Vacation Rentals in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe can be found on the border between California and Nevada, a few miles west of Carson City, and within driving distance of Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. Popular with Alpine sports enthusiasts, water sports fans and nature lovers in equal measure, it is a superb family vacation destination.

The lake itself covers 192 square miles and is ringed by coastal resorts, including Tahoe City, Glenbrook, Tahoma and Kings Beach. It is linked to Carson City by Route 50, although the closest airport is actually Reno-Tahoe International Airport, around 40 miles to the north.

The area around the lake and the major ski resorts are covered by Tahoe Truckee Are Regional Transit’s bus network, who run services throughout the year, helping visitors reach the slopes or local attractions. There are also numerous car rental outlets and cycle hire companies around the lake for tourists to use.

Lake Tahoe boasts 16 ski resorts in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains, with downhill runs to suit all skill levels along with cross-country routes. There are resorts like Heavenly, which cater for a younger, snowboarding crowd, and family-friendly resorts like Sugar Bowl as well – something for everyone.

The area around Lake Tahoe attracts golfers from all across the world. Part of the appeal is the sheer beauty of the mountains, with courses like Coyote Moon offering pristine views. However, the quality of public courses like Old Greenwood, and a range of Nicklaus or Trent Jones designed courses is just as attractive. It’s a great place to tee off.

Tahoe is also a paradise for hikers. Some trails offer the chance to see majestic natural features like Cascade Falls, others provide superb views from the Tahoe Rim, while some just go up and up, to the beautiful summit of Mt. Tallac.

Lake Tahoe has everything that golfers need: Fine weather in the summer, a range of difficulty levels, great practice facilities and affordable green fees, as well as plenty of restaurants and bars for after the round.

Lake Tahoe has some sublime skiing resorts, from Paradise to Sierra-at-Tahoe, but every skier should find time to try the slopes at Squaw Valley, which hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. Not any destinations can claim that kind of history.

The lake itself is a massive tourist draw during the summer months, and nothing beats renting a kayak and paddling to beauty spots like Fannette Island in Emerald Bay.

Even if the snows have gone, Tahoe is a world-class skiing destination. Take lessons if you are a novice or show off your water-skiing prowess at lakeside resorts like Tahoe Keys or Round Hill Pines.

Lake Tahoe isn’t just ringed by idyllic mountains and charming resorts. The area also has some lively casinos, like the Hard Rock Hotel or Harrah’s. See the shows, have a meal and think about placing a bet.

Visitors to Lake Tahoe need to bear seasonal variations in mind. If you want to hit the slopes, make sure you book a rental home between December and March. Otherwise, the area warms up around May and temperatures hardly dip below 70 until the snows come again.

Lake Tahoe has an elevation of over 6,200 feet, which should make it relatively chilly compared to other Nevada or California destinations. However, that’s not the case. Around the lake, even the middle of winter can be mild (although there’s plenty of snow higher up in the Sierra).

The area regularly hosts cultural events. SnowGlobe lights up the sky with fireworks around New Year and attracts a roster of famous music acts, Tahoe City and Truckee host outdoor classical music concerts in the summer, while Squaw Valley is the setting for the Wanderlust alternative lifestyle event every July.