Lake Tahoe is a special place that doesn’t get the love it deserves. Sure, it’s popular but I think it’s one of the best natural vacation spots in the states. If you haven’t been, you definitely need to add visit Lake Tahoe to your list. The best part is that you can visit Lake Tahoe in the summer, fall, spring, or even the winter, and there’s not a lot of places where this rings true.
We visited the area in the winter and it was wonderful. It’s less crowded but so beautiful and well worth it. Our trip was over Thanksgiving and I’d definitely go back during this time. However, as I said, I truly think Lake Tahoe would be lovely all year long.
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How to Visit Lake Tahoe
Overview
Let’s start with a brief overview of Lake Tahoe. What makes it unique is the fact that it’s actually in two states. There are two main sides as well as 3 key areas and the sides are very different. This will affect where you stay, what you do, and how long you plan to stay. It is split between California and Nevada. And if you’re confused, I’ve created a free map you can download below that shows what each of the sides have and the must sees in the 3 areas.
Regardless of which state or side you decide to stay on, I definitely recommend taking the time to drive all the way around the Lake. It’s a beautiful drive and well worth it.
Where to Stay
Where you stay when you visit Lake Tahoe depends greatly on what you want to do and which side you want to focus on. I highly recommend staying in Incline Village. It’s where we stayed and after going all the way around the Lake, it’s where I’d stay again, no matter the time of year. Because of this, I’m going to share my recommendations for Incline Village. You essentially have three choices on the type of accommodation:
Hotel
You can always go with the hotel. They’re reliable and can be as fancy as you’d like. Find the perfect hotel in Incline Village or anywhere else in Lake Tahoe.
VRBO
I’m a big fan of VRBO. We like to cook when we travel and have more space than just a room so we almost always go with VRBO. It’s why it’s one of my top recommend places on every post. We were very happy with the place we stayed, complete with hot tub which is fantastic in the winter.
Camping
For camping, I recommend heading to Emerald Bay State Park. It’s so lovely and then you’ll be there before the crowds. However, there’s camping options all over Lake Tahoe.
What to Do
There’s a lot to do at Lake Tahoe but since this is about winter, I’m going to share those activities first. Since it’s cold you probably don’t want to swim, kayak, or even take a boat ride as it’s quite chilly. However, there’s skiing, scenic drives, hikes, shopping, breweries, and gambling.
I’m going to share our winter Lake Tahoe itinerary for you to follow. We spent 4 days there, and I’m going to go out on a limb and say it was the perfect amount of time for a winter visit.
If you need a different number of days, check out the complete guide in the shop. You’ll find one day, two day, and 5 days included in the guide as well as the itinerary below.
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Complete with all seasons & multiple day itineraries
Lake Tahoe Winter Itinerary
Remember, this is a winter itinerary, which means I’m skipping any beach laying or swimming. However, if you’re heading to Lake Tahoe during a different time, download our complete guide for more options.
Day 1
Morning: I recommend flying in early so you have the day.
Day: You have a few options on how to do your first day but if you really want to get your bearings, I suggest driving all the way around the lake. Use the free map to check out the must sees so you can determine where you want to go back.
Evening: I always recommend a sunset view. Depending on where you’re staying, you’ve got options or this. Here’s two options:
— North Side: There’s a great restaurant in Incline Village with a sunset view. It’s called Big Water Grille.
— South Side: If you’re staying in the South part of Lake Tahoe, I recommend The Edge Restaurant. It’s a great place for sunset as well.
Day 2
Now that you have your bearings, you can move on to day two. I recommend breaking it up between the north part and the south part for day 2 and 3.
Morning: Head up Donner Pass to start the day. As long as the roads are good, you’ll be rewarded with a great view and have it to yourself.
Day: After Donner Pass, head to the town of Truckee. It is the cutest town with the best small business shops. After retail therapy, end the day going to King’s Beach for short hikes.
Evening: Of course you need to have another sunset. For this, I recommend Sand Harbor or Hidden beach. These are both in the north part of Lake Tahoe and therefore a great place to end your north side day.
Day 3
You’ve now driving around the Lake and explored the north part a bit more so it’s time to head south.
Morning: Start your day by driving down to Emerald Lake State Park. This area gets very crowded and parking is difficult to find so get there early.
Day: While at Emerald Bay you should partake in two hikes: Eagle Falls and the Tahoe Rim Trail. Both are short and can be done by noon if started early. Then head to South Lake Tahoe town for lunch.
Evening: End your day by checking out the shops in Heavenly Village. You can also take the gondola up the mountain. We didn’t do this as it’s very expensive but I’m sure the views are great if you want to pay it.
Day 4
Now that we’ve hit all the highlights, you’ve got one more day left. In the winter, you can do another hike, a boat ride, gamble, or put on your skis. We didn’t do a boat ride or ski when we were there but they are options.
Book a Boat Ride on Lake Tahoe
Learn More about Gambling in Lake Tahoe
Who Would Enjoy Lake Tahoe
I honestly believe that Lake Tahoe is the perfect couples get-a-way, friend trip, or family trip. If I were going to take kids, I might wait until the summer so they can swim and play on the beaches but other than that, I think Lake Tahoe is for everyone.
Make it a family-friendly trip
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
Lake Tahoe is well worth a visit and it has some amazing sunsets. If you can’t get yourself to a sunset, take a tour. It will be worth it. I only recommend tours I would do myself. I also only like to recommend restaurants I have personally eaten at which are listed above in the itinerary.
Lake Tahoe Sunset Tour
is well worth your time!
Don’t want to plan it yourself?
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