South Lake Tahoe - Mmm Mmm Good

Sorry for the delay in posting - I was in Vegas and we all know how that goes! So...back to Tahoe. My personal preference when traveling is to find locally-owned restaurants that you can't experience anywhere else. Chains are nice for when you are starving and in desperate need of food right away but if there's time to look around or plan a little, I always go for the local flair. I have included some highlights below and even threw in one on the North shore of the Lake for good measure (thanks Kell!). If you've ever been to any of these or know of some others that are worth checking out - definitely leave a comment!

First one that I must mention is Izzy's Burger Spa (2591 Lake Tahoe Blvd/US Route 50)...I know what you're thinking, spa?? But yes, that's the real name and no, there is no spa in sight. But when the burgers are this good, nobody ever argues! They specialize in delicious burgers that are made to order with toppings as simple as cheese or as complex as teriyaki with a pineapple slice on top! FYI - If you hit Izzy's during peak hours, be prepared for a bit of a wait.

For a little romance, head to Cafe Fiore. The restaurant is small (under 10 tables) and very intimate, perfect for some alone time. I would sit outside if you have the option. The menu features a mixture of classics and unusual dishes that you aren't likely to find. They have a vast wine list and if you go to the Web site, you can search the wine selections with an interactive system. That way, you can check to see if your favorite wine is available for you and your sweetheart!

Evan's American Gourmet Cafe is another small restaurant located in a cozy home and serves up an excellent selection of upscale American cuisine. It's a little farther than some of the other locations but definitely worth the effort. Evan's is owned by a darling couple and they also own The Cantina (another on my list). Check out their Web site, I especially like the "map" link with directions from London. :)

If you are craving Mexican - head over to The Cantina for a delicious margarita and some authentic Mexican favorites. They have numerous accolades and specials Tuesdays-Fridays. Additionally for you beer lovers, there are 30 beers to choose from with 16 on tap!

You can't leave Tahoe without a little seafood and the best place I experienced was The Fresh Ketch which is located right on the Lake (and voted best seafood by Tahoe locals). We had a lovely cruise on the lake after the wedding and stopped here for dinner. They offer a variety of dishes so even a seafood beginner can find something tasty. And I must say, if you like oysters, definitely get "Oysters on the Half Shell" YUM! And if you are there on a Tuesday - they are only $1.25. They have specials each day of the week so be sure to check before heading over if you are interested in getting a deal.

And lastly, Ernie's Coffee Shop - the staple of good ole' fashioned American classics. The food is as good as home cooked, very reasonably priced and the service is with a smile. And rumor has it that the gas station next door is the cheapest in town - never hurts to check that out while you're there!

**For the North Lake Tahoe visitor - check out Gar Woods Grill and Pier Restaurant on the North Shore. A good friend of mine tells me there is patio seating with a great view and a potent daquiri drink called the Wet Woody. She claims is delicious but warns that it's "guaranteed hangover material!" So...enjoy at your own risk!

It's a Deal!

How fitting that a Lake Tahoe deal was delivered right to my inbox today...Travelocity is advertising rates for Tahoe on flights, hotels and activities. If you are in the process of planning a trip - check out this link: Travelocity Tahoe Deals! You may find just what you are looking for. :)

South Lake Tahoe - home sweet home

Although I know there are a variety of hotels to stay at and I'm sure that they are very nice...I stayed in a house and would highly recommend it if it's possible for you. It's really great to be able to have a kitchen and lots of space. Plus, you get incredible views of the Lake and have a chance to meet your neighbors - which in some cases end up being locals who can point you in the right direction of great places to eat and sights to see. We used Accommodation Station Rentals to search for the houses we stayed in. They have a huge variety of sizes and locations - we were very pleased with our options. The house I stayed at for the majority of the trip was located on Heavenly Mountain with 3 levels, 2 decks both with views of the Lake, a pool table, an old school Pacman game, tons of DVDs, a porch swing and a hot tub. It was wonderful!

If you decide against renting a house (too short of a visit, not enough people, etc.) then I would suggest looking into the hotel below as an option for your trip.

Forest Suites Resort - they are located on Heavenly and are pretty reasonable, it was $106/night when I checked the site but you may even find cheaper rates on the discount travel sites. They also have "Special Offers" on their homepage so be sure to check that too!

And I couldn't help but include this link that I came across. It seems a little more budget friendly for rentals and if you can swing it, it's worth it! Lake Village Resort - they have a big selection of condos, townhomes and cabins available as rentals and the prices are extremely reasonable - starting as low as $139/night. How can you beat that? :)

South Lake Tahoe - take it all in

Sorry for the delay in posts everyone - I was in South Lake Tahoe this past weekend for my cousin Jay's wedding. Congrats Jay and Jen! xoxo While there, I figured it would be the perfect opportunity to do some research and use it as my next destination. The weather was amazing and the Lake truly takes your breath away when you see it for the first time. Although I wasn't able to see and try out as many places as I had hoped, I got in a lot of research and am already trying to find time to go back!

I flew into the Reno/Tahoe International Airport and it's about an hour to an hour and a half from the airport to South Lake Tahoe. I would recommend renting a car either at the airport (the drive is beautiful as you get closer) or take a shuttle (like the South Tahoe Express) and rent a car once you arrive in town. Either way, you'll need some sort of transportation to get around while there since it's a small city and doesn't have advanced public transportation. Additionally, since it's a tourist town, do your best to pack everything you'll need (other than groceries, etc.) because it can be a bit pricey. :)