There are two airports that serve the Lake Tahoe area. While the Reno/Tahoe Airport is probably more convenient for most travelers, the Sacramento airport is also a good option.
Distance to Tahoe City
From Reno/Tahoe Airport: 50 miles - approximately one hour
From Sacramento Airport: 118 miles - approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Distance to Stateline, NV
From Reno/Tahoe Airport: 53 miles - approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
From Sacramento Airport: 114 miles - approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Both sides of the Lake offer families a wonderful experience and you won't be disappointed no matter which side you choose. However, there are some subtle differences between the North and South Shores: The North Shore offers a little more low-key atmosphere with smaller towns and a slower pace of life. The South Shore is the more populated side of the Lake, though still offering a small town atmosphere, it is definitely at a bit faster pace, and if you are here for the gaming, then the South Shore is the way to go.
These sites offer some good basic information about Parks, recreation, and weather in Lake Tahoe. They are a great way to start planning your vacation.
For things to do in the Summer time - I think that the beaches on the South Shore cannot be beat - and the sun goes down a little later here, so your days are a little longer. I particularly love the beaches on the South/West shore from Pope to Baldwin beach. They offer long sandy expanses. However, if you want to bring your boat up you can't do that on any of them except Ebrights/Ski beach at the far end (North end) of Baldwin beach.
These sites offer some choices for where to dine in Lake Tahoe - I don't know about the reviews, but at least it is somewhere to start.
My personal favorites are:
Breakfast - Fire Sign Café in Tahoe City and the Driftwood Café in South Lake Tahoe/Stateline.
Lunch- Anywhere on the Lake is my choice in the summer or winter. But there are also some good local favorites included below.
On the North Shore - Garwood's and Sunnyside are always good choices. For other casual choices the Wild Alaskan Fish Company in Incline, and the Blue Onion (lunch or dinner) are great.
On the South Shore - The Beacon (at Camp Richardson), Freshie's (not so great with kids), Sprouts (great with kids), and the restaurant behind the casinos at the Lakeside Marina are all good choices.
Dinner-
Without kids:
North Shore:
Lone Eagle Grille at the Hyatt in Incline (good lunch or dinner). Beautiful lakefront site with a lovely dining room and an interesting menu. Great après ski or in the summer.
PlumpJack's and the Balboa Cafe in Squaw Valley. A little piece of San Francisco comes to Tahoe.
Jake's on the Lake - Consistently good food on the lake.
The West Shore Café and Inn - All new dining experience in Homewood. Expensive but worth it.
South Shore:
Edgewood at the Edgewood Golf Course in Stateline. Beautiful location on the lake. Food is consistently good.
The Sage Room at Harvey's Casino - great steakhouse with old Tahoe atmosphere. No view. Start at a view restaurant for drinks and then come downstairs.
Café Fiore - Quaint dining - especially nice in the winter. Good wine list.
The Christiana Inn - Beautiful newly redone dining room, good menu, great après ski. Located right next to Heavenly.
Naked Fish - Great sushi!
With the Kids:
If you want to go somewhere fun for dinner and not stress about the kids - Sam's Beach Club in the Round Hill Mall is great. It has decent food and tons of toys for the kids to play with - you can basically let them go and then just clean up the mess afterward.
Edgewood has outside dining in the summer at its bar - the kids can run around on the golf course and you can enjoy a cocktail and a view. The only bummer is no kids menu.
Yes. Tahoe does get some pretty significant storms, so it is best to carry chains when traveling in the High Sierras.
Most of Tahoe's mountains offer family programs and ski schools, but these are the standouts:
On the North Shore - NorthStar at Tahoe's family ski program consistently gets rated well by Ski Magazine and other sources. The tiny Diamond Peak in Incline is also extremely family friendly and perfect for first-timers.
On the South Shore - Heavenly's ski program is great. It offers tons of instruction and a special ski school area away from the crowds. If you want to travel a little off the beaten path, you can try Sierra at Tahoe which also has a good program.
- Snowshoe - You can pretty much snow shoe anywhere you can hikeit's like hiking in heavy shoes - great exercise and a beautiful way to spend the day. Bike trails are a great place to snow shoe and enjoy a not so vigorous "walk."
- Ice Skate - There are many rinks around Tahoe and this is super fun for kids and adults.
- Sledding/Tubing - Again, many places around the Lake to enjoy this activity. Beware, however, every year there are sledding accidents because people underestimate the danger - helmets are advised.
- Drive around the Lake, stop for lunch, cocoa, etc.
- Go to the movies
- Go to one of the indoor recreation centers around the Lake.
- Shopping: Go shopping in Truckee cute little town with great shopping and eating; or at the Heavenly Center at Stateline a brand new center with some cool shops and eateries; or visit the Squaw Valley Village another great venue for wandering.
- Go see some great entertainment at the casinos - the showrooms offer a wonderful small venue to see some big name acts.
- Go to a spa - The Resort at Squaw Creek, The Hyatt in Incline, The Reflections spa at Harrah's, and Trilogy Spa at the Village in Squaw Valley are all good options.
- Go on a carriage or dogsled ride.
Tahoe is great in the summer - in fact, it's my favorite season. Of course, there are the beaches which offer endless fun in the water and the sun. There is hiking, biking, etc. Don't miss the Fourth of July in Tahoe and of course, don't miss seeing Emerald Bay.
Again, my top 10:
- Boating - Tahoe is beautiful. Get out on the water whether you rent a boat or just take a tour on one of the many boats offering cruises, this is a great thing to do.
- Biking - Almost the entire Lake has a bike trail - all except the East Shore - so biking is a great way to get around. There is a particularly beautiful stretch from Tahoe City out toward Squaw that follows the Truckee River.
- Go river rafting. Whether you just want a float trip on the Truckee out of Tahoe City or a more exhilarating ride down the American River along Highway 50, this is fun for all ages. Go to www.truckeeriverraft.com or www.americanwhitewater.com for just two of the operators' sites.
- Hiking/backpacking - So many great hikes. Some of my favorites: Top of Mt. Tallac, Echo Lakes, Horsetail Falls, Marlette Lake, too many to name . Visit Tahoe's Best for a pretty good listing. If I didn't have little kids, I would do the Rim Trail. If your kids are old enough - go for it - you can gather stamps, so you don't have to do it all at once and I think at the end you get a patch.
- Go on a drive! Drive around the Lake. 72 blissful miles. Visit nearby Reno with its new art museum, kayak park, it's newly rejuvenated river walk, and its world class rodeo. Or, visit Genoa the first settlement in Nevada and home to the oldest bar in Nevada, not to mention a fun little town. For those who want a true mining town experience you can even make the trek to Virginia City - fun and campy for the kids.
- Mountain biking - Lots of great trails Tahoe's Best lists all sorts of biking information.
- Go to the Shakespeare festival at Sand Harbor. Bring a picnic, a small table, chairs, your fleece, and of course wine. People try to out do each other on the lavishness of their banquets - great fun. There is also food for sale. www.laketahoeshakespeare.com
- Golf. Great golf courses at Tahoe and in the Valley. My favorites are Edgewood and Genoa Lakes (in the Carson Valley).
- Go kayaking. There are lots of great rental places around the lake and this a wonderful way to see the lake. Emerald Bay and the beaches on the East Shore are especially picturesque.
- Go an see a concert at Harvey's outdoor stage or go see a show in one of the showrooms.
Yes, there are two main gambling spots: one on the North Shore in Carnelian Bay and at the larger casinos in the South Shore. The South Shore offers more variety and top-tier entertainment.
Dogs love it here, and many vacation rentals now offer pet-friendly accommodations.
