thoroughly. And admission was free!
Written September 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OldGuyfromBay
Menlo Park, CA89 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
A rainstorm rolled in during our Lake Tahoe visit so we needed an indoor activity. We decided to try this small museum and we were pleasantly surprised. It's located in a nice new building at Sierra Nevada College. We arrived just as one of the docent-led talks started. The talk was very informative and kept everyone's attention including some small children who were in the audience. Check their web site for days and hours when they are open. Seems like just about anyone would enjoy this, and would learn about efforts to keep Lake Tahoe blue.
Written September 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BONNIE T
Pittsford, NY182 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
A hidden gem for anyone visiting Lake Tahoe and wanting to learn more about the lake, the watershed and the science of its environment. Hidden because the center is advertised as the UC Davis Tahoe Research Center, the Tahoe Science Center and the Incline Village Lab- but is located on the campus of Sierra Nevada College, Nevada.
We basically had a 45 minute private tour of the research boat and the virtual lab followed by a 3D movie. The tour was geared to the non-scientist; very informative.
We basically had a 45 minute private tour of the research boat and the virtual lab followed by a 3D movie. The tour was geared to the non-scientist; very informative.
Written June 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad R
1 contribution
Apr 2017 • Couples
A great way to learn the history of Lake Tahoe along with current and future challenges to its beauty and sustainability. We had a private tour and the staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who has an interest in Lake Tahoe.
Written April 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cold1za
Bear Valley Springs, CA224 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
We spent some time here learning about the lake, and what everyone can do to preserve and protect its beauty and clarity. The tour takes a little over an hour and the docent that gave the tour was very informative. UC Davis has had a research center on the lake for a long time monitoring all aspects of the lake. Take some time and visit. Located on the Nevada College campus off Country Club Dr.
Written April 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SFBayTraveler07
Lake Tahoe (Nevada), NV20 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
A great learning experience. Hands on activities for everyone that help you understand how water moves through the mountains. Great for understanding how the Lake Tahoe ecosystem works, how the lake was formed, and how it is managed. Very helpful staff.
Written March 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to give us a Trip Advisor review. Our marketing dollars are very limited (we are a non-profit) and so every review helps us get the word out. I am so glad you had a good experience. Thank you again, Heather Segale, UC Davis TERC, tercinfo@ucdavis.edu
Written March 15, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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