I love Tahoe, so I agree it is a special place to visit. The only place I can think of with a large lake and cute towns in Lake Winnepausauke, in NH. The Inn in Meredith is right on the lake you can get tours of the lake, several nice beaches in the area, restaurants, and lots of cute little towns dot the area.

I prefer Lake Como, Italy.

HTTY

Maybe Niagara area? On the Canadian side Niagara-on-the-Lake.

I've been to Tahoe and driven all the way around it.

The only lake I know that is similar in size is Lake GeorgeNY. It actually has a tourist town at the south end like Tahoe (no casinos though...yet). There are even ski resorts near Lake George.

Western lakes and forests are quite different than those here in the east.

I've been to Lake Tahoe all my life, starting when I was 3, or so say my parents. I love the place.

The one downside is the large number of people who have moved here, mostly in S Lake Tahoe.

It's the coldest water I've every tried to swim in, that's for sure. The objective,when we were kids waterskiing on Lake Tahoe, was not to fall.

I've been to the north side of Como in the town of Varenna. I really did not like the persistent smog layer over the lake.

Rasta, I know all about Lake Tahoe -- I'm trying to figure out if there's anything comparable elsewhere in the US. (PS, I avoid South Lake Tahoe as much as possible -- I'm definitely a North/Westside person).

Moosehead Lake in Maine sounds a little too remote for you, but the Sebago Lakes area in Maine would fit the bill in summer and fall. I would imagine there is something along the lines of what you are looking for in Idaho, as well.

For Idaho, both Coeur d'Alene and Lake Pend Orelle. For Montana it would be Flathead Lake south of Whitefish.
The other lake on a state border would be Lake Meade.

Crater Lake Oregon, about an hour from where I grew up - in South Central Oregon - about 5 hours from Lake Tahoe.

http://tinyurl.com/7h3t26y

Crater Lake is one of the three bluest lakes in the world - the other two being Lake Tahoe and Lake Baikal Russia - all very deep - hence the great color.

And loved Lago Como - and we stayed just north of the fabled Villa d'Este - at the Hotel Grand Imperiale - in Maltrasio - and it was beautiful - in late May.

Does Crater Lake have towns, beaches and residential areas? All I remember is the gorgeous view from the rim.

sf7307--No, CL doesn't have any of that. You are remembering correctly

Gosh SF7307,
That is a tough one. Doing some research and came up with Lake Chelan for one of our trips home to Washington... maybe Lake Chelan?

Not quite the same but has of the features you posted.

http://www.lakechelan.com/visit/about-area/

2nd Lake George.

beaches
a little honkey tonk at the south end
hotels
resorts
lotsa wilderness
cool clear water
paddle wheel steamers, kayaks, sailboats, power boats, canoes

Crater Lake has none of the things you mentioned.

I agree Lake George may be about the closest you'd find.

The only thing I have found similar to Lake Tahoe for scenic beauty are the lakes in the Canadian Rockies. The Canadian Rockies are not in the US---but they are very close--a lot closer to you than to me. It is also more a series of lakes with lodging and towns rather than a large lake with development around the lake.

Lake Tahoe is more developed than the areas around the lakes in the Canadian Rockies. If you like busy though, you would like Banff in the summer.

I never swam in Lake Tahoe because the water was too cold. I never swam in any of the Canadian Lakes either but did rent a canoe and had a great happy hour on the dock at Patricia Lake in Jasper.

In Tahoe I loved Sand Beach and the restaurants right on the lake. We loved biking the path and hiking the wonderful trails.

Both areas have great skiing.

Linda, we're in Tahoe every weekend this summer. We rode 30+ miles on the bike trail (round-trip) a couple of weekends ago, and have done multiple 5-6 mile hikes (Five Lakes, Mt. Judah, Sawmill Lake, Shirley Lake, Ellis Peak). We've been to the Canadian Rockies - I've never seen anything so gorgeous in all my life, and want to go back in summer, when we can use our newfound love of hiking to its best advantage! I think your description - more a series of lakes with lodging and towns rather than a large lake with development around the lake - is perfect.

The reason I asked is, despite going to Lake Tahoe in both winter and summer for many years, we never broke down and bought a place (we could never decide between the lake and the mountains so we didn't buy anything ). Needless to say, Lake Tahoe real estate is pretty pricey, although prices have plummeted in the last few years (excluding those $35 million estates, although maybe they would have been $50 million, who knows?). So I was wondering if there's anyplace else we might considering looking, mostly for a summer place. We're not looking for anything big or fancy, but it's got to be big enough to have a few people over - the living room in the condo we're staying in this summer is really too small - and for storage (we have no place to put our bikes indoors).

Western Michigan and the Upper Penninsula are very nice. My sister rents a place every year in the summer. Mackinac Island is very special and the Sleeping Bear area is great! Not sure if that's too far for you, but it's easy to get to.

Of the other places mentioned - not sure how many really have "beaches" in the California sense - or music on the beach?

Personally - I think it's hard to beat Lake Tahoe for what you have described/are looking for, and I am guessing you have checked out the June Lake and Mammoth areas?

As for not buying a place at Tahoe - don't feel too badly. A group of us were going to buy a ski cabin in the 70's - and then it was - do we buy at North Shore or South Shore - yada yada yada - so it never came off, although I had an offer in on a nice place by King's Beach.

The prices back then were fairly reasonable - and you could rent it out a few times and pretty much pay for about half of the mortgage payments.

Should have just gone ahead and bought it - but of course - hindsight is 20-20, eh?

You are lucky to live so close to Lake Tahoe. Think of all the taxes, maintenance fees you have saved not owning a place.

Where do you stay? How lucky you get to go every weekend.

My dad has a mobile home on Lake Erie. We could have bought a cottage/condo there 30 years ago very reasonably but we were poor then.

My sister closed on alace in Tahoe in June. So excited about this.

Is there a place like Tahoe anywhere? I think Tahoe is just magical. Maybe it's because it holds the memories of all my childhood summers and those of my children.

Well it wasn't lace that my sister closed on. It was actually a place - 3 bedroom/2 bath, west side. Fun!!!!

How about Lake Geneva in Wisconsin?

http://lakegenevawi.com/

I see someone else said Lake George - that is the only other lake I have been on in the US that felt somewhat similar for all the reasons you listed.
It is truly a beautiful area of the county and I was shocked at how lovely it was.

The only problem with Lake Geneva is that it is in Wisconsin.

On a serious note - with the great skiing at Tahoe in the winter - and the warm summers - it's very hard to beat.

Well the 2010-2011 ski season was phenomenal but the 2011-2012 was not that great at all.

with the great skiing at Tahoe in the winter - and the warm summers - it's very hard to beat
------------------------------------------------------

With the high real estate prices, it's worth a try.

Hey - most ski seasons are good around Tahoe - but some years can be a bit skimpy with snow. If that is the case - get down to Mammoth or up to Oregon.

Here's information about skiing near Lake Geneva. I've never been to Wisconsin but this area looks gorgeous. What do people living in that area have to say about the lake community and quality of life?

http://www.lakegenevawi.com/c/Play/IN_THE_WINTER/Skiing_--_Snowboarding.aspx

Hate to break it to you - but there ain't no real skiing in the Midwest. Just some little hills.

However, Wisconsin is a beautiful state with nice people.

Wisconsin is beautiful. all 4 seasons. lots of lakes. I would suggest visiting Door County to compare beauty like Lake Tahoe.

oshkosh: The thread is almost a year old . . .

That's okay, I'm still here

I'm glad you're still there, because I'd like to understand more about Lake Tahoe. We like good food, nice lodgings, walking (not mountain hiking but long walks in the forest). Not into casinos or skiing, we'd go in the summer or fall, i think.

Which side of Tahoe should we look into? I've read some info but am still a little confused. Any bed and breakfast places or nice hotels you'd recommend? Or maybe a house rental for our extended family of 7 adults. Again, I've looked online but don't know where to base ourselves

Thanks!

Another vote for the Coeur d'Alene-Sandpoint area in Idaho. Also, McCall, Idaho is a cute town on a wonderful lake (Payette).

iwan2go, may I suggest that you copy your post and start a new thread about it -- I think you'll get more replies (from the likes of me, janisj and MichelleY, among others).

Lake Tahoe is hard to beat. Lake of the Ozarks has lots to do, of course. And Three Lakes, Wisconsin. I'd still take Tahoe over any other lake, myself.

Iwan2go, a few years ago we stayed at the Squaw Valley Lodge (530 583 5500), arranged through Sue @ Squaw Valley Central Reservations (800 545 4350). It is a nice condo/hotel, with a free parking garage. The Village is right there, for shops and restaurants. But it is not a busy part of the lake.