Waterside attractions and mountain skiing in South Lake Tahoe, California
South Lake Tahoe is the largest lakeside community in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and sits inside California's border with Nevada. Roughly 21,000 people live here full-time, but tourists, who come for the world-renowned ski resorts, recreation, beaches and mountain views, swell the population to well over 100,000 during the summer and winter months. It's these visitors who drive the region's economy and have made it a global destination.
South Lake Tahoe is a harmonious blend of outdoor activity and upscale entertainment.
Men enjoy stunning views over South Lake Tahoe, a moment of serenity.
Skiers and snowboarders flock to South Lake Tahoe for the superb snow conditions.
The Shops at Heavenly Village bring a lot of foot traffic year round in South Lake Tahoe.
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Seasonal fun at Lake Tahoe, city park excitement and annual events
Lake Tahoe offers seasonal activities, with several beaches and state parks lining its perimeter. Boat owners can launch from the El Dorado Beach ramp and dock at the Tahoe Keys Marina to the west, which is also where people can rent vessels and book fishing and lake tours. Hikers and cyclists fill the nearby mountain trails from spring to fall. The adjacent ski slopes start opening in November and are busy until mid-April. City green spaces like Bijou Community Park feature disc golf courses, skate parks and public equestrian trails. A 25-yard indoor/outdoor year-round swimming pool sits at the Recreation and Swim Complex, which also features pickleball, volleyball and basketball courts, plus a weight room.
City festivals and events are held throughout the year with the 4th of July celebration being one of the biggest; locals enjoy a parade, fireworks and an airshow. During December, the Annual Festival of Winter Lights offers a Vendor Village with handcrafted items from local artisans, a meet-and-greet with Santa and carriage rides. The city’s Multicultural Celebration honors the area’s cultural diversity through demonstrations, interactive activities and marketplace vendors. Just south of El Dorado Beach, the Lake Tahoe History Museum exhibits the area’s first inhabitants and early pioneers, and locals can book walking tours of historic neighborhoods.
At the Tahoe Keys Marina locals can launch boats or take a fishing tour in South Lake Tahoe.
Friendly volunteers love giving guided tours at the History Museum in South Lake Tahoe
The Recreation and Swim Complex has indoor pickleball courts in South Lake Tahoe.
The Festival of Winter Lights is held at the base of Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe.
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Lake-view restaurants, shopping malls and organic produce
Locally-owned restaurants are peppered throughout the city. Cafes and pubs sit near El Dorado Beach, including Sprouts Cafe, which has served healthier menu options since 1990. The Idle Hour is a wine bar with a rustic deck overlooking the lake, and Mexican, Chinese and Italian eateries are found further south along Lake Tahoe Boulevard.
Village Center and the Shops at Heavenly Village to the northeast are the two major shopping malls; the latter includes more than 40 name-brand stores and boutiques, an ice-skating rink and a movie theater. Residents can also hit up coffee shops and grab groceries at Safeway or Grass Roots Natural Foods, which offers organic produce, dinner staples and an assortment of wine and beer.
There are about a dozen casinos just east of the city in Nevada, and many offer fine-dinning and entertainment along with gambling.
Some of the best organic produce can be found at Grass Roots natural Foods in South Lake Tahoe.
Sprouts Cafe is a locally owned health food restaurant in South Lake Tahoe.
Izabella is a fine Italian Restaurant located in the bustling Downtown of South Lake Tahoe.
Basecamp is a brewery local to South Lake Tahoe with dozens of beers on tap.
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Mountain-style living with lake views
On average, homes in South Lake Tahoe sell after 60 days, compared to the national average of 44 days, and throughout the last 12 months, the median sale price for single-family homes has been $739,000. Lakefront homes in gated neighborhoods can sell for nearly $7 million, while homes in the Tahoe Keys, a neighborhood where properties include private docks along the snaking channels of a lagoon, start around $1.5 million and range up to $6 million and higher. The city’s condos and short-term vacation rentals start around $419,000, and apartments range from $1,120 to over $4,000 a month, depending on size and number of bedrooms. Lots of up to 3 acres are available throughout the city, starting around $120,000. There’s about a 4.3-month supply of homes for sale, compared to a 4.2-month supply nationwide, and most residents own their homes.
Housing options include A-frame cabins, ranch- and Craftsman-styles and custom-builds set among pine trees. Many were primarily built between the 1950s and ‘70s, and some are elevated for better mountain views.
A mountain home on the calm channels of the Tahoe Keys in South Lake Tahoe.
A contemporary mountain home on the west side of South Lake Tahoe.
Sprinkled throughout South Lake Tahoe are small cabins under 1,500 square feet.
Large Estates built into the mountainside define the luxury tourism of South Lake Tahoe.
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Developing lifelong learners at Lake Tahoe Unified District schools
The Lake Tahoe Unified School District, which earns a B-plus from Niche, serves 3,900 students and states it strives to cultivate a nurturing environment, embrace diversity and develop lifelong learners. The district offers foundational education programs, counseling and guidance and two-way bilingual immersion from kindergarten through Grade 12. Students can also enroll in reading intervention programs and dual enrollment classes with Lake Tahoe Community College.
LTESMS utilizes an environmental science focused curriculum.
South Tahoe Middle School is a dynamic environment that serves grades 6 through 8.
South Tahoe High School is committed to protecting its students.
Tahoe Valley Elementary School has an enriching environment focused on compassion.
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City buses and bike lanes
U.S. Route 50 (Lake Tahoe Boulevard) and Emerald Bay Road are the city’s main transportation arteries. The former leads 3 miles northeast into Nevada and 61 miles to Reno. Tahoe Transit offers public bus services and regional connections throughout the Tahoe Basin. There are also multi-use paths and miles of bike lanes and routes. Road safety improvement projects are ongoing, and the Pioneer Trail Pedestrian Improvement Project Phase II includes sidewalk upgrades, street lighting and bus shelter pads with electrical connection capability.
Lake Tahoe Airport is 3 miles southwest of the city and is used by private and corporate planes. For commercial flights Reno-Tahoe International Airport is 58 miles north. Barton Memorial Hospital sits toward the southwestern end of the city.
Mild summers, snowy winters and wildfire awareness
South Lake Tahoe experiences mild, dry summers and long, wet winters. Locals see several inches of rain throughout the year, and are often snowed in during the winter months, as annual snowfall totals reach over 400 inches.
South Lake Tahoe sits in a high-fire-risk area. The Tahoe Network of Fire Adopted Communities (Tahoe Network) works to educate the public about the dangers of embers; they encourage managing defensible space on properties out to 100 feet to reduce the spread of wildfires. In 2024 the city released a new regional evacuation plan. This document is a response to the confusion and frustration experienced in 2021 when the city was forced to evacuate from the massive Caldor Fire. A Fire Danger/Red Flag Warning System alerts residents here to the level of fire potential on any given day, and the city has outlawed charcoal and wood burning fires.
The city was the first jurisdiction in the Sierra Nevada and 26th in the nation to adopt a 100% Renewable Resolution, the city is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 50% below its 2015 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2040, according to its Climate Action Plan. Incentives to switch to electric vehicles, install solar panels, and adopt green building standards are being offered.
While beautiful in Fall, South Lake Tahoe is also at its highest risk for fire danger.
South Lake Tahoe has a several fire stations across the city given the increasing fire risk.
With winter often receiving over 400" of snow South Lake Tahoe is a mecca for snowmobiling.
Friends cherish expansive views from Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe.
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Higher overall crime rates and mitigation programs
Overall, crime rates here are slightly higher than the average U.S. city. The rate of property crime is 13 incidents per 1,000 residents, according to CrimeGrade, slightly lower than average U.S. cities, while the rate of violent crime is 7 incidents per 1,000 residents, higher than average U.S. cities. Lieutenant Scott Crivelli, with the city’s Police Department, says there are multiple programs that he feels are necessary to mitigate crime. South Tahoe Alternative Collaborative Services (STACS), which includes behavioral and mental health facilities, help provide resources to those suffering from homelessness, and officers here will soon begin using new CAD software that will map crime hotspots, allowing administrators to solve problems in those areas. “Public education plays an important role,” says Crivelli. “Visitors and locals alike should be locking their doors and vehicles and not leave any valuable items in plain sight. And if people see something odd or suspicious, they should call the police. We’d rather be proactive than reactive regarding crime prevention.”
Matt Lucksinger is a licensed real estate salesperson who was raised in South Lake Tahoe, returning to the area in 2014. Through 15+ years of financial analysis and business development roles in corporate settings, both on-site and remotely, Matt brings unique experience and understanding to bridging the Tahoe lifestyle with off-mountain career. When not helping clients with their real estate needs, Matt is on the go with community events and enjoying the many recreational opportunities that the Tahoe area offers, including running, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and golf. After graduating from Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo, Matt taught English as a second language at multiple locations in Latin America, worked in the aerospace industry in Southern California, and worked in the educational publishing industry in the Monterey Bay area. Matt is a member of the South Lake Tahoe Rotary Club, a board member with the Lake Tahoe Education Foundation, a member of the Citizen’s Oversight Committee for Lake Tahoe Community College
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
