Lake Tahoe Honeymoon
 

Hello,

My fiance and I have pretty much settled on Lake Tahoe for our honeymoon in the middle of May. Does anyone have any recommendations on which shore to stay on? We'd like to stay on the lake (if possible) or at least have a lake view. We'd like to experience as much as we can there. We like to hike and would like to see the sights there. How long would it take to get from one shore to the other if we wanted to? What will the weather be like in the middle of May? Any recommendations for things to do? Thank you!

We've spent most of this summer (along with many weeks and weekends over the last 40+ years) in Tahoe. This particular summer we went from the north shore to the south shore about 5 times. From Northstar to the hotel strip in South Lake Tahoe takes about 55 minutes going around the east side, and longer going around the west side.

I don't think we've ever been in mid-may, but I do think you'll encounter a fair amount of snow, especially hiking.

As for lake view, on the north, east and west shores, there are many condos and houses with a lake view, but now many hotels (the 3 more upscale hotels would be the Hyatt at Incline, Ritz-Carlton at Northstar and Squaw Creek Resort at Squaw Valley. The Hyatt (which is at lake level) could have a view, the Ritz (which is at mid-mountain) might (both depending on room location) and Squaw Creek would not (it's in a valley, albeit with great views). There are a bunch of motels in Kings Beach that are right on the lake.

South Lake is much more developed, with the big casino hotels, outdoor performance arena (we saw Obama speak there yesterday at the Lake Tahoe Summit), miles and miles of both touristy and suburban type shops, grocery stores, and the like. The area around the hotels has been redeveloped recently and is much nicer than it used to be. The hotels are not on the lake, but many rooms should have views.

Generally speaking, the north and west have a "funkier" vibe than the east and south, the east is gorgeous and has a somewhat more "tony" feel, and the south is more developed. So it depends what "feel" you're going for.

Hopefully, Jainisj and MichelleY will chime in!

We spent our honeymoon in Lake Tahoe back in April 1996. We stayed at Harrah's in Stateline on the south shore and loved it. We were in Nevada but if you went out the side door you were in California. There is a ski lift right next door now that will take you up to Heavenly. When we were there in April the first part of the week was gorgeous with temps in the 70s. Woke up Wednesday morning to a foot of snow. We went skiing, snowmobiling, lake dinner cruise, drove around north side to Squaw Valley it was a beautiful drive.

I've spent a week at north shore Lake Tahoe almost every mid-May since I was a young girl. It will not be 'summer' weather but should be nice. Daytime you can get anything from 80°F down to the low 60's or even lower. I've had great weather -- and snow storms -- often in the same week. It will be cold at night. There are sometimes afternoon rain showers.

The complex where I stay (exactly what I want but not what I'd recommend for a honeymoon) - the pool doesn't generally open til the last week of May. though the tennis courts are open. I have photos from one of my balconies taken on May 17th's one year apart - one w/ kids playing shirtless/in shorts . . . and the other w/ the courts covered by a couple of inches of snow.

There won't be snow skiing . . . but no water skiing either. I go up in May (and again in October) precisely because it is the 'off-est' of off season and there are no crowds at all. But it is too late for winter sports and generally too early for summer 'stuff'. The scenery will be great, the restaurants mostly open, lake level hikes are totally doable, Sand Harbor and Emerald Bay for WOW factor, probably nice enough weather to go kayaking, day trip to Truckee, another one to Virginia City, go up the Heavenly gondola. In other words, you can have a wonderful laid back visit -- but not a 'typical' Tahoe vacation.

I'd maybe look at some of the higher end condo Complexes at/near Kings Beach/Incline Village.

If your budget allows, look at the Hyatt at Incline Village. So beautiful! Otherwise check air Bnb or vrbo for a rental. That time of year should offer good rates.

Thank you for the replies! My worries were the weather and if there would be enough for us to do being the off season! It seems like the weather is unpredictable at that time, which being from New England we are used to! We don't ski, and we aren't expert hikers so as long as there are a couple small trails we can do we should be fine! I will continue researching!

Janisj, where do you stay? We're at Northstar. Now that the weather has cooled some (not pool/beach weather this week), we're going to Virginia City tomorrow and to Bodie on Saturday. Today we played golf. It's been an awesome summer.

Alz24- May will most likely be very nice. I went in May a few years back, Mother's Day weekend. So beautiful!

>>Janisj, where do you stay? <<

In Incline . . .

>>May will most likely be very nice. <<

It is often nice - but summer storms (rain or snow) are also pretty common.

>>as there are a couple small trails we can do we should be fine!<<

There are lots more than a couple of short trails -- you will find plenty to do.

We've been hiking all summer, so I can definitely recommend hikes (although some we've taken have been much more than short and definitely not easy!).

Wish they would reopen the old Club CalNeva on the No'shore. Probably one of thee best views of Lake Tahoe.

We've stayed at Aston's Lakeland Village on the So Shore and really enjoyed it. Full kitchen if you are so inclined on your honeymoon.

http://www.astonlakelandvillage.com/

Nice walking paths there too. Not too far from the Stateline casinos and some good restaurants.

Thanks everyone! This will be helpful when we go to book everything which will hopefully be soon!

Just got back from our annual long weekend with friends at Marriott's Timber Lodge in So Lake Tahoe.

Great location next to restaurants, bars, shopping and the gondola but the place itself is your usual run of the mill Marriott room/suite.

About a 15 min walk to the lakeshore/Edgewood Country Club. Right across the street to Harvey's/Harrah's.

Saw another beautiful sunset view from Friday's Station....great place to have a "special meal".