North Lake Tahoe: Mountain towns of Tahoe, Truckee lure with scenery, sport, dining
- Christene Meyers
- Aug 26, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 7
The beautiful background of mountains and trees forms a picture-perfect shoreline.
Views from hotels in the Lake Tahoe area usually have spectacular views of lake, water, |
ONCE THE FIRES ARE CONTAINED, TAHOE AND TRUCKEE OFFER ACTION, OR PEACEFUL GET-AWAYS
-- BY LAND, LAKE MOUNTAINTOP --
STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
Eateries satisfy every taste, and many offer views of the spectacular water. |
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER
WHETHER YOUR ideal holiday is action packed, or simply soaking up the scenery with a cup of tea or glass of wine, you'll find both options in North Lake Tahoe and everything in between in the towns of Lake Tahoe and Truckee.
Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers take in Lake Tahoe at least once a year. here, they are in the woods near the lake. |
TAHOE IS KNOWN for its steep granite cliff sides, towering mountaintops, plus crystal-clear waters. This enticing combination earns the Tahoe area an international reputation with boaters, sailors, and water sports enthusiasts of all kinds.
The North Lake Tahoe area features a large, beautiful freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddling the border of California and Nevada. As in Vegas, the south shore casinos are open 24-7, but in Tahoe you'll likely have a view of the mountains -- not the wall -- when you take a break from the blackjack table.
Dining options abound from American to Chinese, Japanese to Vietnamese, and Italian, Greek and Thai. With a nod to its place in the west, you'll also find plenty of burger and steak options.
IF YOU'RE looking for glitz, glamor and nightlife, the south shore of the lake is where you'll want to locate. The casinos are clean and most have smoke-free areas. While there is not the multitude of shows one finds in Las Vegas, there's plenty to choose from -- comedy, live music, variety, and some decent bands for dancing.
A stately home in Tahoe's Incline Village. |
THE SIGNIFICANT difference between north and south Tahoe is in the bars and restaurants. The south shore has plenty of both, many with live music. The north is quieter, more laid-back, home to a more sedate community of full-time residents and wealthy "second home" people. Tourists who stay here seek a more scenery-oriented country vacation experience. North shore towns are are smaller and more sedate, with businesses and eateries closing earlier than in the south.
Small towns such as Incline Village offer beautifully landscaped residential areas and some palatial private homes, many with boat houses and staff to run their high-end digs. The scenery is spectacular.
Fans of winter and cold-weather sport will find plenty of options in that area, too. |
LAKE TAHOE is known for its beaches and ski resorts. Truckee is known for its logging, ice harvesting, the Emigrant Trail, and the tragic journey of the Donner Party, which spent a horrific winter struggling to survive and starving in the Sierra Nevada. We discovered new detail about their fascinating story at the well designed Donner Memorial State Park museum and Pioneer Monument. Hit the casinos or plan a dinner cruise on a river boat. Read a book with a view of the lake. Take to a rental boat, or grab your binoculars and take a bird watching hike. The area offers something for everyone. For more information or to help plan a stay:
UP NEXT: As summer winds down, we're celebrating labor as we've witnessed it these past months of pandemic purgatory. Labor Day, 2021, is a time for us to express our gratitude to all those who have bravely entered into the work force -- whether in medicine and science, or at hospitals, hotels, malls, restaurants and transportation venues. Celebrating those who labor -- from taxi drivers to front-liners, up next at www.whereiscookie.com
Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, nature, family and more.
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