Most people are familiar with the epic castle, Vikingsholm, located on the shores of Lake Tahoe. The historic castle at Lake Tahoe attracts the lake’s tourists all year long. However, few people are aware of the strange ruins that can be found on a nearby island. This little island is the only island within Lake Tahoe, and it’s been home to this odd structure for decades. It’s a beautiful destination that is definitely worthy of a visit. It’s not every day you come across ruins in Northern California – check it out:
Sitting on the Emerald Bay of Lake Tahoe, Vikingsholm is one of Northern California’s most treasured landmarks.
Pattikin/TripAdvisor Built in 1928, this incredible mansion is a highly trafficked tourist spot. However, few people know about the incredible landmark sitting on a nearby island.
Fannette Island is a tiny island located within Emerald Bay.
occasionalwanderer7/TripAdvisor It’s been known by a variety of names over the years, but it was in the 1920s when heiress Lora Josephine Knight, the owner of Vikingsholm, took notice of this charming place and built something incredible on top of it.
The island is accessed via boat, canoe, kayak, or paddleboard.
Klineashtyn/TripAdvisor When the weather is nice there are usually rental companies set up on the bay where you can rent a boat from. Swimming isn’t allowed due to the extremely cold water.
Don’t worry, the trip to the island from the bay is easier than it looks.
Sheryl S/TripAdvisor It usually takes people roughly 10 to 20 minutes to paddle up to the solitary island. The destination is definitely worth the extra effort it takes to get on the island.
Once you arrive on the island, it’s a small hike up some rocky terrain to get to the ruins of an old structure.
Robin S/TripAdvisor The stone house has been silently standing at the top of the island for nearly a century. Rumor has it, Lora Josephine Knight would invite guests to this place for tea, which is where its name of “Tea House” came from.
Can you imagine sipping on a cup of tea while enjoying a view like this?
Helen G/TripAdvisor It sounds pretty incredible. The ruins of this old tea house are in surprisingly good shape with all four walls and a fireplace still in tact.
This historic building makes for a pretty great place to spend the day.
Helen G/TripAdvisor With the incredible views of Tahoe and nothing but the sound of the wind and water splashing against the island’s rocks, it’s easy to see why Lora entertained guests here.
Did you know about the tea house on Fannette Island? This historic hidden gem is only one of the many mysterious places in California rich with history.
Pattikin/TripAdvisor
Built in 1928, this incredible mansion is a highly trafficked tourist spot. However, few people know about the incredible landmark sitting on a nearby island.
occasionalwanderer7/TripAdvisor
It’s been known by a variety of names over the years, but it was in the 1920s when heiress Lora Josephine Knight, the owner of Vikingsholm, took notice of this charming place and built something incredible on top of it.
Klineashtyn/TripAdvisor
When the weather is nice there are usually rental companies set up on the bay where you can rent a boat from. Swimming isn’t allowed due to the extremely cold water.
Sheryl S/TripAdvisor
It usually takes people roughly 10 to 20 minutes to paddle up to the solitary island. The destination is definitely worth the extra effort it takes to get on the island.
Robin S/TripAdvisor
The stone house has been silently standing at the top of the island for nearly a century. Rumor has it, Lora Josephine Knight would invite guests to this place for tea, which is where its name of “Tea House” came from.
Helen G/TripAdvisor
It sounds pretty incredible. The ruins of this old tea house are in surprisingly good shape with all four walls and a fireplace still in tact.
With the incredible views of Tahoe and nothing but the sound of the wind and water splashing against the island’s rocks, it’s easy to see why Lora entertained guests here.
If stoic structures like this Scandinavian castle at Lake Tahoe fascinate you, be sure to check out our list of 17 Abandoned Places In Northern California. What’s the spookiest abandoned place you’ve ever found? Tell us about it in the comments!
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Address: Fannette Island, California 96150, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Ruins in Northern California November 01, 2021 Tori Jane Are there many abandoned places in Northern California? Of course! You’ve just got to know where to look. California is a gigantic state with tons of mileage to cover, so it’s almost impossible to really know where to begin. Aside from the rich Fannette Island history embedded in the rocks California holds many mysteries and forgotten places. Some of our favorite abandoned places in Northern California include the old TeePee Woodchip Burner, in Anderson, which was used way back in the day while the logging industry was at its best. In Point Reyes, you’ll find the intriguing remains of a decaying old yacht. You can’t go inside, but it sure is photogenic. Nestled within the Sacramento River Canyon, near the Delta, you can find an old, abandoned bridge, which is always fun to explore and photograph. Another of our favorite spots is the old, abandoned shack you can find at Bodega Bay. For more of our favorite abandoned spots in Northern California, take a look at this article. What are some genuinely creepy places in Northern California? Well, of course, that depends on your definition of creepy, but we’ve got a few ideas! There are some super creepy places all over the state – some are abandoned, and some aren’t. Perhaps the most famous creepy place in Northern California of all is, of course, Alcatraz Island. It has a long, dark history as one of the United States’ most legendary prisons. In Lompoc, you’ll find a little place known as the La Purisima Mission, built long ago and the site of bloody battles between Native Americans and Spanish soldiers. It’s said that the grounds are ridiculously haunted, and we can see why – with such a dark history, it’s no surprise at all that a few spirits may remain.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Ruins in Northern California
November 01, 2021
Tori Jane
Are there many abandoned places in Northern California? Of course! You’ve just got to know where to look. California is a gigantic state with tons of mileage to cover, so it’s almost impossible to really know where to begin. Aside from the rich Fannette Island history embedded in the rocks California holds many mysteries and forgotten places. Some of our favorite abandoned places in Northern California include the old TeePee Woodchip Burner, in Anderson, which was used way back in the day while the logging industry was at its best. In Point Reyes, you’ll find the intriguing remains of a decaying old yacht. You can’t go inside, but it sure is photogenic. Nestled within the Sacramento River Canyon, near the Delta, you can find an old, abandoned bridge, which is always fun to explore and photograph. Another of our favorite spots is the old, abandoned shack you can find at Bodega Bay. For more of our favorite abandoned spots in Northern California, take a look at this article. What are some genuinely creepy places in Northern California? Well, of course, that depends on your definition of creepy, but we’ve got a few ideas! There are some super creepy places all over the state – some are abandoned, and some aren’t. Perhaps the most famous creepy place in Northern California of all is, of course, Alcatraz Island. It has a long, dark history as one of the United States’ most legendary prisons. In Lompoc, you’ll find a little place known as the La Purisima Mission, built long ago and the site of bloody battles between Native Americans and Spanish soldiers. It’s said that the grounds are ridiculously haunted, and we can see why – with such a dark history, it’s no surprise at all that a few spirits may remain.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Of course! You’ve just got to know where to look. California is a gigantic state with tons of mileage to cover, so it’s almost impossible to really know where to begin. Aside from the rich Fannette Island history embedded in the rocks California holds many mysteries and forgotten places.
Some of our favorite abandoned places in Northern California include the old TeePee Woodchip Burner, in Anderson, which was used way back in the day while the logging industry was at its best. In Point Reyes, you’ll find the intriguing remains of a decaying old yacht. You can’t go inside, but it sure is photogenic.
Nestled within the Sacramento River Canyon, near the Delta, you can find an old, abandoned bridge, which is always fun to explore and photograph. Another of our favorite spots is the old, abandoned shack you can find at Bodega Bay. For more of our favorite abandoned spots in Northern California, take a look at this article.
What are some genuinely creepy places in Northern California?
Well, of course, that depends on your definition of creepy, but we’ve got a few ideas! There are some super creepy places all over the state – some are abandoned, and some aren’t. Perhaps the most famous creepy place in Northern California of all is, of course, Alcatraz Island. It has a long, dark history as one of the United States’ most legendary prisons.
In Lompoc, you’ll find a little place known as the La Purisima Mission, built long ago and the site of bloody battles between Native Americans and Spanish soldiers. It’s said that the grounds are ridiculously haunted, and we can see why – with such a dark history, it’s no surprise at all that a few spirits may remain.
