Lake Tahoe, NV/CA:
Straddling The Sierra Range
by Rachael Carlomagno
From taking a dip in a natural hot spring to teeing-off on one of 55 championship-caliber golf courses, Lake Tahoe is a great summer destination. This outdoor playground creates the perfect atmosphere for people getting pampered in the spas or down and dirty on the trails.
Considered one of the top winter vacation destinations for its miles of challenging ski runs, Tahoe also offers amazing resorts, 24-hour casinos, miles of green fairways and more than 300 days of warm sunshine for visitors lucky enough to come here during the summer months.
American author Mark Twain once said the 72 miles of shimmering water that make up the lake are, “Surely the fairest picture the whole earth affords.” The breathtaking beauty of this site attracts millions of land-loving vacationers each year.
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The 34,000 residents of Lake Tahoe and its surrounding areas remain committed to preserving the site’s natural splendor and grace.
Nestled in the mountains on the Nevada-California border, this hidden paradise has its own airport and is located 198 miles northeast of San Francisco, 100 miles northeast of Sacramento and 58 miles southwest of Reno.
“The Edge of the Lake”
Considered a relatively young lake at about 11,000-years-old, Lake Tahoe was once home to the Washo Indians. Three bands of these peaceful Indians believed the lake had a spiritual meaning and came to its southern shores in the summer to conduct sacred ceremonies.
John C. Fremont discovered the 22-mile long and 12-mile wide Tahoe Basin in 1844, and christened it “Bonpland” after the French explorer and botanist. The lake was also called “Mountain Lake” and “Bigler Lake” before officially receiving the Native American name “Tahoe,” meaning “the edge of the lake.”
Lake Tahoe contains an estimated 39.75 trillion gallons of water and is the largest alpine lake in America. The enticing blue water is 99.7 percent pure and is so clear that a white dinner plate can be seen at 75 feet below the surface.
The discovery of gold in the Comstock Lode in nearby Virginia City, Nevada, during the California Gold Rush, increased traffic to the area, and the massive influx of people came down “Bonanza Road,” which is now Highway 50. It was the first road to stretch west-to-east across the mountains.
During this time, wood was a valuable commodity because it was needed for fuel and to support the labyrinth of mines being produced under Virginia City. Tahoe’s lush forests became the primary resource for the growing number of people in the area who needed timber. Between 1860 and 1890, loggers clear-cut the entire eastern shoreline of the lake, leaving scars of wilderness devastation that lasted for decades.
After the decline of the Comstock Lode, Tahoe began to show promise as a tourism hub and scenic  getaway. The tranquil region became a hot spot for wealthy men and women from San Francisco, who flocked to the lovely shores to stay in the exquisite new hotels and resorts being built there. Wealthy travelers took one train to Truckee and then boarded a second train to Tahoe City.
Once at the lake, vacationers could travel to a number of equally appealing resorts that bordered the lake. A system of passenger ferries and steamships took passengers to distant resorts and delivered mail and supplies to the area. As the hidden vacation spot grew in popularity, so did the need for permanent accommodations.
When the 1960 Winter Olympics came to Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe was officially put on the map as a great place to ski in western United States.
Development in the Tahoe Basin has come far since the time of the Washo Indians, but today’s planners remembered their ancient wisdom and enhanced the area without destroying its historic sanctity.
Today, Lake Tahoe gives vacationers the modern utopia they desire while embracing a timeless respect for nature.
Tee Time
It has been said that a golf ball travels further at higher elevations. Lake Tahoe rests comfortably at 6,229 feet elevation, so come out and see if it’s true.
Golf in the Sierra Valley has a history that traces back to 1934 when Bing Crosby hosted the first two invitational Pro-Am tournaments at the Old Brockway Golf Course in Kings Beach, California.
Although this tournament was not in PGA records, it was there that Crosby started the celebrity tournament tradition that remains one of the most highly anticipated events in Pebble Beach.
The Old Brockway course, which was designed by Scottish architect John Duncan Dunn, recently ranked as one of the top 9-hole golf courses in Northern California by Golf Today magazine. Brockway’s 9-hole course was not large enough to accommodate the annual tournament for long, but with its splendid mountain and Lake Tahoe views it is truly like no other.
North Tahoe’s youngest course, Coyote Moon in Truckee, is a favorite among visitors and locals. The 250-acre course was listed in the Northern California Golf Guide as, “One of the finest mountain golf courses in the West. The back nine…marks some of the most breathtaking golf outside of Pebble Beach.”
Its lush, rolling hills, majestic pines and wildflowers are seldom found on modern golf courses. Located on a ridge above Tahoe Donner, this course is a must see for Tahoe vacationers.
The 15th annual American Century Championship will be in Tahoe from July 13 to July 18. This prestigious event is a 54-hole tournament for more than 75 of the biggest current and former professional athletes and entertainers who compete for $500,000 in prize money.
The tournament will take place at the beautiful Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, which was recently rated as one of the nation’s top 100 courses (located between Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Lake Parkway; 888.881.8659). Buy a ticket from $10 to $20 and see these celebrities first hand.
Spectacular Stays
The Resort at Squaw Valley was named by Golf Magazine as having one of the “Top Ten Courses You Can Play.” The Resort took 10 years to develop and plan its environmentally friendly facility, resulting in a natural course that meanders gracefully through the surrounding mountains.
The 18-hole, par 71 championship course is only one of the features that sets this resort apart from the rest. The Play and Stay package includes one night’s luxury accommodations and one-day, unlimited golf for $189. During high season, the same package is $269.
The resort, nestled in a valley above the lake, has 403 exquisite rooms and offers full-service amenities to its guests year-round. Condè Nast Traveler magazine ranked it among the top 50 resorts in North America. This scenic mountain resort offers guests a wide variety of diversions for any season of the year.
Guests at Squaw Valley can go shopping in the resorts’ promenade, dine at one of four fine restaurants, relax and unwind for a day in the full-service spa or visit the health and fitness center. Children staying at the resort can take part in Mountain Buddies, a comprehensive children’s program.
The Spa at Squaw Valley offers more than 17 massages and body treatments to guests who need to unwind after a long day of golf or just want to pamper themselves with a day of luxury.
The strip on North Lake Boulevard offers other massage facilities in addition to the many day spas located in Truckee and neighboring areas in the Tahoe Basin. For an invigorating experience,
visitors of the Spa at Tahoe should try the Tahoe Sensational Facial and the Citrus Body Massage.
The Cal-Neva Resort in Crystal Bay offers, among other things, a full selection of European spa therapies. This 220-room resort overlooking Lake Tahoe gives vacationers the perfect mix of romance and beauty. More than 10,000 couples have been married and honeymoon at the Cal-Neva. Marilyn Monroe and former owner Frank Sinatra originally made this Tahoe favorite famous.
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The Three Peaks Resort & Beach Club (located in South Lake Tahoe) provides luxurious accommodations in a California mountain vacation setting. From this resort, vacationers are only two blocks away from Heavenly Lake Tahoe’s spectacular Gondola and three blocks away from tantalizing dining, sizzling nightlife and exciting casinos.
Three Peaks provides accommodations for any budget ranging from cozy rooms to multi-bedroom cabins. Whether you like barbecuing and playing ping pong or laying out on a private beach and soaking in the Jacuzzi, Three Peaks has it covered.
Tahoe is a winter wonderland on the slopes with an average of 400 inches of snow, but when that snow melts it is bursting with fresh possibilities for summer.
A short walk from the California-Nevada border, Heavenly Lake Tahoe resort offers vacationers year-round activities, guaranteed to make the whole family happy. A couple of relaxing days at Heavenly’s resort leaves vacationers feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
The “Room With a View” package gives travelers two or more nights lodging and a ride on the Gondola (starting at $165 per person).
Heavenly’s Gondola is one of Lake Tahoe’s “must see and do” attractions. This sightseeing experience takes eight passengers on a 2.4-mile trip up the mountain, giving them a birds-eye view of lovely Lake Tahoe. At 9,136 feet, the Gondola offers a spectacular view of the Carson Valley and Desolation Wilderness.
Amazing Activities
From the top of the mountain, hikers can take advantage of one of Heavenly’s three hiking routes.
Lake Tahoe has some of the best trails in the country for the beginner, intermediate and expert hikers and bikers. Big Meadow Trail to Scotts Lake (Hwy. 50 to Hwy. 89 to the Big Meadows parking lot on the left) is a beginner-level trail that travels through an aspen grove and opens into a picture-perfect valley of wildflowers.
The Shirley Lake trail in Olympic Valley is a four-to-five mile trip along a creek that passes small waterfalls and swimming holes. Vacationers taking this trail should come prepared to take a refreshing swim in the lake before heading back.
The Glen Alpine Trail (just three miles from South Lake Tahoe off of Fallen Leaf Lake Road) is a trailhead that leads to four different intermediate-level paths. If hikers choose the Lake Aloha trail, they will be able to take in the clean Tahoe air as they pass a small waterfall, colorful meadow and series of alpine lakes throughout their journey. Mt. Tallac trail was designed for experienced hikers.
This gorgeous trail (about 3.5 miles north of South Lake Tahoe) promises a spectacular hike that will be good for the mind and body.
Don’t have a mountain bike? The Back Country (with several locations including North Lake Boulevard; 530.581.5861) has hourly to full day rentals available to Tahoe bikers. For a nice ride, cruise along the West Shore of Lake Tahoe.
Ski Run Marina and Zephyr Cove Resort and Marina (four miles into Nevada on Hwy. 50) have all the water toys vacationers could want including sailboats, speed boats, canoes, kayaks, fishing and water-ski boats and personal watercraft rentals. In addition, Ski Run offers parasailing for the adventurous at heart.
The marina is home to the 500-passenger Tahoe Queen paddlewheel boat. This year-round historic boat offers daily and nightly cruises to Emerald Bay. The M.S. Dixie II is another Lake Tahoe vessel that cruises daily from Zephyr Cove.
Both cruises start at $25 per person and provide vacationers with an unforgettable experience on Lake Tahoe. Every year these vessels treat vacationers to an Independence Day celebration under the stars – and fireworks.
Named one of the best shows in the country, the Fireworks Cruise gives passengers first row seats to the shimmering lights and excitement.
What a way to end a Tahoe vacation.
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The Best of
Lake Tahoe
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Best Season: Many people who love Lake Tahoe came in the winter but stayed for the summer. This vacation destination has something to offer year-round. The appealing winter climate brings an average of 400 inches of snow annually, and the advanced snow-making technology found at many area resorts lets skiers kick off the winter in October. The 77 degree weather in the summer makes Lake Tahoe the perfect paradise for outdoor enthusiasts all 12 months a year. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, hiking, biking, golf and a number of other great activities for the whole family.
Best Landing: There are several public landing locations in the Tahoe area without the congestion of a busy commercial airport. Minden Tahoe [MEV] and Alpine CO [Q82], South Lake Tahoe [QVL] are easily accessible for general aviation Lake Tahoe travelers. There is also a sea plane base on the lake at Q74.
Tahoe Trivia: Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the U.S. with an average depth of 989 feet and deepest point of 1,645 feet. The lake contains 39 trillion gallons of water. The state of California would be completely covered to a depth of 14.5 inches if the lake were tipped over. On average, 1,400,000 tons of water evaporate from Lake Tahoe’s surface every 24 hours. If that water could be recovered, it would supply the daily requirements for a city the size of Los Angeles. The Godfather and the Bodyguard were filmed in Lake Tahoe.
Best Places to Stay: To make reservations at the Resort at Squaw Creek, call 530.583.6300 or 800.327.3353, or visit squawcreek.com. For more information on the Cal-Neva Resort Spa and Casino, call 800.CAL.NEVA, or visit calnevaresort.com. Make a reservation with the Three Peaks Resort and Beach Club at 800.331.3951. To speak with a representative at Heavenly Lake Tahoe resort, call 775.586.7000 or 800.HEAVENLY, or visit skiheavenly.com. For a complete listing of hotels and resorts in the Tahoe area, visit virtualtahoe.com or tripadvisor.com.
Best Way To Get Around: A car is handy for Tahoe vacations, but most places in the Tahoe Basin are easily accessible by biking, walking or taking a shuttle, making driving unnecessary at times. The Tahoe Trolley public transit system makes going to and from outdoor recreation destinations a breeze and eliminates the inconveniences of traffic and limited parking. The Tahoe Trolley is providing a new Parks Shuttle as well, which will run hourly from June 27 through Labor Day to a variety of state and federal parks. The shuttle will run to and from the casinos and clubs until midnight. TART, the public bus system, Tahoe Truckee Taxi and a number of car rental agencies are also available.
Best Planning Resources: For a complete guide to planning a Tahoe vacation or finding the hottest deals in the area, log onto the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority Web site, bluelaketahoe.com or Lake Tahoe Central Reservations at mytahoevacation.com. To see everything Tahoe has to offer, including visitor information, event planning resources, lodging, dining, nightlife and activities, go to Lake Tahoe Douglas Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center at tahoechamber.org or the Visitors Guide at www.tahoe.com.
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