It's nearly impossible to go on a road trip in Northern California and not find a charming town full of fun places to get out and stretch your legs. Many folks are planning their family vacations this time of year, and instead of picking a boring route that will cause the dreaded road trip questions ("Are we there yet?"), why not plan to drive through interesting and amazing towns like Tahoe City? It's one of the many spectacular small towns here in Nor Cal, but we love that there are cultural and physical activities to satisfy everyone who piled in your car.

Tahoe City is the one place you just have to get out of the car and make a stop because it has everything. Lake front views, great places to stroll or even squeeze in a hike or bike ride.

At the very least you need to check out the Tahoe Dam and try to spot some fish making their way out of the lake.

A popular spot to get out and stretch your legs, the bridge that runs parallel to the dam is known as Fanny Bridge, thanks to all the people who lean away from the busy road over the railing.

It's a great place for some people watching and to get a little giggle, but there's also some interesting ecology and history. Read the signs posted around this little park and learn about Lake Tahoe water levels, natural trout, and other species.

This spot is the only outlet for Lake Tahoe, which has enough water in it to cover the entire state of Northern California with about 14 inches of water.

The dam opens up to Ward Creek, which makes it way to the Truckee River and all the way down into Nevada.

It's not uncommon to spot a bunch of fish swimming in this area. It's a must see for any Northern Californian.

The small, unincorporated community of Tahoe City is part of Placer County and has plenty of shops and fun cafes to visit as well, making this a great pit stop for any travelers.

There are plenty of cultural experiences here as well. This is a local production of A Midsummer Night's dream that was acted out right on the beaches of Lake Tahoe last summer. There are plenty of artisan shops that sell local goods as well as one of the coolest small movie theaters on the West Coast called the Tahoe Art Haus.

It also boasts some of the best beaches on Lake Tahoe, which is a year round destination that consistently wows people. We advise visiting in the off season or a weekday if you can, it does get pretty busy here on holidays. Only 3 hours from the Bay Area, many Northern Californians as well as international travelers vacation here.

It's worth braving the crowds for the picture perfect pit stop, however. Lake Tahoe is basically the 8th wonder of the world and shouldn't be missed. Scenic routes through the mountains, including Highways 89 and 28 converge right in town, making this a great place to stop on several popular road trips.

All these reasons and more make Tahoe City an impossible place to drive through without stopping. I would dare you not to, but I know you will never be able to resist!

On your next drive through the Sierra, I encourage you to slow down and savor the drive. Northern California has many amazing roadside stops and attractions. Which ones are your favorite?