We've live in NY, but have family from San Diego to San Francisco. We're looking for a good place for a family reunion for next year, ala Duck, North Carolina. We'd like to rent a big (big) house at the ocean, on a lake....for 20-25. Any suggestions for areas, contacts????

Barbara, are you looking for a place in California?

Yes, Sorry I didn't make it clear. North or South CA, or we've even considered Tahoe.

Suggestion: Go on line to the San Francisco Chronicle. Search their travel pages as they carry listings for things lke this in the paper.

Monterey or Carmel?

I would definitely recommend Lake Tahoe. It's absolutely beautiful there and there are tons of options for lodging. We usually go up there with groups of friends and rent condos on the lake. That makes it really nice and economical because a couple families can rent a condo with several bedrooms and have more space than if they rented individual hotel rooms. Going that route, we have stayed in Lake Tahoe for as little as $50/night.

Also, at Lake Tahoe there are lots of things for people to do.

My favorite place is Zephyr Cove resort - its on the south-east shore of the lake. There are rustic style cabins, a beach that is good for swimming, a dock with different kinds of boats to rent, a restaurant, BBQ facilities. And it's only about a 10 minute drive down to the casinos. So it's the best of everything - a little secluded but with stuff for people to do.