'''South Lake Tahoe''' is a city in the Lake Tahoe region of California in El Dorado County.

Understand

South Lake Tahoe has grown from several smaller towns into one large area consisting of approximately 24,000 permanent residents. This fluctuates massively in the winter, and three-fold around New Years Eve. There are two main parts of South Lake Tahoe: the Western part of town centered around "The Y" - the X-shaped intersection of US Highway 50, state highway 89; and the Eastern part centred around the CA-NV state border. The former is distinctly residential, and the latter is distinctly commercial - it is the home of all the casinos and larger hotels, and Heavenly's Gondola starts in this area.

Travelling from "The Y" toward stateline, you will see many hotels, resorts and motels alongside the US50, before arriving at 'Heavenly Village' a town centre area created at the foot of the Heavenly Gondola, comprising shops, restaurants and two Marriott resort hotels. There is also a multi-storey parking garage at the Heavenly Village.

1 block further along US 50, you arrive at the CA/NV Border, and the unincorporated settlement of Stateline, with its four major resort casinos, and two local casinos

Get in

The easiest way for a traveller to get into South Lake Tahoe is to fly into Reno, and then drive the remainder of the distance. If you do not have a car, the easiest way is to take the South Tahoe Express Bus (http://www.southtahoeexpress.com/), which leaves Reno Airport and travels directly to the Heavenly Gondola in the middle of the new area of South Lake Tahoe. This is $24 one way.

It is also common for international and transcontinental travellers to fly into San Francisco International, and make the journey via Sacramento on I80 and US50. ;0

Get around

There is bus service in South Lake Tahoe, and in the Winter Heavenly Ski Resort has its own bus service, which is free (this is meant to shuttle skiiers to and from their hotels and motels). There are also taxis, however these are in very high demand in the winter, and waits of 30-60 minutes are not uncommon in peak times.

All major locations around the Heavenly Village area such as the stateline casinos, are within walking distance of each other. There are underground walkways between the major casinos.

See

  • Take the '''Heavenly Gondola''' (http://www.skiheavenly.com/summer/gondola_heavenly/) to see a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe (Winter and Summer)
  • Take a cruise on the lake onboard the '''Tahoe Queen''' (http://www.zephyrcove.com/tahoe-queen.php)
  • Drive to '''Emerald Bay''' (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=506), which features the only island on the lake.
  • Do

  • In Summer, hike the Heavenly trails. In Winter, Ski or Snowboard. Try the casinos; just this year, Bill's Casino offers a no-smoking experience -- the entire casino is no-smoking!
  • Explore points of interest like Camp Richardson and the spectacular view at Emerald Bay. (If you don't have a car, the nifty-fifty trolley makes the journey during the summer)
  • Go to the Horizon Casino and play one of the few Sigma Derbys remaining in the country. Quarter horse racing ftw!!
  • Buy

  • As a large tourist area, there are an abundance of t-shirt and other novelty stores, mainly centred around the CA-NV state line, with the more upscale stores being located in the Heavenly Village development.
  • Eat

  • '''The Beacon''' in Camp Richardson provides a beautiful waterfront view, live music, their famous rum runners, and good food for less then the casinos.
  • For the best Pizza in South Lake Tahoe, try '''Blue Dog Pizza'''. Its just next to Raleys, near the Heavenly Gondola. Good pizza, informal atmosphere (read: loud), and friendly service.
  • '''Cabo Wabo Cantina''', in the basement of Harveys Casino, it's owned by Sammy Hagar of Van Halen fame.
  • '''Fire and Ice''', below the Marriott. Great if you want a sports bar with a BBQ pit.
  • '''Freshies''' - Hawaiian food restaurant, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Their outside seating is on the roof, with a marvelous view of the lake, which is across the street from the lake. Friendly and informal atmosphere. Go during sunset for great views. Moderate prices. 3330 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA. 530/542-3630. Reservations not accepted.
  • '''Sprouts Cafe''', 3125 Harrison Ave (''Cross-street Lake Tahoe Blvd.''), South Lake Tahoe, (530) 541-6969. Organic healthy food, including sandwiches, healthy vegetarian or meat burritos, nachos and salads. Smoothies and coffees. Order at the counter. Friendly service.
  • Drink

  • There are plently of bars in the Casinos. This is where most of the night life is situated.
  • Dorys Oar English Pub is very good
  • Of all the Heavenly Base Lodges, make sure you take a look at Boulder on the Nevada side, up Kingsbury Grade. It has one of the friendliest bars on the mountain.
  • The Tudor Pub, located just off Highway 50 on fremont ave.
  • Sleep

  • '''Best Western Timber Cove Lodge''', 3411 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, ''+1 530'' 541-6722, Fax: ''+1 530'' 541-7959, [http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=05222]. This property is located on a beach, right on Lake Tahoe. Sports equipment for hire on the beach (kayaks, SeaDoo, water trikes, etc). Clean rooms, well-kept grounds with flower beds, etc. Some rooms have a lake view, but be aware that some of the rooms with lake view are 'partial' views, and they won't guarantee particular rooms—any room closer than the pool is considered lake view/lake front (more $$$). Top floor rooms are much quieter—the rooms are poorly sound insulated between floors. Friendly, if inexperienced staff. Includes simple continental breakfast (coffee, juice, toast, etc). Pool. Two casual restaurants, a Safeway right across the street, nearby coin-operated laundry, and walking distance to Long's Drugs and Heidi's, for breakfast. In summer, frequently hosts weddings, so you should expect wedding dance music until 10PM, and starting again at 9:30AM.
  • '''Lakeland Village Beach and Mountain Resort''', 3535 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, ''+1 530'' 544-1685, Fax: ''+1 530'' 544-0193, [http://www.lakeland-village.com]. Each room has a deck or balcony, fireplace, fully equipped kitchen/kitchenette, complimentary shuttle service for the south lake area, as well as exclusive private beach access on Lakeland's quarter mile beach. Some town-homes are available with lake-view or lakefront. 2 swimming pools and a children's wadding pool heated to 82 degrees, and 2 hot tubs heated to 102 degrees (only 1 pool and both hot tubs available in winter). Tennis courts, ping pong, volleyball, kayaks, and paddle boats, all available seasonally. Two saunas and fitness center available year round. Complimentary access to dock and buoys. Children's activities available during the summer. During the winter months you may rent all your ski or snowboard equipment at Lakeland's on site rental shop, pick up a discounted lift ticket from the front desk to any of Tahoe's premier ski resorts, and if you're headed to Heavenly use Lakeland Village's free shuttle to get there. During ski season there is a complimentary continental breakfast available. Lakeland Village welcomes groups and has two conference centers available for rent.
  • '''Motel 6''', 2375 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, ''+1 530'' 542-1400, Fax: ''+1 530'' 542-2801, [http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=0250]. This is a very large Motel 6, and fairly centrally located in South Lake Tahoe.
  • Royal Valhalla on the Lake. 104 Lakeshore Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. 800) 999-4104. ttp://www.tahoeroyalvalhalla.com. :00PM. 1:00AM. Discover a beautiful Lake Tahoe, California hotel on the beach and walking distance to Nevada casinos and Heavenly ski gondola.

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