Where to base yourself
South Lake Tahoe and Stateline. The largest town, with most of the hotels, the Heavenly Gondola, cruise piers and, just over the Nevada line, casinos and shows.
Tahoe City and the west shore. Smaller and quieter, with old-Tahoe lodges, lakeside restaurants and easy access to Emerald Bay and Palisades Tahoe.
North shore (Kings Beach, Incline Village). Sandy beaches, clear water and a family feel; Incline Village on the Nevada side is the closest base to Sand Harbor.
Truckee. A characterful mountain town 20 minutes from the lake, well placed for the northern ski resorts and for arrivals by train.
Food & drink
Expect hearty mountain cooking — burgers, steaks, wood-fired pizza and big breakfasts — alongside a growing number of ambitious restaurants in Truckee and Tahoe City. Lakeside decks are the place for a drink at sunset; several have their own piers. Supermarkets in South Lake Tahoe and Truckee are the place to stock up for picnics and self-catering.
Money-saving and safety tips
- Buy lift tickets online in advance: walk-up prices at the big resorts are much higher, especially at weekends and holidays.
- Midweek stays are markedly cheaper than weekends in both summer and winter.
- At around 1,900 m (6,200 ft) the sun is strong and you may tire quickly on the first day. Drink plenty of water.
- The lake is cold enough to cause cold-water shock within minutes. Wear a life jacket when paddling and stay close to shore.
- Black bears live around the lake. Never leave food in a car or outside, and use bear-proof bins.
Sample plans
One day
- Emerald Bay viewpoints first thing
- Walk down to Vikingsholm
- Afternoon on a south-shore beach
- Sunset cruise
Two days
- Day one as above
- Drive the west and north shores to Tahoe City and Kings Beach
- Afternoon at Sand Harbor, returning down the Nevada side
Winter weekend
- A day skiing at Heavenly or Palisades Tahoe
- The Heavenly Gondola for the view
- An evening in Truckee or Stateline
Where to stay in Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe has the widest range of hotels within walking distance of the gondola, the beach and the cruise piers. For a quieter stay, look at Tahoe City on the west shore.
