cathee

I am starting early to research our next summer vacation. We had a fabulous trip to Oregon this past summer---from CRG to Bend to Crater Lake to Yachats-----its going to be hard to beat---the only change we'd like to make is not so much driving and living out of a suitcase(we're 50+ and in relatively good shape) ---so i'm thinking of Lake Tahoe---we love to hike, bike, explore,dine well, water sports and want a water view---neither of us is into gambling, but we don't want to be secluded either--. I'm looking for a nice, well kept 2BR condo resort---not necessarily privately owned, due to the differences of units. I've done some research and it sounds like the west side might be good for us---anybody been to sunnyside? Any suggestions would be much appreciated---either lodging or a place to visit.

Supercilious

If you liked the Bend - Crater Lake area, Tahoe should be a good bet. If you have the time, though, you should also drive down to Mono Lake and Mammoth Lakes for a day or two.

The Eastern Sierra is similar to the Bend area with its volcanic attractions plus it has the magnificent views of the Sierra escarpment. Towns like Bridgeport and ghost towns like Bodie are very scenic and interesting.

Mono Lake is fascinating and the Devil's Postpile National Monument is well worth the effort to see. This is a part of California that has not been ruined by development.

LindainOhio

We loved Lake Tahoe. It's been several years since we visited--so many places to go. We enjoyed our condo on the Northshore--we didn't have a lake view though. We right down the street from the Hyatt. We loved biking the trail along the lake. Great hiking trails--the Rubicon was a lovely easy hike.

We found a great guidebook Tahoe by Ken Castle.

We would love to visit Oregon. Just returned from the Canadian Rockies. Have you been there? It is probably my favorite place to visit, especially for hiking and outdoor activities. It is a hiker's paradise. This was actually our third visit. I wrote a trip report.

janisj

Tahoe will fill the bill totally. Besides all the amazing stuff around the Lake itself, it is easy commute distance to places like Virginia City, Truckee/Donner Lake, gold mines in Plumas County, fabulous mountain scenery south along hwys 89/395/4 - just tons of things to see/do.

But - when are you planning to travel? Around July 4 and Labor Day, Tahoe is VERY crowded. So if you can avoid those two weeks you'll have an easier time.

kimamom

Lake Tahoe is gorgeous and there several very good places to dine here. Evan's Gourmet Cafe in SLT, 19 Kitchen at Harvey's, Cafe Fiore for Italian food, Red Hut Waffle Shop for breakfast and the buffets at Harrah's are all wonderful. There is also the Lone Eagle Grille in Incline Village @ the Hyatt, great food here and a lovely spa, The Stillwater where I had a very nice pedicure and manicure. Have fun with your planning! ***kim***

astein12

I'll vote for Tahoe as well... and even if you don't gamble, stop at one of the older casinos on the north side (I like the Cal-Neva). Definitely a throwback to another era.

You may experience a bit of sticker shock when you try to book your lodging... just beware.

cathee

Lindian Ohio--we've also been to the canadian rockies, which I loved, too. Oregon had it all though---water, mountains, beauty everywhere---and the pluses were that it wasn't too $$$ nor were the roads crowded.

We will be going (to tahoe, we think) sometime other than july 4th---we could go in either late June or in July after labor day.

superlicious--thanks for the suggestions--i have even thought about going to yosemite--but we may save that for when we don't have to travel in the summer--

artlover

You might look into the Seattle area. While Oregon is beautiful, they don't the San Juan Islands as well as the Ho Rainforest.

dmlove

I'm looking for a nice, well kept 2BR condo resort---not necessarily privately owned, due to the differences of units

There aren't too many condo resorts in Lake Tahoe at all that are NOT privately owned individual units. The Marriott Timber Lodge and Marriott Grand Residence Club in South Lake Tahoe (neither of which is on the water),and the Hyatt in Incline Village, are the ones I can think of. I've never stayed at Sunnyside (eaten there, but not stayed there), but it doesn't look like condos to me -- just hotel rooms, although some might be suites.

janisj

Club Tahoe is a "non private owner" condo resort at Incline. It is not on the lake but up in the main part of Incline Village and walking distance to all sorts of shopping including a good quality super market, restaurants etc.

It isn't posh but is very well kept and has a pool and tennis courts/clubhouse, inside and outside jacuzzis, handball courts etc.

They are 3 story condos w/ two bedrooms downstairs, living room/kitchen/balcony deck on the main floor and an open loft w/ twin beds upstairs. http://www.clubtahoe.com/

You wouldn't have a water view - but the rates are very reasonable.

Suzie

Hey I've stayed at all those places, both Marriotts, Hyatt & Sunnyside. Actually I'm leaving for Tahoe in 20 minutes for the weekend.

The Timber Lodge is a timeshare and the Grand is partial owner. (You buy 1/4 of a specific unit or some other portion) The units have kitchens so they are like condos in that respect. But the Timber Lodge will do a hotel room type in the lock off version of the unit.

Sunnnyside Lodge is just a hotel room and some rooms have odd shapes so sometimes feel too cozy for me.

Personally I wouldn't stay in south lake tahoe in the summer unless I was over in the keys.

Staying in or near Tahoe City is good. Maybe you want to rent a nice small cabin:

www.enjoytahoe.com
www.tluxp.com

Gotta go. But you have time to find a place since it's only Sept.

The Hyatt has lakeside cottages that are crazy expensive.

kimamom

Hi, we stayed 3 nights at the Timber Lodge, it is a very nice property and walking distance to the casions and action. The rooms are nicely appointed and there is a great outdoor pool area here and 2 jacuzzis. It is right next to the Heavenly ski resort and Heavenly Village. ***kim***

dmlove

It is right next to the Heavenly ski resort and Heavenly Village.

Not exactly. The gondola from Heavenly comes down right in between the two Marriott properties, but it's a fair ways up to the mountain.

cathee

i'm going to look into Club Tahoe---i made a mistake--we only need a 1BR or a suite---something with a sitting area---
I am a real "viewfreak" and usually want to be on the water--but i haven't found much on the water aside from Sunnyside--which doesn't seem to have nearby activities---has anyone stayed at the resort in squaw valley--it looks like everything we want--except not on the water---
we might end up in a privately owned condo if we can find the right one---keep your suggestions coming, as I am looking into them all.
Another question: Where does the lakeside biking path run--from where to where--we love to bike --that would be fun to be in a lodging near or on a bike path

Jack

Given that you like to hike, bike, explore, dine well, water sports and want a water view, I would suggest you check out a condo rental at Tahoe Keys where all of that is available and convenient.

MBnancy

If you are not into casinos, check out the High Sierra Lodge in Incline Village, NV, next to the Hyatt Resort. They have some units available if owners not using them.

You have access to everything at the Hyatt, including use of their beach, pool and spa. There is a bike path along Lakeshore Dr. and bike rentals at the hotel.

http://hyatthighsierralodge.hyatt.co...tels/index.jsp

Supercilious

"--i have even thought about going to yosemite--but we may save that for when we don't have to travel in the summer--"

cathee - June is a great time to visit Yosemite. The falls are full then. Mid-summer is too crowded and in early fall, there is little water in the falls. May and June are my favorite months.

Tahoe is best in late July and August if you want to get into the water. In June the water is pretty chilly. September can also be great but there is more of a chance of storms.

The Eastern Sierra is great from late May through October although the road to Devil's Postpile doesn't open until July in some years.

dmlove

There are MANY MANY privately-owned condo developments on the north shore, some on the lake. Brockway Springs in Kings Beach, Carnelian Woods, Tahoe Taverns, Dollar Point, Chinquapin, Kingswood Village, Rocky Ridge, and many others.

Here's a map of the bike trails:

http://www.tahoesbest.com/Biking/bikepath.htm

Paytons_Grandma

cathee..
We just got back from Tahoe on Sept. 10th... beautiful place, I highly recommend it. We don't bicycle, but sure thought it would be a great place to do it. We did, however, do several walking trails and really enjoyed them all. Hope you decide to go there, you will love it. Maybe by the end of October, I'll get a trip report posted.

Paytons_Grandma

Forgot to mention... we stayed at the Wyndham South Shore resort, timeshare condo, but I think the Wyndham or the World Mark side of Wyndham rents out if you don't own timeshare. It was a great resort, nice, clean, good location... about 3 miles south of Cave Rock and 1 mile north of Stateline.

Found some excellent restaurants in the area. MS Dixie II lunch cruise across the lake to Emerald Bay was great. Fireworks on the lake first night we were there for Labor Day was awesome. We were told once Labor Day was over, it wouldn't be too crowded and that was true. No long waits at restaurants, etc.

Weather was absolutely perfect... upper 80's-90's in the day, 40's at night, even down to 29 deg. one night.

Resort was 1/4 mile from Nevada Beach, a nice walk on a paved walking path & right beside some mountains, which we hiked up one evening. We're same age as you & in pretty good shape, but some of those high hikes were tough... the walk down to Vikingsholm was 1/2 mile down and 2 miles back up the same road!!! We went all around the lake on different days, saw a lot but sure we missed a lot too. It was a nice & easy drive to almost any of the towns. I'd go back anytime I have the chance.