Lake Tahoe Vacation- lake view, close to town, nice (Marina: low income, ski resorts)

[midtownmemphis]

I am thinking about planning a summer vacation on or around Lake Tahoe in late July / early August. We are from Memphis, TN and the thought of escaping our humid, muggy summer to such a beautiful place is quite enticing. After doing a little research, it’s obvious that I will need some local input because the place is so massive, and the possibilities are endless.

We would have a 10 month old baby (coming Dec 5 !). We are young(31) working professionals (attorneys) who would be looking to experience “quintessential Lake Tahoe.” Not sure how to define that……….perhaps that’s an older, more established development ? I’m thinking we want something with an elevated lake view, but with lake access in some fashion because I would want to rent a boat. (I’ve seen that there are beach clubs). We definitely want privacy, and while we are absolutely not snooty, we don’t want to spend all the time and expense to come to Cali just to be around the ‘Neckersons we left behind. What are some of the nicer areas ? A bonus would be staying close to one of the quaint small towns to do some shopping and local dining. Basically, we want to be on the lake, with a view, access to a club or marina/beach, and close to a nice town---all so we can get an old fashioned Lake Tahoe summer experience.

[.highnlite]

Point number 1, all of those quaint small towns exist for one reason, to get your money.... Quintessential Lake Tahoe, Old Fashioned Lake Tahoe Experience, is the West Shore, From Tahoe City down to Homewood, rent a boat at Obexers or the Tahoe City Marina. Where would I stay? Granlibakken You can hike or mtn bike out the back door into Paige Meadows and all the way to the the Sierra Crest if you wish. Or Sunnyside Lodge, boat from your front deck. Or West Shore Cafe and Inn For a true Tahoe Locals breakfast eat at the Firesign Cafe


Quick notes, Tahoe City is built up and commercial,, Kings Beach is no longer upscale, Incline Village has few public on the water amenities East Shore is not built up, no commercial until you get to Zephyr Cove, which has a nice lodge, but then you get into South Lake, which has grandiose casinos and hotels, and lots of the low income housing there to house the workers.

Any question, just asked I lived there for 40 years.

[sourdough]

Lived in Tahoe City before fast food and traffic lights, those days are long gone. I don't believe there is an old fashioned Lake Tahoe anymore. Quietest areas are the west and east shores. Holbrook on the east(Nevada side) was very since. Check out Lake Pend Oreille, Coeur d'Alene Id. or Priest Lake and Payette lake also in Id. for a less crowded mountain lake. McCall @ Payette lake is problably my favorite. In the late 70's most lake Tahoe people I knew were headed to Coeur D'Alene, Id.

[Hemlock140]

We used to go at least once a year until we moved up here, now every 2-3 years, last summer most recently. We actually enjoyed renting a condo at South Tahoe, Aston Lakeland Village. It has a private beach, and is normally an easy walk to everything but the sidewalks were all under construction. Where we have stayed the most often is on the NW shore, in the Chamberlands area of Homewood and the Granlibakken area of Tahoe City. Not on the water, though. The most unspoiled areas are on the east shores in Nevada. If you are into hiking there are spectacular views from the State Lookout trail that starts behind the Biltmore at Stateline, Northshore.

Try looking for a place at Vacation Rentals by Owner, we have found it to be a trouble free experience several times, with many homes/condos available.
VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner

[midtownmemphis]

Thanks for the info.......I've looked at Coeur d'Alene before and it seems fabulous. Any particular areas / resorts etc you would recommend at Coeur d'Alene, again based on the criteria mentioned in my first post. It seems like downtown Coeur d'Alene is pretty quaint, but I have no idea other than internet pictures, etc.