Booked a trip to San Francisco last week.

[Boog41]

Brothas from a different motha!! I've been to  Tahoe a couple dozen times, let me know if you want suggestions on anything. My one, and only, trip to Yosemite we flew into Fresno and drove there and spent three nights. Then spent four nights in Sequoia. Was awesome.

I've had the privilege of going to the Pearl Harbor Memorial three times and I was struck with a sad feeling of what a shame it was each time.  Not nearly the same, but I was struck just the same type of feeling as I hiked through the field of stumps in Sequoia. I'm thankful it is unlawful to cut them now.

[Boarcephus]

Brothas from a different motha!! I've been to  Tahoe a couple dozen times, let me know if you want suggestions on anything. My one, and only, trip to Yosemite we flew into Fresno and drove there and spent three nights. Then spent four nights in Sequoia. Was awesome.

I've had the privilege of going to the Pearl Harbor Memorial three times and I was struck with a sad feeling of what a shame it was each time.  Not nearly the same, but I was struck just the same type of feeling as I hiked through the field of stumps in Sequoia. I'm thankful it is unlawful to cut them now.

Give me the low down on Tahoe.  We'll be going in the warmer part of the year since neither one of us are skiers.  Where would you stay, is 2-3 days enough, is the scenery worth the hike, etc.  Big Thanks in Advance!!

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Give me the low down on Tahoe.  We'll be going in the warmer part of the year since neither one of us are skiers.  Where would you stay, is 2-3 days enough, is the scenery worth the hike, etc.  Big Thanks in Advance!!

Boar, you won't find scenery anywhere in the USA more beautiful than Lake Tahoe.  If you are going in the summer and not for the skiing, my advice would be a little limited.  We've been there numerous times but always in the winter. 

Here's a few.  Take a boat ride tour of the lake.  Clearest fresh water you will ever see.  Lots of sites, especially the bay.  If you want to gamble, there's a Harrah's and a few other casinos on the Nevada side.  Go see the Ponderosa on the north side of the lake.  And take the time to drive around the lake.  Takes 3-4 hours but it's worth it.

Eat a breakfast at the Driftwood Inn, which is near the gondola in the center of town.  And although I don't know this for sure, I suspect the gondola runs in the summer and will take you up the mountain for lots of views and photo opportunities.

Hope this helps.

[Boarcephus]

Boar, you won't find scenery anywhere in the USA more beautiful than Lake Tahoe.  If you are going in the summer and not for the skiing, my advice would be a little limited.  We've been there numerous times but always in the winter. 

Here's a few.  Take a boat ride tour of the lake.  Clearest fresh water you will ever see.  Lots of sites, especially the bay.  If you want to gamble, there's a Harrah's and a few other casinos on the Nevada side.  Go see the Ponderosa on the north side of the lake.  And take the time to drive around the lake.  Takes 3-4 hours but it's worth it.

Eat a breakfast at the Driftwood Inn, which is near the gondola in the center of town.  And although I don't know this for sure, I suspect the gondola runs in the summer and will take you up the mountain for lots of views and photo opportunities.

Hope this helps.

Appreciate it.  Any thoughts on where to stay?

[ricepig]

Boar, you won't find scenery anywhere in the USA more beautiful than Lake Tahoe.  If you are going in the summer and not for the skiing, my advice would be a little limited.  We've been there numerous times but always in the winter. 

Here's a few.  Take a boat ride tour of the lake.  Clearest fresh water you will ever see.  Lots of sites, especially the bay.  If you want to gamble, there's a Harrah's and a few other casinos on the Nevada side.  Go see the Ponderosa on the north side of the lake.  And take the time to drive around the lake.  Takes 3-4 hours but it's worth it.

Eat a breakfast at the Driftwood Inn, which is near the gondola in the center of town.  And although I don't know this for sure, I suspect the gondola runs in the summer and will take you up the mountain for lots of views and photo opportunities.

Hope this helps.

I agree with all of this, I've only been one time when I wasn't out there skiing, but I'd say 3 days/2night would be plenty of time. We usually fly in to Reno, go skiing, and then head over to San Francisco/Napa/Carmel for a few days. We don't do all three but hit one of them before flying out of San Francisco. Being a farmer, retired now, I like to hit the areas to see all the diverse crops they grow.

[Boog41]

I've been probably a dozen time skiing and a dozen times in the summer. I agree with Jack, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth as far as a lake setting goes.

The first question to ask is what part of the lake do you want to be on? Do you want to be in a busier, "baby" Las Vegas with multiple casinos and shows?? If so, stay at south Lake Tahoe. If you want more calm and less crowded, stay on the north shore. I'd recommend the Hyatt in Incline Village or rent a house/condo.

The drive around the lake is very beautiful as Jack says. You can rent a boat if you like that kind of thing, or take the big paddle wheel boat out of south lake. It circles Emerald Bay. Either way it is worth going to see. Beautiful green/blue water.

The 60 or 64 winter Olympics were held at Squaw Valley. I've had friends go hike to the top of it and said it was a great hike.

Unfortunately, the Ponderosa is closed now. Nothing but a little diner there now and an occasional farmers market. It was neat while it was open though.

Boar, depending on how you answer the above questions, we can all probably start giving some more ideas for you to look at.

For what it is worth, Incline Village is probably a 30-40 drive from the Reno airport. Add 30 minutes to get to south lake.

[Boarcephus]

Appreciate you guys.  We're not into the casinos and shows so the north side is the one we'd be interested in.  I'll check out the Hyatt.  Any other places to stay you'd recommend?

[Boog41]

Appreciate you guys.  We're not into the casinos and shows so the north side is the one we'd be interested in.  I'll check out the Hyatt.  Any other places to stay you'd recommend?

Honestly, short of renting a condo, or house, no. Incline Village is a small 3-4 stoplight town with several good restaurants. There are all kinds of beach activities at the Hyatt. There are more motel type places on the west side of the lake in Tahoe City, but it tends to get a little more crowded there.

You asked earlier if 2-3 days was enough there. I wouldn't give it any less than four your first time there. I've stayed as long as 10 days before. I just love it there. Been going since the late 80s.

San Fran and Wine country is a 3.5 hour drive. Not sure exactly how far Yosemite is from Tahoe, but I've pondered combining the two before.

[ricepig]

Honestly, short of renting a condo, or house, no. Incline Village is a small 3-4 stoplight town with several good restaurants. There are all kinds of beach activities at the Hyatt. There are more motel type places on the west side of the lake in Tahoe City, but it tends to get a little more crowded there.

You asked earlier if 2-3 days was enough there. I wouldn't give it any less than four your first time there. I've stayed as long as 10 days before. I just love it there. Been going since the late 80s.

San Fran and Wine country is a 3.5 hour drive. Not sure exactly how far Yosemite is from Tahoe, but I've pondered combining the two before.

It was years ago when I stayed at the Hyatt, but it was nice and had a small casino. I remember getting on a roll/lucky on the roulette table and running them out of two colors, they were waiting for me to quit to call it a night. The other times we were there, we rented a condo, lots of nice ones with great views.

[Boog41]

The Hyatt hasn't changed much. They have a great beach front restaurant called Lone Eagle. It is across the street from the main building and with their beach front villas. Really good food. The have great music Wed-Sat nights, a guy playing the guitar singing James Taylor, Eagles, etc, etc type songs. He's been there for years. There is a pier there that goes out in the water and has a bar at the end of it where they pipe in good tunes as well. You feel like you are in the Caribbean until you look up and see the beautiful mountains surrounding everything. Can also rent boats and sea-doo's here as well.

[Boarcephus]

The Hyatt hasn't changed much. They have a great beach front restaurant called Lone Eagle. It is across the street from the main building and with their beach front villas. Really good food. The have great music Wed-Sat nights, a guy playing the guitar singing James Taylor, Eagles, etc, etc type songs. He's been there for years. There is a pier there that goes out in the water and has a bar at the end of it where they pipe in good tunes as well. You feel like you are in the Caribbean until you look up and see the beautiful mountains surrounding everything. Can also rent boats and sea-doo's here as well.

This sounds just like a place we'd like.  Kick back with a toddy, listen to a little music and let the world go by enjoying the views. You said there are some hiking trails nearby? 

[Boog41]

Most people simply hike the ski trails at the different resorts around the lake. There is a trail about half way between Reno and the lake where people park on the sides of the road and take off.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Two more points I'd make.  We did take the big paddle wheel boat tour that runs out of South Tahoe and thought it was well worth it.  It offers food and drink (beer, wine), spends a great deal of time in Emerald Bay, and isn't overly expensive as I recall.

The other thing is be prepared for "sticker shock" when checking into Incline Village prices.  We were told once that Incline Village has the highest property values of any town in the continental USA.  We have never stayed there though so don't let me scare you out of checking it out.

[Boog41]

I've used these folks before for house rentals. http://www.vacationstation.com/ If a group of people going, splitting a house is the way to go. If just a couple, it would have to be what we have already mentioned.

Someone earlier mentioned the gondola at Heavenly Valley (south lake) and yes, it does still run in the summer. The same is true for the big one at Squaw Valley. Great ways to see the views from up top without having to hike.

[Boarcephus]

The other thing is be prepared for "sticker shock" when checking into Incline Village prices.  We were told once that Incline Village has the highest property values of any town in the continental USA.  We have never stayed there though so don't let me scare you out of checking it out.

Jackrabbit, you're talking to a dude who dropped (and almost choked when I saw the bill) $46 on 2 bowls of clam chowder and an appetizer while drinking water about 2 hours after we hit SF so we'll look into Incline Village1    We've always said that when we vacation we go the way we want to and if it's too expensive, we'll wait and save until we can. 

You guys have been a big help so I'll turn my wife loose on this and we'll probably head that way about the middle of next year.  We're retiring in a little over 17 months and we're trying to knock out some of these trips before we do while still have money coming in and still feel pretty good health wise.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Jackrabbit, you're talking to a dude who dropped (and almost choked when I saw the bill) $46 on 2 bowls of clam chowder and an appetizer while drinking water about 2 hours after we hit SF so we'll look into Incline Village1    We've always said that when we vacation we go the way we want to and if it's too expensive, we'll wait and save until we can. 

You guys have been a big help so I'll turn my wife loose on this and we'll probably head that way about the middle of next year.  We're retiring in a little over 17 months and we're trying to knock out some of these trips before we do while still have money coming in and still feel pretty good health wise.

Oh, I know.  We've talked enough (on Hogville, that is) for us to know each others' vacation habits and such. 

Just hate to hear that Hop Sing won't be available to cook for you while you're there.  Didn't know the Ponderosa had closed.

[Boarcephus]

Oh, I know.  We've talked enough (on Hogville, that is) for us to know each others' vacation habits and such. 

    I hate the thought of winter coming on but Sandestin is right around the corner!  My butt will be planted firmly in Stinky's sucking down oysters and eating oyster po'boys before we know it!   We'll do Tahoe after we that.  Getting out of Fayetteville in the middle of July or August and heading to a place like sounds inviting. 

[Boog41]

Big crowds in Tahoe around the 4th of July. I Highly recommend the 3-4th week of August. Bay area family's are ready for school to start back and have gone home.

I'm gonna take that pic down now since you boys have looked at it.

[Boarcephus]

Big crowds in Tahoe around the 4th of July. I Highly recommend the 3-4th week of August. Bay area family's are ready for school to start back and have gone home.

I'm gonna take that pic down now since you boys have looked at it.

Thanks.  We'll shoot for that time of the year because we're pretty flexible.