How to Find Cheap Hotels in Lake Tahoe California

At 192 square miles, Lake Tahoe, California, is among the largest bodies of fresh water in the United States. It's also known as one of California's premier playgrounds, boasting a full range of water activities (fishing, boating, waterskiing) as well as snow skiing at the area's popular resorts. With such a wealth of things to do, it's no wonder pleasure-seekers flock here year-round. Fortunately, though there are certainly some pricey world-class hotels in this part of California, cheap accommodations aren't impossible to come by, either.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A computer with access to the Internet

Know Your Destination

1. Bring your sunglasses! Lake Tahoe, California, experiences an average of 300 sunny days per year.
2. Read up on Lake Tahoe's different ski resorts to determine which suits you best. Some of the most prominent are Squaw Valley, Northstar at Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain Resort and Alpine Meadows.
3. Pack warm-weather clothes, even if you'll be hitting the ski slopes. In the spring, temperatures on the sunny side of the ski hills can be in the 70s or even 80s. The average snowpack in winter is around 20 feet, so it's not in danger of melting away--the warm temperatures only mean that skiers can often enjoy swishing downhill in nothing but shorts and a t-shirt.

Organize Lake Tahoe, California Transportation

4. Fly into the Reno-Tahoe Airport for easiest access to town. If your accommodations are well located, you might not need to rent a car. Simply hop on the cheap airport shuttle and ride it straight to Lake Tahoe. The Greyhound bus line also services Lake Tahoe.
5. Get around town on the Nifty Fifty Trolley and Emerald Bay Tram--a fun, efficient way to travel. (And a great way to avoid fighting for a parking space, too).

Choose Your Lake Tahoe, California Accommodations

6. Book rooms in one of Tahoe's many mid-priced chain hotels for a relatively cheap deal.
7. Enjoy tasty, hearty complimentary breakfasts when you stay at one of Tahoe's comfortable bed-and-breakfast inns.
8. Try camping in the nearby Tahoe State Park, where you'll find excellent hiking and mountain biking.
9. Plan for crowds, especially if you're coming to Tahoe in the peak summer and winter tourist seasons. It's a good idea to secure your accommodations reservations before arriving in town, and an even better ideal to book them early.
10. To book accommodations in Lake Tahoe, California, call Lake Tahoe California Chamber of Commerce at 530-541-5255 or visit the link below.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit the Web sites of both chain and independent establishments for information on special cheap rates and package deals.