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City guide

Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe is a freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the Western United States, straddling the border between California and Nevada. 7 km3) it trails only the five Great Lakes as the largest by volume in the United States.

Type City

Why go

  • Lake in California and Nevada, United States.
  • 1 curated must-see attraction on record, including Lake Tahoe.

History

Lake Tahoe is a freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the Western United States, straddling the border between California and Nevada. Lying at 6,225 ft (1,897 m) above sea level, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, and at 122,160,280 acre⋅ft (150.7 km3) it trails only the five Great Lakes as the largest by volume in the United States. Its depth is 1,645 ft (501 m), making it the second deepest in the United States after Crater Lake in Oregon.

Must-see attractions

Outdoor

Airports

Lake Tahoe Airport (TVL) 14 mi to the centre
South Lake Tahoe, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Truckee Tahoe Airport (TKF) 17 mi to the centre
Truckee, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Carson Airport (CSN) 18 mi to the centre
Carson City, NV, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Minden-Tahoe Airport (MEV) 17 mi to the centre
Minden, NV, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. We do not yet hold airport or rail details for Lake Tahoe, California — check the official tourism sources below for the best routes in.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Lake Tahoe, California. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Bus · Tahoe City, California · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Tours & experiences