Iwan2go

I'd like to understand more about Lake Tahoe. I've read online material only (not a guidebook) and would appreciate learning a little more about the area. Closest we've been is Gold country, a long time ago. We like good food, nice lodgings, walking (not mountain hiking but long walks in the forest). I would say quieter rather than a really active area - and we're not into casinos or skiing, so we'd go in the summer or fall, i think. For comparison, we love Santa Barbara and Sonoma/Napa. We might go as a couple, but at some time may rent a house for our extended family of seven adults and two young children (so far).

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. Again, I've looked online but don't know where to base ourselves

Thanks!

tomfuller

I think the West shore is what you are looking for. http://www.gotahoenorth.com/resorts-...wns/west-shore
The casinos are at the South end.

MonicaRichards

We used to rent in Incline Village, which is on the North Shore. I am not a South Shore girl, too much traffic/businesses/etc. and I don't like to gamble.

janisj

"so we'd go in the summer or fall," - if you have the choice go in the Fall. Mid summer through Labor Day Tahoe is very crowded and traffic is a definite issue. The west side would be less crowded simply because there is less development - but the northshore to/from southshore traffic would still be a problem.

Renting a house on the West side of the lake would be good - but then you'd also have to drive to get to anything/anywhere.

Renting a house or condo in Incline Village just across the Nevada state line would be in a built up area - but there are many restaurants, a large supermarket, shops etc w/i walking distance of most areas. You'd get the convenience of Southshore w/o the craziness/crowds and be VERY near Sand Harbor which is the prettiest part of the entire basin.

There are other parts of northshore between Tahoe City and Incline that are also good options.

The least developed side is on the east/Nevada side - but there are fewer properties to choose from.

sf7307

Based on your description, I would choose someplace on the north/west lake between Kings Beach and Meeks Bay (see attached map) (I don't love Incline Village, except for the part past the town around Sand Harbor -- too suburb-like for me). I would walk at DL Bliss. I would bike the west shore bike path. I would drive all the way around the lake one day. I would eat anywhere from Tahoe City to Incline Village (including Truckee), including my favorite breakfast/lunch place, the FireSign Cafe in Homewood.

http://tinyurl.com/loyts5k

sf7307

Sorry I don't have a recommendation for accommodations. We almost always rent a condo or house at Northstar, which isn't on the lake. There aren't many luxury hotels, the only one on the north shore is the Hyatt at Incline Village. There's also the Ritz-Carlton at Northstar and the Squaw Valley Inn (again, not on the lake). There are many home rentals, but you'd have to work with a broker to find one that is the right style, size, and location for you.

Rastaguytoday

I practically grew up in Lake Tahoe, as my parents and grandparents owned a cabin that they built when I was 4.

This was on the South Shore.

For the last 10 years or so, I've been using my inlaws' timeshare on the North Shore.

Both have their pluses and minuses.

Much more gambling and crowds on the South Shore. There's also many live shows to go to.

The North Shore pretty much missed the majority of the crowds. However, there's not that many restaurants to go to. In the fall it's pretty quiet.

My personal preference is the South Shore, and I'm not really a gambler.

I've gone over the old Pony Express trail many times to Gardnerville to have some of the excellent Basque food there. JT's is best place to go to.

Iwan2go

Thank you so much for all your help. I don't think it would matter if we were on the lake; we're not boating people. I'll look into your suggestions, and thank you very much.

mrssparky

We have stayed in Carnelian Bay (North West) the last three years. Great spot. Short drive to great hiking, Truckee (a little more excitement), or a short hilly walk to the lake and an attractive restaurant with a lovely pier.

sf7307

Mrssparky, what restaurant (always on the lookout)?

The lake is as much about the view as it is about boating, maybe more. Look the the pictures of Brockway Springs Resort in King's Beach - the pictures looking out from the pool will give you an idea. If you send me an email (sf7307 at gmail), I'll send you some pix of our walks around Emerald Bay.

BTW, Brockway Springs is a great place to stay, but it's not at all upscale, just ordinary condos in a fantastic location. The complex is on the lake, although most of the individual units are not.

http://brockwaysprings.com/

janisj

Yes - the lake is the main reason for being there. On or w/ a view of the lake is much better than not . . .

Brockway springs - views to die for!

Shar

VRBO will give you many choices. i like North Shore for all the trees and still the lake is there. South Shore is a mess, wall to wall traffic and lots of buildings and did I say wall to wall traffic!

wekewoody

We rented this house for a week in August and loved it. It was about a mile south of Sunnyside in an area called Hurricane Bay on the west side of the lake. The view is actually better than represented in the photos. It is a 5 minute walk down to the beach and a pathway that runs for miles along the lake and the road that goes around the lake. Regarding timing, if you are flexible, I would go as late in August as you can.

http://www.tahoegetaways.com/Vacatio...ewCottage.aspx

mrssparky

The Resaturant on the lake was GarWoods. We went down for happy hour, ended up being invited for a spirits and apps tasting (I had ordered a rum drink, and thus we were invited). What we had was tasty. We did not eat dinner there, but we did go back down the next night as well for drinks. The pier and the moonlit sky were lovely.

Iwan2go

Woody, thanks for the referral - it looks really nice!

wekewoody

It is a good house for a couple or small family. The two larger bedrooms share a bathroom. The third bedroom is a small twin bedded room that has a small bathroom. Small kitchen, but the deck is the thing at this house. We spent most of our time during the day on the deck.