Lake elevation: 6,225′
Largest town: South Lake Tahoe, CA (21,403)
Lake Tahoe, the clear, cobalt blue lake tucked into the snowy Sierra Nevada mountain range, welcomes athletes, adventurers and casual travelers to its easygoing and pine-scented atmosphere. A long sought-after vacation destination, Lake Tahoe keeps everyone’s interests piqued and their vacations active throughout the year. Lake Tahoe is the nation’s second deepest lake, and the area previously served as a transcontinental route for first the railroad and later highways. As roadside stops increased in the area, so did the bustle, attracting travelers who were taken by the lake’s beauty and wealth of activities. Over the course of the 20th century, the area blossomed into a scenic locale adored by visitors and locals alike.
Exploring Lake Tahoe’s towns that surround the lake might make you feel like you’re swaggering through a modernized downtown from the Old West or freeing yourself of life’s unnecessary pressures by embracing the chill West Coast vibe that permeates the region.
Tahoe embodies the American Dream’s concept of “having it all” – it quite literally has it all. Hike mountains trails in picturesque Tahoe City. Bask on sunny beaches in South Lake Tahoe. Shred the gnarr out on the snow-covered slopes of Squaw Valley. Explore the niche boutiques in Truckee. Sample gourmet cuisine as you watch the setting sun seemingly sink into the lake in Incline Village.