Vacation Rentals in South Lake Tahoe

Choose a rustic forest cabin or a contemporary architect-designed home in the mountains for your South Lake Tahoe vacation rental. Your self-catering cabin or house will be near winter ski runs as well as summer hiking and cycling trails.

A beach house or apartment on the waterfront of Lake Tahoe is perfect for romantic breaks or family holidays. Whether you choose a rustic cabin in the mountains or a beach house, your comfortable home from home will be fully equipped with all the amenities you need.

The city of South Lake Tahoe lies in El Dorado County, California and sits on the shoreline of Lake Tahoe, America's largest alpine lake. Visitors will find an area of spectacular scenery that takes in crystal waters and tree-covered mountain slopes while offering a wide range of outdoor activities. These include snowboarding and skiing in the winter while the summer months are perfect for lake swimming, sunbathing on the beach, hiking in the mountains, or taking part in watersports.

The town of South Lake Tahoe developed as several small settlements gradually merged into one. It was the 1960s Winter Olympics that put Lake Tahoe firmly on the winter sports map. The town's resident population of around 24,000 people increases massively during the winter ski season, especially on New Year's Eve. The town is split into two distinct areas. The western part is mainly residential while to the east are commercial ventures and the town's casinos. This eastern part is also home to Heavenly Village from where the state-of-the-art Heavenly Gondolier soars to a height of over 9,000 feet. From the top, you can enjoy dramatic views of Lake Tahoe, Desolation Wilderness, and Carson Valley.

Two airports serve South Lake Tahoe. One is the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and the other is Sacramento. US Highway 50 links the town to Sacramento in California and Carson City in Nevada.

South Lake Tahoe is right on the doorstep of 16 ski resorts that include Ski Heavenly, Diamond Peak, and Mount Rose. Dog sledding, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and ice skating also keep you warm on cold winter days.

Whether you want family-friendly beaches such as Kiva and Pope beaches or want to party the night away at El Dorado beach, you'll find the shoreline of Lake Tahoe dotted with pretty coves and sandy spots. For activity on the water, head to Zephyr Cove for sailing, parasailing, and kayaking. Alternatively, simply enjoy a relaxing lake cruise on the Tahoe Queen.

Drive around the lake to enjoy views of its sheer granite cliffs and jagged shoreline, stopping off to take pictures of the green water in the teardrop-shaped Emerald Bay. There are panoramic views at Inspiration Point while to the west of the lake is the desert landscape of Desolation Wilderness.

Fun for all the family is the Magic Carpet Miniature Golf Course. This imaginative course features spiders, dinosaurs, and recreations of the area's natural features.

South Lake Tahoe is known for its casinos so after spending a day enjoying outdoor activities why not try your luck at Bill's Casino or the Horizon? As well as watching the roulette wheel spin, you can catch a big-name show or dine on world-class cuisine.

Built by heiress Lora Knight in 1929, the ruins of this Scandinavian-style castle are a highlight of any visit to the Emerald Bay State Park. Be prepared to walk a steep trail to the visitor's center.

A short boat trip takes you to Fannette, a tiny uninhabited island in the middle of Lake Tahoe. Here are the ruins of a tiny teahouse built by Lora Knight for her guests. Please note: access is restricted during spring when Canada geese arrive to nest.

Take a break from outdoor activities with a visit to the Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum. This small but fascinating museum documents the region's gold rush and pioneering history.

One major annual event is the SnowGlobe Music Festival held at the end of December. This is a perfect blend of music and mountains. World-class acts play at this lively festival which culminates on New Year's Eve.