Visiting Lake Tahoe should be on everyone’s bucket list. I had never even heard of Lake Tahoe until I moved to Northern California, but it quickly became one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. I’ve now been to Lake Tahoe 7 times and I love it both in the summer and winter. There’s something magical about being in the mountains where it’s both quiet and bustling at the same time, depending on where you are. The lake is beautiful, the locals are warm and welcoming and the food is delicious. Your Lake Tahoe vacation guide starts and ends with nature, good people and good times.
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake located in the Sierra Nevada of the United States and is a popular tourist attraction in both Nevada and California. The destination is known for its blue waters, beautiful mountain peaks, outdoor recreation, renowned ski resorts and golf courses, outdoor pools, towering alpine trees, delectable restaurants and nightlife.
The best part about beautiful Lake Tahoe is that it’s an amazing destination to visit year-round and during all seasons on both the north shore and south shore. There’s plenty to do in the winter whether you like skiing, hiking, snow activities, ice skating and cozy atmospheres or in the summer with beaches, kayaking, cruises, hikes and outdoor restaurants. I love visiting for both winter and summer and have suggestions for each season, to get the best experience. It’s also an excellent location for all visitors and groups ranging from solo trips, couples, group trips, bachelorette parties, etc. and is also pet-friendly! It’s the kind of place that appeals to all.
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Lake Tahoe Vacation Guide
Lake Tahoe or just “Tahoe” straddles the state line between California and Nevada and is the largest alpine lake in North America. Not only is it one of the largest, but it’s also one of the purest lakes in the entire world. It’s known for its water clarity, panorama views of the mountains and natural outdoor playground that will keep attracting tourists for years to come. The population of Lake Tahoe is 21,939 people, making it the 330th most populated city in California out of 1,490 cities. The lake itself is 22 miles long, 12 miles wide and has 72 miles of shoreline. And the greatest depth of the lake is 1,645 feet making it the second deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake in Oregon being the first.
Weather In Lake Tahoe
According to Tahoe.com, Lake Tahoe weather tends to be extreme since it’s in an alpine setting causing 90 degree weather in the summer and below freezing temperatures in the winter. Packing and wearing layers is key when visiting Lake Tahoe as the weather can drastically change even throughout the day. In the winter you can expect blizzard conditions and heavy snowfall with a mix of clear sunny days. Spring tends to be less touristy as the snow begins to melt and the sun begins to stay out longer. Summer can heat up quite quickly with temperatures ranging from 70s to 100s. The lake water and nights will still be chilly, however. Fall has a very short season as it typically goes from warm to winter quickly, but makes for an excellent hiking season.
BEST TIME TO VISIT LAKE TAHOE
I highly suggest visiting in the winter or summer to get the best experience out of your trip.
Winter offers elite skiing options, ice-skating, light hiking and cozy vibes. Summer offers kayaking, swimming, boating, hiking and all the outdoor restaurants and entertainment. You can’t go wrong with either season, it just depends what you value most.
HOW TO GET TO LAKE TAHOE
Major airlines that bring you to Lake Tahoe include Southwest, American, Delta and United. You have the option to fly into Reno-Tahoe International airport, San Francisco Airport, San Jose Airport and Oakland Airport. The closet option is Reno-Tahoe International Airport which is about 45 minutes away.
NORTH VS. SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
When it comes to where you should go, there are two major spots; South Lake Tahoe and North Lake Tahoe.
South Lake is the laid back, chill, beginner-intermediate ski-town for someone who spends a few hours on the mountain and then heads back to the lodge for happy hour followed by a game of beer pong at the Airbnb. This person typically enjoys good atmospheres, restaurants, casinos, kayaking, ice-skating and walking around the downtown area. There’s also amazing lake-front spots, state parks and hikes that allow for swimming, kayaking, boating and cruising. South Lake is the perfect place to enjoy an adventure but relax and wind-down rather quickly when you want to.
North Lake is a tad bit bougier and more heavily focused on skiing and winter sports. Palisades Tahoe is the main attraction and is an extremely exclusive resort with mountains and ski-runs that are out of this world. The 1960 Olympics were held at here and it’s obvious why. The mountains and snow-fall are insane, the incline village is quaint, and beautiful. And very expensive, but so worth the experience. North Lake is for someone who enjoys a great outdoor adventure, likes a challenge and enjoys fine dining and more intimate laid-back experiences.
Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe
When it comes to lodging in Lake Tahoe, anything goes and there are excellent choices no matter what you prefer. My suggestion is to rent an Airbnb to get the full mountain-life experience. But you can decide for yourself based on a few things. Lake Tahoe rental homes, including vacation rentals, are just unmatched when it comes to lodging experiences and are centrally located in the most popular ski areas in Lake Tahoe. If you’re more of a resort person, don’t worry. The resorts here are amazing as well, and most resorts offer all the amenities you could possibly think of and more.
South Lake
Airbnb
If you’re traveling to Lake Tahoe with a group of friends or family, I highly recommend renting an Airbnb as there are incredibly beautiful homes that are affordable and within great proximity to all the major attractions. There are many luxury homes in South Lake Tahoe with grand kitchens, several bedrooms and bathrooms, game rooms, porches and hot tubs. Airbnbs make for an overall better experience when living in the mountains temporarily. Check out all the amazing Airbnbs listed in South Lake Tahoe here.
Marriott Grand Residences
One of the most popular and ideal hotels for ski-lovers and those who want to be near everything is The Marriott Grand Residence Club, located at 1001 Heavenly Village Way in South Lake Tahoe. The closest airport is Reno-Tahoe International Airport about 54 miles away. Unfortunately, there are no airport shuttles that take you directly to The Marriott Grand Residence. So you’ll need to take a taxi or Uber from the airport with an estimated fare of $150 one-way. If you decide to rent a car, you can take US-395 South towards Carson City/South Lake Tahoe for approximately 30.6 miles to US-50. You’ll then continue on US-50 South approximately 22.3 miles to South Lake Tahoe. The estimated travel time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. As for onsite parking, you’ll be able to valet your car for $29 a day.
This hotel is highly rated and offers a VIP access to Heavenly Ski Resort in the heart of the downtown scene.
The hotel offers different sized villas and rooms, a fitness center, a Serenity Spa offering a tranquil setting with rejuvenating messages, facials and other treatments, excellent resort amenities, as well as a beautiful outdoor heated pool. Each residence delivers all the comforts of home, with a full kitchen, a fireplace and separate living and dining areas. The safety and cleanliness protocols are a top priority at all Marriott properties and in light of COVID have made some adjustments to make you feel even more comfortable during your stay. Learn more about them here.
Right within walking distance you’ll find the ski lift, theaters, shops, restaurants and bustling scene that makes South Lake THE place to be. The most exciting part about this hotel is that it’s a part of the Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Meaning, you can book and maximize your credit card points for this trip. I also highly recommend singing up for a Marriott Bonvoy Card prior to staying here in order to get the very best benefits and discounts during your stay. This hotel can be quite pricey depending on the time of year and because of the demand for it. Travel smarter, not harder!
Stardust Lodge
The whimsical Stardust Lodge is definitely a budget hotel for those who care less about the lodging experience and more about being outdoors and exploring as much as possible but still need a place to sleep. The Stardust Lodge is located at 4061 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 and is also an ideal location, just right across the street from Heavenly Ski Resort as well as a 5 minute walk from the lake. This lodge offers home-style rooms, spacious suites with kitchenettes, outdoor BBQ grills and fire pits. As well as access to the hot tub and heated pool, open year-round.
Other fun quirks included are hot coffee, continental breakfast, fresh cookies, popcorn and DVDs to watch in your room for a cozy night in and complimentary bikes to explore the local area. The staff is extremely warm, welcoming and helpful when needing recommendations for things to do in the area.
A few things to note with this budget-friendly hotel is that it is an older-style building and the rooms do not have air conditioning. I highly recommend staying here for winter trips to be most comfortable. There’s also no onsite restaurants or bars. But that’s no problem or concern when everywhere you want to go to is within walking distance anyway.
North Lake
The Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe
Nothing says luxury quite like The Ritz, am I right? The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is located at 13031 Ritz Carlton Highlands Ct, Truckee, CA 96161 and is about 44 miles away from Reno-Tahoe International Airport. There are no shuttle options to get here. So you’ll have to rely on car rental, taxi, Uber or a limousine service. There’s several different directions for driving by car that you can access here. Parking options offered include $55 per night, valet parking only, $25 valet parking with validation from Manzanita, complimentary day valet with spa appointment, validation required, $50 day use parking for non-hotel guests (day usage rate not valid for ski valet) and $500 Ski valet Saturday–Sunday.
At the Ritz, you’ll experience access to a ski-in, ski-out destination with outdoor activities and après ski, luxurious guest-rooms and suites with fireplaces, large floor to ceiling windows, a spa treatment themed around water and woods, extraordinary dining, backyard bar and BBQ services, ice-skating, cozy fires pits and a variety of options for shopping, dining and entertainment.
For those looking to enhance their experience at The Ritz, Lake Tahoe, I highly recommend booking through a travel advisor where you’ll get upgrades, resort credits and VIP treatment at no extra cost to you. Request your vip treatment here. It really is a no brainer when it comes to luxury travel that not enough people take advantage of. By using this booking link, you’ll get complimentary daily breakfast, up to $100 in resort credits depending on room category, complimentary WiFi, first priority on waitlists and sold-out situations, early check-in/late check-out based on availability, first priority for room upgrades and VIP status with in-person welcome.
Palisades Tahoe
There’s not enough accurate words in the dictionary to truly describe the beauty of Palisades Tahoe. It’s simply a magical snow-covered haven of perfection everywhere you turn. Palisades Tahoe is one of the most epic and best ski resorts you can stay at not just in California, but in the entire country. My boyfriend (aka Bubs) has skied his entire life, experiencing mountains all the way from New England to Norway. And still no mountain has surpassed his expectations than that of Palisades Tahoe.
One of the most intriguing and interesting parts of this resort is its history.
The 1960 winter olympics were held here, meaning all the athletes stayed in the exact rooms you’ll get to stay in. Ever since the olympics, it’s been a sought-after destination when it comes to winter sports and elite skiing. The European-style Village at Palisades Tahoe is like it’s own little community and town out of a story-book. The luxury suites are historic, quaint and cozy, offering great views of the mountains and people walking about.
Rooms you’ll have access to include studio suites, one bedroom suites, one bedroom suites with a den, two bedroom suites, two bedroom suites with twin beds or bunk beds and three bedroom and bath suites. You can look forward to gas fireplaces, sophisticated interiors and decor. Fully equipped kitchens, heated tiles, private balconies in the larger units. And in-unit washer and dryer in the three-bedroom units.
Luxury amenities include 8 outdoor hot tubs, slope-side convenience to the mountain, 24-hour front desk service, laundry facilities in each building, a dry sauna, three fitness centers, ski and sport lockers, an on-site entertainment media room with big screen TVs and game consoles, a children’s game room, Billiards lounge, complimentary & heated underground parking, conference facilities for weddings, events and corporate meetings, as well as easy access to the vibrant village atmosphere, shops and restaurants. The customer service here is also pristine. So you should have everything you need during your stay.
Where to eat in Lake Tahoe
South Lake
Azul Latin Kitchen
A fabulous and vibrant restaurant called Azul-Latin Kitchen located at The Shops at Heavenly Village offers Latin American cuisine and drinks with a “lighter, fresher and healthier” take on Mexican food. The restaurant is committed to using local, organic and sustainable products in order to provide the highest quality food to customers. They offer indoor and outdoor dining on the patio as well as online ordering to go. They do not offer delivery services.
Azul Latin Kitchen is definitely the spot for authentic Mexican food in the area. With delicious ingredients, friendly staff and a lively atmosphere, it makes for a great experience. I highly recommend the Azul Guacamole, Crispy Tacos and their tasty tequila cocktail mixtures.
bASE cAMP piZZA
Base Camp Pizza is hands down my favorite restaurant in South Lake. And also has the best pizza in California (as judged by a New Yorker, aka me). Base Camp offers Italian plates, pies, cocktails and good beer. It’s in a prime location at The Shops at Heavenly Village and offers both inside and outdoor dining options. The food is bomb, the staff is quick and efficient. And the atmosphere is one of my very favorites and the reason I love Tahoe so much.
Base Camp Pizza continues to attract locals and tourists throughout the seasons, providing comfort meals and good memories. The restaurant offers takeout orders but no delivery. So I highly recommend ordering one of their gourmet pizzas and a cold beer on draft. I always get a side of ranch for my pizza too.
California Burger Co.
One of the liveliest and fun places to eat in South Lake. California Burger Company is an indoor/outdoor restaurant serving up gourmet burgers, whiskey drinks and live music entertainment with TVs indoors and lounge seating outdoors. This restaurant is probably one of the most popular to tourists as it’s the center and main attraction of The Shops at Heavenly Village and offers a scenic outdoor space with Adirondack chairs, fire pits and entertainment.
The service is definitely a bit slower at this restaurant. But keep in mind at the amount of customers they’re serving an hour. They’re quite busy. They also offer takeout and delivery options as well to keep up with the demand. I highly recommend trying one of their gourmet burgers, specifically The Californian. So delicious!
A Cup of Cherries
The cutest little breakfast spot located at 3434 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. A Cup of Cherries is a pint-sized daytime cafe offering European & Mexican fusion fare & specialty coffee drinks. They offer indoor & some outdoor dining with the option to takeout food as well.
The cafe has a plethora of sweet and savory options on the menu ranging from wraps and burritos to crepes and french toast. They specialize in coffee flavors and mixtures, making your breakfast experience a more interesting and flavorful one. I highly recommend ordering a Butterbeer latte, the popular wizarding beverage from Harry Potter. It tastes like butterscotch and is prepared with toffee nut, caramel, cinnamon syrup and is topped with whip cream, caramel sauce and sea salt.
Glazed and Confused
If you’re looking for a quick sweet treat and coffee for breakfast, Glazed and Confused is the way to go. Located at 211 N Clinton St, Syracuse, NY 13202, Glazed and Confused serves up fresh and funky dounts with different fun designs and flavors. They have flavored dounts like chocolate, Vanilla, Oreo, Cinnamon, Caramel Apple Pie and French Toast. All flavors and combinations on the menu can be found here.
North Lake
The Auld Dubliner
No visit to Palisades Tahoe is complete without stopping by the classic Irish pub, The Auld Dubliner. This restaurant and bar located at 1850 Village South Rd #41, Olympic Valley, CA 96146 offers both indoor and outdoor and allows for takeout too. They offer food like Shepherd’s pie, potato pancakes, wings and brussel sprouts. And with over 14 drafts of beer to choose from. It’s definitely the most lively spot and gets quite busy by the younger crowd in the evening.
Coffeebar
Hands down my favorite place to hangout at Palisades Tahoe. Coffeebar is a modern cafe with a radically-inclusive Italian experience with an emphasis on sustainability. The offer an extensive menu of different coffees, teas, breakfast foods, snacks and even offer alcoholic beverages like mimosas, beer and wine. It’s a great vibe both inside and outside the cafe. And offers a quaint yet lively atmosphere with friendly folks and great places to work remotely too.
Mountain nectar Juice & Bagel
A classic, line-out the door, busy bagel shop right in the heart of Palisades Tahoe. These are the absolute best bagels I’ve had in California. And again, I’m a tough bread critic. Located at 1985 Squaw Valley Rd, Olympic Valley, CA 96146, Mountain Nectar Juice & Bagel serves up fresh bagels, sandwiches, wraps, juices, smoothies and coffees. This bagel shop however, is probably the slowest moving place I’ve experienced in Tahoe. It takes a very long time to get your order. But I promise you it’s 100% worth it.
What to Do in Lake Tahoe
Hiking
Lake Tahoe is one of the only places that I don’t mind spending endless hours outdoors. I love hikes but usually keep them pretty minimal. Lake Tahoe has 48 moderate hiking trails in South Lake Tahoe that range from 1.2 to 18.5 miles and from 6,253 to 9,717 feet above sea level. These hiking trails lead you to outdoor parks, lakeside sunbathing areas, granite cliffs, swimming opportunities, nature preserves, wildlife and stunning views.
My personal favorite hiking trails in South Lake include Emerald Bay State Park, Sand Harbor Beach and Secret Cove. Emerald Bay State Park offers a challenging hike, great views of the entire lake, picnic benches, swimming, boating, bird-watching and historic buildings which can be found throughout the park. This hike can be however short or long. But keep in mind that there will be a lot of steep hills to get down by the lake. Sand Harbor Beach is a moderate hike with access to the beach for swimming and kayaking, beautiful plants, flat trails and rock climbing in the water. Some of the most gorgeous views of the rocks and clear water can be found here. Secret Cove is an easy hike with the most stunning views of the clear water and probably the most insta-worthy spot. Beware that this spot is clothing optional. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Skiing
With its sunny skies, gorgeous mountain scenery and a relaxed California attitude, Lake Tahoe is one of the most desirable ski destinations in North America. There’s options for skiing both in South Lake and North Lake and like I said before, it just depends on what atmosphere and level of intensity you’re looking for. I’m not a skier myself, but my boyfriend is and absolutely loves coming here to ski.
Heavenly Mountain Resort is the best place to ski in South Lake offering skiing, snowboarding, biking as well as lodging and restaurants all in one place.
The terrain varies on this mountain with 97 trails ranging from wide-open cruisers to 1,600 foot chutes. The mountain also offers nine high-speed lifts, 4,800 skiable acres (the most in Tahoe), 3,500 vertical feet and is 10,067 feet in elevation, the highest in Tahoe all together. The average snowfall is 360 inches per year and now with the help of the epic mountain virtual assistant “Emma” you can just text hi to 77477 and ask questions about the weather parking, ski and ride school, rentals and dining. All ticket prices vary and can be found here.
Palisades Tahoe is THE place to ski for those obsessed with hitting the slopes.
You simply will not be disappointed with these trails. With over 100 trails ranging from beginner to expert, you’ll be able to find your sweet spot and some epic views no matter what you choose. The most famous trails are the hike-to back bowls including Beaver Bowl, Estelle Bowl and Grouse Ridge. The website provides a detailed weather tracker to stay on top of conditions which can be tracked here. Make sure to take advantage of your time at Palisades Tahoe where you’ll find a cozy lodge with crackling fireplaces, elevated dining with insane mountain views and signature fun events to join.
Tahoe Tastings Cruise
One of the best ways to experience beautiful Lake Tahoe is to be directly on it. The Tahoe Tastings Cruise is one of the first activities I tried in Lake Tahoe and it’s still one of the best and most memorable. Tahoe Tastings offers 2-hour, small group, semi-private tours, with wine tasting of Northern California’s wines. You also have the option to customize your own booking to celebrate a special event. They offer midday, afternoon and sunset cruises. I highly recommend taking a sunset cruise! Tours will be aboard the beautiful “Golden Rose,” a one-of-a-kind 1953 Chris Craft Venetian Water Taxi and will begin at the Tahoe Keys Marina in South Lake Tahoe, California circling Emerald Bay.
On the 2-hour cruise you’ll get 8 wine tastings from various regions in Northern California. They offer charcuterie platters which include cheese, salami, fresh fruit, dried fruit and crackers. You’re also welcome to bring your own snacks aboard. If you like any of the wines you tried, you can buy a bottle at the end to take home! We bought a bottle and a gold deer-head wine-pourer, that we still use until this day. Tickets for the cruises range from $65-$95 per person.
Casinos
Although Lake Tahoe is about 451 miles form Las Vegas, The Nevada state-line is right next to Tahoe, making it a convenient walk over to the Casinos right from The Shops at Heavenly Village. You can check out the Hard Rock Hotel, Montbleu Resort, Crystal Bay Casino and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Hotel. Nothing like a few watered-down cocktails and slot machines after hitting the slopes all day.
Is Lake Tahoe worth visiting?
Having been to Lake Tahoe 7 times during various parts of the year, I can honestly say its one of my favorite places on earth! For a little extra exploring while you’re there, don’t forget to pop over to Tahoe City or Kings Beach.
I hope you found this Lake Tahoe vacation guide helpful and are excited to experience all that Lake Tahoe has to offer. There’s so many amazing things to do, see and explore, so whether you like adventure, relaxation or a mix of both, you’ll love it here.
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