Lake Tahoe is a gorgeous freshwater lake located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. It is located in the United States and lies state line between California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe is a very popular tourist attraction and is admired for the clarity and beauty of its waters.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Tahoe is stunning year-round. The best time to visit all depends on the type of trip you’re planning and the activities you want to do. In the winter, you can expect all and every snow activity you can think of. Skiing, snowboarding, are super popular and these are lots of great sleighing and tubing locations throughout Tahoe. In the summer, Tahoe has gorgeous swimming and beach locations and peaceful hike trails to enjoy.
WEATHER
Tahoe’s weather is similar to any other California mountain weather. Summers are warm and sunny. The temperature in Tahoe ranges during its summer months between the ’60s and ’80s. Winters in Tahoe can get pretty cold for California with temperatures typically in the 20’s and 30’s. Fall and Spring experience a nice in between but it all depends on the month you arrive. Tahoe does experience some rain but check your forecast before arrival. Snowstorms during winter are common and usually bring in a large amount of snow.
WHERE TO STAY
Tahoe is a massive area with lots of options when it comes to places to stay. There are a lot of incredible Airbnb home rentals to stay at while in Tahoe. An Airbnb in Tahoe will cost you a pretty penny. Tahoe is an expensive area so I recommend looking for an Airbnb on the outskirts of Tahoe. An Airbnb in Tahoe can cost you anywhere between $200-350 a night. Tahoe has some bed n breakfasts in the area that are really cute and definitely worth checking out!
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
South Lake Tahoe is a very touristy spot with lots of casinos and hotels. If you are staying in South Lake Tahoe, I recommend staying at the Grand Residences by Marriott in Heavenly Village Way or at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino right on the Stateline. South Lake Tahoe is very popular and is always crowded with tourists. South Lake Tahoe has almost a Las Vegas feel to it.
NORTH SHORE
North Shore is my favorite Tahoe area. It has that classic mountain escape vibe and is not crowded with tourists. I recommend North Shore if you want a relaxing peaceful destination.
EAST SHORE
East Shore is wonderful and is known for its National Forests and State Parks.
WEST SHORE
West Shore is full of small towns and camping sites. If you plan on camping here, make sure it is only at a camping site and that you made reservations far in advance. Tahoe is a popular destination, so it is definitely worth planning and making accommodations far in advance since it books up very quickly.
BUDGET
Tahoe is a pricey destination. There are budget-friendly activities and things to do but budget-wise it is not too budget-friendly. Check out my articles on how to save money while visiting Tahoe.
If you are trying to stick to a budget in Tahoe a big thing to consider is finding cheap accommodations to stay at. There are a few motels that can offer more budget-friendly lodging. If you can not find a place available or that is in your price range, then I’d recommended staying on the outskirts of Tahoe in a small town close by.
EATS
There are a ton of great eateries in Tahoe to chose from. Casinos in the area offer some great and wonderful buffets. The cost of food in Tahoe is pretty standard to what you’d expect anywhere. There are places that are budget-friendly and restaurants that range all the way up to expensive in the area.
THINGS TO DO
There are a ton of things to do. From backpacking to hiking to gambling to shopping, Tahoe has got you covered!
Popular activities in the summer include going to the beach (lake beaches), hiking, camping, and checking out casinos. There are a lot of water activities such as a boat tour which takes you around to all the popular beaches in the area. There are wonderful hiking spots such as the Rubicon Trail and Cascade Fall Trails. There are waterfalls in the area to check out such as Eagle Falls and Cascade Creek Falls. The water is perfect for parasailing, jet skiing, and paddleboarding as well as kayaking. There are also pretty scenic drives and viewpoints worth checking out.
In the winter you can expect to enjoy tubing, sleighing, skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating.
TIPS
- Since it is mountainy, make sure your car has all the requirements needed so you can safely drive here.
- Bring a camera, some of the locations here are world-famous!
- If you want to avoid the crowds like I do, come visit this place in the Spring and Fall. Most people visit in the Summer and Winter when Tahoe is at its busiest. So if you want to enjoy this place all to yourself, plan on vising in the Spring and Fall.
- Some of the locations will always be top tourist destinations and will be a bit on the crowded/ busy side no matter when you plan your visit, such as Emerald Bay. So if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle, come early in the morning.
- If camping, make sure you are staying at designated camping sites only.
- If backpacking, check to see if a permit is required.
- The air in Tahoe is dry here so make sure you are acclimating properly, staying hydrated, and applying a ton of lotion, your skin will thank you!