Lake Tahoe, California

Photo credit: PhotoDisc

107 miles E of Sacramento; 192 miles E of San Francisco; 45 miles SW of Reno, NV

Lake Tahoe is one of America's national treasures. It's stunningly beautiful, the air is crisp and clear, and the sun shines 80% of the time. In summer you can enjoy boating and watersports, sandy beaches, bicycling, golf, tennis, hiking, camping, ballooning, horseback riding, rock climbing, bungee jumping, parasailing, skating -- the possibilities are endless. In winter, with an average snowfall of 409 inches, Lake Tahoe is one of the nation's premier ski destinations, offering 15 downhill resorts and 10 cross-country ski centers. There's also snowboarding, ice-skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sleigh riding, sledding, and snow play. Year-round activities include fishing, Vegas-style gambling, and big-name entertainment in the casinos.

Then there's the lake. It's hard to imagine any lake view as captivating. When Mark Twain first saw it, he declared it "the fairest picture the whole earth affords." Famed for its crystal-clear water (a white dinner plate at the depth of 75 ft. would be visible from the surface) and its size, 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, it is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its average depth is 989 feet, with the deepest point being 1,645 feet, containing enough water to cover the entire state of California to a depth of 14 1/2 inches. Surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Sierra Nevada, its waters seem to soak up the colors of the sky and the mountains, creating a kaleidoscope of sparkling blues, greens, and purples. It's a sight that will lure you back year after year.

A Tale of Two Shores

Before you visit Tahoe for the first time, it's important to know that there's a huge difference between the North and the South shores. Don't let the "City" in North Shore's "Tahoe City" fool you: The town can be driven through in a couple of minutes, whereas South Lake Tahoe is brimming with high-rise casinos, motels, and minimalls. Where you choose to stay is important because driving from one end of the lake to the other takes an hour or more in summer and can be downright treacherous in the winter.

So which side is for you? If you're here for gambling or entertainment, stay south: The selection of casinos is better and there's more action. If it's the outdoors you're after, or a relaxing retreat, head north. The North Shore offers a better selection of quality resorts and vacation rentals, while the South Shore offers more lodging options, often at better rates. The woodsy West Shore has the most camping spots, while the East Shore has been protected from development and has no commercial activity.

Wherever you stay, you'll find no shortage of water and mountain sports. The lake is crowded during the summer and ski seasons, so plan far ahead. It's much easier to get reservations for the spring and fall, and the rates are significantly lower. There are also numerous vacation homes and condominiums available to rent; call the visitor-center bureaus or visit the websites listed below under "Visitor Information" for a list of rental agents.

• Anaheim
• Carmel
• Los Angeles
• Monterey
• Oakland
• Palm Springs
• Sacramento
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• San Jose
• Santa Barbara
• Santa Cruz
• South Lake Tahoe