Lake Tahoe Offers a Special Experience for Visitors Seeking a Relaxing and Picturesque Destination – California and Nevada, United States
What is It- The Sierra Nevada Mountains located along the eastern edge of California and part of Nevada include peaks rising between 7,000 to 14,000 feet above sea level. The Sierra Nevada’s consist of granite and sedimentary rocks uplifted from the earth’s crust and tilted westward. One of the most beautiful skylines and landscapes of this region is the alpine valley, deep lake, and mountain area known as Lake Tahoe. Ever since settlers crossed the mountains on the way west and miners wandered in from the nearby gold fields, Lake Tahoe has been renowned for its cool green waters that provide clear views of objects up to 67 feet below the surface. Lake Tahoe is the third deepest lake in North America with a depth that reaches 1600 feet. It is fed by sixty-three streams that flow in but never reach the ocean, creating a permanent reservoir of up to 39 trillion gallons of water.
The area developed over time into a major recreation destination in the warmer months for water sports, kayaking, hiking, camping, fishing, rock climbing, and biking. In the winter, the surrounding mountains are full of world class ski resorts offering powdered snow, snowboarding, and other winter activities. Lake Tahoe attracts an estimated fifteen million visitors each year including day trippers and overnight guests staying in hotels, camping, or other lodgings. It is especially popular with millennial travelers since more than forty-one percent of the visitors are in the 21- to 39-year-old age group. Over sixty percent of the visitors are from California or other western states. The largest city around the lake is South Lake Tahoe with 21,000 permanent residents and offers guests everything from five-star resorts to upscale log cabins, and budget motels. The South Shore, which includes the downtown section of South Lake Tahoe on the Nevada side of the border, is most popular for people seeking entertainment, nightlife, restaurants, and gambling activity. North Lake Tahoe is known for having a quieter vibe and draws an older crowd to the small villages there such as Sunnyside and Kings Beach. The closest cities to Lake Tahoe located to the north are Truckee with 16.000 people and Reno with 250,000 people.
Things to See and Do at Lake Tahoe
There are many experiences worth pursuing at Lake Tahoe depending on whether you have just half a day to spend there, staying overnight, or seeking exercise. Here are a few to consider:
View Emerald Bay - The views of Emerald Bay from lookout points along the Mountain Road are well worth the 15-minute drive from South Lake Tahoe and the winding narrow paved road to get there. The bay is the most photographed section of the lake because of green forests and granite ledges towering above the calm waters of the blue bay. There are colorful sign boards explaining the sights and sometimes there are park rangers or volunteers at these locations to provide further information.
Hike and Bike- Lake Tahoe is renowned for having an extensive trail system and numerous locations suitable for hiking and biking. At the least, taking a walk or biking from South Lake Tahoe for a mile or two in any direction along the lakeside will give you a feel for the remarkable setting of the lake, the mountains, the beaches, and the skyline. At the most, the Tahoe Rim Trail provides a 165-mile loop around the entire Lake and there are many small segments that can be visited too. Bike rentals and hiking guides are available to assist you or lead such adventures.
Scenic Cruises- Another pleasant way to enjoy the lake is to take a three-hour cruise on a paddle wheeler for a scenic cruise around the lake by day or a dinner cruise in the evening. The paddleboat leaves from a dock on Route 50 north of Heavenly Village on the southeast side of the lake. The day cruise includes stops in Emerald Bay and usually the historic Vikingsholm mansion located on a small island nearby. The dinner cruise includes a buffet dinner with live music and drinks along with inside and outside seating to enjoy the sunsets and picturesque views.
Swimming and Boating- The deep and clear waters of the lake are cold, but water temperatures rise to about 72 degrees in the middle of the summer. People still enjoy kayaking and swimming on the small beaches scattered around the lake such as Zephyr Cover Beach, known for its clear waters.
Casinos and Entertainment- There are ten casinos in Lake Tahoe all on the Nevada side of the border with different themes and levels of resort services. These include major players in the industry such as Bally’s Lake Tahoe Casino Resort, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, and Caesar’s Republic Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino. In addition to the usual forms of gaming and sports books, some of the casinos host live bands, concerts, sporting events, and nightclubs.
When to Go Here- Weather-wise, for full enjoyment of the Lake’s outdoor features, the months from June to August are the best. The narrow and winding road leading into the alpine valley where South Lake Tahoe is located is best travelled during daylight hours and temperate weather. During fierce winter storms or wildfire incidents, the main road to South Lake Tahoe on Route 50 from Sacramento through the Eldorado National Forest can become impassable. The northern route along Interstate 80 from Sacramento or Reno to Truckee is usually fine but the local roads into the lake can be affected by the seasons. Every effort is made by the casinos and ski resorts to maintain access during the winter, but visitors should prepare for winter driving conditions and road closures by checking conditions in advance.