Walnut Creek to Lake Tahoe???
 

Not that interested in wine country so thinking of a 2 day trip to Lake Tahoe...How long ,and is it a scenic trip and are there places to stop..???

For the most scenic trip, at least as far as once you get to the lake, I'd suggest heading to North Lake Tahoe and not South (South is where the majority of the casinos are; too built up).

A straight shot will take you about 3 1/2 hours. It becomes scenic after you pass Sacramento.

If you only have two days, though, I'd suggest saving your touring until you get to the lake area.

If your goal is gambling at the lake with scenic stops along the way, you should head to South Lake Tahoe instead. Perhaps someone else can suggest some good detours along the way?

Jim

Barry, do you live in Walnut Creek? I used to also, many moons ago and before we moved to Florida. Anyway, I don't think it's all that scenic until you get past Sacramento. Believe it's only a few hours from there to South Lake Tahoe (unless you hit rush hour traffic).

If you head up Hwy 50, you can stop in the town of Placerville, which is a gold rush town. Coloma is there with Sutter's Mill and plenty of gold rush era things to see.

Hwy 80 goes through Auburn, which is another gold rush town.

Between Walnut Creek and Sacramento is the Sacramento Delta. Hwy 160 is a pretty route through there.

Hi BARRY, from Walnut Creek you will take 680 north. Go over the Benicia/Martinez Bridge. Take 680 until you get to I-80. Go north on I-80. If you want to go to southshore then take I-80 to 50 which will take you to the south shore of Lake Tahoe. If you stay on I-80 you will get to north shore (you will see signs where to turn off) of Lake Tahoe. I agree that north shore is more scenic. South shore has all the big casino's (across the Nevada State line).

I would not suggest going to Lake Tahoe on a Friday or returning from Lake Tahoe Sunday afternoon or early evening due to the traffic.

Sludick is correct about having to get past Sacramento before you get to anything scenic. Have fun!

Thanks for all the info...I do not live in Walnut Creek but we are visiting family and have a Thurs and Fri free and have to be back late Fri or early Sat morn to Oakland to fly home.....I would do another 2 day trip and since we are not big into wine (I am more into flea markets ,antiques and folk art as well as good food)I was just looking for other fun places..I might look into a 2 day spa experince in Calistoga as another idea.

Tahoe's definitely worth a trek, but one of the great things about the Bay Area is all of the cool spots you can get to in under 4 hours.

Other options include Big Sur, Yosemite, Point Reyes, the Russian River, the Sonoma Coast, and even Mendocino.