2 Tahoe Questions
 

It looks like we will arrive in Reno around midnight. I’m thinking of staying in a Reno airport hotel to avoid driving to Tahoe in the dark (presuming we could even get a rental car that late). My body will think it’s 3 hours earlier, so I shouldn’t be too tired. But my question is whether the roads between Reno and Tahoe are easy to drive – or whether the route is something better done during daylight hours.

And ... how many nights do you suggest? We are mostly wanting to do some long walks/easy-moderate hikes for photography – not “activities,” (other than seeing one or two plays at the Shakespeare festival). I was thinking 4 or 5 full days, but am concerned we’ll get bored.

What sounds about right to see the highlights?

Thanks!

>>presuming we could even get a rental car that late<<

Sure, you can certainly get a rental car that late -- but it isn't a great idea to drive some of those roads that late at night.

Which route will you take -- makes a huge difference where exactly you are staying. Incline Village -- you'd take the Mount Rose Road -- definitley NOT at night.

Kings Beach - you'd take I-80 to Truckee and 267 south to the lake -- the 267 bit isn't great at night. (you could also take this route to Incline but it is a bit round about)

Tahoe City and south along the west side of the lake - you'd take I-80 to a different exit in Truckee and Hwy 89 from there -- would be OK-ish at night

Southshore - you'd take 395 south to Carson City and Hwy 50 to the lake -- mostly OK at night but I prefer not to.

4 full days would be good -- enough to easily fill that much time.

Thanks!
That's a BIG help.

Thanks for all the great advice. I've copied all the info into a file.

MoBro: I was there for a work conference about 20 years ago. I only had one day off and I loved it.

annabelle: Thank you for that warning!!!

FYI, for those following this thread, I booked Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort for 4 nights, 7/16 - 7/20. It was partly chosen because it has a kitchen. It looks like a long drive to the Shakespeare Festival performances so we might not do that because it would require driving back in the dark. We'll stay the night of 7/15 at a Reno airport hotel. Then 2 nights at the Mirage in Las Vegas before heading to Nashville.

Why Las Vegas? Because it was $200 cheaper to fly Reno - Vegas - Nashville than just Reno to Nashville. Crazy! But it is essentially a free trip to Las Vegas. The main attraction for me is Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon. We'll do them VERY early -- before it's sweltering.

Thanks for your help, suggestions -- and warning!

>>I booked Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort for 4 nights<<

Is it pre-paid - non cancelable?? There are many places on the lake with kitchens and I'd personally not stay on Hwy 50 at southshore. It is like staying in a city.

janisj: It is pre-paid/non-cancelable. I got a fantastic rate through Hotwire. I hadn't been able to find anything anywhere near that price w/ a kitchen in a more desirable location.

Great price on Hotwire is a good thing -- just get away from southshore as much as you can.

Re the Shakespeare festival - It would be an OK drive -- because there will be lots of other cars driving down hwy 28/hwy 50 to southshore after the performance so you wouldn't be isolated. It is about 30 miles to your resort and the last 15 miles from the junction with hwy 50 it is 4 lane.

Thanks, Janis. Re: the Shakespeare festival, that seems doable. I appreciate the info.
I don't plan to be at the hotel other than to sleep and eat.

sf7307 & paqngo: Thank you for those comments! Much appreciated.

Thanks, Annabelle2. Good advice!

We must have very different ideas of a city! We've stayed on the south shore several times and never felt like we were in a city.