Lake Tahoe Family Vacations

Lake Tahoe. The beauty and mystery are legendary. Sapphire, turquoise and emerald waters are married for eternity to the lake's amazing crystal clarity. That first inhale of fragrant pine, the crunch of snow or needles beneath your feet, the intoxicating view of snowy mountains in the winter and crescents of white-sand beaches in the summer -- Mark Twain was on the money when he visited and wrote, "It must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords."

The lake and vistas Mark Twain wrote about are still as breathtaking today as when he visited, but Mr. Twain would be amused to discover that Tahoe has become a year-round family playground. In modern Tahoe, you'll find many ski resorts laced in gold-standard slopes, amazing beaches that'll transform your notion of what a beach can be and bubbling hot tubs awaiting your sore and tired -- yet happy -- muscles.

But, it would be a mistake to think that Tahoe is only about snowy winter fun. To those of us who are lucky enough to live near Tahoe, we revel in all four seasons. It's my bet that the locals would love to keep it quiet, but Tahoe absolutely rocks in the summer with its gorgeous beaches. Consistently delivering a Caribbean ambience with soft sand and water sports galore, many of the beaches offer wave runners, stand-up paddling, boating and bobbing on a float atop the lake. Sky and land sports abound, too: parasailing, hot air ballooning over the lake at dawn, hiking, mountain biking, helicopter trips, horseback riding and more.

If you're planning a Tahoe trip, a friend will inevitably ask, "north or south?" It's an important distinction. Each side of the lake has a different feel to it: The south likes its nightlife, while the north is a tad more rugged and woodsy.

The Nevada and California state dividing line splits Lake Tahoe, with California scoring two-thirds of the lake and Nevada one-third. Keep in mind that the drive from north to south can be done in an easy forty minutes. So, if you're staying on one side of Tahoe and want to visit the other, make the scenic drive and enjoy. The casinos, of course, live on the Nevada side (south), but all of Lake Tahoe is lined in beautiful beaches, ski resorts, luxury hotels, rustic cabins, condos, incredible dining and an insanely long list of family fun.