Visit Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains along the border between California and Nevada. As the largest alpine lake on the continent, Lake Tahoe is the nation’s second deepest, reaching a maximum depth of almost 1,700 feet. As a popular tourist attraction for people in search of a relaxing getaway, Lake Tahoe vacation rentals are usually booked months and sometimes years in advance because of the area’s popularity and name recognition. During the winter and spring, Lake Tahoe is a premier skiing destination and has a number of ski resorts and various slopes of different difficulties. During the summer, outdoor recreation and ecotourism is the primary attraction.

People who travel to Lake Tahoe often find that vacation rentals are much more convenient than staying in a hotel or resort. Unlike hotels, vacation rentals usually include snowboard and ski storage. This feature is key for drying out equipment. Most rentals also have a washer and dryer. There is nothing better than drying out wet snow clothes after a long day outside. Additionally, many rentals have fireplaces that provide immediate warmth. These features make staying in a vacation rental much more favorable than an expensive hotel.

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and was formed about 2 million years ago when it was shaped during the Ice Ages. The lake is situated along the border between California and Nevada, with the area surrounding the lake also known as Lake Tahoe, sometimes just referred to as Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is popular for its pristine, crystal-clear water and the natural beauty surrounding the lake, as well as the fact that it is the second-deepest lake in America. The lake serves as a major tourist attraction for both states, being home to a number os ski resorts, summer outdoor activities, and other tourist attractions. However, the snow and skiing are the two key factors that keep the region alive and running. The Nevada side of the lake is also home to numerous large casinos.

The Lake Tahoe region is especially popular for its winter sports due to the numerous ski resorts located in the area such as Heavenly Mountain Resort, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, and Kirkwood Mountain Resort. There are also public sled parks located throughout Tahoe. Other popular winter activities in the area include snow tubing, cross country skiing, snowmobile riding, and snowshoeing. During the summer months Tahoe becomes a region popular for water sports, hiking, and bicycling. Boating is especially popular in Lake Tahoe, as well as scuba diving.

Lake Tahoe Summer Activities
Lake Tahoe is a giant water playground waiting for you. Your day is just starting and already, you have a mountain full of activities for you to enjoy. The sun is bright and shining all over the wonderful smelling pine trees. You’re excited and ready to go, but you don’t know where to start.
Your choose-you-own Tahoe adventure begins now
Planning a vacation can be a task, and to a wonderful and adventurous place like Lake Tahoe, you’ll need all the help you can get. To ease the planning process, here’s a list of things to consider as you make your vacation plans.
Lodging and Dining
Since Lake Tahoe is a major vacation spot, there are hundreds of hotel and motel rooms that can be booked. You can find anything here, from discount economy lodging to luxury hotels, some of which have casinos. No matter what your tastes and budget, you can definitely find it here. There are also specials and deals on lodging that would also ease the pocket.
There are also a ton of food places to try while on your stay. If you prefer comfort foods, try Izzy’s Burger Spa or Taco Taquieria in South Lake Tahoe, or T’s Rotisserie in Incline Village. If you’re looking for fancy dining, be sure to look around the casinos in South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, or Cristal Bay. Some of the ski resorts have wonderful restaurants as well. One of these is Heavenly Tahoe, which has dining on the mountain slopes that is open year-round and accessible by tram or gondola.
Shopping and Concerts in Tahoe
If you’re not one for the physical trials of the outdoors in Lake Tahoe, there are a number of wonderful shopping centers and gambling in South Lake Tahoe. There are also concerts with headliner musicians and comedians at the casinos on the Nevada half of the lake. Lake Tahoe has some of the best acts in the country, ranging from local musicians, to big time acts. You can also access Reno, Nevada from here. You can find a number of summer concerts available in Wingfield Park (http://www.renoriver.org/events.html) and at Harrah’s. If you’re into Shakespeare, there is also the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival (http://www.laketahoeshakespeare.com/).
Lake Tahoe Summer Adventures
There are lots of adventures to be had in Tahoe, but the two basic types are Land Adventures and Water Adventures.
You can have all kinds of adventures in Tahoe, mostly found on the land and water.
Land Adventures
The summer time opens up a wide range of activities in Lake Tahoe. You can do activities with varying degrees of difficulty for some summer fun. The activities include horseback riding and camping, since the rain is rare during the summer months. The sun is out for many of the days, and the summer temperature lows are approximately at 40, and the highs are in the 80s.
Tahoe Mountain Biking and Hiking
Many say that Lake Tahoe has some of the best mountain bike trails on the west coast. If you’re looking to go mountain biking, head directly to the Tahoe Rim Trail (tahoerimtrail.org) to start your adventure. Here, you will find the best off road biking, hiking and backpacking in the Tahoe Basin. With 150 miles of trail, your adventures rely only on how far you wish to go.
A popular section within the Tahoe Rim Trail is the Flume Trail (theflumetrail.com). It once was a siphon waterway that began in Incline Village, Nevada, that wandered through the Carson Range, down the Truckee Meadows and to Virginia City, Nevada.
You can access the flume at Mt. Rose Pass on HWY, 431 found at Tahoe Meadows. There is another access point at Spooner Summit (http://parks.nv.gov/lt.htm) at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park on HWY 50. Be sure to grab a map when you rent your bike or shuttle ride at one of the shops. Both finish near Incline Village, where you can cool off at Sand Harbor State Park, or celebrate with food after a long day’s journey.
You can also ride the Heavenly tram or gondola, enjoy the views, or eat at the Adventure Peak Grill, an outdoor restaurant and bar.
Tahoe Road Biking
There are several group bike rides that take you around Lake Tahoe’s smooth roads. The ride is 72 miles long, and is perhaps the most popular in the area. Keep in mind that there is high traffic in certain areas, and strenuous climbs in others. The Death Ride is organized by a local bike club every year, and is held during July. This ride covers 129 and 15,000 feet of climbing. The Tahoe Sierra Century does a supported bike tour around Lake Tahoe during September as well.
Camping and backpacking in Tahoe
Though Tahoe is most known for its hotels, restaurants and casinos, some people prefer to camp on their vacation. And honestly, if you’re looking for a real adventure, you should be sleeping on the ground.
Tahoe is best known for its hotel, restaurants, and casinos. Don’t forget that its mountains make it a beautiful place for camping on vacation. You can camp at Nevada Beach, which is located a few minutes away from Stateline and South Lake Tahoe, along Highway 50. From your camping spot, you can see Mt. Tallac and Desolation Wilderness.
You could also go camping in Desolation Wilderness, but keep in mind that permits are required. Be sure to pick one up at the Ranger Station at Camp Richardson before going to the trailhead. The Tahoe Basin is bordered by the Pacific Crest Trail on its western edge. The Tahoe Rim Trail finished this 150 miles loop, on which you can have a two week backpacking adventure with a resupply stop every few days.
Tahoe Water Adventures
Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States, at 1,637 feet deep. At 22 miles long by 12 miles wide, it is one pretty spacious lake. All this spaces makes it perfect for you to enjoy some water-based activities.
Waterskiing
All kinds of beaches, from public to private, are found on Lake Tahoe’s shore, making it perfect to spend a day on the boat. With the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background, you will have fun skimming across the lake on your skis, tube, or wakeboard. Water temperatures range from 65 to 70 degrees, so a wet suit may be a good idea.
Tahoe Beaches
If you want to laze around on a boat all day, you can definitely do that on Lake Tahoe. DL Bliss State Park, Pope Beach and Zephyr Cove offer great experiences, as they provide food, beverages and kayak rentals. Hidden Beach in Incline Village has many points around the lake for launching, while giving you the full rustic experience. Tahoe City offers rentals for tubes and rafts, which would allow you to float down the Truckee River. This slow and scenic ride starts at the point in Lake Tahoe where highways 28 and 89 intersect.
If you want to get as far away from shore as possible, you may want to rent a motorboat. You can find rental kiosks around the lake, offers rentals such as kayaks and large cabin cruisers.
Fishing in Tahoe
The deep waters of Lake Tahoe are home to great fishing opportunities. From fly-casting to trolling, you can find trout as big as 10 pounds. Fish found commonly in the lake art mackinaw trout, German Brown and kokanee. There are many streams and lakes around Lake Tahoe, so finding a spot to fish will never be a problem.
Your day of adventures will eventually lead you back to a comfortable bed. Be sure to rest up, as you may be doing it all over again tomorrow, or enjoying a new set of activities. Your vacation won’t last forever, so be sure to take advantage of all Lake Tahoe has to offer.

The whole of Lake Tahoe is best known for its varied terrain, scenery, resorts, nightlife, and snow. Skiing is perhaps the lake’s most popular activity, as many people travel here to experience this winter wonderland for themselves. There are seven ski resorts in this area to choose from, and finding one that fits you is just the start of your great ski adventure.
Heavenly Resort
Called “Lake Tahoe’s premier winter playground,” Heavenly Resort is the largest resort in California. Since it is close to the Nevada border, you will find more opportunities for fun. Not only do you find the largest vertical drop in California (3,500 feet), but also the tallest summit in Lake Tahoe (10,067 feet). This resort has more than 95 trails that cater to skiers of varying ability. There are 30 lifts to reach the summit, 9 of which are high speed. In Heavenly resort, you will find the strongest snowmaking system on the West Coast.
Heavenly Resort has a number of skiing schools available, as well as clinics to ease your skiing adventure. There are many options to enjoy your skiing trip, including group or private lessons, adventures, or clinics geared towards problem areas in your skiing. Onsite daycare is available, in addition to the tours, photo and shuttle services. Heavenly also has great trails for snowboarders as well.
The staff at Heavenly has worked hard to make your vacation easy and memorable for you. While there is lodging available at this resort, they have worked with surrounding hotels, motels, and condos so that you have a “Heavenly” rate with the addition of selecting a “Preferred Property.” The prices range from $49 to $200+ depending on the number of rooms and amount of days staying.
Heavenly Resort lift tickets depend on how much time you spend skiing. If you purchase your tickets online ahead of time, you can take advantage of the discount plans. In 2007-2008, prices began at $106, and varied from there. During the Christmas season, however, the prices don’t exceed $158 for a 2 day pass. Lift tickets for stays that are 7-10 days long are also available.
Heavenly Resort is the place to go if you’re looking for a new and exciting run every time you go down the hill.
NorthStar Resort
NorthStar Resort at Lake Tahoe is a tiny village filled with restaurants, stores, an ice rink, and a run that beginners and pros can warm up on. Village Run is one of the seven attractions to choose from while at this resort, with Mt. Pluto being best suited for families. Mt. Pluto has mostly moderate runs, so those looking for a challege should venture to the NorthStar Northwest Territory, where intermediate skiers can train for harder runs and races.
The next following places are for those looking for a challenge. The Backside has seven different courses, each a mile long, suited for moderate to advanced skiers. Lookout Mountain is another great place, as it is notorious for its steep inclines and bump runs, making it a challenge for even the most experienced.
The Terrain Park of NorthStar has been considered one of the “top ten best terrain parks in North America.” It caters to all levels and people participating, as there are 45 rails, 50 jumps and jibs. The X-Country and Snowshoeing area in NorthStar has 24 miles of open area, perfect for skiing in a kept environment and away from the busy runs. Here, you will be able to find skiing and snowboarding classes for people of all ages.
NorthStar lift tickets vary from $28 for children and seniors to an adult fare of $68 for a single day. Discounts are available for multiple day passes and holidays have different pricing schedules.
Lodging at NorthStar is varied, ranging from village rooms to condos and mountain homes. The new village condos vary in price with 1 room lofts going for $139 a night while deluxe housing package have 6 rooms and 4 bathrooms for $1800 a night. NorthStar is dedicated to making your family ski vacation a great one.
Mount Rose Ski Resort
Tahoe’s highest elevation point of 8,260 feet can be found at Mt. Rose Ski Resort. Its proximity to Reno, Nevada gives it access to the closest airport in the area. Here, you will find 1,200 acres of powdery snow, with the new chutes adding over 200 acres of steep vertical drops as long as 1,500 feet. The vertical drops of 40-55 degrees make this a great place to visit for experts. The Chuter Chair and Zephyr lift chair can take you to the four gates to the Chutes. Mt. Rose provides 60 runs for novice and advanced skiers, with the longest being 2½ miles.
Half day and day tickets range from $42 to $68. This is probably the most cost effective option for those who only have a day to ski.
Mt. Rose has no lodging accommodations, but its distance from Reno gives you a wide range of options in terms of lodging, gambling, night clubs and entertainment. Vacation packages and room rates in Reno are less expensive than those in Lake Tahoe, giving the smart traveler a great discount.
Kirkwood Resort
Intermediate skiers should look towards Kirkwood Resort, with more than 65 trails catered to them. With 2,300 acres to play with, there are also runs for beginning to advanced skiers as well. The best part about this particular resort is the variety of classes and tours that they offer. These tours include a backcountry guided tour and a snowboarding tour. The Kirkwood: Expeditions series hosts tours such as the Powder Cat tour or avalanche tour. These tours are also available for children and teenagers, giving them a supervised and educational activity to enjoy as well. Kirkwood resort offers safety classes about avalanches as well. The prices of the tours and classes depend on the length and complexity, starting at $100. Overnight adventures can costs thousands. The full-day lift tickets are $15 for children and seniors, and $69 for an adult.
Lodging at Kirkwood can be quite comfortable, as there are a number of studio rooms and spacious condos to choose from. Many of the lodging options at Kirkwood come with a TV, VCR, DVD and cable. Some also have fireplaces, kitchens, hot tubs, and recreational rooms. There are ten different areas to stay within the Kirkwood properties: Meadowstone Lodge, The Lodge at Kirkwood, Lost Cabin, Snowcrest Lodge, The Mountain Club, The Sentinels, Kirkwood Towers, Sun Meadows, The Meadows, and Base Camp. Each of the places offer different prices and luxury accommodations so be sure to find one that has what you want. Keep in mind that prices also depend on the time of year as well as availability.
Tahoe Resort
Tahoe Resort is the furthest from the lake, but the closest to those commuting from San Francisco and Sacramento. The Sierra at this resort is a family resort, with many fun activities like tubing, sledding and snowshoeing. There are also family tours that encourage family fun time. The circular shape of the resort allows the family to easily meet back at the center, regardless of their skiing level.
There are six parks within the Tahoe Resort to choose from. Smokey Park is perhaps the favorite. Located in the back, it is designed for racing and training, and the varied terrain makes it enjoyable at any speed and skill level. Adrenaline junkies are sure to enjoy Bashful Park, as one run takes you over five consecutive jumps while another is a vertical pitch all the way to the bottom. This is perfect for expert to advanced skiers. The Broadway is definitely the place to show off your tricks, as there are 20 foot rails, small jumps, tables and boxes that you can maneuver around.
One day passes for adults are $65 normally, and $68 on holidays. Children and senior passes cost $16. The Sierra offers “Parent Predicament Tickets” which allows parents to trade off between watching their children and skiing on the slopes. This is great for those families with younger children. The downside to this particular resort is that it has no lodging accommodations. Nonetheless, it makes for an excellent day trip.
Alpine Meadows
Alpine Meadows is a 2,400 acre expanse of patrolled skiing terrain. There are 100 runs for all skill levels, as well as classes for those learning how to ski or snowboard. The basics are taught, as well as other skill sets. Here, you can also find a restaurant and snack bar in addition to the indoor children play area.
Adults can purchase a lift ticket for $58 on regular days and $63 on holidays. Children, teenager and senior tickets are between $10 and $49, but keep in mind there multiple day lift packages have discounts.
While Alpine Meadows does not have any lodging, they have deals with the Reno and Tahoe hotels, resorts and casinos. They also offer shuttles to and from certain hotels and parking areas.
Squaw Valley Resort
With more than 4,000 acres of terrain, Squaw Valley is one of Tahoe’s largest resorts. “70% of the mountain’s terrain” set aside for beginner and moderate skiers and snowboarders, making it a wonderful and exciting place to explore. There are also terrain parks here, complete with half pipes, jumps and rails. You can also race while here, and take classes in skiing, snowboarding and more.
There are tons of memorable sights in this area, since the 2006 Winter Olympics were held here. You can take a cable car to High Camp, and see the ice rink, fine dining restaurant and visit the many shops. A swimming lagoon and spa is available here, along with dog sledding rides and a climbing wall. If you ever tire of the slopes, you will never worry about finding something else to do.
Squaw Valley lift tickets are $73 for an adult day pass. There are many mid-week and multiple day discounts available at Squaw Valley so be sure to take advantage of them.

Lake Tahoe is home to some of the most beautiful lakefront beach estates and mountain top properties. These beautiful views make Lake Tahoe one of the most sought after home markets in the United States.
Not only can you find beautiful beaches on Lake Tahoe, but a number of other fabulous activities and spots. This includes award-wining restaurants, great golf courses, wonderful skiing, as well as high-class casinos, and beautiful resorts. There are also outdoor activities for you to enjoy, such as fishing, boating, hiking, and mountain bike riding.
The Lake Tahoe luxury real estate market has properties that allow you to enjoy the clear blue waters of the lake. With a number of activities available, you may find yourself venturing to it everyday. While you can find this setting in many lakefront communities, you will rarely find a place that offers the upscale luxury living found in Lake Tahoe and Truckee. It is perfect for those who like fine dining, the arts, culture, and history.
The American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Edgewood Golf Course can be found near Lake Tahoe. Many celebrities travel here to enjoy the view during a game of golf, as well as the unique mountain lifestyle. The number of Lake Tahoe luxury homes draws many people to see this haven nestled in the Rocky Mountains.
Lake Tahoe offers something for everyone, no matter if you’re a business man or retiree. The majestic mountains have many beautiful homes scattered across them, in areas such as South Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Zephyr Cove, and Tahoe Paradise. Of course, these are only a few of the neighborhoods that can be found in the Tahoe region. To find the right one for you, be sure to start researching the Lake Tahoe real estate market.

Lake Tahoe accommodations.

Secluded Lake Tahoe vacation rentals can be a money-saving alternative to staying in a hotel or motel during a fun family vacation.  Hotels are hard to find in Tahoe and you will be lucky to find one with a lake view unless you visit a south shore casino. When traveling with a large family, a rental home can be much more affordable and desirable for your stay. Compared to a rental home, vacationing in a hotel room can seem very small.