Discover North America’s Largest Alpine Lake: Year-Round Visit to Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe, situated in the Sierra Nevada mountains of northeastern California, is the largest alpine lake in North America. The sparkling blue waters, towering mountains, fresh pine-scented air, rocky shorelines, and clear skies, all at an elevation of 6,225 feet, establish Lake Tahoe as a premier destination year-round. During the winter, snow sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, draw visitors to the ski resorts, while summer brings an array of outdoor activities like swimming, boating, hiking, camping, biking, and nature walks for enthusiastic travelers.

Lake Tahoe is divided between two states. An imaginary north-south line separates the lake, with the eastern third belonging to Nevada and the western side to California. Additionally, this division helps to categorize the areas into North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe South, aiding in trip planning. Most air travelers arrive at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, located approximately 60 miles northeast of Lake Tahoe; the surrounding Reno-Tahoe Territory doubles as an attractive destination.

Time Zone

Pacific Standard Time Zone (adjusted seasonally to Daylight Savings Time)

Best Time to Go

Lake Tahoe attracts visitors year-round, with winter sports enthusiasts flocking for skiing and snowboarding, while summer offers pristine beaches and boating opportunities. Crisp and clear conditions during spring and fall further highlight the area as an extraordinary getaway. The winter season, lasting from late November to late March, invites ski resorts to receive eager snow sports followers, making winter a celebrated time at Lake Tahoe. Conversely, summer vacations center on warm weather and clear waters, with visitors taking full advantage of marinas, resort atmospheres, golf courses, and camping spots. Spring and fall are perfect for exploring the scenic hiking paths and beautiful drives circling the lake. Irrespective of the season, Lake Tahoe boasts dazzling first-class hotels that accommodate visitors.

Things to Know

Lake Tahoe encompasses three major regions: South Lake Tahoe, North Lake Tahoe, and Reno-Tahoe. Here are essential insights into each destination:

South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe, often referred to as Tahoe South, features the largest city around the lake situated on the California side. Downtown brims with shopping, dining options, bars, and a walkable Heavenly Village. Meanwhile, the Nevada side offers a vibrant nightlife, diverse dining, and entertainment within four casino resorts.

North Lake Tahoe

Characterized by its dramatic granite boulder coastlines, North Lake Tahoe is home to quaint towns in both California and Nevada. Recognized for its tranquility and nature-centric appeal, North Lake Tahoe presents casino experiences, entertainment, and a variety of accommodation options.

Reno-Tahoe

This area, regarded as the Reno-Tahoe Territory, comprises mountains, meadows, bustling cities, historic towns, casinos, and opportunities for outdoor adventures. The vibrant city of Reno, known as “The Biggest Little City in the World,” boasts numerous casinos, restaurants, nightlife, educational museums, and a calendar full of year-round events.

A few fun facts about Lake Tahoe include:

• The scenic drive around the lake extends 72 miles.
• Lake Tahoe’s tap water has received recognition as the best-tasting in the United States.
• The 1960 Winter Olympics took place at Lake Tahoe’s Squaw Valley, now recognized as Palisades Tahoe, honoring Native American women.

How to Get Around

Traveling from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, the North Lake Tahoe Express provides year-round transportation services to the North Lake Tahoe-Truckee region with local connections. Additionally, the South Tahoe Airporter supplies door-to-door service to various hotels and residences in South Lake Tahoe. The RTC bus service connects to downtown Reno and Carson City, facilitating further connections to other destinations.

Tahoe Truckee area Regional Transport offers bus transport within the North Lake Tahoe region, while the Tahoe Transportation System manages multiple bus routes in South Lake Tahoe.

Most prominent resorts operate free shuttle services to and from the ski slopes during winter. It’s advisable to consult your hotel for shuttle schedules and availability.

Best Hotels

South Lake Tahoe

Edgewood Tahoe

Address: 180 Lake Parkway
Stateline, Nevada 89449
Phone: 888 881-8659
Website

This luxurious five-star lakeside resort features a world-class spa, remarkable views, sandy beaches, upscale and casual dining options, heated outdoor pools, and a championship golf course. It also hosts the annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. During the ski season, on-site ski butlers assist with snowboarding and skiing gear delivery to guest accommodations, and a ski shuttle transports skiers to nearby Heavenly Mountain.

The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa

Address: 4104 Lakeshore Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, California 96150
Phone: 530 541-5263
Website

This resort, positioned by the lake, features a full-service spa, heated outdoor pool, and semi-private beach, catering to year-round guests. Minutes from Heavenly Village, it offers winter skiing and summer sightseeing via Gondola. Guests can enjoy California-inspired cuisine at Jimmy’s restaurant within private dining alcoves, some equipped with cozy fireplaces.

Zalanta Resort at the Village

Address: 4101 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, California 96150
Phone: 866 331-6944
Website

This luxurious resort features two, three, and four-bedroom residences, complete with gourmet kitchens, spacious living areas, private balconies, a fitness center, a pool, and a hot tub. Situated just steps from Heavenly Gondola, Zalanta also provides easy access to shopping, dining, a skating rink, mini-golf, a movie theater, live music venues, and Stateline casinos.

Basecamp South Lake Tahoe

Address: 4143 Cedar Avenue
South Lake Tahoe, California 96150
Phone: 530 208-0180
Website

Located centrally in South Lake Tahoe, just a five-minute walk from the lake and Heavenly Gondola, this boutique hotel features 73 rooms, including a mountain view suite and family room that hosts up to eight guests. The property boasts a courtyard, picnic deck, and beer garden with cornhole, table tennis, and fire pits, perfect for roasting s’mores.

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe

Address: 15 Highway 50
Stateline, Nevada 89449
Phone: 800 427-7247
Website

With 512 rooms across 18 stories, this hotel offers luxurious suites alongside deluxe standard accommodations featuring soundproof walls, blackout curtains, and lake or mountain vistas. Guests can enjoy an indoor pool, a spa, and a 24-hour casino filled with table games, slots, video poker, and more.

North Lake Tahoe

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

Address: 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court
Truckee, California 96161
Phone: 530 562-3000
Website

Situated around 15 minutes from the lake, this luxury resort provides guest rooms, suites, and slopeside residences featuring two to four bedrooms. Ideal for families, the ski-in/ski-out venue includes fine dining, a casual café, bars, and Highlands Spa, perfect for relaxation after a day filled with skiing or hiking. During summer, guests may utilize shuttle services to access the exclusive Lake Club, catering to water activities.

Northstar California Resort

Address: 100 Northstar Drive
Truckee, California 96161
Phone: 800 466-6784
Website

This family-centric resort sprawls across more than 3,000 acres, showcasing 19 lifts, a cross-country center, ice skating, fat tire biking, and a vertical drop of 2,280 feet of prime alpine terrain for winter sports enthusiasts. Summer guests can indulge in various outdoor activities such as swimming, golf, and hiking. The resort provides a diverse range of accommodations, from private homes to condos and lodges, suitable for budgets of all types.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino

Address: 111 Country Club Drive
Incline Village, Nevada 89451
Phone: 775 832-1234
Website

This picturesque waterfront resort is set amidst towering pine trees and the exquisite Sierra Nevada mountains, featuring spacious accommodations, including suites and private waterfront cottages. Amenities encompass a casino, a spa, a sandy beach, a year-round lagoon-style pool, and a diverse selection of restaurants and lounges, with beachfront dining options available during summer months.

PlumpJack Inn

Address: 1920 Squaw Valley Road
Olympic Valley, California 96146
Phone: 800 323-7666
Website

This pet-friendly lodge-style retreat near the north coast offers 55 guest rooms and suites, exceptional dining experiences, and direct proximity to the Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram providing ski-in/ski-out access during the winter season. In the warmer months, guests can relax by the outdoor swimming pool and enjoy complimentary bike rentals while exploring nearby hiking trails.

Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort

Address: 6834 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe Vista, California 96148
Phone: 530 546-9500
Website

With stunning views of the lake, patio spaces, cozy furnishings, and spacious suites equipped with conveniences like refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers, this lakefront boutique resort is a favorite among families. Family-friendly one-bedroom forest-side cabins with individual decks are also available. Amenities include access to hydro-bikes, paddleboards, kayaks, fire pits, BBQ grills, hot tubs, and nearby hiking trails.

Reno-Tahoe

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

Address: 3800 S. Virginia Street
Reno, Nevada 89502
Phone: 775 825-4700
Website

This upscale resort is located in the lively entertainment district of South Reno. It features a variety of accommodations, including rooms and suites with stellar city views, a casino, a spa, a salon, a fitness center, and pools—both indoor and seasonal outdoor, equipped with lounges. In addition, the Atlantis Fun Center provides arcade games, music, and prizes. The dining experience is extensive, featuring steakhouses, sushi bars, delis, cocktail lounges, and casual eateries.

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

Address: 2707 S. Virginia Street
Reno, Nevada 89502
Phone: 866 821-9996
Website

This expansive resort offers various accommodations, from Peppermill Tower Suites to Spa Suites and Tuscany Tower rooms, featuring private entries and an array of mountain and city views. The dining selection ranges from Bimini Steakhouse to Oceano seafood offerings, as well as lively cocktail lounges and casual bistros. The plush casino boasts classic gaming options and a Sports Book while live entertainment beckons nightly.

Best Restaurants

South Lake Tahoe

Edgewood Restaurant

Address: 180 Lake Parkway
Stateline, Nevada 89449
Phone: 855 681-0119

With breathtaking lake views, this upscale restaurant provides an exquisite dining experience with an extensive wine selection and a menu that includes options from prime beef to smoked elk loin and pan-seared branzino. Excellent service complements the gorgeous, elegantly designed interior, especially during sunset.

Cafe Fiore

Address: 1169 Ski Run Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, California 96150
Phone: 530 541-2908

This intimate eatery offers generous servings of traditional and contemporary Italian dishes. The menu showcases inventive pasta selections like Fettuccine alla Calabrese, enhanced by artichokes, pine nuts, olives, and broccoli, alongside seafood and classic Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Ciera Steak and Chophouse

Address: 55 US-50
Stateline, Nevada 89449
Phone: 775 588-3515

This elegant establishment serves steaks, chops, seafood, and vegetarian dishes, all paired with an extensive selection of wines and champagnes. Ciera Steak and Chophouse features Prix Fixe options and menu highlights such as lobster tails, Alaskan king crab, and Filet Oscar.

North Lake Tahoe

Christy Hill

Address: 115 Grove Street
Tahoe City, California 96145
Phone: 530 583-8551

Perched just above the shoreline, Christy Hill offers magnificent views of Lake Tahoe from every table and delights diners with Modern American cuisine infused with Mediterranean flavors. Shared plates of house-marinated olives or Country Pork and Pistachio Pâté kick off meals, which include entrées like California Black Cod and Moroccan Spiced Lamb Loin.

Lone Eagle Grille

Address: 111 Country Club Drive
Incline Village, Nevada 89451
Phone: 775 886-6899

Lone Eagle Grille showcases seasonal high-Sierra cuisine while offering picturesque views of Lake Tahoe through panoramic windows. Dine in a cozy environment complete with wooden beams and a stone fireplace, along with seasonal outdoor dining. Sample dishes include Linguini Bolognese, Bone-in Niman Ranch Pork Chop, and Angus Beef Short Rib, complemented by excellent dessert and wine options.

Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar

Address: 10142 Rue Hilltop Road
Truckee, California
Phone: 530 587-5711

Set in a historic ski lodge from 1928, Cottonwood combines a delightful atmosphere with a menu showcasing farm-fresh cuisine for dinner and weekend brunch. From small plates to salads, sandwiches, burgers, and entrées like New Zealand lamb, Braised Pork Shank, and Vegan Meatloaf, the offerings also cater to kids.

Reno-Tahoe

Fourk Kitchen

Address: 4991 S. Virginia Street, Suite B
Reno, Nevada 89502
Phone: 775 870-1000

Fourk Kitchen introduces a unique dining experience, operating Wednesday through Saturday for one nightly seating of 24 for a four-course dinner. Happy Hour begins at 5:30 PM, with dinner served at 6:15 PM, priced at $49. The menu evolves monthly, featuring dishes like Porcini Mushroom Ravioli with Roasted Garlic Pesto, Roasted Chicken Breast, and Tres Leches Chocolate Espresso Mousse.

The Grill at Quail Corners

Address: 6520 S. McCarran Boulevard
Reno, Nevada 89509
Phone: 775 827-6262

This family-owned establishment serves lunch, dinner, and happy hour, with an extensive menu featuring appetizers, salads, pizza, seafood, and classic entrées like Steak Frites, Cedar Plank Salmon, and Cioppino.

Von Bismarck

Address: 805 South Wells Avenue
Reno, Nevada 89502
Phone: 775 622-3687

Within the menu focus on German and Eastern European dishes, diners can indulge in Schnitzels, Berliner Curry Fries, and house-fermented sauerkraut. Numerous varieties of German beers and wines from Germany and Austria are also available.

Things to do

Winter sports abound, encompassing skiing, snowboarding, sledding, cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and fat-tire biking from November through April. Ski resorts serve all skill levels and budgets, particularly enticing for enthusiasts in North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe South.

For those visiting in summer, numerous beaches adorn the shores of Lake Tahoe, such as Pope Beach, Sand Harbor, Baldwin Beach, El Dorado Beach & Boat Ramp, and Kiva Beach.

Hiking: Lake Tahoe is home to hiking trails catering to various fitness levels, enticing both visitors and locals in Tahoe South and North Lake Tahoe. Day hiking adventures are also available on Tahoe Rim Trail.

Camping: Campgrounds can be discovered in North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe South. The Lake Tahoe region includes multiple state parks with campgrounds, including Emerald Bay State Park, Washoe Meadows State Park, and Lake Valley State Recreation Area.

Golf: Summer witnesses an array of golf courses across North Lake Tahoe, Tahoe South, and Reno.

Sand Harbor State Park, popular in summer, offers picnicking, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming, while also hosting the annual Shakespeare Festival.

Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s offers world-class entertainment amidst stunning landscapes, typically from July through September.

Casinos and gambling entertainment thrive on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe and in Reno. Establishments can be found in North Lake Tahoe, Tahoe South, and Reno.

Delve into the history of Lake Tahoe at local museums and exhibits, many of which are seasonal:

• Gatekeeper’s Museum, once the residence of the Watermaster of Fanny Bridge, dates back to the early 1900s. Watson Cabin Museum, built in 1908, and the Marion Steinbach Basket Museum, featuring handcrafted Native American baskets, are also highlights.
• Vikingsholm, situated in Emerald Bay State Park, represents one of the earliest summer homes in Lake Tahoe, initially built during the 1860s; the building is accessible from June to September.
• The Lake Tahoe Historical Museum exhibits artifacts from various groups, including pioneers, trappers, traders, miners, and the Washoe, the region’s first inhabitants.
• The Tallac Historic Site provides guided tours of a historical residence from the 1920s.

Best Shopping

The Shops at Heavenly Village

Address: 1001 Heavenly Village Way
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

With over 40 shops in an outdoor ambiance, this vibrant shopping destination offers clothing, accessories, jewelry, art, winter sports gear, gifts, toys, and candy. Visitors can also enjoy an ice rink, a cinema, live theater, and dining options ranging from pizza to sushi.

Boatworks at Lake Tahoe

Address: 760 N. Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City, CA 96145
Phone: 530 288-4999

Accessible by both land and water, Boatworks features a variety of shops presenting clothing, accessories, jewelry, wines, home decor, sweets, souvenirs, and toys. The shopping area offers impressive views of the lake, complemented by two waterfront dining establishments.

Chateau at the Village

Address: 4125 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Shoppers can find everything from clothing to souvenirs, Lake Tahoe-themed gifts, toys, metal art, and resort attire. The Bonanza Boot & Leather store features Old West-style gear and cowboy-themed footwear, while dining options encompass Ace High Saloon and McP’s Taphouse Grill.

Shayden Summit – Reno

Address: 13925 South Virginia Street
Reno, Nevada 89511
Phone: 775 853-7800

This expansive shopping center hosts a luxury movie theater with stadium seating and plush lounges, offering a mix of restaurants, boutiques, and major retailers, including Apple, Dillard’s, Lucky Brand Jeans, Old Navy, and Pottery Barn.

Downtown Truckee in North Lake Tahoe boasts a wealth of shops, ranging from clothing and accessories to art, sports equipment, jewelry, gifts, and gourmet foods. Visitors can grab a bite at coffee shops, pizzerias, burger joints, seafood places, or even check out local breweries along the way.

Neighborhoods to Know

Incline Village, located on the north shore in Nevada, features numerous hotels, restaurants, casinos, lakeside mansions, Lake Tahoe State Park, and Sand Harbor. This thriving town is a hotspot for beachgoers in the summer and skiers in the winter.

Truckee is a charming mountain town about half an hour from the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. The area retains its heritage and historic culture while hosting a bustling shopping district. Here, visitors can find the Donner Monument, a commemoration of the renowned Donner Party pioneers.

Tahoe City, positioned along the lake’s western shores, offers numerous restaurants, bars, beaches, and provides access to the Truckee River and Lake Tahoe Dam.

Kings Beach lies on the north shore, boasting shops, hotels, restaurants, the Kings Beach State Recreation Area, and popular beaches, perfecting summer water activities.

On the south shore, Stateline is renowned for its lively entertainment and casinos, attracting visitors for years due to legalized gambling. The area is dotted with hotels featuring nightclubs, world-class performers, premium amenities, and delightful dining. South Lake Tahoe, on the California side, encompasses both Emerald Bay State Park and Heavenly Ski Resort.

Weather

The climate is characterized by plentiful snowfall in winter and sunny, clear summers. Snowfall can start as early as October and lasts through April, with December, January, and February standing out with significant accumulation, averaging 12 inches or more each month, according to WeatherSpark. Summer showcases dry conditions with minimal precipitation; even warm days can yield notably cooler temperatures at night.