We will also be having our fine dining night at Cafe Fiore as so many here have recommended. Making reservations tomorrow

coop-aero-06 said:

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Well Ben, was your vacation as crappy as you though it would be?

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But dude, what's with the grocery prices at Safeway around here?

I miss HEB

Well, final bump to this thread but the trip was an absolute success and thanks to everyone for the recommendations! Absolutely cannot wait to go back.

AND YES, it was nothing like the Texas Hill Country.

Thanks Ags. We had a blast.

Hoping too many people don't find out about Tahoe. It's a true gym of an American vacation spot that has surprisingly not become too commercialized.

Favorite place on earth.

What were your highlights?

Grew up going to Tahoe. Best restaurants:

Villa Roma's.
Tahoe Pizza Company
Red Hut
Lakeside Inn for Prime Rib
Chart House for amazing view.

Bump.

I have been to Lake Tahoe several times growing up with family, but I am going Labor Day with some buddies. We are a group of five. We are going to book our AirBNB cabin this week; looking at Tahoma/Homewood, Incline Village and Carnelian Bay.

Here is some additional research I've done. Any recs are appreciated.

Food at random (via Yelp reviews):
Fire Sign Cafe
https://yelp.to/qTKq/q5vN0zzqFN
Driftwood Cafe
https://www.yelp.com/biz/driftwood-cafe-south-lake-tahoe?uid=x8fpqNoZ6Tc6LjmXJ8Chwg&utm_source=ishare
Sunnyside
https://yelp.to/qTKq/0yALB4IqFN
Bert's Cafe
https://yelp.to/qTKq/4orUFrMqFN
Artemis Lake Front Cafe
https://yelp.to/qTKq/UOrn2CRqFN
Jake's on the Lake
https://yelp.to/qTKq/uK1fHvXqFN
West Shore Cafe & Inn
https://www.yelp.com/biz/west-shore-cafe-and-inn-homewood?uid=x8fpqNoZ6Tc6LjmXJ8Chwg&utm_source=ishare
Chambers Landing
https://www.yelp.com/biz/chambers-landing-tahoma?uid=x8fpqNoZ6Tc6LjmXJ8Chwg&utm_source=ishare
Bridge Tender
https://yelp.to/qTKq/vcHhRGNrFN
Base Camp Pizza
https://www.yelp.com/biz/base-camp-pizza-south-lake-tahoe?uid=x8fpqNoZ6Tc6LjmXJ8Chwg&utm_source=ishare
The Lake House
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-lake-house-south-lake-tahoe?uid=x8fpqNoZ6Tc6LjmXJ8Chwg&utm_source=ishare
Edgewood Restaurant
https://yelp.to/qTKq/vP9EQm7rFN
Sage Room Steak House
https://yelp.to/qTKq/3qDia29rFN

Bars at random (via Yelp reviews):
Himmel Haus
https://www.yelp.com/biz/himmel-haus-south-lake-tahoe-4?uid=x8fpqNoZ6Tc6LjmXJ8Chwg&utm_source=ishare
MacDuff's Pub
https://yelp.to/qTKq/RwqMp61qFN
California Burger
https://yelp.to/qTKq/riYUmxzrFN
Whiskey Dick's
https://yelp.to/qTKq/jiUEYGarFN
South Lake Brewing
https://yelp.to/qTKq/vQg033crFN
Cold Water Brewery and Grill
https://www.yelp.com/biz/cold-water-brewery-and-grill-south-lake-tahoe?uid=x8fpqNoZ6Tc6LjmXJ8Chwg&utm_source=ishare
Sidellis Lake Tahoe
https://yelp.to/qTKq/BoCtu9jrFN
The Brewery at Lake Tahoe
https://www.yelp.com/biz/brewery-at-lake-tahoe-south-lake-tahoe?uid=x8fpqNoZ6Tc6LjmXJ8Chwg&utm_source=ishare
Tahoe Club Crawl
https://yelp.to/qTKq/6oWHE4srFN
Tahoe Mountain Brewing
https://yelp.to/qTKq/I52wbgWrFN

Other:
Obexer's General Store
https://yelp.to/qTKq/cIYVcXkqFN
Ice Cream
https://yelp.to/qTKq/0gQMXzDsFN

Golf:
Old Greenwood
https://www.golfintahoe.com/rates
Gray's Crossing
https://www.golfintahoe.com/rates
Coyote Moon
http://www.coyotemoongolf.com/rates/
Incline Championship
https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/golf-incline/rates-specials/rates

Mountain Biking:
Flume Trail BikesFlume Trail

Fishing:
Fly fishing
http://tahoeflyfishing.com/guiding/
Fishing
https://tahoesportfishing.com

Rafting:
https://www.truckeeriverrafting.com/prices/

https://truckeeriverraft.com/activities/rafting-trip/

Hiking:
Mount Tallac
https://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/california/hikes/mount-tallac-summer-trail
Tahoe Rim Trail
https://tahoerimtrail.org/day-hiking/
Eagle Falls
http://www.tahoeactivities.com/eagle-falls-hiking-trail/

Beach:
Sugar Pine Point
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=510
Meeks Bay
http://www.tahoepublicbeaches.com/meeks-bay-beach/
DL Bliss State Park
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=505
Kings Beach
http://www.visitcalifornia.com/attraction/kings-beach
Zephyr Cove
http://www.tahoepublicbeaches.com/zephyr-cove-resort-beach/

Bumping this again. We are looking at taking an anniversary trip in September to Lake Tahoe.

I've looked through the suggestions so far, but am looking for more of your favorite hotel/housing options.

I want something nice, but not too expensive as I pretty much just expect to sleep there. But I would love to have a room with a view of the lake, or mountains.

Do you have a favorite cabin rental you have done? Or a favorite hotel?

So far The Landing or The Heavenly Condos seem top runners for hotel options, but I'm interested in exploring VBRO as well.

ttt

Bump on this, heading to Tahoe in September as well.

Tremendous thread! I'm bumping becuase my wife and I are heading to Tahoe for 4 nights in late July.

I have a boat load of Hyatt Points, so I'm thinking of staying 2 nights in North Tahoe and the Regency, then going down to South Tahoe for a couple of nights.

Anyone care to add any thoughts to this already awesome thread?

Also does anyone have any good VRBO or AirBnB recs?

Group of couples thinking about going to Incline Village for 4 days at end of January. Planning on getting Airbnb and driving in from Reno airport. Any recs for us?

Might be there the first weekend of February after a week of work in San Fran, worth bringing my golf clubs?

Great_I_Am said:

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Might be there the first weekend of February after a week of work in San Fran, worth bringing my golf clubs?

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Playing golf in San Francisco or Reno? Yes.

Playing golf at Tahoe? No.

Bumping this one because it has the most feedback.

Planning on going to Tahoe in mid-late May, mainly for some light hiking. Flying Reno and circling the lake. Some of the trails at higher elevation look like they'll probably be under snow through the end of May. Anyone have any experience in Tahoe at that time of the year? Or anyone with more recent (COVID-times) experience in the towns? Anything else y'all would like to add?

CDub06 said:

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Bumping this one because it has the most feedback.

Planning on going to Tahoe in mid-late May, mainly for some light hiking. Flying Reno and circling the lake. Some of the trails at higher elevation look like they'll probably be under snow through the end of May. Anyone have any experience in Tahoe at that time of the year? Or anyone with more recent (COVID-times) experience in the towns? Anything else y'all would like to add?

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Which part of the lake do you plan on staying?

I have recently stayed at the Sprinhill Suites in Truckee and it was very nice and close to downtown Truckee.

Truckee has a neat downtown area with lots of shops, restaurants and bars. Many of them are open now for indoor dining, but they also have tents outside most places.

But really recommendations depend on which side of the lake you are going to be on.

A few nights in South Tahoe, then a couple on the north side. I've got 1 night booked at that Truckee Springhill as a matter of fact.

Howdy CDub. I own a townhome at Heavenly at Tahoe. I have visited our place in late May/ early June. If your plans are to do some day hiking you can expect snow still on trails at the higher elevations (Rim Trail) in places. The ground may also be soggy in some places due to snow melt and run off. There is a great water proof trail map available at sports stores. I am sorry but as mine is out there I do not recall the publisher. I bought mine at Tahoe Sports in South Lake The weather is always beautiful, but don't be surprised by a late spring snowfall
Have fun, it is our Happy Place!

Also, make reservations at Cafe Fiore in South Lake. Best restaurant around the lake, hands down!!
It is a tiny little place off Ski Run Blvd that has maybe 12 tables. Aggie owned!! Gotta make reservations tho!

Can confirm possibility for snow at that time. I rented a house in the Incline Village area roughly 20 years ago for Memorial Day Weekend. It snowed on us.

Bassmaster said:

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Every time someone mentions Lake Tahoe, I always say "it is basically a glorified Texas Hill Country" as a nod to this thread. Cracks me up every time.

Sorry CDub. I don't have anything to add that isn't already on the thread.

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It's been years and I've apologized for that comment yet I'm still never gonna live it down

I just flew back Friday evening after spending 5 nights in South Lake. Weather was in low 30's at night and upper 60's during the day. They were predicted to get a couple of inches of snow Sunday with lows back around 19 for a couple of days.

There was still quite a bit of snow still and most ski resorts had just closed the week before from what I was told. I drove over to Fallen Leaf Lake to see the falls... actually didn't make all the way as the road became icy (snow packed) and my non-4 wheel drive did not want to go the direction I was telling it.

As far as Covid... Most restaurants and other places were open... still with about 50% capacity in some and I only tried one that didn't allow dine in. I stayed at the Timber Lodge and the hot tubs were by "reservation only". Never an issue just walking up and there being one available before 4pm...

If you can spend time around North Beach then time on South Lake that would be ideal.
Have to go to Gar Woods on the northwest side for at least one Wet Willy.
Also agree with the suggestion of Eagle Falls as a nice hiking trail. You can take some great pictures from there!

Need a Torbush "wow" meme but instead of saying Torbush, say BenFiasco.

Haven't returned to Tahoe since the one trip mentioned earlier. Rereading this and need to get it in the plans again.

Bump, headed to Lake Tahoe Aug 5-11. Staying at Ritz (in-laws timeshare) on north side of lake. We have 3 & 5 yr old. but grandparents will hopefully babysit some while there. Any new recs are much appreciated. Looks like some places on this thread are closed now. Want to rent boat, hike, eat, drink and relax. Not gamblers or picky eaters.

EDIT because I mis-read the question.

Close to the Ritz the best resturants are in Truckee. I like the Cottonwood for a good dinner. Garwoods on the Northshore has decent food and boat drinks on the lake. As for beaches, check out some of the Tahoe Boating apps. The have the names of the beaches and routes to access them.

Haven't seen it mentioned, but I rented a UTV last time I was there. It was a trip favorite hitting some of the trails.

texagpilot said:

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Bump, headed to Lake Tahoe Aug 5-11. Staying at Ritz (in-laws timeshare) on north side of lake. We have 3 & 5 yr old. but grandparents will hopefully babysit some while there. Any new recs are much appreciated. Looks like some places on this thread are closed now. Want to rent boat, hike, eat, drink and relax. Not gamblers or picky eaters.

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The Squeeze In in Truckee is a great place for breakfast. They now have one in Fredericksburg too.

One potentially huge problem in August is fire. We used to go every other year to Tahoe. In 2016 I believe, we left 2 days early because the smoke from fires in California was so heavy we could not go outside. Then a few years later we completely canceled out trip to Tahoe because the fires were very close to Tahoe and the air quality and visibility were really bad.

Check out the concerts that are at the amphitheater on the shore of South Lake Tahoe. We have seen The Steve Miller band there 2x. It is a beautiful place for an evening concert.

Moved locations to Marriot at South Lake Tahoe now. Cant wait for the cooler weather. Pontoon boat rentals are absurd!

I would like to bump this for suggestions with kids (8/11). I've been twice but not since 2010, and husband and kids have not. We are staying close to Heavenly so the ropes course and everything there has pretty much a day slated for that. Clear kayaks/worth the price? We loved riding e bikes as adults in Teton Viilage last year -is that a thing here or just rent some normal bikes? Any recs? Easy hikes. I have bad feet so I can handle up and down but I need a smother trail if that exists? We did utv rentals in broken bow last year and they were not thrilled so I'm not attempting that again. Arcade at Harvey's is also on agenda. Edit to say this will be for late July 2023.

Look at some white water rafting.

Go to Camp Richardson beach one day

Zephyr Cove

Float the Truckee River

How is Tahoe hiking in early June? Are a lot of the trails still snow covered? Or does it just depend on the year?