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Lake Tahoe (North), CA, USA
 
  
  • Kings beach
  • Evening primrose
  • Squaw view
  • Bear crossing
  • Puff!
  • International mountain
  • Biking with family
  • Clear water
  • Squaw gondola
  • Surreal
  • Mallard couple
  • Another view of Incline Village
  • Beach along Incline Village
  • Beach by Hyatt
  • Cal-Neva showroom
  • Roadside view
  • Cal-Neva bar
  • Friends in Squaw
  • Nice view
  • Squaw Village
  • Path to temptation
  • Hot tub apres ski
  • Ice skating @ 8200 feet
  • No swimming?
  • Squaw gondola
  • Kings beach - another view
  • Pines framing the lake
  • Road to the lake
  • Shakespear festival
  • Squaw Valley welcome
  • Tahoe sunset
  • Cal-Neva resort
  • The dive - Incline Village
  • Thin air
  • Squaw streaks
  • Cliff ahead
  • Waste deep
  • Squaw Valley Village
  • Squaw gondola
  • Olympic torch
  • Squaw trail map
  • Twee boat
  • Kings beach with pine accents

Click here to see more photos

Lake Tahoe Area Travel Guide: Reviews, photos, & videos

In Squaw Valley, the crown jewel of Tahoe’s ski resorts, the Olympic flame has burned since 1960, when the valley hosted the Winter Olympics. Though some frown and call it “Squallywood” because of the glamorous crowd in perfectly matched designer ski gear, Squaw Valley also draws a large number of hard-core of skiers, lured by the 9,050 feet summit and the resort’s more than 170 trails. Literally on the California-Nevada state line and marked down the center, The Cal Neva Resort, Spa and Casino was once owned by Frank Sinatra. Check out the Celebrity Showroom, where Marilyn Monroe sat in the front row while Ol' Blue Eyes and buddies performed. From mid-July to mid-August, bring a blanket and a bottle of wine and watch the evening’s performance by Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival on the inclined sand banks of Sand Harbor State Park. A Midsummer Nights Dream has never looked as spectacular as with Lake Tahoe as a backdrop.

  • California, Eco-tourism, Fishing, Golfing, Hiking, Horsebackriding, Lake, Mountain, Nationalpark, Relaxing, Romantic, Rustic, Sailing, Snowskiing, Wedding, Wildlife
  • 96%

 
 
link39.210975206-120.007781982411Lake Tahoe (North), CA, USA
link39.1985711844-120.2355337143Squaw Valley
link38.8910328265-120.8413696289Rubicon Trail
link39.2343805805-119.8951721191Ski Lake Tahoe
link38.958832-120.098884Emerald Bay State Park
link38.900426-120.061731Fallen Leaf Lake
link39.1321907759-120.2041625977Granite Chief Wilderness
link38.9388495141-119.97756958018South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
link39.210975206-120.007781982411Lake Tahoe (North), CA, USA
 
 
 
 

   

 Directions 

Distance from closest metropolitan area: 190 miles (from San Francisco, CA)  
 
Estimated travel time: 3 hours (from San Francisco, CA)  
 
Take I-80 East to Sacramento, and continue on I-80 to the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. To reach Tahoe City, take Highway 89 (Exit 185 off 1-80) from Truckee, and for Tahoe Vista, take Highway 267 (Exit 188 off 1-80).  

 

   

 Weather 

  • Current conditions

    Cond007

    Sunny. Highs 46 to 56. Light winds.
    Hi: 46° F, Low: 35° F.

  • Tomorrow's forecast

    Cond003
    Partly cloudy. Highs 54 to 64. Light winds becoming southwest around 10 mph in the afternoon.
    Hi: 47° F, Low: 33° F.


    • Weatherbug's weather page.
 

   

 Attractions 

Add Attraction
Squaw Valley
 
  

Squaw Valley

Squaw Valley is a world class ski resort, and probably offers the best skiing in all of Lake Tahoe. Opened for business in 1949, Squaw gained it biggest notoriety after hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics. Squaw became popular among Hollywood stars like Sophia Loren and Big Crosby.

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Rubicon Trail
 
  

Rubicon Trail

Ever notice how in SUV commercials there’s always footage of the vehicle blazing over some ridiculously rugged and bumpy wilderness in super slow motion? Ever feel a bit sad that your car will never encounter that type of an environment? Well, weep no more because I’ve found that rugged, all-terrain wilderness: the Rubicon Trail. A 22-mile-long route located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range just west of Lake Tahoe, the Rubicon Trail is the perfect trail for hikers, bikers, nature lovers, and of course – off-road enthusiasts. With part of the trail used as a testing ground by Daimler Chrysler for their Jeep models, a trip down the Rubicon Trail showcases the California wilderness like nothing else. Featuring lakes, hills, creeks, springs, craters and forests as well as the abundant wild life, there’s never a dull moment while traveling down the Rubicon. There are also some pretty intense trail regulations to prevent damage to its natural beauty - like staying within 25 feet of the middle of the trail and never driving over vegetation. So start the engines and buckle up – the Rubicon Trail awaits!

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Ski Lake Tahoe
 
  

Ski Lake Tahoe

During the ski season thousands of snow lovers from all over Nevada and California flock to the Tahoe slopes for some of the best skiing in the world. And unlike several small ski towns with limited trail options, Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area contains over a dozen resorts and ski parks allowing choices aplenty for even the pickiest of powder pushers. Angle your blades or board down the steep declines of the Heavenly Mountain Resort, the largest ski area in California and Nevada or catch some serious air while carving moguls in Squaw Valley, the second largest ski area and home to the 1960 Winter Olympics. And for those who prefer to race down a snowy mountain on their back rather than on two feet, there are several resorts that provide sledding and snow tubing options galore (Granlibakken is even equipped with rope tows that help sledders get up the hill.) So, this year - instead of just traveling to Lake Tahoe for some summer fun – venture out during the winter to experience the full picture of what Lake Tahoe has to offer!

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Emerald Bay State Park
 
  

Emerald Bay State Park

Emerald Bay. Doesn't that name just sound exquisite? It'd be a shame if the setting didn't match the beauty of the name. Thankfully, Emerald Bay State Park lives up to its name. Located about 22 miles South of Tahoe City, Emerald Bay State Park (EBSP) is one of Lake Tahoe's most popular and most photographed locations thanks to its sweeping landscapes and awe-inspiring beauty. Recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the federal Department of Interior in 1969, the park is home to the gorgeous Eagle Falls, the Vikingsholm – a 38 room mansion and one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States – and the only island in all of Lake Tahoe: Fannette Island. With summer temperatures ranging from the low 40's at night to the mid 70's during the day, the climate is perfect for the nature lover in need of a relaxing hike or even a few days camping in the woods. I'm thinking they should make its motto: "Emerald Bay State Park: Great Name, Even Better Place."

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Fallen Leaf Lake
 
  

Fallen Leaf Lake

Here's a question. We're talking all about Lake Tahoe – the largest freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains - so why am I writing about a tiny little lake located a mile south of it? Well that's because Fallen Leaf Lake is no ordinary lake! Created by the melting of two glaciers a long, long time ago, Fallen Leaf Lake is a 2.9 mile slice of aquatic heaven. At about 415 feet deep, the lake is practically perfect for all water sports. With ample room for boats of all shapes and sizes, those with a desire for wakeboarding, waterskiing, kayaking, rowing and even sailing will find themselves at home on Fallen Leaf Lake. Fishing can also be fun, with a good supply of Brook and Rainbow trout calling the lake home. And thankfully, due to a lack of commercial development (read: no Starbucks), the water quality of the lake is exceptional.

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Granite Chief Wilderness
 
  

Granite Chief Wilderness

Muscle and sinew flex as you strain up the last few feet. The thin air stings your lungs. Finally, you reach the peak. 9,019 feet above the earth you survey a beautiful wilderness in every direction. Where are you? Three words: Granite Chief Wilderness. A 19,048 acre federally designated wilderness located in the Tahoe National Forest, the Granite Chief Wilderness (GCW) is truly nature at its best. Created by the California Wilderness Act of 1984, the GCW is perfect for day-hiking, backpacking, fishing, cross-country skiing, horsepacking trips and mountain climbing. Popular events such as the Western States Endurance Run and the equestrian Western States Trail Ride will cross over into portions of this epic wilderness. SPECIAL NOTE: All campgrounds in the Granite Chief Wilderness require an entrance fee except for the Talbot Campground.

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 Reviews(Average Rating: 96% for 5 reviews) 

  • Congogal
    CongogalReviews: 1
    Posts: 0

    Are there really bears in them thar woods?

    09/11/2009

    100%

    Lake Tahoe (North), CA, USA

    Oh, yeah, there be bears. But there is kayaking and biking and hiking and water skiing and golfing and fishing and nature walking and ballooning and gambling and bears. In winter there is skiing and snowboarding and snowmobiling and hiking and hot tub sitting and fondue and bears. There is nothing like sitting in a hot tub on a brilliant winter day or kicking back with your favorite cocktail by a roaring fire watching the snow pile higher. In summer there is nothing better than whiling away time lounging in a hammock while watching the humming birds buzz the petunias. But, Tahoe offers more…a way of life. ‘Tahoe time’ means just not now. When your e-vite says, ‘Tahoe Casual’, put on your clean jeans and dust off your boots. When invited to a friend’s house, the time is ‘whenever.’ Tahoe is simply the best place to do ‘whatever.’

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    Are there really bears in them thar woods?
     
      
    • Morning on Tahoe
    • Balloons over Tahoe
    • And bears too
    • Out the back door
  • jeshay
    jeshayReviews: 2
    Posts: 0

    Northeastern California Summer at Its Best

    09/18/2008

    100%

    Lake Tahoe (North), CA, USA

    Many people associate Lake Tahoe with winter and the glam snow-bird set that frequents Squaw Valley and the surrounding slopes during the winter. But Lake Tahoe has much to offer the budget traveler, particularly during the summer months. Hiking in the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains is unparalleled, full of stunning vistas, wildlife, and shady ponderosa pine forests. After a hot day of tramping up the peaks and down the valleys, there's nothing quite like a refreshing dip in the lake. Lake Tahoe's pristine waters are blissfully cool, even in the dead of summer when outside temperatures can reach into the triple-digits. You'll dry off in no time in the mountain air, and then you'll be ready to jump in again, reveling in the summer bounty of the outdoors in Northern California.

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  • Laura Nathan
    Laura Nathan
    • Top member
    Reviews: 6
    Posts: 72

    An Art Lover's Haven

    07/15/2008

    93%

    Lake Tahoe (North), CA, USA

    A few years ago, I went skiing in Lake Tahoe with my family, but I took a little detour to get there. My family missed their connecting flight in Phoenix, so I had to get from Reno to Tahoe on my own. The bus I ended up taking stopped in downtown Truckee, which is about 15 minutes outside of Lake Tahoe. While waiting (a few hours) for the resort van to pick me up at the bus station, I walked through downtown Truckee and stopped into lots of little shops and art galleries, which were filled with hand-blown glass, lovely jewelry, and other art made by local artists. When I got hungry, I picked up a huge muffin at a great little breakfast place called Squeeze In. Although I probably saw just about everything there was to do in Truckee that afternoon, I decided to take my family there a few days later. Needless to say, they too loved the shops and devoured pancakes and fresh-squeezed orange juice at Squeeze In. And when they visited Tahoe more recently, they made sure to spend a few hours shopping in Truckee.

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    An Art Lover's Haven
     
      
  • marianne
    marianneReviews: 1
    Posts: 0

    I love Tahoe

    06/19/2008

    100%

    Lake Tahoe (North), CA, USA

    I lived in Marin County a few years ago and some friends came to visit from back east. On the spur of the moment we decided to take a road trip to Lake Tahoe. I'd laways suspected that the brilliant blues of the sky and lake I'd seen in pictures were manipulated. The reality of Tahoe was much more beautiful than any pictures.

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  • dmonson
    dmonson
    • Top member
    Reviews: 11
    Posts: 5

    Lake Fun for Vacation Properties

    06/13/2008

    85%

    Lake Tahoe (North), CA, USA

    Tahoe was a fun memory for me growing up. My parents and extended family would all find a vacation property to rent each year. Big houses with tons of rooms for us all. The lake is cold, but good for water-skiing. Lots of golfing and gambling nearby. I can still remember hearing rumors of a nude beach on one of the shores.

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 Top reviewers 

  1. dmonson
  2. marianne
  3. Laura Nathan
  4. jeshay
  5. Congogal
 

   

 Top bookmarkers 

  1. VacationHmQueen
 

   

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