Lake Tahoe Hotels, Ski Resorts, Lodging
Lake Tahoe hotels and lodging options are plentiful. South Lake Tahoe hotels are the primary accommodation facilities located along the shores of this impressive, freshwater lake shared by California and Nevada. Visitors can also enjoy Tahoe lodging by staying in several resorts and Casino hotels located in the area. With a combination of compelling, unique natural beauty, and recreation and tourist shops aplenty, choosing one of the many Lake Tahoe hotels as part of your next vacation getaway will make for a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Lake Tahoe is one of America's great natural treasures. It is a massive freshwater lake located in the majestic Sierra-Nevada mountain range shared by California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe actually spreads out over the border between the two states and is thus jointly cared for and operated by the two states. The two major cities that serve as hubs from which to travel to Lake Tahoe are Sacramento, California, (from the west) and Carson City, Nevada (from the east). Tahoe is actually listed as the largest of all North American alpine lakes, with a stunning depth of 1,645 ft. On a global scale it is the within the top 30 of largest lakes (by volume of water) in the entire world.
South Lake Tahoe is the largest and most well-known urban area located along the lake. South Lake Tahoe belongs to California's El Dorado County. The main tourist spots located in South Lake Tahoe are found in the eastern part of the city, where a street intersection serves as the border between California and Nevada. On the California side you'll find the Heavenly Mountain Resort, boat launches, restaurants, hotels and tourist shops. On the Nevada side you'll find casinos as well - and the site of these large structures helps one to know exactly when California stops and Nevada begins.
Lake Tahoe as it exists today was sculpted by sliding glaciers during the last Ice Age - which began approximately one million years ago. Lake Tahoe's massive volume of water arises from the sixty-three tributaries that feed it. Only one outlet exists, the Truckee River, and this explains how Tahoe maintains its massive depth on a year-round basis. Lake Tahoe is situated towards the eastern end of the Sierra-Nevada range, and one can experience a sudden terrain shift in travelling farther east, where green alpine terrain turns suddently to desert on the Nevada side.
Lake Tahoe truly is one of the real gems of natural beauty found anywhere in North America. With its massive size and crystal clear, blue, alpine water, Lake Tahoe is clearly visible from planes flying over California and Nevada. Its location at the foot of massive mountains only adds to the stunning vistas. Pure, aquamarine water, towering evergreen trees, and soaring, snow-capped peaks make for a striking combination of natural wonder for tourists to enjoy. And with fine dining, restaurants, skiing, gaming, and boating all available in the area, its no surprise that Lake Tahoe ranks as one of America's top vacation getaways, year after year.