Lake Tahoe help

[J'aime Paris]

DH's brother lives in San Francisco. I didn't realize Lake Tahoe was "relatively" close.
I'm sure he'd enjoy a visit.
Depending on how many days we can spare, this could be a possibility.

 

[monarchsfan16]

We went to Lake Tahoe for our honeymoon this summer. It's absolutely stunning there. Check the average weather, because honestly, it may be worth it to fly into San Francisco or Sacramento just for the spectacular drive up to Tahoe from there, but if there's likely to still be snow in the mountains, then it's less worth it. I can't imagine dealing with tire chains and a rental car. We flew into SFO, and spent about 24 hours in the city before we drove to Tahoe. We went to the Walt Disney Family Museum when we were in SF, as well as Muir Woods, and both were well worth a visit. We stayed in South Lake Tahoe, so for us it was about 3 1/2 hours drive time. Not too bad, and a very easy drive most of the way. The drive over the mountains certainly isn't "easy", but it is spectacular. Coming home we flew out of Sacramento, because to get back to the east coast on a Sunday from Reno our only options were overnight flights or flights with more than one stop. Well worth the quick drive to Sacramento. Heading back to SMF, we stopped at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, which is where gold was first discovered in CA. Again, well worth the stop.

IF they are running it for sight seeing in May, you MUST take the gondola to the top of Heavenly Mountain. The views are worth EVERY penny. It's on the south side of the lake, but the drive around the lake is also worth it. Also, make sure you drive down to Vista Point, overlooking Emerald Bay. Just stunning. We found Truckee to be a neat little town too. We spent a bit of time shopping and had lunch there.

 

[bcla]

We went to Lake Tahoe for our honeymoon this summer. It's absolutely stunning there. Check the average weather, because honestly, it may be worth it to fly into San Francisco or Sacramento just for the spectacular drive up to Tahoe from there, but if there's likely to still be snow in the mountains, then it's less worth it. I can't imagine dealing with tire chains and a rental car. We flew into SFO, and spent about 24 hours in the city before we drove to Tahoe. We went to the Walt Disney Family Museum when we were in SF, as well as Muir Woods, and both were well worth a visit. We stayed in South Lake Tahoe, so for us it was about 3 1/2 hours drive time. Not too bad, and a very easy drive most of the way. The drive over the mountains certainly isn't "easy", but it is spectacular. Coming home we flew out of Sacramento, because to get back to the east coast on a Sunday from Reno our only options were overnight flights or flights with more than one stop. Well worth the quick drive to Sacramento. Heading back to SMF, we stopped at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, which is where gold was first discovered in CA. Again, well worth the stop.

IF they are running it for sight seeing in May, you MUST take the gondola to the top of Heavenly Mountain. The views are worth EVERY penny. It's on the south side of the lake, but the drive around the lake is also worth it. Also, make sure you drive down to Vista Point, overlooking Emerald Bay. Just stunning. We found Truckee to be a neat little town too. We spent a bit of time shopping and had lunch there.

They’re going in May, so the chances of needing chains are very small. Granted I’ve seen snow in May, but it was very light and there weren’t chain conditions.

I-80 is completely freeways all the way from San Francisco to well beyond Reno. It’s a lot different than US-50, which is one lane much of the way and winding. I don’t get carsick easily, but I’ve heard many can’t handle it.

 

[tvguy]

They’re going in May, so the chances of needing chains are very small. Granted I’ve seen snow in May, but it was very light and there weren’t chain conditions.

I-80 is completely freeways all the way from San Francisco to well beyond Reno. It’s a lot different than US-50, which is one lane much of the way and winding. I don’t get carsick easily, but I’ve heard many can’t handle it.

LOL. If I could figure out to post it here I would. I have video from June 5, 2010 of heavy snow going to Tahoe. We turned around before chain controls. Funny, we were in our 4 wheel drive that has NEVER been in 4 wheel drive in the 17+ years we have owned it. I have never used 80 to go to Tahoe. Too many big rigs would would be a huge pain with chain controls.

 

[bcla]

LOL. If I could figure out to post it here I would. I have video from June 5, 2010 of heavy snow going to Tahoe. We turned around before chain controls. Funny, we were in our 4 wheel drive that has NEVER been in 4 wheel drive in the 17+ years we have owned it. I have never used 80 to go to Tahoe. Too many big rigs would would be a huge pain with chain controls.

I said the chance was very small. Kind of like Portland, OR snowstorm odds, although that’s happened twice in the last decade. I’ve been on 80 through Donner Pass during a snowstorm. The chain setup areas are huge.

Last year we headed to Tahoe in Feb via US-50 in my wife’s car. We stopped at the Walmart in Placerville to see how much chains cost. They had laser printed signs saying that there were no return or exchanges on chains. Someone else saw us looking, asked us if we were going to Tahoe, and recommended we don’t buy chains. He said he was a commercial driver and had gotten back and saw no way that chains would be needed.

We didn’t need any, but later in South Lake Tahoe I bought a set from their local AutoZone. I deliberately got it there because their return policy included unused chains, and they had stores in the Bay Area that would accept returns. When we got home I returned them.

 

[tvguy]

I said the chance was very small. Kind of like Portland, OR snowstorm odds, although that’s happened twice in the last decade. I’ve been on 80 through Donner Pass during a snowstorm. The chain setup areas are huge.

Last year we headed to Tahoe in Feb via US-50 in my wife’s car. We stopped at the Walmart in Placerville to see how much chains cost. They had laser printed signs saying that there were no return or exchanges on chains. Someone else saw us looking, asked us if we were going to Tahoe, and recommended we don’t buy chains. He said he was a commercial driver and had gotten back and saw no way that chains would be needed.

We didn’t need any, but later in South Lake Tahoe I bought a set from their local AutoZone. I deliberately got it there because their return policy included unused chains, and they had stores in the Bay Area that would accept returns. When we got home I returned them.

My mom was from her Canada. Her older brother drove down one January in a snow storm, got stopped on the California side of 80 at chain control. CalTrans told him he had to chain up. He pulled some odd cable like traction devices out of his car........the ones he used at home for MUDDY dirt roads, never for snow. CalTrans called over CHP. CHP looked at the cables, looked at the Saskatchewan license plates, looked at my Uncle and asked "may I ask how old you are sir?". "85" my Uncle replied, and as he looked at the CalTrans guy and the CHP officer and added "been driving in snow for 60 years, all I need is a rear wheel drive car and 150 pounds of sand in the trunk". CHP officer laughed, and sent him on his way without chains.

 

[bcla]

My mom was from her Canada. Her older brother drove down one January in a snow storm, got stopped on the California side of 80 at chain control. CalTrans told him he had to chain up. He pulled some odd cable like traction devices out of his car........the ones he used at home for MUDDY dirt roads, never for snow. CalTrans called over CHP. CHP looked at the cables, looked at the Saskatchewan license plates, looked at my Uncle and asked "may I ask how old you are sir?". "85" my Uncle replied, and as he looked at the CalTrans guy and the CHP officer and added "been driving in snow for 60 years, all I need is a rear wheel drive car and 150 pounds of sand in the trunk". CHP officer laughed, and sent him on his way without chains.

I’ve got an AWD car and haven’t been asked to show I had chains. Never saw CHP though at a chain checkpoint. It was either Caltrans or county workers. And an LE ranger once at Yosemite.

I’ve also seen some questionable chain conditions, like once where I saw maybe one small patch of snow. I was checked, but the conditions were such that it would wear down chains driving on dry pavement.

 

[tvguy]

I’ve got an AWD car and haven’t been asked to show I had chains. Never saw CHP though at a chain checkpoint. It was either Caltrans or county workers. And an LE ranger once at Yosemite.

I’ve also seen some questionable chain conditions, like once where I saw maybe one small patch of snow. I was checked, but the conditions were such that it would wear down chains driving on dry pavement.

I've never driven with chains, and have driven in snow 3 times in my life. If there is snow, I don't go.

 

[bcla]

I've never driven with chains, and have driven in snow 3 times in my life. If there is snow, I don't go.

I've never driven with chains either. However, I've tried installing them in the driveway as a dry run. I knew I wasn't going to return them, so it wasn't a big deal scuffing them up a bit.

In my experience the ladder type cables are pain to install. The ones I had (don't know where they are now) come with instructions to install over the top and fasten at the bottom, which as a practical matter is like trying to scratch your lower back from above the top. A lot of recommendations I've seen say ditch those instructions, lay them out in front, and drive over them so that it's easy to fasten on the top.

Diagonal ones (with tighteners) are easy to install and basically self adjust.

 

[sasywtch]

If you decide to do SF, I'd consider flying in to SF, visiting brother and then driving to Tahoe. Flying back out of Reno. Or maybe the brother can drive to Tahoe for a few days to visit in between wedding? Traffic getting to SF from Sacramento has changed over the years and has added a lot more time. Hwy 50 is very pretty though! Hwy 80? Not so much. It does have Donner Lake where the Donner party was.

If I had a choice, I'd fly into Reno and have brother visit. I agree with the tram at Heavenly. I use to spend my summers in South Tahoe and got married there (in that chapel by Zephyr Cove up on the hill). BTW, you have to honk when going through the cave at Zephyr Cove. I do like Virginia City though (Bonanza). It sounds morbid but we went down one time and walked the cemetery. Graves from the 1800's, metal bed rails for markings, etc. My favorite though was renting the small boat for an hour and going over toward Emerald Bay and just seeing the dark blue of the lake in the middle. I have never seen that color blue before anywhere.

The north side and south side are completely different whereas the south is more touristy. The south is worth a visit to check out the tram. ps I love the smell in Tahoe. Something about the lake and the pine trees.

 

[J'aime Paris]

Thank you for all the great advice everyone!

I've been researching hotel options and homes on VRBO.
And we'd definitely do the tram, sounds amazing. Also the boat rental to see the dark blue water would be on the list. We enjoy boating so much!

Are there hiking trails in the area? We have no mountains in WI, but an easy hike may be fun

 

[bcla]

Thank you for all the great advice everyone!

I've been researching hotel options and homes on VRBO.
And we'd definitely do the tram, sounds amazing. Also the boat rental to see the dark blue water would be on the list. We enjoy boating so much!

Are there hiking trails in the area? We have no mountains in WI, but an easy hike may be fun

There are trams at the bigger ski resorts, including Squaw Valley.

http://squawalpine.com/events-things-do/aerial-tram-rides

There are trails all over Lake Tahoe. It’s a world-class hiking area. There might still be snow in May in some spots. This year some of the ski resorts were still open in July. However, it’s higher altitude, which takes a little getting used to.

I recommend this map. It seems to be on sale now directly from National Geographic, and worth it even with shipping. I have an earlier version. You can see what’s in it in detail.

https://shop.nationalgeographic.com...ake-tahoe-basin--us-forest-service--trail-map

 

[J'aime Paris]

Thank you bcla!!

 

[mamacatnv]

Weather:
My Aunt's outdoor Labor Day wedding in South Lake took place indoors at the last minute due to 40mph winds and sleet.
Memorial Day weekend 1989 DH and I just barely made it out of South Shore due to snow.
I can't tell you how many spring breaks we had to chain up to get over Donner Pass or how many trips home to Reno were delayed due to a closed I-80.

DD's GirlScout camp that was near Donner Summit actually cancelled camp in 2011 because of the snow.

When it comes to the Sierra Nevada the weather can be unpredictable and one should always have a plan B as well as have the numbers for Caltrans and NDot to monitor conditions.

Depending on your time frame you have tons of options for things to see and do.

One word of warning is you will be at a significant altitude, make sure to stay hydrated and listen to your body. The tram at Heavenly goes up to about 10k feet if I remember correctly.

 

[bcla]

Here’s a report on skiing in July this year. It was warm and clear of snow at lake level, but Squaw Valley still had snow at higher elevation. Some women were skiing in bikinis. Who am I to judge?

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/07/01/skiers-tahoe-fourth-of-july-snow/

 

[bcla]

Weather:
My Aunt's outdoor Labor Day wedding in South Lake took place indoors at the last minute due to 40mph winds and sleet.
Memorial Day weekend 1989 DH and I just barely made it out of South Shore due to snow.
I can't tell you how many spring breaks we had to chain up to get over Donner Pass or how many trips home to Reno were delayed due to a closed I-80.

When it comes to the Sierra Nevada the weather can be unpredictable and one should always have a plan B as well as have the numbers for Caltrans and NDot to monitor conditions.

Depending on your time frame you have tons of options for things to see and do.

One word of warning is you will be at a significant altitude, make sure to stay hydrated and listen to your body. The tram at Heavenly goes up to about 10k feet if I remember correctly.

I think the tram is more like 8k, but still gas sucking conditions. Not sure about the gondola.

These days it might make more sense to use the website. There can be an overload of info because it contains all road conditions including construction, and they cover the entire length.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/display.php?page=i80
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/display.php?page=us50
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/display.php?page=sr89

 

[mamacatnv]

I think the tram is more like 8k, but still gas sucking conditions. Not sure about the gondola.

thank you for the correction, I meant the Gondola, I've taken it to the top where we went on a short hike. I've never been on the tram.

 

[bcla]

thank you for the correction, I meant the Gondola, I've taken it to the top where we went on a short hike. I've never been on the tram.

Heavenly is huge though, so a lot of it gets kind of confusing to me. I thought that their highest point was only reachable by chairlift. I took the tram a few times (last time was maybe 20 years ago), but I don't ski. One time wasn't during ski season. There's wasn't any snow in late October but I remember a friend and I took a little walk along a trail up there, and we were getting extremely winded from the altitude.

I looked at their terrain map, and it shows the gondola goes from Heavenly Village in SLT to over 9000 ft. The tram starts at their California Lodge and goes to about 8000 ft. I don't know if there used to be another gondola, but I don't think the map shows another one now. I think the current gondola from SLT is somewhat recent. I don't think it was there 20 years ago.

 

[soccerdad72]

If you decide to do SF, I'd consider flying in to SF, visiting brother and then driving to Tahoe. Flying back out of Reno.

Just got back a couple weeks ago and we did about that same thing, except we flew out of Sacramento. We stayed at a friend's vacation home in Grass Valley (about halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. The only issue of driving from San Francisco to Grass Valley was that we got caught up trying to get out of San Francisco in the evening (Sat. night) and it took us a good 45 minutes just to get over the Bay Bridge. Once we got outside of the city, it was an easy drive.

 

[longboard55]

We have been a few times, never a problem with Reno airport, its a very easy drive from Reno. Virginia City is great and we took an amazing horse ride out of zephyer cove. I would stay in the Casino Area. Its beautiful but cold, not a water sport place