Your Ideal Lake Tahoe Vacation

Planning for your ideal Lake Tahoe adventure? How to get there is not as difficult as it seems.

Whether it be a solitary getaway, a family weekend, a couple’s retreat or a few days of sporting adventure, then Lake Tahoe has it all.
Lake Tahoe is reputed to be the perfect year round vacation and wedding destination with relatively stable weather conditions, breathtaking scenery and a variety of environments suitable for a wide range of sporting activities.

Located between the borders of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe boasts of over 300 days of warm sunshine,  396 inches of annual snowfall, 18 world-class ski and snowboarding resorts, incredible golf courses,  fantastic hotels, casinos and many, many more.

There are several ways of getting to Lake Tahoe since there a big 3 US air carriers that all serve the Reno-Tahoe International Airport such as American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, as well as stop-overs by Continental, Northwest, Alaska, Frontier and Southwest.

From the airport rental cars and express bus service are the best way to travel to the lake.

Another good travel option is to arrange for shuttle service from the hotel you are staying in.

Driving time to the north shore is about 45 minutes, and 90 minutes to the south.

Winter storms are common and it’s easy to get caught unprepared, as Lake Tahoe weather quickly changes from clear skies to blizzards.
Winter and summer storms are usually common from September through June and drivers should be sure they have chains with them to tie around the tires especially when passing through snow-drenched roads high up in the alps.

The shoreline is now abuzz with casinos on the Nevada side of the lake.
One of the most notable is the Cal-Neva Lodge, which was famous for hosting the rich and famous.

Frank Sinatra, once a part owner, and Marylin Monroe were common faces here, while former president John F. Kennedy also enjoyed spending time at this famous establishment.

For a relaxing and romantic getaway, one can find many romantic destinations that boast of world-class service, elegant decors and scenery, superb cuisine and a wide array of choices to select from.
There’s usually a steady stream of live shows on the south shore at Harrah’s, Caesars, and at some of the other establishments near by.

So, whether  you plan to go skiing, mountain biking, paying golf or simply relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking view, experience the enjoyment of your Lake Tahoe vacation.
Proper planning is key to make you enjoy your vacation. From what things to pack, how to save time and money, preparing for high altitudes, it does help a lot to make your vacation as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible.

You can save money with Lodging Packages and Deal, and still enjoy a worthwhile vacation at Lake Tahoe at lesser costs.

Many resorts and hotels offer a variety of pre-arranged packages that include activities, lodging and often meals, all for one low price.
Many resorts also have recreational facilities that could help make your stay enjoyable and worthwhile, if you are not a, outdoor junkie or would just like to just take a break from the busy routines of everyday living.
These resorts provide complimentary access to recreational facilities including swimming pools, gyms, spas, playgrounds, ski and sledding lessons and a whole lot more families on vacation will enjoy.

So try and make this your ideal Lake Tahoe vacation, how to get there is just as easy a pie.

You Can Enjoy a Lake Tahoe Vacation on Board a Cruise

A Lake Tahoe Vacation will not be complete without a cruise. In fact, there are two ships to choose from namely the M.S. Dixie II and the Tahoe Queen. These two vessels are managed and maintained by Lake Tahoe Cruises and Zephyr Cove Resort.

You might be wondering if there are any differences between the Tahoe Queen and the M.S. Dixie II. For starters, the Tahoe Queen is powered using a paddle wheeler and not a motor. This is similar to the steamboats that were used more than 200 years ago.

The ship is 144 feet long, 33 feet wide and has 3 decks. Despite its old appearance, it can still carry 350 passengers on board and have a dining capacity of up to 210 passengers.

The M.S. Dixie II is much bigger than the Tahoe Queen. It is longer and wider measuring 151 feet in length and which is why it needs to use a grand paddle wheeler. It can have 570 passengers on board and a dining capacity of 360 guests.

The M.S. Dixie Cruise II and the Tahoe Queen offer different cruises to choose from and the first is the two hour scenic cruise giving everyone enough time to take shots with the beautiful scenery as their background.

The Tahoe Queen casts off at 12 noon daily. If you miss that, catch the M.S. Dixie II which casts off an hour later. When you are on board, you will get to sail along Emerald Bay. A tour guide will tell you how this was formed which even has a special video presentation.

If you want to watch the sun go down and dine the same time, why not inquire about the dinner cruise. The M.S. Dixie II offers this every Wednesday and departs at 5:30pm while the Tahoe Queen offers theirs every Saturday also at the same time.

Aside from the great food, you can listen to the live band, dance and watch the live show known as “Show Boat.” The dinner cruise lasts for about three and a half hours before heading back to port.

These two vessels are just two of four vessels in their fleet which you can get for a chartered cruise. The other two are smaller namely the Tahoe Paradise and the Tahoe Princess. On board, you can throw a wedding, a debut or even an anniversary.

Of the four, only the Tahoe Princess is not available all year round and if you want to use it, you can only make a reservation between the months of May to October.

If you happen to be in Lake Tahoe during the holidays, they also offer specialty cruises. You can have brunch here during Mother’s Day or during Easter. There is a special cruise set for New Year’s Eve, the 4th of July, Christmas and Labor Day.

Cruising is one of the things you can do should you decide to spend a Lake Tahoe vacation. You can make a reservation through your travel agent or doing it yourself by booking online. By booking early, you are sure to have a seat since it fills up pretty quickly during the peak season even if it just to sail around the harbor for a couple of hours.

You can Take a Romantic Lake Tahoe Vacation

If you want to try out something new and spend a weekend or even a week-long vacation, then you can take a romantic Lake Tahoe vacation.

Spectacularly nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe is one of today’s finest vacation destinations around the United States.

Lake Tahoe is located along the border between California and Nevada, but wait until you get to experience the natural and breathtaking beauty of Lake Tahoe where you will be surely captivated by its romantic setting and natural charm.

Travel experts agree that there are more romantic Lake Tahoe vacation ideas, accommodation and sightseeing activities.

Only a short 60-mile ride from Reno, and an easy drive from San Francisco, Lake Tahoe can be a fine romantic getaway for either a weekend retreat or a honeymoon setting.

The beauty and charm of Tahoe is its unique mix of mountain air, scenery and activities, highlighted with big name entertainment, dining and nightlife.

No wonder it is considered by far the best and the largest alpine lake in North America.

But Tahoe is not just synonymous with parties and social gatherings or sporting adventures, it can also be a getaway for those who wish to have a peaceful day of rest and solitude.

The north shore of Lake Tahoe is the area for those seeking a more serene environment, with world-class and finer lodging options.

Activities in the north shore area are considered a bit laid back and suits a slower paced environment.

The south shore area, on the other hand, is much more pulsating and appropriate for a high energy environment, mass market hotel/motel accommodations, glitz and the other commodity Nevada is famous for, gambling.

The lit-up casinos and resorts can be seen for miles around at night, a good indicator that one has crossed the state line.

Romantic and idyllic times to visit Lake Tahoe is around early June, and September to mid October.

Weekdays during the summer season is a busy day for lake Tahoe, but wait for the summer weekends, where it gets unbearably busy, which is not surprising since over 30 million people live within a 350 mile radius of Lake Tahoe.
Take a day to circle the lake by car, but it would take 3 days to find suitable areas to relax, get active outdoors and getting a taste of the varied dining and entertainment choices.

For the romantic, the North Shore side of Lake Tahoe is also known as the quiet side.

On then north shore you find some attractive little towns with some fine heritage buildings, quaint little roadside taverns, and accommodation in like cvbacation rentals and standard hotels.

Most of those hotels found here include romantic studio cabins for a very relaxing Lake Tahoe vacation.

The north shore around Homewood and Tahoe City, as well as Truckee, has an old west feel and some neat little shops and restaurants.

Truckee also has some scenic views at the Donner Summit Bridge, where in the winter you’ll find skiing with fewer crowds to deal compared to resorts.

If one is also looking for good vacation camping spots, you’ll find them along the lake’s west shore.

So pack up those bags with your loved one and take a romantic Lake Tahoe vacation.

When is the Best Time to Take a Lake Tahoe Vacation?

Although many people have heard the wondrous and captivating beauty of Lake Tahoe and many would still ask this age-old question, When is the best time to take a Lake Tahoe vacation?

Lake Tahoe is nestled high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, with an elevation of a little over 6,000 feet.

Winter storms are common and it’s easy to get caught unprepared, as Lake Tahoe weather quickly changes from clear skies to blizzards.
Winter and summer storms are usually common from September through June and drivers should be sure they have chains with them to tie around the tires especially when passing through snow-drenched roads high up in the alps.

As a precaution, it pays to check out the Lake Tahoe weather forecast frequently and be prepared.

No matter when and where you go at Lake Tahoe, always expect colder temperatures and more snow especially at higher elevations.

Still, Lake Tahoe weather is generally nice, since it gets an average of 250 to 300 sunny days a year and humidity is very low, especially during summer.

Water temperatures range from 32 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 68 degrees in the summer.

So, whether  you plan to go skiing, mountain biking, paying golf or simply relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking view, experience the enjoyment of your Lake Tahoe vacation.
Proper planning is key to make you enjoy your vacation. From what things to pack, how to save time and money, preparing for high altitudes, it does help a lot to make your vacation as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible.

You can save money with Lodging Packages and Deal, and still enjoy a worthwhile vacation at Lake Tahoe at lesser costs.

Many resorts and hotels offer a variety of pre-arranged packages that include activities, lodging and often meals, all for one low price.

Lodging packages also offer quick and convenient one-stop vacation planning.

Many resorts also have recreational facilities that could help make your stay enjoyable and worthwhile, if you are not a, outdoor junkie or would just like to just take a break from the busy routines of everyday living.

These resorts provide complimentary access to recreational facilities including swimming pools, gyms, spas, playgrounds, ski and sledding lessons and a whole lot more families on vacation will enjoy.

For solitary sojourners or couples wanting to have an intimate time, there are also a lot of fine dining establishments to enjoy a romantic dinner, as well as a good number of spas where you could pamper yourselves and enjoy the bliss of a good weekend or vacation getaway.

Many hotels and lodgings also have their own kitchens which could be a great way to save money, since there are a great deal of bakeries and gourmet shops that provide good food for take out or groceries that are delivered right at your hotel doorstep after placing an order online or by simply faxing orders in. Or simply order ahead of time and have it picked up by the time you arrive for check-in.

If you are feeling lazy or just would like to spend the day inside your room, there are also daily DVD rentals conveniently available with new releases with a wide variety of titles to suit the entire family.

Lastly, take advantage of free shuttle service provided by your hotel, that way you need not worry about driving and getting to where you want to go.
Most hotels in the Lake Tahoe area provide day shuttle service, as well as night shuttle service to service guests wanting to experience the sights and sounds of Lake Tahoe.
So ask yourself when is the best time to take a Lake Tahoe vacation? The answer is all up to you.

What to Expect for a Winter Getaway during your Lake Tahoe Vacation

If you are planning to take your Lake Tahoe vacation during winter time, you will need to have your own packing list and need to know what to expect for your winter getaway.

You can be best prepared to make your own packing list as long as you are aware what to expect when you arrive to your vacation destination.

Common expectations for a tourist is that upon arrival, accommodation amenities will include but not limited to towels, linens, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, paper towels, facial and bath tissue.

Kitchens will be stocked with dish soap, dish washer detergent, dish towels,
trash bags, utensils, cutlery, plate settings, glassware, basic pots and pans, toaster, and a coffee machine.

Some hotels provide additional sleeping mats, extra linens, cribs, high-chairs and baby-gates upon request.

But to be sure, contacting your hotel ahead and asking for the basic amenities will help you cut down on things you no longer need to take with you.

Units with fireplaces that need wood will have firewood provided. Laundry facilities will be available either inside the unit or in the same building.

If you plan to go skiing, snowboarding or simply relaxing, the experience and enjoyment of your Lake Tahoe winter vacation can be enhanced by the clothing and gear you bring with you.

In preparation for your trip, it is best to ensure that you have the right clothing and accessories to be comfortable in the varying mountain temperatures.

If you want to enhance your skiing and snowboarding experience, you need to make sure about  things you need to bring along that would relate to your own physical comfort, here are some helpful tips,

Wear layers of clothing to keep you warm. Two to three medium weight layers are usually warmer than one bulky garment.

Layers also help wick sweat away to keep you warm and dry.

Keep your mid-section warm, your extremities will be warmer.

Keep yourself dry to prevent from freezing. New fabrics are designed to keep you warm and dry and make sure your gloves are insulated and waterproof, and that your outer layer is relatively water and windproof.
Make sure to cover your head, since you can lose a staggering 50% of your body heat if your head is not covered. A hat or a helmet will help keep your whole body warm.

It is also especially important to wear eye protection when you ski or snowboard. Consider wearing goggles when it’s snowing or very cold. On a bright, sunny day, wear either dark goggles or UV protecting sunglasses, since UV rays and sunlight are a bit intense at high altitudes.

Also make sure to keep your feet warm. One of the most important things to remember is to keep your feet warm, dry and comfortable. You can purchase warm, lightweight, wool-blend ski and snowboard socks for anywhere between $10 and $20.

If you forget something, don’t worry – many of these items can be purchased in retail stores located all over Lake Tahoe.

So with preparations almost a simple as tying your shoelaces, it is best to be aware of what to expect for a winter getaway during your Lake Tahoe vacation.