Bust out the travel-planning spreadsheet and start Venmo-requesting your pals, we’re bringing back our road trip series — Hit the Road — with a trip to Lake Tahoe. With crystal blue water and soaring mountaintops, this area is a great destination to explore no matter the season.

Before you start packing your bags,here’s everything you need to know about the area, along with our insider recommendations.

Drive time: ~2 hours
Est. population: 21,000 in South Lake Tahoe
Avg. high in June: 50°

Carve out some time for yourself on the slopes. | Photo by Jeff Engerbretson

🥾Things to do

Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks, Various locations
Swing by this rope course park that's open through rain, sun, or snow for zip lines, bridges, tightropes, swinging logs, climbing walls, and more.

Heavenly Mountain Resort, 3860 Saddle Rd., South Lake Tahoe, CA
This resort offers easy access to shopping, dining, or popping by a casino thanks to its location just off Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

Palisades Tahoe, 1960 Squaw Valley Rd., Olympic Valley, CA
Known for its aerial tram, this two-in-one resort also offers disco tubing — which looks as fun as it sounds — and a snowshoe adventure.

With the year only having just begun, it's a great time to take advantage of the local resorts — or get a jump on the summer by planning ahead for local concert series and other special summer events.

🍽️ Fuel up

The Soule Domain, 9983 Cove St., Kings Beach, CA
This top-ranked fine dining spot serves free range and organic meats,plus seasonal produce in its rustic + romantic dining room.

Chambers Landing, 6300 Chambers Lodge, Homewood, CA
This summertime waterfront bar and grill is the oldest in Tahoe — but keeps its menu contemporary with seafood-forward dishes and its famous slushee cocktail: the Chambers Punch.

North Lake Tahoe Ale Trail, various locations
Start your day with a unique outdoor activity and drink your way across Tahoe's gorgeous vistas — just be sure to stay hydrated as well.

Tahoe is a delight on the eyes regardless of the season. | Photo by @itonceexisted

🏕️ Cozy campsites + cabins

Luxury Cabin, Pioneer Trail, CA
Traveling with kids or friends? This 2,500-sqft, 4 BD/2.5 BA cabin is the perfect home-away-from-home with its chef kitchen, hot tub, arcade set-up, and pool table.

Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina, 1900 Jameson Beach Rd., South Lake Tahoe, CA
Whether you’re looking for a a place to park your RV or rent a vacation home, this resort offers a comprehensive range of accommodations.

Tahoe State Recreation Area, Various sites
While not yet open for 2024, campsites are still an option and they’re great for the budget-conscious — it's a good idea to reserve your campsite six months in advance as well.

Want more travel guides? Check out our guides to Napa, San Francisco, and Humboldt County — or let us know where we should go next.