Thanks to everyone who gave us information on the Reno/Lake Tahoe area. We were not impressed with Reno but did have a good steak at Ruby River steakhouse. We WERE impressed with Lake Tahoe! It is upscale and beautiful! We were able to take 395 thru Carson City 50 west to South Lake Tahoe. Because of weather we could not continue around the Lake without chains. We had lunch at the Watermark Cafe which is right on the Lake and sits beside the Rivi Restaurant (sp) (which was not open for lunch)The homemade soup was wonderful and the water view very peaceful. We want to go back to Lake Tahoe sometime in the summer and see it all. Thanks again for your suggestions.

cd,

I think you were lucky because the storm didn't have the PUNCH they were prediciting.

Utahtea

Utahtea
I'm so very thankful for that as we also had to drive 4hrs to Elko for two days and then 4hrs back to Reno. When in Elko, we heard great things about Salt Lake City and I wondered if that was close to your home.

First time posting! Can you let me know which part of the road required chains? And how long did it take you to get to Tahoe by taking 395 to 50(assuming you are from LA)

lianglai
We drove from Reno to South Lake Tahoe via 395 and then 50 west . It took us around an hour. We wanted to drive completly around the lake, up to Tahoe City, Carnelian Bay and have a "wet woody",and Incline Village but were turned back because of weather and we had no chains. We almost went up the ski mountain in Heavenly, which looked like a lot of fun, but my husband said it would be really cold up there and we were not dressed for it.

The road between South Lake Tahoe and the west side of the lake is pretty narrow - not surprised chains were needed.

Spring is my favorite time for Lake Tahoe - the snow melt is beautiful.

The west side by Emerald bay used to be closed pretty rgularly in winter. Do they still do that? I haven't seen the green barrier in years so maybe they don't close it anymore.

CD could have gone to Incline from the south via the east side. Riva Grill (which is probably the restuarant you referred to located at the marina at the bottom of ski run blvd)is good too. Could have gotten a Wet Woody there! It's Garwoods sister restaurant!

To cd,

My home is 4 hrs west of Lake Tahoe...LOL. I live in the S.F. Bay Area of California, I just love to vacation in Utah.

Utahtea

J Correa
Maybe we'll go next time in the springtime!
Suzie
Yes, It was the Riva Grill, thanks for the correction! We went there originally but they were not open for lunch. That's when we noticed the little cafe beside it. So it's the sister of Garwoods! Interesting.
Utahtea
That is too funny! Utah needs to put you on their payroll. (We really liked San Francisco when we were there earlier this year)