Where to stay/what to do in Lake Tahoe? (1 Viewer)

[Helaire-ious]

Gf & I have never been, but planning to go this summer. Emerald Bay State Park looks awesome. Other than that, what are the must do things or places to go while there?

What are the best places to stay that don't cost a fortune?

Finally, looks like flying into the Reno airport & driving 45 minutes or so to Lake Tahoe  is the most cost effective way to go, correct?

 

[Zow]

Not much else to add other than that there's some really good golf in the area if you and your gf are golfers. 

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

If you want party and casino scene, south shore. If you want chill, good restaurants, hikes, north shore. Go to old town Truckee. Truckee is great in the summer. You can take a lazy river raft ride down the Truckee river too. Super fun. The Ritz at Northstar is a fun day trip. Gondola, Northstar village, hike...it's all really nice. Maybe stay in Donner. You can go a lot of places from there, take advantage of on-site amenities like pool, gym, nice roads for walks, etc.. It's a bit cheaper than staying closer to the lake. 

I'm a north shore guy, as you can probably tell. What's your budget/night? AirBNB may be your way to go.

 

[Helaire-ious]

If you want party and casino scene, south shore. If you want chill, good restaurants, hikes, north shore. Go to old town Truckee. Truckee is great in the summer. You can take a lazy river raft ride down the Truckee river too. Super fun. The Ritz at Northstar is a fun day trip. Gondola, Northstar village, hike...it's all really nice. Maybe stay in Donner. You can go a lot of places from there, take advantage of on-site amenities like pool, gym, nice roads for walks, etc.. It's a bit cheaper than staying closer to the lake. 

I'm a north shore guy, as you can probably tell. What's your budget/night? AirBNB may be your way to go.

North shore for us too then!

Staying for a week so I'd like to stay somewhere with a kitchen. At least a microwave & refrigerator. WHat's average cost per night out there? She's a teacher so not a baller lol

 

[Drunken knight]

I agree with deadhead.

For our last 5-6 trips we have Airbnb, or vrbo in truckee, donner, Tahoe city, incline.

hotel/inns we have used in the past have been river ranch, sunnyside, Olympic village inn, sugar bowl. 
 

hikes and picnics on the mountains are my favorite summer activities up there.

 

[Helaire-ious]

I agree with deadhead.

For our last 5-6 trips we have Airbnb, or frbo in truckee, donner, Tahoe city, incline.

hotel/inns we have used in the past have been river ranch, sunnyside, Olympic village inn, sugar bowl. 
 

hikes and picnics on the mountains are my favorite summer activities up there.

Do you have a favorite out of the hotel list?

 

[Drunken knight]

Do you have a favorite out of the hotel list?

They are all different...

sunnyside is on the lake

olypmic village is right at squaw

river ranch has a nice rustic feel (close to alpine village)

sugar bowl is also rustic, but more of a destination spot. Rooms are elevated (take a gondola to get to them). Further from the lake and towns. 
 

check  them out to see what vibe works for you 

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

North shore for us too then!

Staying for a week so I'd like to stay somewhere with a kitchen. At least a microwave & refrigerator. WHat's average cost per night out there? She's a teacher so not a baller lol

ok, so here's what we like to do in the summer. We stay in Northstar, which is technically Truckee. We stay in a condo like this one. In Northstar as part of being in this condo complex, you can access the rec center, which has a very nice pool scene, lap pool, hot tubs, tennis courts. You can also go into the village, which also has a great day and night scene. There's a village center where families gather around fire pits, have smores, shop, drink beer (you can bring your own!), and roller skate or watch people roller skate. Sometimes there's live music. The gondola is usually running too. You can probably take it up the mountain, hike, watch mountain bikers. Head to the Ritz for a drink, more smores, even frisbee golf if you want. 

Northstar is enclosed. That's good and bad. From Northstar, you can drive to the lake (20-ish minutes), to some of the smaller casinos, and to Truckee for dinner. There's also Donner Lake. Go rent bikes and bike around the lake. That's fun. Again, go to Tahoe City and follow the traffic to the raft operations. Rent a raft and cruise down the Truckee to River Ranch. Bring lunch, some beers, wine, whatever. You are on your time. Part way down, you can beach your raft and chill and people watch. It's fun. Then at the bottom they'll take you back to your car.

In June, July and August, it's warm and dry. Be ready for that. You're also at elevation, so you can get dehydrated and sleeping can be a PITA. It cools down at night.

God I love Tahoe. I'm going in two weeks and I'm still jealous you're going this summer!

 

[zoobird]

Never been, but paddleboarding there looks amazing: https://www.visitrenotahoe.com/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/stand-up-paddleboarding-at-lake-tahoe/

 

[Helaire-ious]

How far would we have to travel from Truckee to everything worthwhile?

 

[Drunken knight]

How far would we have to travel from Truckee to everything worthwhile?

Truckee is about 10 min to Donner

15 min from Northstar

20 min to squaw valley

20 min to kings beach (state line is little further if you want to gamble)

25 min to Tahoe city

45 min to Emerald bay

 

[Dickies]

How far would we have to travel from Truckee to everything worthwhile?

Depends what you want to do.  Truckee itself is pretty awesome.  Donner Lake is a great place to do lake activities.  The Truckee River cuts right through downtown.  There is hiking and biking all over the place. 

Tahoe is cool too, and there are some iconic spots you should see if there is a chance you never return, but outside of gambling I'm having a hard time thinking of an activity that is exclusive to Tahoe and not Truckee.

I would recommend spending a day driving around the entire lake.  See Emerald Bay, DL Bliss State Park, Eagle Rock is a quick but awesome hike that offers great views of the lake, and the east shore drive offers some stunning views of the lake.  Take your time and explore, especially when you're on the south or east shore because they aren't particularly quick to get to from Truckee.

 

[Drunken knight]

 heading up for our family vacation on 3/27... alpine and northstar

 

[GroveDiesel]

Good stuff. I think my wife and I are between here and Colorado Springs for our anniversary in August.

 

[SFBayDuck]

Good suggestions in here already.  I'm also a North Shore guy.  South Shore is fine if you want to do casinos but I've been to Tahoe probably 30-40 times and only stayed in South Shore twice.  

Squaw Village (or maybe it's called Olympic Village now?) is pretty cool.  There are a variety of condos, rental homes, hotels, etc there, along with an outdoor mall with several restaurants (and skiing up to July 4th some years, although probably not this year).  And it's not far from Truckee, Tahoe City, etc.

Most of the time I've been we've rented a house in the Homewood area (Chamberlands).  You're a little farther from the North Shore towns but closer to South Shore/Emerald Bay for a day trip there.  And Chambers Landing right there is a great little party bar right on the lake with a public and private beach, pool, restaurant, etc.

 

[Gilroy34]

If you like to gamble you should definately stay south near stateline.  I have been to Lake Tahoe over 30 times and have stayed on south side every time and it is great.  

 

[Helaire-ious]

 heading up for our family vacation on 3/27... alpine and northstar

Where ya staying?

 

[Helaire-ious]

If you like to gamble you should definately stay south near stateline.  I have been to Lake Tahoe over 30 times and have stayed on south side every time and it is great.  

Not going to gamble, but don't wanna be bore either

 

[Helaire-ious]

We are still unsure what area we should stay in. So many places & such. We had to stop looking last night.

 

[Gilroy34]

Not going to gamble, but don't wanna be bore either

We go every summer for a family reunion and there is plenty of things to do on south side.  We rent a large boat every year and cruise around the lake with the kids, zip lines and other activities at Squaw Peak, golfing, relaxing by lake, gambling and shows at casinos, have gone river rafting near Truckee.

 

[Gilroy34]

Lake Tahoe Resort at Stateline is our preferred location.  Formerly Embassy Suites.

 

[Drunken knight]

Where ya staying?

Coivd has not been kind to our family's income.  We are staying at a place we used to frequent when we were in grad school 25 years ago....

Cedar glen lodge

Edit: for the past few years, we have been going with another family and rent 4-5 bdr homes. They cannot make this trip, so we went smaller, but need to accommodate our dog.

 

[Helaire-ious]

Coivd has not been kind to our family's income.  We are staying at a place we used to frequent when we were in grad school 25 years ago....

Cedar glen lodge

Edit: for the past few years, we have been going with another family and rent 4-5 bdr homes. They cannot make this trip, so we went smaller, but need to accommodate our dog.

I've noticed that loding is expensive in Lake Tahoe & the surrounding areas. $1,800 is not exactly cheap to me lol

 

[Drunken knight]

We are taking up my daughter's BFF with us .... 1 bdr and pet friendly for 6 nights.  It worked for this trip.

 

[Helaire-ious]

Lake Tahoe Resort at Stateline is our preferred location.  Formerly Embassy Suites.

This one?

https://www.tahoeresorthotel.com/

 

[Gilroy34]

This one?

https://www.tahoeresorthotel.com/

Yep, that is it.  Right on border of CA and NV so you can walk to casinos but also right next to Squaw Peak which has great restaurants and shopping.  Lake is very close too.  Breakfast is included and is very good.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Going up this weekend. Staying at the Ritz at Northstar with the wife. It's outstanding. Thank you Marriott points.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Anyone who stays in Truckee should also venture north a li'l and have some Sardines

 

[Osaurus]

Bumping this thread. Heading out there in early June. Looking for chill places to stay and away from busy casinos area in the south. TIA

 

[msudaisy26]

Gf & I have never been, but planning to go this summer. Emerald Bay State Park looks awesome. Other than that, what are the must do things or places to go while there?

What are the best places to stay that don't cost a fortune?

Finally, looks like flying into the Reno airport & driving 45 minutes or so to Lake Tahoe is the most cost effective way to go, correct?

That is the best way to get to Tahoe. The state park is awesome. If you like sushi, I highly recommend Sushi Pier. Blue dog pizza midtown was also very good.

 

[Drunken knight]

Do you have a favorite out of the hotel list?

They are all different...

sunnyside is on the lake

olypmic village is right at squaw

river ranch has a nice rustic feel (close to alpine village)

sugar bowl is also rustic, but more of a destination spot. Rooms are elevated (take a gondola to get to them). Further from the lake and towns.


check them out to see what vibe works for you

Bumping this thread. Heading out there in early June. Looking for chill places to stay and away from busy casinos area in the south. TIA

 

[Chaos34]

Bumping this thread. Heading out there in early June. Looking for chill places to stay and away from busy casinos area in the south. TIA

I go to Tahoe so much, I should have a ton of ideas for you, but I pretty much stick to a little skiing this time of year and just enjoying the lake in the summer. I have family in Incline Village, and an open invitation I take advantage of. They have a fun boat they pretty much only use when I'm there. It's become my only vacation destination for a few years now. Not exaggerating to say I've been over 30 times in six years. Twice this winter with an invitation to a Super Bowl party tomorrow. Not feeling the drive this time. Incline Village is called income village. It's pricey, but the Hyatt there is all by itself, no other hotel in sight, very nice, very casual, perfect little casino and sports book, an excellent restaurant we go to regularly, very chill resort, great beach, tons of activities, rentals and such. I like being on the water and can't think of a hotel there I prefer. Searching for the link it just said from $196. That's a bargain to me.

Our biggest frustration, and it's almost become comical at this point, is we have really bad luck with the lake-side restaurants on the north shore. Jake's has been the best and the skewered steak appetizer is very good. Gar Woods is a good time and I recommend it for the burger, atmosphere and fun drinks, but don't expect much from the rest of the menu. I can give reviews of a dozen or more. BiL is a serious golfer so we usually play the championship course in Incline. It is an amazingly beautiful course. Paddle boarding the coves south of town is a nice day. it's just so beautiful there. There's tons of trails to hike and you can't pick a bad one.

 

[Drunken knight]

@Chaos34 good posting

We also like

Bite Tahoe

Reservations STRONGLY recommended Click Here to Book Your Table For parties of 8 or LESS CLOSED on Sunday and Monday

bitetahoe.com

 

[Chaos34]

@Chaos34 good posting

We also like

Bite Tahoe

Reservations STRONGLY recommended Click Here to Book Your Table For parties of 8 or LESS CLOSED on Sunday and Monday

bitetahoe.com

Burrata - guava jam/pistachio/arugula/prosciutto/crostini. That sounds like a great start. I have a guava fetish and with pistachios. Yes please. Haven't been. Already know her hubby won't go. He's the comical anti-restaurant guy from the experiences mentioned, but that wine list. I just said in the alcohol thread, "I think I'm done drinking. We'll see." Thanks. I'm trying to find the best pairing. My sis will love this place.

Domaine de la Fouquette Côtes de Provence Rosé - Never tried the 2022, but this is brilliant rosey. Dry and minerally like I used to seek. Opens up the menu too. IN.

 

[Drunken knight]

@Osaurus

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

I'm heading to Las Vegas in November for a conference from Monday through Thursday and then have to be in San Francisco on Sunday. I was thinking about having my wife meet me in Las Vegas, rent a car and drive to San Francisco via Lake Tahoe. Will probably drive up Thursday and spend Thursday and Friday night there before heading to San Fran on Saturday afternoon. Reading the thread, we're North Shore people. Just want to chill, have some good scenery and good food. Would it make sense to take a lap around the lake if we are only there for one full day or just focus on one particular place?

 

[Drunken knight]

Don’t do a full lap.
Emerald bay is nice.
See if the Norwegian house is up your alley: Vikingsholm

http://vikingsholm.com/

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Don’t do a full lap.
Emerald bay is nice.
See if the Norwegian house is up your alley: Vikingsholm

http://vikingsholm.com/

Absolutely. That is definitely something we would enjoy. Thanks!

 

[Drunken knight]

Don’t do a full lap.
Emerald bay is nice.
See if the Norwegian house is up your alley: Vikingsholm

http://vikingsholm.com/

Absolutely. That is definitely something we would enjoy. Thanks!

I am thinking there is a little beach nearby with misc rentals

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Any hotel or restaurant recommendation?

 

[Osaurus]

Gar Woods Grill and Pier in Carnelian Bay is solid (great views) as is Old Post Office cafe (huge portions). Cedar Glen Lodge was an option for us when we visited in June, but ended up in Tahoe City instead.

 

[Drunken knight]

I agree with deadhead.

For our last 5-6 trips we have Airbnb, or vrbo in truckee, donner, Tahoe city, incline.

hotel/inns we have used in the past have been river ranch, sunnyside, Olympic village inn, sugar bowl.


hikes and picnics on the mountains are my favorite summer activities up there.

Any hotel or restaurant recommendation?

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Going up this weekend. Staying at the Ritz at Northstar with the wife. It's outstanding. Thank you Marriott points.

Quite a bump. Wound up taking a fall while snowboarding on this trip. Out cold and wound up on a helicopter to Reno. Gave my wife quite a scare. More or less recovered, though I'm far more forgetful than I used to be.

Tahoe is still God's country. Love it.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

I'm heading to Las Vegas in November for a conference from Monday through Thursday and then have to be in San Francisco on Sunday. I was thinking about having my wife meet me in Las Vegas, rent a car and drive to San Francisco via Lake Tahoe. Will probably drive up Thursday and spend Thursday and Friday night there before heading to San Fran on Saturday afternoon. Reading the thread, we're North Shore people. Just want to chill, have some good scenery and good food. Would it make sense to take a lap around the lake if we are only there for one full day or just focus on one particular place?

Aside from Thanksgiving, November is offseason. Snow is very, very unlikely. Suggest AirBNB in a place that should be at a reduced rate. I just scanned some November properties. You should have some nice choices at a good rate.

Moody's in old Truckee is a treat, though I haven't been there in a while. Oddly enough, I hear the food. at the Truckee Airport is pretty good.

That Vegas to Tahoe drive is a long one. Doable in a day for sure though.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

I was just talking to my college roommate who goes out there every year. Apparently, his best friend from grade school has a house in Tahoe that we might stay at. I'll take that.

 

[Chaos34]

I drove from the high desert in Cali to Incline on the 4th. Great day to drive it surprisingly. All those small towns on the 395 were busy with 4th activities. It was fun. Stopped for free bbq at a fire station. Stopped for live music at a courthouse yard. Had some incredible homemade ice cream. Great people watching. This is the warmest weather I've experienced in dozens of visits. Incline is getting up to 90 degrees. My home in the desert is 115+ every day, so I'll stay here for awhile. 10 days or more. We'll hit a few restaurants we haven't tried, but I'll repeat what I said above. The restaurants here have not been good. Above I said Jake's was good on the north shore. Was discussing our terrible dining experiences with my sis and she corrected me. It's Jason's that was quite good. Jake's is on the list of disappointments. Anyway, nothing special to report. Just checking in from the loveliest lake in the world.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

I was just talking to my college roommate who goes out there every year. Apparently, his best friend from grade school has a house in Tahoe that we might stay at. I'll take that.

It's a no-go on the house, so I'm looking for other options.

I am trying to work an angle to get an affordable rate at either the Edgewood or the Ritz Carlton. Thoughts on either?

 

[Drunken knight]

I was just talking to my college roommate who goes out there every year. Apparently, his best friend from grade school has a house in Tahoe that we might stay at. I'll take that.

It's a no-go on the house, so I'm looking for other options.

I am trying to work an angle to get an affordable rate at either the Edgewood or the Ritz Carlton. Thoughts on either?

I haven’t been to Edgewood.

Ritz is a nice experience

 

[Chaos34]

I was just talking to my college roommate who goes out there every year. Apparently, his best friend from grade school has a house in Tahoe that we might stay at. I'll take that.

It's a no-go on the house, so I'm looking for other options.

I am trying to work an angle to get an affordable rate at either the Edgewood or the Ritz Carlton. Thoughts on either?

I haven’t been to Edgewood.

Ritz is a nice experience

This might be long, sorry. Ritz v Edgewood is such different experiences. Ritz has a Truckee address in a luxury ski village (Northwood) far north and several miles from the lake. Awesome for skiing in winter. Not much there but some overpriced dining, shopping and hiking in summer though. Edgewood is in the heart of the action at Southlake 40 miles away on the water with a legendary golf course and all the fun at Stateline.

My recommendation for north shore is still the Hyatt in Incline. Larry Ellison purchased and renovated it which comes with higher prices, but still a deal and such a serene chill location with all the fun options of Stateline yet isolated from the crowds.

We've booked a group of 30+ for a hs friends reunion in late September. The new Margaritaville resort won our business by costing 1/3 of Edgewood. I took the tour. I'd rather be on the water but it is brand new and quite nice. Short walk to everything right next to Harrah's. I recommend it if you don't want to pony up for Edgewood.

Under protest I also scouted the Dixie Belle dinner cruise. 140 bucks for a three hour sunset cruise from Zephyr Cove through Emerald Bay and back with mediocre live music. So touristy I din't wanna, but it was a good time. We booked it for the reunion. 100 sober fops board the boat and three hours later wobble off in need of an uber. The day cruise is $100, so the dinner cruise for 40 more gets you the sunset, the meal (ribeye, salmon, or chicken), live music and endless happy drunk people.

I've beat the desert heat by spending 23 days in Incline this summer. I've now done 9 more restaurants (including the cruise) and still find the food in Tahoe absurdly bad. I'll spare the reviews but they would include food poisoning for two poor gals who ordered the $50 lobster pasta special and the worst $14 breakfast burrito in history and the most uncomfortable seating possible in a higher end place. And and and... smh. If in Incline I do recommend Glasses. It doesn't have a view to attract tourists but it's a fun locals' wine bar with automated push button wine selections, and on our visit a very good jazz trio. The albarino was the big winner for us wine nerds. So good I took a couple bottles home. Thankfully they don't serve food. They even encourage you to bring your own or have a pizza delivered, which we did. But it was mostly meeting some interesting and fun locals that made it a good spot if you like that kinda thing.

 

[NutterButter]

Better time to visit Tahoe/Yosemite; may or september? Mostly going to be doing hiking, biking and usual touristy stuff. Would prefer to stick to the shoulder seasons unless dealing with the extra cost and crowds is truly worth it.