California (Lake Tahoe)

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is located between California and Nevada, east of Sacramento, California, and west of Carson City, Nevada. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America.

My grandmother use to say "Lake Tahoe looks just like the European Alps". Though I have not been to Europe, Lake Tahoe is one of the most stunning, picturesque places that I have been lucky enough to experience.

Lake Tahoe is a major tourist hot spot. It is home to a number of ski resorts and summer recreation. On the Nevada side called Stateline, Nevada, are large casinos with big name entertainment and restaurants for every budget.

Ski Resorts Include
Heavenly Valley: at Stateline
Squaw Valley: north shore
Alpine Meadows: north shore
Diamond Peak: Incline Village, Nevada
Northstar at Tahoe: north shore
Kirkwood Mountain Resort: south shore
Sierra-at-Tahoe: south shore
Boreal Mountain Resort: Donner Pass
Sugar Bowl Ski Resort: Donner Pass
Donner Ski Ranch: Donner Pass
Homewood Ski Resort: west shore
Mount Rose Ski Resort: north-east of the Lake, on Slide Mountain

Snow tubing has become very popular, many of the ski areas now offer tubing, like Squaw Valley, some have rope tows for easy uphill climbing.
Cross country skiing, snowmobile riding, and snowshoeing are also popular.

Water sports
Late Spring to early Fall, the lake is popular for water sports. Boating and recreation are available on the South shore as well as the northern shoreline, including Tahoe City and Kings Beach. Boating is a primary activity in Tahoe in the summer. There are lake front restaurants with docks. Sailboat racing, firework shows, and guided cruises. SCUBA diving is popular at Lake Tahoe, with some dive sites offering dramatic drop-offs or wall dives. Lake Tahoe is considered advanced due to the increased risk of decompression sickness,
　
There are many hiking and mountain biking trails all around the lake. The Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165 mile trail that goes around the lake. West of the lake is the Granite Chief Wilderness, a great camping spot. Some more popular areas are, Desolation Wilderness and Eagle Lake Trailhead.

Gambling is legal on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. Located on the South Shore in Stateline, and on the North Shore in Crystal Bay and Incline Village.

North Shore - Crystal Bay:
Cal Neva Lodge & Casino
Crystal Bay Club
Jim Kelley's Tahoe Nugget
Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino
North Shore - Incline Village:
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino

South Shore - Stateline:
Bill's Casino Lake Tahoe
Harrah's Lake Tahoe
Harvey's Lake Tahoe Casino and Resort
Horizon Casino Resort
Lakeside Inn
MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa
Many of the hotels have areas for children to play an array of video game while you do a little gambling, and may also offer babysitting services to hotel guests.
Best Vacations, Mom of Five