Lake Tahoe Facts

Take a trip to Tahoe and get a preview of heaven. The pine-shrouded alpine lake truly earns the title of 'Jewel of the Sierras'. Crystal water shines brightly winter and summer inviting visitors to relax and enjoy the beauty. Come join us on a tour around the lake following the 72-miles of shoreline. We shall start at the north end and travel on the west and California side of the lake. Then, into Nevada and the eastern side.

California-Cool Approaching on Highway 267 off Interstate 80, you will catch your first view of the magnificent lake at Brockway Summit then proceed to Kings Beach on the north shore. From here, one can travel completely around the lake in either direction. For our tour we shall take Highway 28 west on the California side and travel to the junction of Highways 28 and 89. You will pass beautiful Carnelian Bay and perhaps stop at Gar Woods Grill and Pier, a great dining spot and home of gorgeous wooden boats of the past. Going north on 89 will take you to Granlibakken Resort and Conference Center, the premier spot to combine business with great alpine and cross-country skiing and a multitude of summer activities. Alpine Meadows is another popular ski area in this neck of the woods. Continue north to the marvelous recreational areas of the beautiful Squaw Valley Resort. Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, the place remains the most popular area for both summer and winter sports. South on 89 takes us by many small communities and campground areas. One lovely little town to visit is Tahoe City with many recreational and dining choices. You can play a few rounds at Tahoe City Golf Course, shop at Boatworks Mall or float down the Truckee River at Fanny Bridge Rafting. Still going in a southerly direction from here you will pass Homewood Mountain Resort, another popular ski area, and Sugar Pine Point State Recreation Area. You might stop here to see the historic Ehrman Mansion. Still on Highway 89, we pass D. L. Bliss State Park and continue until we reach exquisite Emerald Bay State Park at the south end of the lake. In the opinion of many, this is one of the most beautiful areas of Lake Tahoe. Continuing along the shoreline, you will join Highway 50 and go to the Nevada side of Tahoe. Before entering Nevada, you'll pass Hornblower's Cruises where one can tour the lake on the Tahoe Queen. Heavenly Ski Resort is also in this area on the California side of the lake. You will take Highway 50 to continue your trip along the shore into Nevada.

Nonstop Nevada When one crosses into Nevada, the beauty remains constant. Pines rim the highway and the water is the same deep blue. Gaming is allowed and rather noticeable once you enter the state. The large hotels are mainly concentrated at the stateline areas on the north and south ends of the lake. At this point, you'll find Harrah's, MontBleu, and Harvey's resorts. Next, Zephyr Cove Resort boasts many amenities including water sports, lodging, eateries and the M.S. Dixie II Paddlewheeler. Enjoy cruising the lake and seeing all points of interest from this vessel, including Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm Castle. Approximately half way up the east shore at Spooner Junction, Highway 50 departs the area and proceeds to Carson City, our state capitol. At Spooner, take Highway 28 along the shoreline to the casino area at Incline Village. On the way you will pass Secret Harbor, a clothing-optional beach for sun-lovers. Next stop is Sand Harbor, the beautiful home of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Then we come to the Ponderosa Ranch, a great place for the entire family to spend the day and see where the television series, Bonanza, was filmed. At this point, we are almost where we started our trip around Tahoe. One will find some major casinos located at Crystal Bay and Incline Village. The Cal-Neva is a nostalgic favorite along the lake. Frank Sinatra and his 'Rat Pack' hung out here, as well as Marylin Monroe and John F. Kennedy. The Sinatra and Monroe chalets are still on the shore. The Hyatt Regency is exquisite and has all the amenities of a small city. Another popular favorite is the Tahoe Biltmore, the friendliest place at the lake. Diamond Peak Ski Resort is near Incline Village for great snow activities. From the casino area, one can take the Mt. Rose Highway for a scenic trip to Reno. Staying on Highway 28 will take you to Stateline and then join Highway 267 leading back to Interstate 80. However, you may never want to leave once you've been to paradise!

1. Donner Pass and Donner Lake are named after the ill-fated Donner Party. This group of settlers attempted to cross the mountains in the winter of 1846-47. Most of them were trapped by the snow and several of them resorted to cannibalism to survive.

2. Strange Fact: Truckee, California often registers the lowest temperature in the nation, but not during the winter season. During the spring/summer seasons of 1991, 1993 and 1994, Truckee claimed the honor of coldest spot in the nation, excluding Alaska.

3. The deepest snowpack recorded at Tahoe was over 30 feet deep in 1890.

4. Interesting Fact: If Lake Tahoe was tipped over, the water would cover California to a depth of fourteen and a half inches.

5. Weird Fact: Many drowning victims are never recovered from Lake Tahoe. The cold water at lower depths preserves the bodies and prevents the formation of gases that would otherwise float them to the surface.

6. Interesting Fact: As an "interstate navigable waterway," Lake Tahoe is protected by the U. S. Coast Guard and is reputed to be the most desirable Coast Guard duty station in the world.

7. Tahoe has nine mountains with peaks over 10,000 feet including Mt. Rose, Jobs Peak and Freel Peak.

8. The Tahoe area averages more than 300 days of sun each year.

9. Tahoe has 18 alpine and cross country ski resorts and over 50 championship golf courses.

10. Random Fact: Virginia City is known as "The Liveliest Ghost Town in the West.

11. The floor of the Tahoe basin (the bottom the lake) is near the 4,580 foot elevation, lower than the surface of the Carson Valley to the east.

12. Fun Fact: Sixty three streams flow into Lake Tahoe.