Lake Tahoe Casinos and Beaches
Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada Border: Year-Round Vacation Spot
The USA's second deepest lake is a popular holiday destination winter and summer. Attractions include skiing, beaches, casinos, scenic drives, hiking and watersports
Lake Tahoe is one of the wonders of the world. It is the deepest lake in California, the second deepest in the United States, and the twelfth deepest lake in the world. Little wonder that it is such a popular vacation destination, whether under the burning blue summer skies or in the depths of winter when the ski resorts come into their own. And the relentless ker-ching of the slot machines in the casinos is a crowd-puller whatever the weather.
The largest town on the lake is South Lake Tahoe in California, which sprawls for several miles along the southern shore, right up to the border with Nevada. Across the state line is the town of Stateline, Nevada, which is where the more liberal gambling laws of Nevada kick in and the first casinos can be found. It's like a mini Las Vegas strip, with gambling 24/7, 365 days a year.
*
CASINOS
Some of the big casinos to look for in Stateline are Harrah's Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino, Harvey's Lake Tahoe, Bill's Casino and the Montbleu Resort, Casino and Spa (previously Caesars Tahoe). As with booking in Las Vegas, if you want to gamble on a good deal then the best bet is to surf the net and look for bargain breaks. If you can avoid the peak holiday periods, and weekends, then there are definitely cheap casino vacations to be found.
*
LAKE TAHOE BEACHES
Just taking a scenic drive around Lake Tahoe in the summer is a delight, with plenty of beautiful viewpoints to pause at. Emerald Bay is one of the most beautiful spots on all of Lake Tahoe, a magic cove surrounded by pine forests and with the lake's only island nestling in the water. There are beaches nearby along Emerald Bay Road too, though beach fans rate Sand Harbor, on the Nevada lakeshore, as the finest on Lake Tahoe. Be prepared for parking problems around all good beaches when the weather is fine, and be prepared to pay too.
*
LAKE TAHOE SKIING IN WINTER
In winter Lake Tahoe's visitors head for the hills, and the ski slopes in the mountains that surround the lake. They include such well-known ski areas like Squaw Valley, where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held, and the perfectly named Heavenly, near Stateline, the largest ski resort in the region.
*
LAKE TAHOE FACTS
At its deepest point Lake Tahoe is 1645 feet. Only Oregon's Crater Lake is deeper, at 1949 feet. The lake has about 71 miles of shoreline, roughly two-thirds of which is in California, the rest in Nevada. About two-thirds of the lake is in California too. It's approximately 22 miles at its longest point from north to south and 12 miles at its widest point east to west. Lake Tahoe is 6229 feet above sea level.
*
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
