Getting There

It's a 4-hour drive from San Francisco; take I-80 east to Sacramento, then U.S. 50 to the South Shore, or I-80 east to Highway 89 or Highway 267 to the North Shore. Be prepared for snow in the winter. During heavy storms, you won't be permitted to pass the CHP (California Highway Patrol) checkpoints without four-wheel-drive or chains. From Los Angeles, it's a 9-hour drive; take I-5 through the Central Valley to Sacramento, and then follow the directions above.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (45 min. to North Shore, 90 min. to South Shore) runs regular service by 10 major airlines, including American (tel. 800/433-7300), Delta (tel. 800/221-1212), and United (tel. 800/241-6522). Rent a car or take a shuttle up to the lake: North Lake Tahoe Express (tel. 866/216-5222) serves the North and West shores; South Tahoe Express (tel. 866/898-2463) serves the South Shore (1-day advance reservations recommended). To get to the lake, take U.S. 395 South to Route 431 for the North Shore or U.S. 50 for the South Shore. All the roads leading to the lake are scenic, but the panorama as you descend into the Lake Tahoe Basin from Route 431 is spectacular. Pull into the overlook and enjoy the view.

Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL) stops in Truckee, 10 miles north of the lake. Public transportation (TART or Truce Trolley) is available from the train depot, or you can take a taxi to the North Shore. Greyhound Bus Lines (tel. 800/229-9424) serves both Truckee and South Lake Tahoe with daily arrivals from San Francisco and Sacramento.

Visitor Information

In Tahoe City, stop by the Tahoe City Visitor Information Center, 380 North Lake Blvd. (tel. 800/824-6348). In Incline Village, go to the Incline Village/Crystal Bay Visitors Center, 969 Tahoe Blvd. (tel. 800/468-2463 or 775/832-1606). In South Lake Tahoe, go to the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, 1156 Ski Run Blvd. (tel. 800/288-2463 or 775/588-5900), or to the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, 3066 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (tel. 530/541-5255). Many other websites offer information about Lake Tahoe, including Virtual Tahoe, Ski Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Concierge, and Tahoe Vacation Guide.