South Lake Tahoe, CA Hotels

South Lake Tahoe, California

People usually go to South Lake Tahoe, CA, for skiing, snowboarding and a variety of outdoor recreational activities. People who really love these activities may even get married in South Lake Tahoe, CA – it’s quite a popular wedding destination. It may not be a tropical paradise, but skiers can tie the knot and then take to the slopes if they hold their weddings at the Tahoe Mountain Wedding Chapelor theLakefront Wedding Chapel. Both are lovely venues for intimate lakeside nuptials.

After getting hitched you may want to celebrate at one of the local party spots. Bullwhackers PubandThe Dory's Oar and Tudor Pub are both traditional English establishments with a variety of foods to go with your preferred pint. Both of these South Lake Tahoe, CA, pubs are perfect stops on the way to the Valhalla Renaissance Faire, if you are so inclined. If you are just looking for some good food and rum after a day at the South Lake Tahoe, CA, slopes, you can stop by The Beacon, located at Camp Richardson.

South Lake Tahoe, CA Top 10

South Lake Tahoe History

• Tallac Historic Site – A paradise, which contains the former dwellings and gardens of four rich gilded-age families.
• Vikingsholm – Established in 1929, this splendid castle on Emerald Bay is considered one of the finest models of Scandinavian architecture in the Western Hemisphere.
• Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum – This museum showcases the catastrophic history of the Donner Party's voyage.
• Old Truckee Jail Museum- This mini jail was the home for prisoners for over a hundred years.
• Hellman-Ehrman Mansion – A historic landmark with several ancient views in a tranquil ambiance.

South Lake Tahoe Art & Culture

• The Village Center – Features six galleries collected from 100 different international artists’ masterpieces.
• Tahoe Art League Art Center And Gallery – Delivers free monthly art exhibits.
• Commercial Row and Jibboom Street – The compound has beautifully preserved the culture of the Old West.
• KidZone Museum – A great place for kids, complete with materials for different activities like art and science workshops.
• Watson Cabin Living Museum – Features the abundance of art and culture in South Lake Tahoe.

South Lake Tahoe Shopping

• Ski Run Marina – A place where you can find the well-known Tahoe Queen paddle wheeler and a wide array of personal things and souvenirs.
• Rural Squirrel – The best shop to buy antiques and other ornaments to decorate your home.
• Lake Tahoe Holidays – Where you can buy the things you need for Christmas.
• The Shops at Heavenly Village – The home for classy goods from various popular brands.
• Village Center – Complete with fine boutiques and dining areas.

Gay & Lesbian South Lake Tahoe

• Sunset Bar & Grille at Zephyr Cove Resort – The perfect place to drink and dine with a relaxing beach view and ambiance.
• The Fresh Ketch – A floating bar and restaurant with exceptional cuisine.
• Holly’s Place – A lesbian-owned private cabin located in the woods.
• Secrets Honeymooners Inn – A well-known gay- and lesbian-friendly hotel.
• Passaretti’s Restaurant – Gay-friendly restaurant that serves outstanding Italian cuisine.

South Lake Tahoe, CA Events

No need to guess when the Cinco de Mayo celebration kicks offin South Lake Tahoe, CA. Get ready to sample some fabulous Mexican dishes and brush up on your salsa dancing!

The Valhalla Renaissance Faire is a romping good time to lace up ye old bodice and don thy codpiece for a bit of Medieval jousting, feasting, and merrymaking in South Lake Tahoe, CA. The Faire starts in June.

Celebrity Winterfest is a charitable event that takes place every March in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Celebrities and leaders from the community compete in various sporting events to raise money for the Special Olympics.

South Lake Tahoe's Mardi Gras rolls into full swing in February, bringing plenty of Cajun festivities, music, and food to the West.

The USASA Snowboard Races are a big deal for amateurs who want to move on to the national championships. Contenders should show up in South Lake Tahoe, CA, inJanuary for the races.

The Sierra Stomp is a community snowshoe hike that takes place late in January each year in South Lake Tahoe, CA. The reward for completing your hike is a stunning view from a Sierra summit.

The South Lake Tahoe, CA Festival of Fine Arts offers several events in July to foster visual and performance art appreciation in both adults and children.

The December Valhalla Holiday Gala is an elegant holiday affair in South Lake Tahoe, CA, complete with fine champagne, dinner, and dancing

Snowfest is an annual family celebration that takes place every March in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Activities such as races, dinners, dances, theatrical performances, and concerts mark this fun 10-day festival.

The South Lake Tahoe, CA Music Festival is a celebration of various musical genres to include classical, jazz, country, and rock. The concerts start in July and take place at different locations throughout August as well.

When to Go

The seasons in South Lake Tahoe, CA, are radically different, with cold snowy winters and very hot and humid summers.

Winter low temperatures get as cold as -8°C (lower teens Fahrenheit), while summer brings high temperatures around 24°C (upper-mid 70s F).

In the winter months, the snowfall in South Lake Tahoe, CA, is steady and plentiful, making it an ideal ski retreat. During the spring and fall, the precipitation averages about 7 cm (3 inches) per month. Summer is pretty dry with less than a centimetre of rain per month.

Getting There

You can fly into the Reno, Nevada, airport and either drive to South Lake Tahoe, CA, or take an express bus from the airport. To drive in from the Sacramento airport, you can use I-80 or US 50.

To get around in South Lake Tahoe, CA, you can either walk to many of the attractions or use the free transportation provided by most resorts.

There is also a bus service in town that is cheap and takes you to all of the important spots. Taxis are available but they are pretty busy and might take upwards of an hour to collect you.

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