South Lake Tahoe

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

[edit] 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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] 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, not just a table or two!
  • 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)

[edit][add listing] 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.

[edit][add listing] 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 Big Dog Pizza. Its just next to Raleys near the Heavenly Gondola.
  • Try the 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 is great if you want a sports bar with a BBQ pit.

[edit][add listing] 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.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Best Western Station House Inn, 901 Park Avenue, +1 530 542-1101, Toll-free: +1 800 822-5953, Fax: +1 530 542-1714, [1].
  • Best Western Timber Cove Lodge, 3411 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, +1 530 541-6722, Fax: +1 530 541-7959, [2].
  • Days Inn -Lake Tahoe Blvd, 3530 Lake Tahoe Ave., +1 530-544-3445, [3].
  • Holiday Inn Express, 3961 Lake Tahoe Blvd., +1 530 544-5900, [4].
  • Marriott Grand Residence Club, Tahoe - 1 to 3 bedrooms & Pent., 1001 Heavenly Village Way, +1 530 542-8400, Fax: +1 530 542-8410, [5].
  • Marriott Grand Residence Club, Tahoe - Studio, 1 and 2 bedrooms, 1001 Heavenly Village Way, +1 530 542-8400, Fax: +1 530 542-8410, [6].
  • Marriott's Timber Lodge, A Marriott Vacation Club Resort, 4100 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, +1 530 542-6600, Fax: +1 530 542-6610, [7].
  • Motel 6, 2375 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, +1 530 542-1400, Fax: +1 530 542-2801, [8].

[edit] Get out

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