Try your Luck with Lake Tahoe
You can find fun and relaxation at this lakeside destination.
Lake Tahoe offers a wide range of activities for the whole family, from hiking and skiing to fine dining and casino nightlife.
Nestled right on the border between California and Nevada in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is Lake Tahoe. The second deepest lake in the US is home to a moderate local population and much larger tourist population which swells in both winter and summer. This resort town offers many activities year round for the entire family. Tahoe, as the area is referred to colloquially, is about a four hour drive from the Bay Area to the South Shore, and from Reno to Incline Village on the North Shore is only about an hour by car.
The lake is 22 miles long, which offers a good amount of shoreline. Larger areas around Lake Tahoe are now protected or limited in development after a large boom in the 70s and 80s, but there are still ample beach areas and many of the summer visitors come for the opportunity to go boating, fishing or water skiing. Some of the highly popular waterfront restaurants feature their own docks so that boaters can dock and come ashore for dinner. Hikers, climbers and mountain bikers will also find a variety of terrain and trails available.
Emerald Bay State Park, on the southern California side of the lake, is named for its own emerald green waters and is a favorite spot for taking boat cruises of the lake. This area is know for being the most photographed spot around Lake Tahoe due to the incredible clarity and color of the water.
With part of the area around the lake falling in the state of Nevada, you do of course get legalized gambling. You will find the North Shore casinos in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Stateline is your South Shore casino destination. The famous Cal Neva resort, once owned by Frank Sinatra, get it's name from the fact that is is built right on the line between the two states. The casino part of the establishment is located on the Nevada side. The state dividing line is the part that got the hotel it's renown, being painted visibly to show where it really is, even crossing the hotel swimming pool.
In winter, this is one of the leading ski areas on the West Coast. Over a half dozen major ski resorts are in the area and the proximity of the Reno/Tahoe airport and the Carson City airport make it easy for travelers to come in for a ski holiday. Many residents live elsewhere for the winter and rent their homes for the snow season, so consider staying in a rental home instead of a hotel if you are planning a winter vacation with the whole family. It can make for a cozier and convenient stay.
