South Lake Tahoe offers a wide array of activities, with plenty of outdoor and indoor attractions. Outdoorsy adventurers will appreciate the lake and mountains, while indoor types can enjoy the area’s casinos, restaurants and shops.
Things to do

South Lake Tahoe is famous as a resort town for avid skiers and snowboarders. The renowned Heavenly Mountain Resort and Squaw Valley Ski Resort are located here, welcoming powder hounds from all over the world. In fact, Squaw Valley was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics.

Lake Tahoe runs along the edge of the city of South Lake Tahoe and comes alive in summer. Offering everything from stand-up paddle boarding to early-morning fishing expeditions and water skiing, Lake Tahoe is a nature lover’s paradise. The lake is astonishingly clear, making it ideal for exploring its underwater marine life with scuba diving or snorkeling.

Are you feeling lucky? Visit one of the large casinos in nearby Nevada, where slot machines and table games offer the chance to hit it big. Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and Harveys Lake Tahoe are the best-known casinos of the bunch, but there are several alternatives within walking distance.

During warmer months, Heavenly Mountain Resort offers a gondola from South Lake Tahoe to an observation platform where you’ll find stunning views of the surrounding mountains, valleys and lake. Nestled among towering native pine trees, nearby Fallen Leaf Lake offers a peaceful contrast to the bustle of Lake Tahoe.

Getting around

The nearest major airport to South Lake Tahoe is Reno-Tahoe International Airport, located in the city of Reno. From here, it’s around one hour’s drive to South Lake Tahoe. Other nearby major cities include Sacramento, two hours away, and San Francisco, 3.5 hours away. Within South Lake Tahoe, buses provide transportation between most major destinations.