Centered on Yosemite as we are with the Hotel Charlotte in Groveland, California, we often feature routes and itineraries that cover areas where Travelers tend go when they leave Groveland, or are on their way to Groveland. We find that Lake Tahoe is one such destination that many of our guests are coming from or going to. We have traveled to Tahoe from all of the Sierra Nevada crossings including Highways 80, 50, 88 and 89, 4, 108, 120 and then North on 395 and offer up our favorite stops along the way. Our last trip was a 2-night sojourn to South Lake Tahoe. For our route there we took 49 to 50 into South Lake Tahoe. This took us 4 hours. Our return trip we took highway 89 out of South Lake Tahoe to Highway 88 into Jackson, passing Kirkwood ski area and several scenic alpinesque Lakes. From Jackson, we caught 49 South. This route was only 3 hours and 15 minutes and very scenic, far fewer towns and less traffic. Each of these routes is open year-round, plowed throughout the snow season. Alternative summer routes include Highway 4 which has some wonderful stops including Murphys (a wine tasting town), Calaveras Big Trees State Park, and the Scenic Byway section from Alpine Lake to Highway 89 near Markleevile that twists itself over the mountain (A slow and often narrow route, but very photographic.) Highway 108 is another option through the Sierras and rivals Yosemite's Tioga Pass for incredible scenery. Once in South Lake Tahoe we usually chose to stay at the smallest and friendliest casino hotel, Lakeside Lodge, (not actually on the Lake!) for convenience to the town with fair room rates, excellent menu choices and a small and comfortable casino. We also recommend a stay at the Zephyr Cove Resort, also on the Nevada side for the myriad of activities. One can ride horses, rent speed boats, canoes, kayak and sailboats from Zephyr Cove. In the winter there are oodles of snow activities that start from here. A drive around the Lake is a must do! Depending on the number of stops you make this scenic loop will take at least 2 hours and is roughly 95 miles. We tend to drive counter clockwise, although driving clockwise keeps you on the coastal side of the highway, Stop at every view point, all the little parks and take photos, splash in the water and talk to the fishermen about their successes; each enclave is unique. One of our favorite stops has always been the Ponderosa Ranch. For Bonanza fans, this was always a marvelous memory jogger. Sadly, the ranch sold and is now closed to the public. The ranch sported several age-old crafts men from the smithy to the glass blower. Crowd pleasers included a lassoer plying the audience with his artistry. Tahoe City and several other places along the Western short offer bicycle rentals. The riding trail borders both the Lake and the road. Watch for traffic as the trail crosses the highway in several points. This is a beautiful route on a paved bike path and is well used by families and sport riders alike. Just before returning to South Lake Tahoe is Emerald Bay where you will see the castle and the island-topped tea house. Both remote and lonely looking places, but stunning in that they even exist. Once back in South Lake Tahoe jump aboard the gondola to the top of Heavenly Mountain. This might be a bit uncomfortable for those with a weakness for heights and that awful falling feeling, but is well worth the few minutes with no ground below your feet. Victor enjoyed my reaction when he tried to rock our climbing cocoon. There are dozens of hikes that originate from the pinnacle and follow the ski trails. Take care to return to the Gondola before closing, it is a long walk down if you don't! Consider an even cruise on the paddle wheel boat, MS Dixie II that departs from Zephyr Cove. On our trip we opted for the dinner service, and while the meal was fair and we met some pleasant travelers at our table, if we were to do it again, we would just do the sight-seeing tour, skip the meal, save $20 per person and have a wonderful dinner landside after debarking! The cruise takes you across the Lake to Emerald Bay where we re-saw the sights of earlier in the day, but from a new vantage point. This cove is noted as one of the most photographed spots in the world;a well deserved title! Additional activities for a prolonged stay include an over-Lake hotair ballon ride, white water rafting on the Truckee river, Horse back riding, a side trip to Virginia City or Reno in Nevada and more! Look for valuable coupons at strategic hotel locations throughout the area.
Perched atop the Sierra Nevada is the world's second largest alpine Lake, Lake Tahoe. vacation rentals in Lake Tahoe are situated in the midst of all major attractions such as world-class ski resorts, magnificent golf courses and excellent casinos. Lake Tahoe vacation rentals offers you a wide range of vacation homes ranging from affordable vacation rental homes to luxurious condos in both the regions of North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe. Straddled by California and Nevada on each end, a vacation home in Lake Tahoe is the best way to enjoy a perfect vacation. Whether you are a water sport enthusiast or a skiing buff, a North Lake Tahoe vacation rental home will bring you closer to all the fabulous wonders of North Lake Tahoe. A South Lake Tahoe vacation rental is the best way to enjoy the glittering attractions of this beautiful region. Besides a renowned holiday spot, vacation rental in Lake Tahoe is also ideal for a wedding as it is a popular wedding destination. You can opt for a Lakefront vacation rental condo overlooking the breathtaking Lake Tahoe or an authentic 1920's mountain cabin with pine paneling and interiors that invoke an old world charm. Before you plan your holiday to Lake Tahoe, do make up your mind what is it that interests you more? If casinos and glittering entertainment is more your style then a vacation rental in South Lake Tahoe makes sense. Book a mountain cabin or a vacation rental home in North Lake Tahoe if you are drawn by the pristine natural beauty of the mountains in North Lake Tahoe. Aptly named the Mecca for skiers, Lake Tahoe luxury vacation rentals gives you easy access to over 17,000 acres at 7 ski resorts. Beach bums need not lose heart as the South Lake Tahoe vacation rentals will keep you occupied and entertained on the southern shores of Lake Tahoe. From lazing under the sun and surfing the waves during the day to taking a romantic stroll under the starlit sky or playing some poker at the casinos; South Lake Tahoe vacation rental home is sure to make a lasting impression on your mind and heart.
First of all Lake Tahoe is just one of those marvelous places to visit in the summertime as there are just so many wonderful things you can do and see. But imagine yourself floating over the Lake in a beautiful hot air balloon on a quiet summer morning or evening. What better place to see the vista from than a balloon. It turns out that there is a company that takes vacationers on rides in the Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley areas. The scenic tours can take from 4-16 passengers in the balloons which range in size from 140,000 cubic feet of volume up to 240,000 cubic feet of air volume. Tour companies that give hot air balloon rides work only with the newest and most modern balloon equipment. Flights typically depart shortly after sunrise as this is when the earth is still cool and winds are calm. Sunrise schedules vary throughout the year. Dependant on the time of year you are confirmed the company will pick you up anywhere from 5:00AM-7:00AM. Hot air balloon flights are very weather permitting and require good visibility and low wind speeds. Balloon flights over Lake Tahoe or the Carson Valley can begin at elevations from 4,200 feet to 6, 200 feet above sea level. The flights can get up to elevations of 10,000 feet above sea level when conditions permit offering spectacular views of all of the Sierras and on a clear day even the peaks of Yosemite. If you have any fear of heights you really don't need to worry. You will not experience any vertigo feelings because you are moving with the wind currents which mean there is no rocking or swaying or feeling of movement. This brings little chance of any motion sickness or the need for any medication. One of the Tahoe balloon tour companies even features their own launch vessel that is Coast Guard certified. The Tahoe Flyer is a 21 ton, 120' x 22' foot, two deck, and Catamaran Style aircraft carrier vessel. It was specifically designed and built to inflate and launch hot air balloons off of its upper deck. There is tons of room on board for passengers and guests alike which means that this tour will be fun for all of your friends and family alike as they head out onto Lake Tahoe for the adventure. The balloons take off and land from the upper deck of the Tahoe Flyer which allows for a smooth transition both ways. Most of the tour trips last about an hour of flying time and you should expect to block out about four hours of time overall to take one of these balloon tours of Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe balloons is based out of South Lake Tahoe. I have always gotten my Tahoe vistas by climbing trails to the mountain tops or riding the ski lifts at Homewood or Heavenly Valley but I think this would be a magical way to take in the scenery and deep blue waters of Tahoe. It might be just right for that upcoming birthday bash.
Have you always known what your dream house has looked like, but don't know where to find it? Are you finally at a place in your life where you can afford all that luxury has to offer, but just don't know exactly what it is that you're looking for? Check out luxury homes in Lake Tahoe! Just a few examples of the luxury properties in Lake Tahoe and soon you'll be asking for even more and you needn't worry when that happens either. No matter how many choices you want for luxury properties. Whether it's a contemporary condo that you're looking for or Luxurious property of your dreams! With multitudes of luxury property, condos, beautiful Tahoe property in Incline Village or on Stillwater Cove, will help to find one that fits you perfectly. It's no wonder you want to live in There are so many things to do here all year long from skiing in the winter to all the water sports during the summer months on the beautiful water that is Lake Tahoe. Plus, don't forget the many events that come here every year such as the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, the Nugget Rib Cook off, the Wooden Boat Show, and so much more! Forget schlepping all your gear and luggage every year for a vacation. Invest in a piece of beautiful Tahoe property and you'll always have a home in one of the most beautiful places in the World - no reservations required! Luxurious Tahoe property of your dreams. Happy to explore some of our luxury property in Tahoe as well as the many different properties are with you. Finding that perfect luxury property; helping you through every step of the home-buying process too. Not only will you love living, but you'll love exploring it too!
When thinking about snowboard trips to Tahoe, it's all about fun. But besides fun, thoughts of destination resorts' proximity to lodging and their location, and how busy the resorts are also factored in. These factors play a part in snowboard resort destination, but the main factor, as already stated, is fun. And what's more fun than tearing up a snowboard park? Well, we can't think of much. Two resorts in the Tahoe area shine as prime spots for park shredding: Northstar at Tahoe and Boreal Mountain Resort. These two resorts are basically polar opposites - Northstar is a large resort with lots of runs, a hotel, condos for rent, and plenty of shops; basically it's a little village, and is called such. Boreal, on the other hand, is a small resort right off of Interstate-80, with the standard resort shops and services, lodge with food and bar, and a small, quaint mountain. What they both share, though, is fantastic snowboard parks From rails, boxes, quarter pipes, half pipes, and large and small tables, you're sure to get your snowboard park fix at either Northstar or Boreal. Neither mountain is lacking at all in the park and jib feature department. Both resorts will have the typical park parking lot, and both have multiple parks with different features for all-day, or all-weekend fun, and enough features to keep you excited. Where the difference lies, though, is in the size of the mountain. Boreal is a small mountain. The locals love it as it's close, convenient, and loads of fun. For those traveling great distances to ride, Northstar is a natural first choice as it's a larger mountain, and on-site lodging rules out any need to commute. And, taking into consideration that most travel with families, Northstar might have more to offer everyone. But size isn't necessarily a good thing - if you want to keep better track of your family without the aid of radios and smoke signals, you might want to head to Boreal instead. What this really boils down to is whether you're looking for a large mountain everyone in the family can enjoy, or a smaller, quaint mountain that fills your simplistic needs, Tahoe has tons to offer. Great snow, great weather, and great people all work to make the Lake Tahoe area one of the best in the world for ski and snowboard vacations. Add in two great resorts with enough snowboard park features to whet your appetite, and you have a weekend, week, month, or more full of good times riding.
Lake Tahoe weddingscan be the most beautiful events of a lifetime. Whether you are in the wedding or attending one there, this beautiful, one-of-a-kind location provides incredible views, and powerful memories. If you're planning a wedding, and want to make it something a "little bigger" than the typical wedding, this may be the place to go! Of course, the majority people don't actually live there, so you would need to obtain the services of a wedding consultant who specializes in the area. How can you tell if a consultant is reputable? All professional consultants who are certified by a well known wedding association have to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics. If your consultant has been certified, typically this indicates that they have completed an extensive program on the wedding industry. The very fact that a consultant has committed time and resources into a certification program shows they are dedicated, professional and knowledgeable. It's always a good idea to ask for references from other businesses in Lake Tahoe, as well as brides and grooms who have used their services and local vendors. What are the important qualities a Lake Tahoe wedding consultant should have? Experience in the field, knowledge of the area, and continual training. Questions to Ask a Lake Tahoe wedding Planner Q: Why choose Lake Tahoe for a destination wedding? Lake Tahoe is quite simply a natural wonder. Where else in the world can you ski down a 4000 foot vertical slope overlooking a giant Lake in the morning and gamble in the evening? Your guests will be amazed by the beauty of the mountains that surround the glassy waters of Lake Tahoe. Your guests will thank you too! They'll get to attend a great wedding and go on vacation. Lake Tahoe also offers all the necessary professional services for weddings including florists, photographers, caterers and reception sites. Lake Tahoe also offers many different types of accommodations, from first class resorts to spectacular cabins overlooking the Lake. Lake Tahoe weddings are fun! Q: The Location I have chosen has an on-site coordinator. Why do I need someone else? Most banquet facilities that handle Lake Tahoe weddings have staff that act as wedding coordinators, in addition to their other duties. Most of them are extremely professional and experienced; however, some locations have multiple events going on simultaneously. If personal attention is important to you, then hiring a professional consultant is important. They will attend to your needs only, including everything from determining the ceremony site to the decorations at the reception. Q: What is it that you do exactly? With so many people out there with the title "wedding coordinator", it helps to understand what this person will do for you. Make sure you review o Assistance in finding the perfect location for your ceremony and reception. o Assistance in finding vendors who suit your budget and needs. o Understanding your vision and helping to create your wedding day as planned. o Create the agenda for your wedding day and events leading up to it for your guests. o Confirm with all vendors the timing for the wedding day. o Remind client of any final payments due prior to the event. o Assist with the rehearsal if required. o Confirm last minute changes. o Assist clients on the day of the wedding, including music coordination, and assisting bride attendants and groomsmen to their appointed positions. o Final touches to bride before she walks down the aisle.
o Watch over the event to ensure event is going as planned. o Final assistance to make sure all items such as toasting glasses, guest book and other items have been taken care of. o Final tipping or payment to vendors who require payment at the end of the event. o Giving you and your family the opportunity to enjoy the day and not work it! Lake Tahoe weddings can be spectacular, just make sure you plan it the right way! That way, you can focus on your soon spouse-to-be.
South Lake Tahoe vacation rentals are particularly in demand with those folks who crave the excitement of being near the variety of entertainment choices and the abundance of recreational facilities for which the area is well known. Here at South Lake Tahoe you have your choice of world class hotels with all the amenities, beautiful houses for rent, condos, cabins, apartments and the smaller, less crowded facilities popularly known as boutique resorts. Usually situated on or near the beach, these mini resorts cater fully to their customers' needs. From almost anywhere in South Lake Tahoe you are within walking distance of world class night life, shopping and dining, recreational choices to satisfy anyone's desires and they usually have their own private beaches to enjoy the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe undisturbed by other visitors to the area. Relax, enjoy, sip marguerites, soak up the sun, have an elegant lunch at a Lakeside café. Then, later on, shower and dress for the evening and in a mere few minutes you're in an elegant casino, or a four star restaurant or being seated in front of one of your favorite performers. South Lake Tahoe has everything to offer close at hand for those who want to experience everything. South Lake Tahoe boasts over 3,000 hotel rooms ranging from moderate to superior with prices a lot less than you'd expect to pay for such luxury. And that doesn't take into account the abundance of activities in the immediate area. In the summer time, the area comes alive with water sports of all kinds, hiking tours through the woods, bicycling either alone or in groups, hot air ballooning over the Lake or over the mountains, and beautiful championship golf courses designed by some of the most prestigious golf pros. In the winter time, the snow capped mountains provide multi-level skiing both day and night, snowboarding, ice skating and sleigh rides all mixed with that small-town atmosphere that gives the area its charm.
Lake Tahoe restaurants come in all shapes and sizes, and are just as varied as the hotels, resorts, and activities that you'll find to entertain you in this great tourist town. Not many people actually live in Lake Tahoe, as it is more of a seasonal destination for vacationers and tourists who want a fun summer adventure or some of the best skiing in the world during the winter months. There are a variety of restaurants both inside hotels and resorts, as well as freestanding, and they include a variety of cuisines and types of food from all over the place. If you're staying in Lake Tahoe, you might find that your hotel or lodge has a restaurant that suits your pleasures. However, if you want a night out on the town or a chance to experience something different, consider visiting one of the many restaurants in and around the area, where you can find food from all over the world, including American, Mexican, French, and Asian food, which are the most popular types in the area. In South Lake Tahoe, for example, you can find The Cantina, which is a Mexican restaurant serving home-style Mexican food in traditional large portions. You'll also find Evans and Freshies, which are both listed as "eclectic" dining locations, offering something different that you won't find just anywhere. In Tahoe City, you can check out Lake Tahoe restaurants like Fiamma, which is an Italian bar and grill, or the Fire Sign Café, which is a great little diner serving up the best in American diner cuisine. There are literally dozens of restaurants to choose from in the Lake Tahoe area, giving you free reign to find and investigate and restaurant that piques your curiosity. King's Beach offers the best selection of grills and beach-friendly food, as well as old fashioned Italian cuisine from Lanza's. You'll also find the Log Cabin Café here, which is budget-friendly and has great cuisine. Eating is often part of the adventure for many people who take vacations. This is why Lake Tahoe restaurants offer such a wide selection of options for people to choose from. It doesn't matter if you want a typical American dinner or if you want to eat something new and different. There are so many options to choose from in Lake Tahoe, that you're sure to find something that suits your needs quite well. Given all of the options, you might spend a week in the area and only begin to put a dent in the list of available restaurant choices.
