Lake Tahoe & Northern California
I have such fond memories of this part of America as it is where I got married. Lake Tahoe holds that special place in my heart, not just for that but because it is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking views and scenery I have ever experienced.
I have been to Lake Tahoe three times and whilst all my visits have been in what we call the summer months, I have experienced snow in May! Being 10,000 feet above sea level, it can take a couple of days to readjust; the air is understandably thinner at that altitude. Once acclimatised, you can don those walking boots and hike to your heart’s content. Horse riding and bike riding are also great ways to see some of the local area.
Lake Tahoe itself consists of the main resort area – South Lake Tahoe; which is where you will find a lovely selection of small hotels, motels and resorts. As it crosses the state line between California and Nevada, there are a few large casino hotels, which sit just over the border in Nevada. Whilst these are on a smaller scale than the Las Vegas style hotels, they provide entertainment and great dining opportunities.
There are steamers allowing you to take a cruise on the lake, there are even night cruises too. You can drive around the lake, all 72 miles, as there are many stop off points; local traders selling wood carvings, Camp Richardson Park and Incline Village to name just a few. My personal favourite restaurants were the Riva Grill and Edgewood Tahoe resort – just over the state line. There is also a British pub and an Irish pub should you be missing home too much! It’s approximately a leisurely four hour drive from San Francisco; I have done this from Los Angeles, taking in Las Vegas, Death Valley, Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park. If you are driving, no trip is complete without passing through Yosemite and viewing the spectacular waterfalls and giant sequoia trees. We spent a few hours in there, walking around and taking some stunning photographs, all the while keeping an eye out for bears! You can also stay in or just outside the park, which will allow you an early start and a good few hours in there.
Another favourite of mine - if you are happy to have a day out in the car is Virginia City. It’s approximately 50m from South Lake Tahoe and expect about a one to one and a half hours drive. You get to experience a mining town that in its heyday was producing over $400 million in silver before the turn of the last century in its 100 plus mines. It’s like stepping back in time. You can pan for gold, visit the Mark Twain museum of memories and meander along C Street – the main street taking in the saloons and shops that have retained their character, albeit have undergone conversion for the tourist trade.
Travelling south to Mammoth Lakes, approximately 150 miles, again this is another popular ski region in the winter, but the same mountain ranges provide endless hiking and cycling opportunities in the summer months. Here is another place to take endless photographs to capture fabulous scenery that reminds me of the alpine regions of Austria and Switzerland. For those of you who enjoy the outdoors, you can take a boat out on the lake and try your hand at fishing. We found Mammoth in the summer to be very quiet.
Depending on which way you choose to do this drive, only a short distance from San Francisco, heading north will find you in Napa Valley, not complete without a stop at one of America’s most popular shopping outlets en route! Napa Valley is a pretty little town surrounded by an abundance of local vineyards. There are great dining opportunities and lots of B&B's. You can choose to tour the vineyards with a map and at your own pace, or you can join a tour, which will allow you to leave the car at the hotel and take full advantage of the sampling opportunities along the way.
If you arrive in San Francisco from the UK, you will have the city break at the end, so a short drive to Napa is probably manageable and a good place to then spend a night or two. A shorter drive over the Golden Gate Bridge will find you in Sausalito – with fabulous views back over the bay to the City, and I would definitely recommend pre-booking in either location.