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Lake Tahoe

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Lake Tahoe
4.5
About
This spectacularly beautiful resort lake, with over 70 miles of shoreline, offers two "faces:" family-style on the California side and high-rise casinos on Nevada's side.
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Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Lake Tahoe
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
19 within 3 miles
Tunnel Creek Cafe
154
1.7 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Lone Eagle Grille
1,140
2.1 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Bar
Le Bistro
252
2.2 mi$$$$ • French • American • European
Austin's Restaurant & Bar
454
2.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Pier 111 Bar
19
2.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pub
Mountain High Sandwich Co.
83
2.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Sierra Cafe
231
2.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Fumo Eatery & Bar
180
2.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Cafe
Cutthroats Saloon
181
2.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Grill
La Fondue Restaurant
85
2.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Gluten Free Options
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Attractions
31 within 6 miles
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
236
0.7 miState Parks
Sand Harbor
789
3 miBeaches
Flume Trail
104
1.8 miBiking Trails
Diamond Peak Ski Resort
297
Mountains • Ski & Snowboard Areas
Thunderbird Lake Tahoe
112
2.7 miHistoric Sites
UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center
70
2.4 miSpeciality Museums • Science Museums
Kings Beach State Recreation Area
209
Parks
Incline Beach
97
2.3 miBeaches • Beach & Pool Clubs
Incline Village to Sand Harbor Bike Path
8
1.6 miBiking Trails
Alibi Ale Works - Brewery & Barrel House
59
2.9 miBreweries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
684 reviews
Excellent
534
Very good
115
Average
20
Poor
7
Terrible
8
Kathy B
Gippsland, Australia76 contributions
A beautiful place to visit.
May 2022 • Couples
Lake Tahoe is a very beautiful place and well with a visit. But, as an international visitor you need to expect it to be very busy. If you are wanting to do particular hikes I suggest starting out very early in the morning. We were not able to stop and do the hikes I had planned because we could not get a car park. The free parking spaces are limited. Also be prepared to pay for parking at certain areas around the lake. Do your research prior to arriving. You can get a parking pass that will cover the areas around the lake that are run by the state parks service. We were unaware of this. We saw a sign at a reserve that said Fee Parking. We thought it said Free Parking and got caught parking without paying. Another tip is to have some cash so you can pay for parking at the reserves.
Written June 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Balasubramanian R
Chennai (Madras), India724 contributions
Lake Tahoe
Oct 2022
Lake Tahoe is situated in the north east of the California State and a part is in Nevada state. It is a fresh water lake. Many small beaches are there on both eastern and western sides. Tourists used to come and enjoy the place.
Written October 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Antonio F. Mateo
32 contributions
Lake Tahoe Visit is a Must when in Reno
Oct 2019
My latest visit at Lake Tahoe was the 3rd for me . The two visits were just a stay mostly in the Hotel as I had to travel with "tire chain" . The lake was very much appreciated then, at the hotel balcony with very few short walk to Restaurants. However this October 2019 the visit to Lake Tahoe were more enjoyable having based at Sparks , Reno's "Thunderbird Hotel" . We visited some Tourists Spots like the "Emerald Bay" and the site of the Olympic and places around the Lake and took several photos . We left Lake Tahoe area after having lunch at the "Riva Grill". Again , this trip to Lake Tahoe with good weather make another vacation day pleasant and enjoyable.,
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas
2 contributions
ONLY for the wealthy now
Feb 2021 • Couples
I’m a middle class guy, I work long hours and love my job. At the same time I can afford whatever I like, I’m grateful and blessed and I’m not even religious! But wow! Lake Tahoe is ONLY for the Wealthy, it’s so sad that a place of beauty is out of reach for community members like myself. It’s a disappointing 1 star review.
Written January 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean B
16 contributions
Don’t bother to visit Monday through Wednesday
Jul 2022 • Couples
If you only want to gamble, come anytime. But if you hope to visit most anything cultural or historical, be warned! Literally everything we wanted to see was closed Monday through Wednesday in mid July at the height of the tourist season.
We did take the M.S. Dixie II Lake Tahoe cruise, which was nice. (Pick up bus driver was the best.) Hotels and the cruise were full. But the Lake Tahoe Historical Society museum, TALLAC historic site, Pope Estate, and Taylor Creek visitor Center were all closed the entire time were were in Lake Tahoe area.
Extremely disappointing. You would think they could at least stagger closing days.
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennie S
83 contributions
Over rated for the value
Aug 2022 • Couples
Don’t get me wrong, we enjoyed our stay. But unlikely we’d do it again. Our Napa/Lake Tahoe vacation was an add on to a business trip in Sacramento. For the cost of things from water bottles, meals out, food at the grocery store, gondola tickets at Heavenly Mt, tastings in Napa, they were are extremely over priced for the value of the experience. I told my kids I’d much rather have enjoyed a Tybee Island, GA vacation at half the cost.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott29inSeattle
Seattle, WA72 contributions
Looks good on paper
Jul 2020 • Couples
It is a beautiful lake in a beautiful setting, but you are unlikely to see much of it. You will spend most of your time stuck in traffic and searching for a parking space. If you do, by some lucky break, find a parking place, there won’t be any space on the beach unless you arrive around 6 am. Good luck.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chanté
California140 contributions
Breathtaking
Jan 2020 • Couples
My Boyfriend has a ski pass, so we go here often. This is definitely my second favorite place in the United States at the moment. It's so beautiful, quiet, and fresh. I could sit next to the lake for hours and enjoy the sounds of nature. But then again, I enjoy going downtown and hanging around where the people are so friendly. Definitely a place to consider for a weekend getaway.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
john w
2 contributions
In in the last 4 days the bus service has canceled three runs and every time it's a lousy explanation.
Dec 2022 • Family
You should try to be a reliable bus service. Especially when people are counting on you. The drivers at this non-service constantly call in sick or don't show, or are never on time. I've been in cities all over the country and never experienced such a poor organization.
Written December 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Henrik T
Lynge, Denmark56 contributions
Great Hikes and Lake experiences
Jun 2022
First time visit and would like to return. The hike options are really good so we need to explore more. The Vikingsholm trip with various hikes and views + kayak rental was amazing.
Was a bit disapointed on the dining choices. In my opinion a very few great options and it was clear Covid has had an impact here. Would love to explore more in the future due to the exiting area and beautiful lake. Hope the city centre picks up business and expand the dining options. ( If the options are hidden in the hotels then marketing should increase awareness)
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Lake Tahoe (California) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Tahoe
We recommend booking Lake Tahoe tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 10 Lake Tahoe tours on Tripadvisor
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