Suite Surrender

By Kevin Wing
Host, Suite Surrender: America’s Best Resorts

(Editor’s Note: This column, showcasing America’s best hotels and resorts, is written exclusively for AARisings by Kevin Wing, a two-time Emmy Award-winning San Francisco Bay Area television journalist. Since early 2005, Kevin has authored another AARisings column, Beach Trip, which showcases America’s best-loved beaches. Kevin has worked for most of the Bay Area’s major network news affiliates, including KTVU, KGO-TV, KRON and KNTV. He is a network news field producer in the Bay Area and northern California for ABC News, and writes a monthly travel column for the Bay Area's ALIVE Magazine. Kevin is also a Bay Area voiceover talent, and is writing a children’s book, which he hopes to have published in 2010. In this edition of Suite Surrender, Kevin returns to his favorite Sierra Nevada getaway, Lake Tahoe.)

For generations of travelers and vacationers, Lake Tahoe has been California and Nevada's crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada. Whether you're visiting the region in June or January, Lake Tahoe is one of America's most versatile vacation and recreational spots. From snow skiing and boating to hiking and camping and, of course, gambling, there's something for everyone in the region.

I have had a special place in my heart for Lake Tahoe for most of my life, ever since the time my family purchased a popular timeshare destination in South Lake Tahoe. I always have fond memories of Lake Tahoe, from relaxing and hanging out at the timeshare at the bottom of Heavenly Ski Resort to boating on what is the third deepest lake in North America. At the many casinos on the Nevada side of the state line, there's usually something for everyone, too. Gaming is at an abundance along U.S. Highway 50, just a few steps from the California-Nevada line. Of course, there's plenty of dining and entertainment venues to satisfy even the most difficult-to-please traveler.

Lake Tahoe has always been referred to as "the lake in the sky." It has been noted that the lake is 97 percent pure, nearly the same as distilled water. The lake is incredibly clear and its color is an enticing deep blue. It's about 22 miles long and about 12 miles wide. About two-thirds of Lake Tahoe lie within California. With an average depth of nearly 1,000 feet, the lake is the third deepest on the continent. And what a backdrop it has, with the Sierra Nevada mountains rising more than 4,000 feet above the lake's shores. The lake itself sits at an elevation of 6,229 feet above sea level.

In the early 20th century, Lake Tahoe became a vacation spot for the wealthy, especially those from San Francisco. At the time, it was a place to get away from it all. Immigrants and miners at that time soon made way for the first tourists. With the interest from out-of-towners, hotels started dotting the shores of Lake Tahoe, particularly in what is now South Lake Tahoe, here on the California side of the lake. In those first couple of decades as a vacation spot for the rich, roads to the region were generally unpaved, but that changed as the 1920s and '30s arrived. And, by then, Lake Tahoe was accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. Soon, ski resorts such as Squaw Valley and Heavenly Valley opened up, drawing more people to the region during the snow-capped winter months. With that draw, along with the hotels and casinos, came the celebrities who were ready and willing to call Lake Tahoe their Northern California playground.

With summer upon us, we can expect that mild, sunny weather will be a nice respite from the heat waves we usually have between now and September. In the winter, of course, snow depth in the mountains can reach as much as 500 inches, which is why so many people who are into skiing and snowboarding flock to Tahoe to enjoy their favorite winter sports. Today, Squaw Valley and Heavenly remain the big winter sports draws, but they've been joined by Alpine Meadows and other ski resorts. During the summer, the big draw is, of course, beautiful Lake Tahoe itself.

If you live in the Bay Area or Northern California like I do, a trip to Lake Tahoe this summer is a perfect time of the year to visit. During the summer months, Lake Tahoe is just as popular, especially with those who enjoy hiking, mountain biking, boating, golfing, kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, water skiing and swimming.

If you haven't been to South Lake Tahoe in a few years, you'll notice a difference. U.S. Highway 50, which traverses along the shores of the lake at South Lake Tahoe, has been notoriously known in the last 40 years for its cookie-cutter motels and ski lodges. Some still exist, but a major civic revitalization of the area began in the 1990s to freshen up the corridor. In fact, a gondola attraction known as the Gondola at Heavenly now connects the Heavenly ski resort with the shops, restaurants and hotels that can be found along U.S. Highway 50. Eight-passenger gondola cabins will transport you nearly two and a half miles from the shore to the top of the mountain, providing spectacular views of Lake Tahoe.

Some things, too, never change, such as the area's popular boating venues like taking a cruise on the Tahoe Queen. Cruises depart from the the Ski Run Marina in South Lake Tahoe, near where U.S. Highway 50 and Ski Run Boulevard intersect. One popular excursion on the Tahoe Queen is the Emerald Bay Cruise, a two and a half hour narrated sightseeing and lunch tour.

Of course, there are other areas around Lake Tahoe that may cater more to your taste should you not wish to feel like a tourist. Incline Village, Truckee and Tahoe City are on the northern edge of the lake, about an hour's drive from South Lake Tahoe and Stateline.

As you may know, there are two popular routes to Lake Tahoe from the Bay Area -- either Interstate 80, which will take you to the north shore area of Lake Tahoe, or U.S. Highway 50, which skirts the south side of the region and takes you directly to the casinos and resorts in South Lake Tahoe.

Either way you go, you're certain to find something fun to do in Lake Tahoe. It's definitely worth a trip.

How to get there: From the San Francisco Bay Area, head east on Interstate 80 to Sacramento. At that point, you can choose either eastbound U.S. Highway 50 or continue east on I-80. Continuing on I-80 will take you to the north shore of Lake Tahoe as well as Reno. Opting for Highway 50 will head you in the direction of South Lake Tahoe.

Next time from Suite Surrender: There's more to Orlando and central Florida than Walt Disney World, believe it or not. We'll visit some of the many attractions and resorts that join WDW to make central Florida the nation's premier vacation destination.

To learn more about the new Suite Surrender and Catch a Wave television shows, podcasts and Kevin Wing, go to www.KevinScottWing.com. You can e-mail Kevin and the Suite Surrender crew at Kevin@KevinScottWing.com.

Suite Surrender. Where the Destination is Paradise.
Copyright 2009
All Rights Reserved
Kevin Wing / Toby Dog Productions
Issue 7 / May 2009

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Photo used by permission courtesy of Kevin Wing. Photo copyright by Kevin Wing.