Tahoe or Reno
 

I am planning a trip to San Francisco in mid April for a family visit. I am interested in either driving to Reno or Tahoe. How long is the drivie from San Francisco. WE are thinking of just doing an overnite. Is this feasable. I would like to stay nearby a casino for fun also. Any hotels or recommendations will be appreciated.

I would choose Lake Tahoe over Reno. Lake Tahoe is absolutely beautiful and Reno is pretty much just a city in a desert with some casinos.

The drive from SF to either Lake Tahoe or Reno should be about 3 1/2 to 4 hours - unless you leave SF during the afternoon commute or on a Saturday morning - then you will hit traffic.

I agree with J_Correa. Forget Reno and go to Tahoe. It will be much easier and quicker to get to the northshore of Tahoe.
How much do you want to spend? They Hyatt on the shores of the lake is wonderful. If it is too much there are some other motels with casinos on the north shore. Cal-Neva comes to mind.

That post seemed misleading. I didn't mean it was much quicker and easier to get to the Northshore than it is to get to Reno -- I meant it was much easier than getting to the Southshore of Tahoe!

Hi anncat. Friday afternoons on I-80 going east has extremely heavy traffic (as does Saturday morning) and Sunday late afternoon going west on I-80 is usually very crowded also. So if possible I would recommend you avoid these driving times.

I agree with all the other posters about Lake Tahoe being so much nicer then Reno.

And getting to North Shore is easier then cutting over to 50 and driving to South Shore.

lake tahoe is really nice. we stayed at harveys. basic and clean. good location. the rates fluctuated almost daily so book your room but then check on the internet. if they go down, call the hotel and they'll give you the lower rate.