Lake Tahoe is year-round destination that calls both California and Nevada home, and many people also have the luxury of calling Tahoe their home away from home. Whether you’re in town for a ski trip this winter or need some quality one-on-one time with the largest alpine lake in North America, you can easily fall in love with the jewel of the Sierras, and find yourself calling this your own home away from home too. And there’s no better way to feel quite at home in Lake Tahoe than doing what the locals do.
Book a Vacation Rental instead of a Hotel
Whether you’re staying for the weekend or for a few weeks, vacation rentals are a great option. You can visit Tahoe with a large group of people and you’ll have room for everyone to spread out and get comfortable in these homes, cabins, lodges and condos, rather than cramming into a hotel room. Many of the rentals in Lake Tahoe  even come with the amenities you look for in a hotel, like hot tubs, HD TVs and tons of entertainment and fantastic views of the mountains and lake. You can cook many of your own meals in your full sized kitchen or have a BBQ. A vacation rental gives you much more privacy than you’ll find in a hotel, and are usually just as convenient to all the things you’re going to want to do while you’re here.
Hike the Trails Less Traveled
There are tons of great places to hike around Lake Tahoe, whether you’re out for a leisurely stroll in a beautiful setting or need an intense workout to sweat out all the stress and alcohol that fuels your normal life. Some of the most popular hikes in these parts include the Eagle Falls/ Eagle Lake trails, Horsetail Falls and Mount Tallac. Of course these are all great hikes to consider, but don’t stick to just the popular spots where everyone goes on a beautiful day. Find one of the trails that goes unnoticed and you’re usually rewarded with fantastic views that you can snap photos of without the worry of any sweaty photobombers ruining the shot.
Eat Out on the Weekdays
Put that kitchen to use during the weekends when the crowds in Lake Tahoe are thriving! Many of the restaurants in Lake Tahoe have specials, happy hours and are considerably less crowded during the week. When you need a night out and a vacation from the stove, take off your apron and head to one of the local bars or restaurants for great food at a great price.
Pack Your Sunscreen
Don’t think that just because you’re here in the winter that you won’t need to cake on the SPF. You need it just as much, if not more, than you do in the summer! Be sure to remember to put on sunscreen every day of your trip, whether you think you need it or not. You’ll be thankful for the protection later. Better safe than sorry, right?
Learn to Hold (Off on) Your Liquor
Many tourist who are not used to the elevation at 6,000 feet don’t consider the difference the effects of alcohol can have on your body. When you’re checking out the nightlife in Lake Tahoe, remember that high altitudes magnify how quickly your absorbing all that booze, and your smart little brain is getting less oxygen than it does at lower altitudes. One drink at 6,000 feet has the same effect as about 3 drinks taken at sea level, so don’t guzzle them down too quickly and fall asleep at the bar. And be sure to drink lots and lots of water before getting out on the slopes the next day.
Living like a local in Lake Tahoe has it’s advantages, like saving some money or finding the hidden gems that the jewel of the Sierras has to offer. When you don’t just stick to the top things to do and tourist traps, you’re rewarded with great views and quiet settings, or awesome adventures far better than the ones you were expecting.
This article was written by Lizz Riggs, editor of TahoesBest.com.
