South Lake Tahoe travel guide
South Lake Tahoe Tourism | South Lake Tahoe Guide
You're Going to Love South Lake Tahoe
With a population of 21,403, South Lake Tahoe is a must-see destination in California, United States. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything South Lake Tahoe has to offer.
Where to Eat in South Lake Tahoe
If you’re looking for affordable options, Riva Grill (900 Ski Run Blvd) and Scusa Italian Ristorante (2543 Lake Tahoe Boulevard) are great picks.
When to visit South Lake Tahoe
Looking for warm weather? Then head to South Lake Tahoe in July, when the average temperature is 15 °C, and the highest can go up to 22 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as -6 °C, with an average temperature of -1 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in February, when precipitation is around 211 mm. In contrast, August is usually the driest month of the year in South Lake Tahoe, with an average rainfall of 16 mm.
How to Get to South Lake Tahoe
Plane
Although South Lake Tahoe doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Reno Airport (RNO), which is located 41 miles from South Lake Tahoe. The shortest flight to South Lake Tahoe from Australia departs from Sydney and takes around 24h 23m.
Train
Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to South Lake Tahoe. The train journey from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento takes 5h 04m and costs around $110 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Emeryville, expect to pay about $101 for a 7h 02m trip. The train station in South Lake Tahoe is called South Lake Tahoe, and is located 1.8 miles from the city centre.
Car
Another option to get to South Lake Tahoe is to pick up a car hire from San Francisco, which is about 153 miles from South Lake Tahoe. You’ll find branches of Thrifty and Alamo, among others, in San Francisco.
Bus
You can travel by bus to South Lake Tahoe using FlixBus or Busbud. From San Francisco, the bus ride to South Lake Tahoe takes 325 miles and will cost you around $75. From Los Angeles, the ticket costs about $213 for a journey of 815 miles.
Airlines serving South Lake Tahoe
Where to stay in South Lake Tahoe
Average rates range from around $509 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $486 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Heavenly Valley Lodge and The Americana Village.
Where to stay in popular areas of South Lake Tahoe
Most booked hotels in South Lake Tahoe
Hiring a car in South Lake Tahoe
Expect to pay $1.58 per litre in South Lake Tahoe (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $18.92 and $25.23. The most frequently booked car type in South Lake Tahoe is Standard (Ford Edge or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy car hire (Kia Rio or similar) is, on average, 55% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.