How to Plan a Summer Vacation in Lake Tahoe

In a town that is famous for its ski slopes, summertime offers a variety of options for fun, excitement and leisure. Lake Tahoe, located in California near the Nevada border, has two cities named after it. Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe are both beautiful places, but it is the latter city, South Lake Tahoe, that attracts the majority of the tourists. Anyone looking for an exciting vacation filled with adventure and glamour should plan a summer vacation in Lake Tahoe.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Telephone book
• Map
• Credit card
• Computer
• Hotel reservations
• Rental car

1. Research the costs of a vacation in Lake Tahoe. Besides travel arrangements and lodging, be sure to include transportation within the city, dining, souvenirs and admission to great attractions. Contact a travel agent or do your own research online to find out the information you need. Decide which transportation route is the most time- and cost-efficient for you, be it planes, trains, buses or automobiles. Book your transportation early to get a discount.

2. Inform close, trustworthy friends and family of your impending departure. Make arrangements for your pets, houseplants and mail service. If your trip is more than a week, go to the post office and fill out the paperwork to have your mail held there. If your trip is shorter or you have a reliable neighbor, ask them to pick up your mail and newspaper so it doesn’t attract burglars.

3. Design a packing list that fits with your trip. If you are staying in a cabin in the woods, pack lots of jeans, t-shirts, and hiking boots. If you are staying in an upscale hotel, pack dress pants, shirts, dresses and skirts, in addition to casual clothes for touring the town. Make a list and stick to it when packing!

4. Decide where you are going to stay. Researching accommodations is fairly easy, and can be done several ways. Check out travel planning Web sites, the Lake Tahoe Tourism Web site, or the Yellow Pages for phone numbers and Web sites. Take into consideration the hotel’s proximity to tourist attractions, price and overall rating. Also, see if the hotel offers complimentary services, such as continental breakfasts and shuttles to and from the airport. This can cut down on expenses that you sometimes forget to budget for but can be expensive.

5. Research transportation methods within the city. Look at the city’s layout using a map to determine whether or not you need to budget for taxi or bus fares. You can find helpful maps by using a search engine, or simply by asking at the front desk when you arrive. Check out the tourism board Web site for directions on getting to Lake Tahoe, as well as getting around Lake Tahoe.

6. Create a list of destinations that you want to visit in Lake Tahoe. There are many options, including casinos, golf courses, fishing venues, beaches, boat rentals, museums and theaters. Look at the tourism Web site to create your list, noting location and price. Making a tentative itinerary is a great way to figure out which places you can go to and which you may not have time for.

7. Decide if you want to take a tour of Lake Tahoe. Tours are a great way to learn a lot about the city. Ask at the front desk of your hotel for suggestions on great tours that will fit your time constraints and budget.

Tips & Warnings

• Book your vacation during the off-season, usually August through October and March through May, to take advantage of discounted offers.
• Due to Lake Tahoe's high tourism rate, dining, transportation and lodging may be more expensive than you budgeted for. Be sure to budget an extra 20% for unforeseen expenses or higher rates. Also, when budgeting, don’t forget to take into account tips you will need to pay at the hotel, restaurants, or for a taxi.
• Double-check your reservations two weeks before you leave. Ensure that your reservations are for the correct date, time and number of people. Fixing any problems early will save you time and money in the long run.