Reno-Tahoe area
Jul 11th, 2001, 05:37 AM
#1
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Reno-Tahoe area
Will be traveling to Reno-Tahoe area in October. What will the weather be? Staying in Reno at Ramada Vacation Suites. Anyone know of this hotel? What is it like? Planning on visiting Lake Tahoe. What is the best side of the lake to see? Also would be interested in a day trip to Virginia City. What are the top attractions?
Jul 11th, 2001, 06:15 AM
#2
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The weather will be cool/chilly. It usually snows late September/early October. You may want to go to your favorite search engine and search for Ramada Vacation Suites - Reno. All of Lake Tahoe is beautiful. You can drive all around it in one day. South Shore (Stateline) has casinos. You will love Virginia City.
Also suggest you search Reno, NV and Lake Tahoe. You will have all your questions answered, they're pretty well covered on the internet. Top attractions? Nature. You can visit the Ponderosa where they filmed Bonanza.
Good Luck and have a great time in my neck of the woods.
cjt
Also suggest you search Reno, NV and Lake Tahoe. You will have all your questions answered, they're pretty well covered on the internet. Top attractions? Nature. You can visit the Ponderosa where they filmed Bonanza.
Good Luck and have a great time in my neck of the woods.
cjt
Jul 11th, 2001, 06:52 AM
#3
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I differ on my opinion of the weather in Late Sept early Oct. It has never snowed then. It doesn't begin to snow until November at the earliest.
My annniversary is at the end of Sept and we always go to Tahoe. It has always been perfect weather during the day and sweater weather at night. It's truly fall like there. Down in the central velley it is still quite hot so Tahoe is sweet relief after the long hot season. The Ponderosa is a sorry sad attraction. The north and west sides are the best to see as far a nature goes. Many easy day hikes or beaches to visit and some fun lakeside dining or drinking. Visit Sunnyside Resort south of Tahoe City for a lakeside lunch. Since you're staying in Reno you will have plenty of gambling opportunities so you won't need to go as far as south shor wich is less scenic than the rest of the lake.
My annniversary is at the end of Sept and we always go to Tahoe. It has always been perfect weather during the day and sweater weather at night. It's truly fall like there. Down in the central velley it is still quite hot so Tahoe is sweet relief after the long hot season. The Ponderosa is a sorry sad attraction. The north and west sides are the best to see as far a nature goes. Many easy day hikes or beaches to visit and some fun lakeside dining or drinking. Visit Sunnyside Resort south of Tahoe City for a lakeside lunch. Since you're staying in Reno you will have plenty of gambling opportunities so you won't need to go as far as south shor wich is less scenic than the rest of the lake.
Jul 11th, 2001, 06:56 AM
#4
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Hi:
As someone who grew up on the southwest shore I can underscore Brenda's endorsement of the lake's beauty. You will be closest to the north shore from Reno via I-80 through Truckee. October days in Reno/Tahoe are gorgeous, but be prepared for anything, from 60-70 degree temps in Reno, to snow at the lake.
I think the "best" side of the lake (depending on what you are looking for) is the area between Crystal Bay on the north shore to Kiva Beach/Camp Richardson on the south shore, e.g. the western segment of Highway 89, which goes around the lake. Check out the fish hatchery at Kiva, Fallen Leaf Lake, Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm, Fanny Bridge at Tahoe City, etc. There is also a wilderness portal at Fallen Leaf into Desolation Wilderness where, weather permitting, you could do a short day hike up to Susie Lake, not too tough and very pretty. Generally, South Lake Tahoe is sort of the poster child for what went wrong planning/development-wise in the Tahoe Basin, IMHO. Lots of strip development, etc. This, although there is a redevelopment plan many years in the making that is changing the ticky-tacky look.
One of the best ways to see the lake is from the lake. It is a touristy thing, but you could take a cruise on the MS Dixie. Unless you were a huge fan of Bonanza, I would avoid the Ponderosa---pretty cheesy. The "Hossburger" is just not that great of an enticement
Virginia City, on the other hand, while sorta cheesy too, is actually pretty fun and does offer a glimpse into the past of some accuracy. There are also historical museums in Carson City that are worthwhile.
Hope you enjoy your trip.
PS L
As someone who grew up on the southwest shore I can underscore Brenda's endorsement of the lake's beauty. You will be closest to the north shore from Reno via I-80 through Truckee. October days in Reno/Tahoe are gorgeous, but be prepared for anything, from 60-70 degree temps in Reno, to snow at the lake.
I think the "best" side of the lake (depending on what you are looking for) is the area between Crystal Bay on the north shore to Kiva Beach/Camp Richardson on the south shore, e.g. the western segment of Highway 89, which goes around the lake. Check out the fish hatchery at Kiva, Fallen Leaf Lake, Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm, Fanny Bridge at Tahoe City, etc. There is also a wilderness portal at Fallen Leaf into Desolation Wilderness where, weather permitting, you could do a short day hike up to Susie Lake, not too tough and very pretty. Generally, South Lake Tahoe is sort of the poster child for what went wrong planning/development-wise in the Tahoe Basin, IMHO. Lots of strip development, etc. This, although there is a redevelopment plan many years in the making that is changing the ticky-tacky look.
One of the best ways to see the lake is from the lake. It is a touristy thing, but you could take a cruise on the MS Dixie. Unless you were a huge fan of Bonanza, I would avoid the Ponderosa---pretty cheesy. The "Hossburger" is just not that great of an enticement
Virginia City, on the other hand, while sorta cheesy too, is actually pretty fun and does offer a glimpse into the past of some accuracy. There are also historical museums in Carson City that are worthwhile.
Hope you enjoy your trip.
PS L
Jul 11th, 2001, 09:24 AM
#5
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Actually there are several ways to get to the Lake from Reno. The shortest is 395 to Mt Rose Hwy 431. This will take about 40 minutes to begin the awesome drive around the lake. It dumps you on the north shore. If you drive to Truckee first then to the lake you can Stop for a bite in Truckee which is a kinda fun spot, then take 89 to Squaw Valley if you want, whcih would be way better than either Ponderosa or Virginia City if its scenery you're into. You'll eventually end up in Tahoe City, which is a busy place. I think it will depend on the kinds of things you like to do. Posters on this board vary in their interests so what's a fun thing for one is not necessarily of interest to another.
Jul 11th, 2001, 12:33 PM
#6
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Obviously there are a lot of ways to get to Tahoe from Reno over a myriad of summits and from all directions of the compass. What I was suggesting was the most expedient to an equidistant choice between going around the lake's east or west shore from the north.
Relative to the weather, I remember waking up on the 4th of July one year with 6 inches of snow on the ground. Rare, but it does happen. personally, I am not sure most people are looking to go to Tahoe to get their wallets hoovered by tourist traps like the Ponderosa, but that is just *my* opinion, which I am more than happy to say may not be shared by everyone. That's what I appreciate about this board---the variety of opinions and how they help shape informed choices.
PS L
Relative to the weather, I remember waking up on the 4th of July one year with 6 inches of snow on the ground. Rare, but it does happen. personally, I am not sure most people are looking to go to Tahoe to get their wallets hoovered by tourist traps like the Ponderosa, but that is just *my* opinion, which I am more than happy to say may not be shared by everyone. That's what I appreciate about this board---the variety of opinions and how they help shape informed choices.
PS L
Jul 11th, 2001, 03:49 PM
#8
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Thanks for all the helpful responses. Now if anyone only knew something about the Ramada in Reno. By the way, how is the gambling there? Is there any particular casino that is friendlier than the other? If anyone ever needs info on Upstate New York where I live, just ask.
Jul 11th, 2001, 05:30 PM
#9
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Everyones' suggestions about the Lake are pretty good - except all of their routes miss the single loveliest part of the Lake. Sand Harbor is on the Northeast side just beyond Incline Village and the Ponderosa. Yes- skip the Ponderosa by the way. Sand harbor is an amazing area with crystal blue/green water, great rock formations, sand dunes and a big beach.
The west side is wonderful and Emerald Bay and Eagle Falls shoulld not be missed. A good way to see all or most of the lake is to go either to truckee and over hwy 267 to Kings beach and drive the 5 miles to Incline, OR take the Mount Rose road (not in the snow though)to Incline and then just beyond is Sand Harbor. Then back track through Kings Beach to Tahoe city, around the west side to south shore, then hwy 50 over to Carson city and up 395 back to Reno.
The west side is wonderful and Emerald Bay and Eagle Falls shoulld not be missed. A good way to see all or most of the lake is to go either to truckee and over hwy 267 to Kings beach and drive the 5 miles to Incline, OR take the Mount Rose road (not in the snow though)to Incline and then just beyond is Sand Harbor. Then back track through Kings Beach to Tahoe city, around the west side to south shore, then hwy 50 over to Carson city and up 395 back to Reno.
Jul 14th, 2001, 08:45 PM
#10
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I have never been to the Ramadam but I would suggest trying to gamble downtown because you can walk between the all the casinos until you find the right one for you.
*While you are there, try to visit one of Reno's excellent basque restaurants -- The Sante Fe or Louis' Basque corner. The steaks are to die for -- so much good food.
Virginia City is worth the trip: a touristy but very authentic old mining ghost town. If people still live there, can it be a ghost town?
