Reno to South Lake Tahoe - around the lake?
Jun 1st, 2005, 07:28 AM
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Reno to South Lake Tahoe - around the lake?
Hi - we will be heading from Reno to South Lake Tahoe on the Friday of Labor Day weekend. We are staying in Reno the night before and can get an early start. As we can't check in til 4 that afternoon in South Lake Tahoe I'm trying to decide on our day. I had thought of using that day to drive around the lake or at least part of it. Can you give me advise? Which route from Reno will give me most scenery, least traffic hassle? Should we go counterclockwise around the lake to end up in South Lake Tahoe? If we want to stop and do a short hike or walk here and there on our way - any suggestions? A good spot to stop for lunch? LASTLY - will the traffic around the lake be so bad that day that we would lose the enjoyment? I have no conception of what this road is like. Thanks for any help! sue
Jun 1st, 2005, 07:39 AM
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Sue,
Because of the traffic that I'd expect on the CA side of the Lake that day, I'd suggest coming down the NV side. If it were me, I'd stop for lunch in Incline Village at Curly's across from the Hyatt. Then I'd stop at Sand Harbor (for a couple of beach hours) or drive to Meeks Bay and get out on the Lake. The scenery will be fantastic the whole way.
Have fun,
Kevin
Because of the traffic that I'd expect on the CA side of the Lake that day, I'd suggest coming down the NV side. If it were me, I'd stop for lunch in Incline Village at Curly's across from the Hyatt. Then I'd stop at Sand Harbor (for a couple of beach hours) or drive to Meeks Bay and get out on the Lake. The scenery will be fantastic the whole way.
Have fun,
Kevin
Jun 1st, 2005, 07:43 AM
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My husband and I went to Lake Tahoe last year. We did the drive around the Lake and it does not take all day. There are interesting places to stop and see the Lake, there are several state parks on the Nevada and CA sides - we actually got picnic makings and had a picnic on the Nevada side in the state park. There are more restaurants in South Tahoe and along the North CA side - if you can't check in until 4pm and you get an early start from Reno, you may want start in CA and work your way around. Or you can go down the Nevada side, have lunch in South Tahoe and sight see at the casinos, shopping, etc. before you check in. Either plan is good.
Jun 1st, 2005, 07:43 AM
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I have no idea what the traffic will be like over a holiday weekend.
If you are going to have a lot of other time at Lake Tahoe, you might consider stopping at Virginia City on your way to Lake Tahoe. It's a fun tourist trap with a lot of history. Then take Hwy 50 over to Lake Tahoe and drive counterclockwise around to S. Shore.
Utahtea
If you are going to have a lot of other time at Lake Tahoe, you might consider stopping at Virginia City on your way to Lake Tahoe. It's a fun tourist trap with a lot of history. Then take Hwy 50 over to Lake Tahoe and drive counterclockwise around to S. Shore.
Utahtea
Jun 1st, 2005, 07:54 AM
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You probably will have a lot of traffic. How you get to South Shore depends on how long you want to drive. The whole drive around the lake is scenic and pretty. You could go up HW 431, Mt. Rose, which takes you into Incline Village and from there it depends on how much time you want to spend driving. You can go left and head around that way and the drive will be shorter. If you go to the right you will be heading toward Tahoe City. That's a nice place to stop for lunch and do some shopping if you want, or go a bit further around to Sunnyside and have lunch there. You will get to Emerald Bay this way and can spend time there or not as you choose. As far as least traffic hassle...that's impossible on a holiday weekend. Most of the road around the lake is two lane and if there's a ton of cars, well, that's the way it is. You want to enjoy the scenery so if the traffic is slow it really shouldn't matter that much. Don't know what time you are getting into Reno but you might try heading over to Sparks for dinner. That's the weekend of the Best in the West Rib Cook-off. There are about 25 rib cookers from all over the country. The ribs are fabulous, lots of entertainment and a pretty good craft fair all along Victorian Avenue in front of the Nugget. If you are picking up your car at the airport you could head over there. Parking can be dicy but you can usually find a place if you are presistent..people go in and out of there all day long.
Jun 1st, 2005, 12:02 PM
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The Friday probably won't be quite as bad as the rest of the weekend traffic wise. And over the weekend parking at the scenic areas will be a bigger problem than driving to them.
If it were me, I'd take the Mt Rose Road to Incline Village - the scenic overlook after you go over the summit will totally take your breath away. Then breakfast or brunch in Incline. OR - even better, stop at the Raleys supermarket on the main rd/hwy through Incline and pick up picnic food. They have a good deli section w/ prepared foods, cheeses, etc.
Then on to Sand Harbor for a long leisurely pic nic lunch and the most amazing scenery of the whole Tahoe basin.
From there to South Shore is about 30-35 minutes w/o serious traffic. Right now there is heavy construction/delays between the hwy 50 junction and Zephyr Cove - but that shouldn't be an issue on a holiday weekend. I'd probably count on it taking around 45 minutes on Fri afternoon.
So you have plenty of time to stop anywhere else along the route that interests you . . . . .
If it were me, I'd take the Mt Rose Road to Incline Village - the scenic overlook after you go over the summit will totally take your breath away. Then breakfast or brunch in Incline. OR - even better, stop at the Raleys supermarket on the main rd/hwy through Incline and pick up picnic food. They have a good deli section w/ prepared foods, cheeses, etc.
Then on to Sand Harbor for a long leisurely pic nic lunch and the most amazing scenery of the whole Tahoe basin.
From there to South Shore is about 30-35 minutes w/o serious traffic. Right now there is heavy construction/delays between the hwy 50 junction and Zephyr Cove - but that shouldn't be an issue on a holiday weekend. I'd probably count on it taking around 45 minutes on Fri afternoon.
So you have plenty of time to stop anywhere else along the route that interests you . . . . .
Jun 1st, 2005, 03:24 PM
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We go to Incline Village every July 4th week. Drive over the Mt. Rose Hwy from Reno, to Incline Village and stop at the Lone Eagle Grill, lakeside at the Hyatt, on Country Club Dr. Can eat out on the patio near the water. Wonderful views.
I would also drive counter clockwise, with Tahoe City and Emerald Bay as stops. Before you know it, you will be in So. Lake Tahoe.
8-)
I would also drive counter clockwise, with Tahoe City and Emerald Bay as stops. Before you know it, you will be in So. Lake Tahoe.
8-)
Jun 2nd, 2005, 04:28 AM
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me again - thanks so much for all the responses - lots of ideas. Any suggestions for a short hike or scenic walk to break up the ride?? We will be doing long hikes the rest of the week. Thanks again, sue
Jun 2nd, 2005, 05:10 AM
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Sue,
If you go down the NV side of the Lake, you can pull over in a number of spots and hike down to the Lake and play on the amazing rocks - a real Tahoe experience.
If you decide to go around the Lake on the CA side (not what I'd do!) you could break up your trip by hiking down to see Vikingsholm at Emerald Bay (paved and easy) or, you could do the hike across the street from their parking area which gets you up into the mountains a bit to a beautiful little lake.
Have fun,
Kevin
If you go down the NV side of the Lake, you can pull over in a number of spots and hike down to the Lake and play on the amazing rocks - a real Tahoe experience.
If you decide to go around the Lake on the CA side (not what I'd do!) you could break up your trip by hiking down to see Vikingsholm at Emerald Bay (paved and easy) or, you could do the hike across the street from their parking area which gets you up into the mountains a bit to a beautiful little lake.
Have fun,
Kevin
Jun 2nd, 2005, 01:02 PM
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How about going west on the interstate to Truckee--it's fast. Truckee is a tourist destination of restaurants/shops. Then drop down to Tahoe City--same as above--then go counterclockwise--stop at Emerald Bay.
If you are going back to Reno--continue up the east side to Incline Village and on to Reno
If you are going back to Reno--continue up the east side to Incline Village and on to Reno
