DISCOVER LAKE TAHOE AND RENO

Lake Tahoe is amazing! As a travel writer, I’ve traveled extensively over the past decade, and I’ve yet to find a mountain destination anywhere in the world that has everything Lake Tahoe has to offer, while also being so breathtakingly beautiful. Located on the California-Nevada border, northeast of Sacramento, the lake is a popular destination for adventure seekers, families, and anyone looking to reconnect with nature. It’s also known for its crystal-blue waters, beautiful beaches, excellent hiking, and world-class ski resorts. It even attracts more than 2.7 million visitors annually. It’s consistently ranked among the top five places in California. It’s even been voted “America’s Best Lake.”

The lake is 1,644 m deep, making it the second deepest lake in the US (the deepest is Crater Lake). In some parts it is so clear that you can see all the way to the bottom! When you consider how much water it has and if it were flat, it could easily cover the entire state of California with that amount of water. Which is really crazy!

One of the interesting things about the lake is the fact that, being located at a high altitude where snow falls, it never freezes.

NORTHERN PART VS SOUTHERN PART OF THE LAKE

The lake is so large that it is referred to by two names: North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe. Both regions are beautiful and have much in common in terms of lake access, beautiful beaches, and world-class ski resorts. However, they are also very different.

NORTH LAKE TAHOE

North Lake Tahoe is the quieter part of the lake and I think it’s much more beautiful. The north side is also much more untouched, less crowded, and more in touch with nature. The area is made up of small towns and cute mountain towns, including: Incline Village, Sunnyside/Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Carnelian Bay, Crystal Bay, Tahoe Vista, and Truckee.

LAND OF BEARS

Bear themes are everywhere. You’ll find bear cafes and lots of carved bear statues. Black bears live in the area, so be sure to check out local bear safety. Keep Tahoe Bears Wild is a great source of information about bears in Tahoe and how we can enjoy Tahoe while respecting the bears that call this area home.

GEORGE WHITTEL’S LEGACY

If you hang around Lake Tahoe long enough, you’re bound to hear a story or two about George Whittell. He was an eccentric San Francisco tycoon who, in the mid-20th century, owned about a third of the land in the Tahoe basin and 27 miles of lakeshore. He famously said he never worked a day in his life. Some people are inclined to believe Whittell was a recluse. Whittell spent his summers in seclusion and isolation at his lakeside mansion called Thunderbird Lodge on Tahoe’s east shore. Whittell is said to have been a tech enthusiast who collected luxury cars, airplanes, and yachts, including a wooden boat called the Thunderbird that still occasionally plies Lake Tahoe. Or there are stories about Whittell’s pet lion, Bill, and his elephant, Ming. My favorite is probably the story of a high-stakes poker game he lost to another man of Tahoe folklore, Joe King. It is said that the winnings in this game were so high that King used the money he earned to buy and name the beach Kings Beach. Another thing is that there are documents that show plans for the Sand Harbor Hotel and Casino that he planned. Fortunately, Sand Harbor has nothing of the kind today. It is a state park with a sandy beach and remarkably clear water, where thousands of people visit every summer.

SAND HARBOR BEACH

One of the most beautiful beaches is Sand Harbor Beach. If you drive, expect to pay for parking. It’s $10 for Nevada-registered vehicles and $15 for out-of-state vehicles. But it’s worth it, because this beach is so beautiful. Sand Harbor is known for its crystal-clear water, sandy beaches, and beautiful rock formations. Sand Harbor has two docks that are perfect for water skiers, fishermen, and boats.

The waters of Sand Harbor are a popular spot for swimming, diving, and snorkeling. Sand Harbor Rentals (located in a white tent near the boat ramp) rents out water sports equipment daily, including kayaks and paddleboards. However, plan ahead as watercraft sell out quickly.

MY TIP:

Sand Harbor is one of the most popular spots in Tahoe and the parking lot often fills up as early as 9am, so plan your visit early. The park will close the gates when full and walking is not allowed, and parking on Route 28 is strictly prohibited. So be careful! 🙂

The southern part of Sand Harbor is ideal for children and swimmers thanks to its sandy shoreline, and the northern part is great for exploring giant rocks and boulders.

SAND POINT NATURE TRAIL

While you’re there, be sure to take a walk along the Sand Point Nature Trail. It’s less than a half-mile long, is wheelchair accessible, and leads to Sand Point, where you’ll find stunning views of the mountains and Lake Tahoe. There’s no campground or campground, but there are plenty of quiet picnic areas. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful cedar and pine trees with grills and picnic tables.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

The southern part of the lake is basically a mini Las Vegas. It is located on the Nevada side, so if you like to gamble, this is the area to stay. You will find a number of casinos and a lively nightlife! The southern shore includes towns such as Meyers, Stateline, Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook, Emerald Bay, and the Markleeville and Kirkwood areas.

The south coast is home to the world-class Heavenly Resort and a number of great restaurants, bars and shops. If you prefer all the amenities of a big city during your vacation, then the south is the place for you.

RELAX HERE!

During my stay I enjoyed the peace and great relaxation that this lake offers. If you decide to visit this place, you will definitely not regret it. Just keep in mind that it is a little more expensive here.

If you get tired of the lake, you can take a trip to RENO. You can drive to Reno from the shores of North Lake Tahoe in 50 minutes, and if you get tired of the lake, Reno is a great option.

RENO – THE BIGGEST SMALL CITY IN THE WORLD

At least that’s what the 1929 sign on the iron arch in the middle of downtown says, if that’s what the only main street lined with casinos and cheap shops with even cheaper souvenirs “Made in China” can even be called. 🙂 In addition to casinos and souvenirs, there are also a lot of pawn shops and liquor stores – but that’s a phenomenon typical of all cities in the USA where there are casinos or military bases.

Reno can be both a paradise and a curse. There was a small town in the area of today’s city of Reno around 1850 – mainly thanks to the railroad and gold discovered in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains. At the end of the gold rush, gold miners at first constantly cursed the very dense mud, which they called “blue mud”, because it contaminated their tools and made it impossible for them to work in any way. But then they slowly realized that what they hated was actually silver. As gold dwindled, silver gained importance, and so did the city. It is not for nothing that Nevada was nicknamed the “Silver State“. The city got its current name after the hero of the Civil War, General Jesse Lee Reno.

This city has many peculiarities. What amused me was that soon after its founding it became famous for its “expedited” divorces. Reno, located on the northwestern edge of Nevada, is sometimes considered the younger sister of Las Vegas. And I would say more like a stepbrother. 🙂 Yes, both cities have casinos and an atmosphere of ubiquitous entertainment, but Reno lags behind the grandeur of its older sister a bit. As you might guess, Reno – just like Las Vegas – has a lot of casinos. Unlike Las Vegas, however, they are not located in one strip. Several are downtown, several further out in the city, and a few in neighboring Sparks, Nevada.

But the same applies here as in Las Vegas. If you haven’t played, it’s like you weren’t even in Reno. And also a message: