Lake Tahoe is a popular vacation and recreation region straddling the border between California and Nevada. The closest large city is Reno, Nevada.

Lake Tahoe is a beautiful, crystal-clear blue lake nestled among mountain peaks. During the summer, boating, camping, and hiking are popular activities. Winter sports are popular during the colder months (December-April).

Lake Tahoe has been a tourist destination since the turn of the 20th century, when steam trains and improving roads made it possible to visit with ease. The 1960 Winter Olympics, held at Squaw Valley, popularized winter sports at Tahoe.

Activities

Ski Resorts

North Shore
 • Alpine - Although small, Alpine hosts enough variety in its terrain to satisfy any level of skier. Alpine also features ticket prices significantly lower than its competitors.
 • Homewood - Small resort located directly on the lake south of Tahoe City.
 • Northstar
 • Squaw Valley - Skier's paradise, a former Olympic village. It's oversized reputation also presents a downside: overbearing crowds that even a mountain the size of Squaw can't handle.

South Shore
 • Heavenly - Located on the state line (so half casinos, half not). Beginner-friendly.
 • Kirkwood - Located about 45 minutes from South Lake Tahoe. Off the beaten path, but not as crowded as Sierra at Tahoe or Heavenly.
 • Sierra at Tahoe

Nevada
 • Diamond Peak - Family-friendly resort with slopes for all ski levels.
 • Mount Rose - Highest base elevation in the Tahoe Basin.

Beyond Donner Pass
If you are heading east from the Bay Area, you have some skiing choices. These resorts are all on Highway 80 going East, before you hit Donner Pass.
 • Boreal
 • Royal Gorge
 • Sugar Bowl

Hiking
There are several parks along the shore and nearby, including Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay. There are also many trail in the nearby Desolation Wilderness including Mount Tallac Trail.

Beaches
Sand Harbor, northeast shore.

Boat trips
Several charter services offer boat tours to the mansions that dot the lake shore.

Year-Round Activities
Gambling is a popular activity year-round. There are also bicycle and boat rentals (both canoes and power boats) available in South Lake Tahoe.

Rentals
You can rent skiing or snowboarding equipment directly at the mountain. However, to save money and increase your available choices, you might want to rent from one of the many Ski Shops in the Tahoe Area. You can also rent from REI, Any Mountain, and Marmot Mountain Works in the Bay Area (and probably other places too).

Lodging

Hotels are, of course, an option. Book in advance, especially in the winter or summer seasons. You can get a room for as cheap as $30/night in South Lake Tahoe, or spend several hundred dollars a night for a large cabin that can hold a dozen people.

Homeowners in the area do a brisk business renting/leasing out their cabins for the winter and summer seasons. They vary in price from $800/mo for a 1-room condo, to $3,000/mo and up for 4 bedroom houses with hot tubs and other amenities. Leases are advertised with real estate agencies as well as in the local papers.
 • Packard Realty Resorts, Three resorts to choose from right on Lake Tahoe