Incredible, extraordinary, breathtaking .no. No matter how hard you try, it will be difficult to find the right words to describe Lake Tahoe’s magnificence. Located on the border of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe has long been a favorite vacation spot, welcoming 2.7 million people annually. Visitors are drawn to Lake Tahoe, with its crystal clear waters, rugged granite cliffs, and towering peaks that have earned it a reputation as one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the United States. Beautiful Blue Lake is worth a visit on its own, and the surrounding area, known as Lake Tahoe, has dozens of excellent scenery and some of the best kayaking in North America.
But wait – there’s more. Lake Tahoe appears to have adopted the essential characteristics of its neighbors. You’ll find upscale San Francisco-style shops and restaurants on the north shore of the lake and opportunities to try your luck at the Reno-style casinos on the south shore. You’ll find many activities that Lake Tahoe is proud of, including mountain gondola rides, hot air balloon adventures, and scenic cruises at Mirror Waters.
Why go to Lake Tahoe?
Incredible, extraordinary, breathtaking. No matter how hard, it will be hard to find the words to do justice to the beauty of Lake Tahoe. Located on the border of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe has long been a favorite vacation spot, welcoming 2.7 million people annually. Visitors are drawn to Lake Tahoe, with its crystal clear waters, rugged granite cliffs, and towering peaks that have earned it a reputation as one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the United States. Beautiful Blue Lake is worth a visit on its own, and the surrounding area, known as Lake Tahoe, boasts miles of hiking trails, excellent scenery, and some of the best kayaking in North America.
But wait – there’s more. Lake Tahoe appears to have adopted the essential characteristics of its neighbors. You’ll find upscale San Francisco-style shops and restaurants on the north shore of the lake and opportunities to try your luck at the Reno-style casinos on the south shore. You’ll find many activities that Lake Tahoe is proud of, including mountain gondola rides, hot air balloon adventures, and scenic cruises at Mirror Waters.
What to eat
Whichever side of the state line you are on, you have various dining options at your fingertips. Sure, it’s easy to enjoy the hotel’s restaurants without leaving the hotel if you’re on a resort vacation, but it’s worth getting out and exploring. Undoubtedly, the food is extremely popular, and luckily, there are plenty of options for all budgets, from luxury to casual.
Jason’s Beachside Grill is a fun and relaxed beach spot located on Kings Beach in North Lake Tahoe. Recent visitors have appreciated the range of medications, affordable prices, and friendly staff. There is outdoor seating in the summer and live music on the weekends. If you are looking for fine dining, head to the Bistro in Incline Village. It offers a romantic setting with an ever-changing fixed-price menu, including classic French dishes such as snails and coq au vin. The chef procures local, seasonal, and organic meat and products.
A hearty breakfast is a must before setting out for a day of skiing or other outdoor adventures. A favorite in South Lake Tahoe is the Getaway Cafe, which serves “comfortable mountain cuisine.” Most everything is homemade, and the restaurant offers excellent Mexican breakfast specialties, such as fried chilaquiles filled with sour cream, avocado, and red onions, served with refried beans and two eggs. Sweet and sour French toast is another popular dish. Another great way to refuel for the day is the Driftwood Café. Eggs Benedict and fried cheddar are signature dishes.
The area also gets its fair share of food, wine, and beer festivals like Tahoe Brew fest in June, Brews, Jazz & Funk Fest in August, and Lake Tahoe Food & Wine Festival in September. Craft beer enthusiasts may want to check out the North Lake Tahoe Ale Trail. The tourist office has a handy online map that offers more than a dozen places to quench your thirst and sample local beer and food. There is also a Tahoe South Beer Trail with another handy map. All the suggested places offer a great way to relax after a day on the slopes.
Travel around Lake Tahoe
The best way to get around Lake Tahoe is by car. With over 70 miles of shoreline on the lake alone, you will find it more convenient to have your wheelset. You can rent a car at Reno / Tahoe International Airport (RNO), approximately 50 miles northeast of Tahoe City. To get from the airport to your accommodation in Tahoe, rent a car, take a taxi (public transport services, Uber and Lyft, also operate in the area) or take a shuttle. South Tahoe Airport offers frequent travel between Reno Airport and six South Lake Tahoe resorts for less than $ 30 per person. Meanwhile, the North Lake Tahoe Express offers service between the Reno Airport and the North Lake Tahoe-Truckee area for less than $ 50 each way per person. An urban bus connects the airport to the center of Reno but runs only from Monday to Friday.
Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) operates a public bus service only around the North Shore. Free shuttles are available between South Lake Tahoe casinos and ski resorts.
Cars
Due to Lake Tahoe’s size and fairly limited public transportation, you’ll find that having a car offers better exploration. To get a feel for the area, drive along Highway 89 (also referred to as Highway 50 and Highway 28 in some sections). Seventy-two miles of trails surround the lake. You will, of course, spend a little more on gas, but it’s worth it. When visiting winter, be aware that parts of Highway 89 may be closed due to snow. Check the weather before going out. The California Department of Transportation provides an updated road condition report.
Shuttle
Many casinos, motels, and ski areas in South Lake Tahoe are connected by various travel services operated by companies such as Discover Lake Tahoe (the rate depends on the company and destination). But there’s a cheaper way to get around: Three ski areas (Heavenly Ski Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, and Sierra-at-Tahoe) offer free shuttle service between the slopes and hotels in South Lake Tahoe.
on foot or by bicycle
It’s simple to visit several of Lake Tahoe’s coastline settlements on foot or by bicycle. The Sierra Nevada mountains nearby provide a lot of hiking paths. Bring snowshoes and suitable shoes, of course. For additional details on the hiking and bicycling paths around Lake Tahoe, see the interactive map provided by the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition. It’s simple to visit several of Lake Tahoe’s coastline settlements on foot or by bicycle. The Sierra Nevada mountains nearby provide a lot of hiking paths. Bring snowshoes and suitable shoes, of course. For additional details on the hiking and bicycling paths around Lake Tahoe, see the interactive map provided by the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition.
