Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe (Best Areas & Places)

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Kings Beach Hotels: Crown Motel • Pine Luxury •Bed-N-Bliss

Kings Beach is on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, and it’s one of the most family-friendly towns around the lake. Kings Beach is the best place to be if you want to enjoy activities on the lake with your family or friends. 

The lake is, without a doubt, the main hub of activity at Kings Beach. There’s a huge public park with free beach access. You’ll find many gear shops offering hourly rentals for kayaking, paddleboarding, jetskiing, parasailing, and more. 

Kings Beach is a great place for kids. Ice cream shops, mini golf courses, and family-owned restaurants line the main drag. There’s even a brewery with a big outdoor space where kids can run around. 

Kings Beach is super walkable, so you won’t even need to drive from your accommodation to reach all the main spots. Stay somewhere like the Crown Motel to be right at the center of downtown Kings Beach. 

Get active by playing volleyball down at the Kings Beach public park, going on a hike along the Tahoe Rim Trail, or playing a round of golf at the Old Brockway Golf Course. 

Pros of Staying in Kings Beach Neighborhood:

• Lots of water-based activities and rental shops 
• Plenty of free public beaches 
• Mini golf courses and other family-friendly attractions 
• Walkable main street 
• Less crowded than Lake Tahoe’s south shore 

Cons of Staying in Kings Beach Neighborhood:

• Further from ski resorts 
• Not a lot of bars or nightlife 

Stateline

👉 Best Area For Affordable Prices | ✨ Best Stateline Hotels: Edgewood Tahoe Resort • Lodge at Kingsbury Crossing

Experience the best of both worlds when you stay in the Stateline neighborhood in Nevada. Stateline is on the southeastern shore of Lake Tahoe and is the best place to stay for affordable Tahoe prices. Gas, accommodation, and food are cheaper on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.

It’s legal to gamble in Nevada, so hit the casinos for a fun nighttime activity. The main casinos in Stateline are Bally’s, Harvey’s, and Harrah’s. If Tahoe nightlife is your top priority, stay at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort to be within walking distance of the area’s top casinos.

The nearest ski resort is across the border at Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe, only a 2-minute drive. Stateline is close to many major Tahoe amenities and excursions, but it comes without the heavy price tag of staying on the California side.

One of my favorite places to stay on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe is Zephyr Cove Resort. This RV resort is one of the best spots to camp in California. It’s right on the lake and is close to major Tahoe hiking trails.

Pros of Staying in Stateline Neighborhood:

• More affordable than the California side
• Close to amenities of South Lake Tahoe
• Can gamble in casinos
• More options for entertainment
• Public beach
• Cheaper gas

Cons of Staying in Stateline Neighborhood:

• The casino area is usually crowded
• Fewer options for outdoor activities
• Can be noisy at night

Homewood

👉 Best Area For Peace and Quiet | ✨ Best Homewood Hotels: Pine Needle • Truly Tahoe •Flicker Retreat

Homewood is a small community on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, 5.5 miles south of Tahoe City. It’s the perfect stop on an epic California road trip.

The main attraction of Homewood is the Homewood Mountain Resort, a beginner ski haven. The perfectly powdered slopes have a bird’s-eye view of the huge Lake Tahoe below, making it one of the most scenic places to ski in Tahoe.

Homewood is away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist attractions and is closer to the hiking trails off the beaten path. Enjoy close access to Ellis Peak, Blackwood Ridge, and Barker Pass/ Tahoe Rim Trail. These beautiful trails are nestled in the Tahoe pine trees. 

One of the main activities that should be on your itinerary when you visit Lake Tahoe is boating on the gorgeous alpine lake. The Homewood neighborhood is home to Obexer’s Boat Company, a convenient place to rent jetskis, wakeboards, or waterskis.

There are many vacation rentals in this area with either mountain or lake views. The Homewood neighborhood has many more private cabin rentals than large hotels. I’d recommend staying in a cozy cabin like the Pine Needle to maximize your peace and quiet.

Pros of Staying in Homewood Neighborhood:

• Less crowded than other Lake Tahoe neighborhoods
• Close to a good beginner ski resort
• Near the top hiking trails
• Lots of private cabins available to rent for large groups

Cons of Staying in Homewood Neighborhood:

• Farther from main Lake Tahoe activities
• Fewer entertainment and nightlife options
• Not many hotels are available

Incline Village

👉 Best Area For Luxury Accommodation | ✨ Best Incline Village Hotels: Creek & Glen • Hyatt Regency Resort, Spa, and Casino • Club Tahoe Resort

Incline Village is on the northeast shore of Lake Tahoe. This neighborhood is appraised for its one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive mountain retreats but there are also a variety of house rentals and hotels.

This north Lake Tahoe enclave also features gorgeous private beaches and a slower pace of lake living. Incline Village invites its visitors to sip on their morning cup of joe and watch for Steller’s Jays in the nearby pines or settle down with a good book.

Technically on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, Incline Village is home to large mansions that double as celebrity vacation homes. It’s also close to many of Lake Tahoe’s best beaches. This area is less crowded than other busy Lake Tahoe neighborhoods and is more affordable than the California side.

Nearby trails in Incline Village include Tahoe East Shore Trail, Tunnel Creek Trail, Sand Harbor Nature Trail, and Tamarack Peak, all top California hiking trails. There are also two great ski resorts within a 10-minute drive.

Incline Village is the perfect place to stay for visitors who like a variety of accommodation options and want to stay in a 5-star resort one night and tent camp the next.

Pros of Staying in Incline Village Neighborhood:

• Plenty of accommodation options
• Close to many hiking trails
• Upscale hotels and resorts
• Gated communities and private beaches

Cons of Staying in Incline Village Neighborhood:

• Farther from main tourist attractions
• Hotels can be expensive
• Fewer entertainment options

Olympic Valley

👉 Best Area For Adventure | ✨ Best Olympic Valley Hotels: Snow-Capped Cabin • The Village at Palisades Tahoe • Red Wolf Lodge at Olympic Valley

Formerly called Squaw Valley, Olympic Valley lies halfway between Truckee and Lake Tahoe and is one of the coziest places in California. This area encourages the spirit of adventure and exploration with its 3,600 acres of open skiing and snowboarding terrain at Palisades Tahoe.

Olympic Valley was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and the village has a ton of sports memorabilia. Olympic Valley is also home to live music, spring pool parties, and a wacky Tahoe pond skimming contest. Known as a winter sports haven, stay in Olympic Valley for the winter snow experience of a lifetime. 

Besides shredding down the slopes at Palisades Resort, you can also enjoy snowshoeing and dog sledding in this winter wonderland neighborhood. There are summertime activities in Olympic Valley as well, like riding the cable car to the high camp activity center at 8,200 feet or cycling along the mystifying Truckee River.

The outdoor activities available in Olympic Valley are endless. Stay in this Lake Tahoe neighborhood if adventure is your main priority!

Pros of Staying in Olympic Valley Neighborhood:

• Many adventurous activities are available
• Cool mountain eateries
• World-renowned skiing at the most famous ski resort in Tahoe: Palisades Resort

Cons of Staying in Olympic Valley Neighborhood:

• Father away from Lake Tahoe amenities and entertainment
• No lake access
• Fewer restaurants are available

Truckee

👉 Best Area For Escaping Weekend Crowds | ✨ Best Truckee Hotels: Howl at the Moon • Truckee Donner Lodge • Northstar Lodge

One of the largest neighborhoods around Lake Tahoe, Truckee sits just north of Olympic Valley in Tahoe National Forest. Truckee is nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is a great place to stay if you want to stay in Lake Tahoe without crowds.

With several nearby ski resorts, the beautiful Donner Lake, the pine tree-lined Truckee River, and surrounding Sierra Mountain peaks, Truckee is one of the best mountain towns in California. Truckee’s historic downtown offers western-style establishments like an old-timey barber shop and old-fashioned candy stores.

This small mountain town has plenty of accommodation options from luxury resorts to small rental cabins and affordable motels. For travelers who prefer to splurge on accommodation, the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe is the perfect option.

There’s something for everyone in Truckee, and it is best for those who wish to escape the crazy weekend crowds in Lake Tahoe.

Pros of Staying in Truckee Neighborhood:

• Fewer crowds
• Off the beaten path
• A charming, old-timey downtown area
• Less expensive than neighborhoods closer to the lake

Cons of Staying in Truckee Neighborhood:

• Father away from main Lake Tahoe attractions
• No lake access
• Fewer restaurant options are available

Tips for Staying in Lake Tahoe

Pack According to Your Activities

What you need to bring to Lake Tahoe depends on the activities that you want to do. You don’t need to bring ski gear if your main priority is hiking or boating around the lake.

Decide what you want to do beforehand to make the packing process so much simpler. Check out our California packing essentials list to help figure out what to bring to Lake Tahoe.

Bring Layers

It’s sometimes hard to gauge California weather but even if you visit Lake Tahoe in the summer, the night will still be chilly. Bring layers to ensure you have the most comfortable Lake Tahoe visit possible.

I recommend wearing a short-sleeved shirt in the summer, followed by a light jacket and a backup down jacket in your bag, just in case. You should also always have a rain jacket on you for emergency instances, because the weather in the Sierra Nevadas can be unpredictable.

Bring Aquatic Gear

Lake Tahoe is one of the best lakes in California, so it’s no wonder that many vacations here are centered around aquatic activities. Even if your main priority is hitting the ski slopes, soaking in a steaming hot jacuzzi afterward should be high on your Tahoe itinerary.

I recommend packing a bathing suit for visiting Lake Tahoe in any season. Summertime is the perfect time to go for a plunge in the lake or go jet skiing. Don’t forget to bring your beach towel too!

Stay Hydrated 

Lake Tahoe sits at a high elevation of 6,224 feet. This is quite a change for someone coming from sea level. You will want to stay hydrated at all times to avoid feeling the effects of altitude sickness.

A big, reusable water bottle does a great job of helping you stay hydrated. This is especially important if exploring Lake Tahoe’s surrounding Sierra Nevada peaks, some of which are 10,000 feet high.

Visit Lake Tahoe in the Summer for the Warmest Weather

If you aren’t a keen skier or snowboarder, you will want to visit Lake Tahoe in the summer months for the best weather. More non-winter sports activities are available at this time like swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, paddleboarding, boating, and more.

Late summer is the best time to visit Tahoe because snow may persist until early July.

Stay on the Nevada Side of Lake Tahoe to Save Money

If you are deciding on where to stay in Lake Tahoe to save money, choose the Nevada side. The accommodation, food, gas, and drinks are all significantly cheaper.

Nevada neighborhoods like Stateline and Incline Village are top destinations to stay in when visiting the Lake Tahoe resort town. Gambling is legal in Nevada, making the Nevada towns some of the best spots for nightlife around the lake.

Try Out a Rental Cabin in Lake Tahoe

There are many hotels and ski resort accommodations in Lake Tahoe but I recommend staying in a rental cabin. This is the best option if you like your privacy, as the entire cabin is often available for rent.

Most rental cabins in Lake Tahoe are quaint, cozy cabins with their own private balconies, driveways, and outdoor lounge areas. I always try to book a Lake Tahoe rental cabin with a hot tub to relax my muscles after a long day of hitting the ski slopes.

Visit in the Winter for the Best Winter Sports

Visit Lake Tahoe in November-May if you are a winter sports fanatic. Skiing in Lake Tahoe is one of the best things to do in Northern California. Make sure you have the essential winter gear, like tire chains, heavy layers, and emergency supplies.

Besides shredding down some resort ski slopes, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, mountaineering, and dog sledding are also popular winter activities in Lake Tahoe. Choose from one of 15 ski resorts in this mountain town oasis for a snow trip to remember.

Leave No Trace

Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places in California. What makes this area so pristine is the unspoken rule to leave no trace and pack out all of your trash.

No one wants to encounter a litter-intense hiking trail in the Sierras. Be sure to “keep Tahoe blue” by not polluting its forests or lake water.

Have at Least Two Nights in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is huge, and the sheer number of activities to do around the resort town will make your time there fly by. You will want to book at least two nights in Tahoe to fully experience all its splendor.

Don’t rush your Tahoe trip. Plan out a longer itinerary before you visit this mountain town. Set aside one day for getting to know the town, its shops, and small hiking trails then spend the next day either out on the water, lounging on the sandy beaches around the lake, or at a ski resort (depending on the season)!

Book Everything Ahead of Time to Save Money

You will often find ski lift deals if you book your trip ahead of time. Compare prices online before you get to Tahoe and you may end up saving upwards of $50.

Most Tahoe accommodations fill up at least 6 months in advance. Make sure you plan ahead as much as you can, or else you may be forced to spend a lot of money on whatever last-minute accommodation is available.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe

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Thanks for reading my guide on where to stay in Lake Tahoe! For more helpful Tahoe information, check out our top things to do in Lake Tahoe guide.

(Featured Image Credit: Plum Guide)