South Lake Tahoe lies on the border of California and Nevada amidst some of the most beautiful alpine scenery in the world. Surrounded by the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains, the region attracts year-round visitors. During ski season, enthusiasts of winter sports flock to the many slopes. In summer, people come for hiking, cycling, boating, water sports, and other activities. Here are some of the best South Lake Tahoe vacation rental locations you and the family will love.
1. The City of South Lake Tahoe, California
To help you keep track of all the summer and winter activities in the area, the city of South Lake Tahoe operates an interactive visitor’s center called Explore Tahoe at its Heavenly Village Transit Center. The nearby Tahoe Rim Trail is an amazing hiking experience, offering breathtaking vistas of mountain peaks, high meadows, and alpine lakes. You can also grab a cycling map and explore the area by bike. The historical museum provides a look into the region’s fascinating past. If you prefer to swim in warm water, the public swimming pool is open all year long. For shopping enthusiasts, numerous stores line the shore. The city also hosts several yearly cultural events, including Valhalla’s Art, Music, and Theater Festival. Peruse local artwork at the Pacific Crest Gallery, the Tahoe Art League Art Center and Gallery, and the Marcus Ashley Fine Art Gallery.
2. Lake Valley, California
The community of Lake Valley is just west of the city of South Lake Tahoe. Vacation rentals have easy access to the Lake Valley State Recreational Area. During the summer, you can play 18 holes at the championship Lake Tahoe Golf Course. Winter activities in this spectacularly beautiful location include cross country skiing and snowmobiling.
3. Camp Richardson, California
Camp Richardson sits on the incomparably beautiful lakeshore a few miles west of South Lake Tahoe. From its sandy beach or convenient marina, you can strike out to explore the lake by power boat, canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. The paved path along the lake is perfect for family strolling or cycling. For the adventurous, hiking trails lead into the surrounding forests and mountainsides. Nearby facilities offer winter sports such as snowboarding and downhill skiing.
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4. Fallen Leaf, California
The community of Fallen Leaf lies about a mile south of Lake Tahoe on the southern shore of Fallen Leaf Lake. This glacial lake has extraordinarily clean water. Activities include sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, and wakeboarding. You can fish for lake trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout. Numerous trails through beautiful mountain scenery lead to nearby peaks and lakes. You can also hike along the lakeside and swim in the cool clear water.
5. Echo Lake, California
The community of Echo Lake is on the eastern end of the Upper and Lower Echo Lakes in the Desolation Wilderness Area. A narrow channel connects the two lakes, and they are both popular places for summer activities such as swimming, boating, waterskiing, and fishing. Hiking trails take you through forests of pine, red fir, juniper, and hemlock to numerous streams, lakes, and meadows lush with wildflowers. In the winter, visitors enjoy cross country skiing, dog sledding, and other activities.
6. Strawberry, California
Once a station along the Central Overland Pony Express route, the historic community of Strawberry lies along the Stanislaus River on a pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Vacation rentals have beautiful views of the river, the forests, and the mountains. In the summer, you can go swimming, hiking, mountain biking, and fishing. Winter activities include snowboarding and skiing. The kids will love nearby Leland High Sierra Snow Play, the largest snow play facility in the Sierras, which includes sledding, snow tubing, and designated areas for snowman making and snowball fights.
7. Homewood and Tahoma, California
Homewood and Tahoma are northwest of South Lake Tahoe on the western shore of the lake. These communities feature scenic vacation rentals along the lakeshore with easy access to activities such as boating, tennis, golf, biking, and hiking. Numerous beaches allow you to enjoy swimming and sunbathing. The area is also renowned for its world class ski resorts.
8. Zephyr Cove-Round Hill Village, Nevada
Zephyr Cove-Round Hill Village is just a few miles northeast of South Lake Tahoe across the state line in Nevada. The area features a beautiful sandy beach that is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, volleyball, and paddle boarding. You can also head out on the water for jet skiing, kayaking, water skiing, and parasailing.
9. Skyland, Nevada
The community of Skyland, located just north of Zephyr Cove on the southeast shore of Lake Tahoe, features landscaping that slopes down to the lakeshore, allowing spectacular lake views for all its vacation rentals. At the base of the slope is a sandy beach where you can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy various water sports. Hiking trails take you through the nearby forests, where you can marvel at the breathtaking scenery.
10. Lakeridge, Nevada
Lakeridge is a mile or so north of Skyland on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. The town is divided into upper and lower sections by Highway 50. It’s vacation rentals enjoy spectacular vistas of the lake and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lakeside features a lovely beach, a dock with gazebo, picnic tables, and benches for observing the incomparable sunsets.
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