Heavens

With two kids? And what is there to do there besides beautiful scenery?

Suzie

We'd need to know when you plan to visit before we can make recommendations. For instance, if you are going in July I wouldn't suggest any snow skiiing.

Heavens

Sorry, meant to include that. Early Aug. We are thinking about a drive up the coast from San Diego, looking at a few colleges, and then heading up to Morgan Hill to see relatives. My H loves to fly fish, so thought we could spend a few days in some lakeside lodge or hotel basking in the scenery while he flyfishes. Could also be Mammoth Lakes if that area is better. But with Tahoe having casinoes, thought that might be fun at night. And more restaurants to choose from. Plus that beautiful lake. And cool weather.

Suzie

Two great choices in Tahoe and Mammoth for fly fishing. We go to both every summer for the scenery and for DH fly fishing. Mammoth is better for fishing BTW.

In Tahoe some lakeside accomodations: Rustic and historic at Meek Bay. Great sandy beach on the West side.

Sunnyside Lodge, more like a hotel with a great on site lakeside restaurant. About 3 miles south of Tahoe City. No good beach here though.


South shore places we've stayed that our kids loved:
Embassy Suites. it's on the CA side but next door to the casinos. Has indoor pool and spa. Breakfast and cocktail hour included in price.

Some good things to do with kids in August:

Raft down the Truckee river. We do it every summer. Easy hike to Cascade Lake which has spectaular views. Park up at top of Bay View campground parking lot across from Emerald Bay. Pretty easy hike of about 1 to 1 1/2 miles.
Also pretty easy hike to Angora Lake out of a big parking lot. There are boats to rent and fishing. Kids can use the sandy beach and jump off the rocks. About 1 mile hike.

Go to Sand Harbor near Incline for a great beach experience. Schedule it on a day when you can stay and see a Shakespeare play in the lakeside theater. Take a picnic there. This year is As you like it and Much ado about nothing.

Rent Bikes and ride along the lakeside bike path. Can rent bikes nearly any spot around the lake. Homewood, Tahoe City etc.

Great day is to take the tram up to High Ranch at Squaw Valley. We start out early and buy the package so we can swim and use the ice skating rink. Kids love to spend the day there. Take some really good sunscreen.

Take Heavenly Gondola for great view and picnic.

More?

Otis_B_Driftwood

Anywhere in the Sierra will be cool.

For fishing try Gold Lake
http://www.lakesbasin.com/gold/
No casinos however. Just a beautiful mountain experience.

At Tahoe, look at the CalNeva Lodge. Their lakeview suites have the best views I have found in any hotel. And they have a nice beach.

Instead of Mammoth Lakes, consider June Lake. Both are fabulous but June is a little quieter. The best fishing is out on the Owens River.

There's also great fishing in Bridgeport, one of the prettiest towns in California.

J_Correa

Otis - what's the deal with mentioning the Lakes Basin? Isn't there some sort of unwritten rule amoung people who vacation there that this area is not to be mentioned except to a select few?

Fortunately, the remoteness of the area and lack of "attractions" will keep the place from being overrun.

I haven't been up there in years, but my family has vacationed in that area for generations and it is indeed a wonderful place for flyfishing. We never spent much time at Gold Lake though. We always spent more time around Salmon, Sardine, and Packer. I have got to get back up there. It is truely a special place.

Back to the topic of Lake Tahoe - I like the Zephyr Cove resort. The cabins right on the lake are reminicent of the old Tahoe style, it's got a nice beach, a dock, a restaurant, and little bar so it's pretty self contained if you want to just hang out there. And it's not too far from the casinos.

Heavens

Thanks all for the info. WIll look into these suggestions.

Any opinions on where is prettier? Mammoth or Lake Tahoe?

Suzie

Tahoe is prettier though there certainly are lots of beautiful sites in Mammoth and loads of fishing. The one issue with Mammorh is that it is significantly warmer than Tahoe and we have not stayed in a condo yet that has airconditioning. It can be really hot at night sometimes. If you want to go to Reds Meadow, Rainbow Falls, Devils postpile or anywhere near there you need to get to the Entrance station before 7:00 am (not 7;01) or you'll have to pay for and take the shuttle bus. Not good if anyone gets car sick.
Mammoth is really small compared to Tahoe. Great movie theater in town. Starting on Thursday evenings you can feel the population grow so make sure you shop for supplies at the grocery store early in the day.