The Global Meaningful Travel Map

Visit Lake Tahoe

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada, this stunning destination offers year-round outdoor activities, breathtaking views, and a focus on sustainability.

About
Located 6225 ft atop the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range, Lake Tahoe is widely considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. Known for endless outdoor recreation combined with around-the-clock entertainment 365 days a year, this natural treasure offers the ultimate high-country experience with magnificent scenery. Lake Tahoe is known for its crystal clear waters, and Emerald Bay is one of the most photographed locations in the world. Summer activities at Lake Tahoe include watersports, golf, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Long sandy beaches at Lake Tahoe’s south shore provide fun for the whole family. In the winter, Lake Tahoe is home to 15 world-class ski resorts. The big three on the south shore are Heavenly Mountain Resort, Kirkwood, and Sierra-at-Tahoe. Heavenly, the highest resort at Lake Tahoe and one of the premier resorts in the nation, provides unrivaled panoramas of the lake's famous deep blue waters. With a burgeoning culinary scene, ranging from Himalayan to Hawaiian, there are options to suit all tastes and budgets. Dining with views of the lake is iconic, but hidden, award-winning gems await for those who like to explore. The Tahoe region is also striving to become a national leader in sustainability. In 2023, the city of South Lake Tahoe banned single-use plastic water bottles, and Visit Lake Tahoe launched its Rules to Lake By, a powerful messaging campaign to educate both residents and visitors on how to do right by the land and to support a cultural shift towards patience, kindness and slowing down to better savor Tahoe time.

Impact
The Tahoe region is striving to become a national leader for collaboration around sustainability. The Destination Stewardship plan, launched in June 2023, is a work plan of shared goals that identifies 32 actions across four strategic pillars: foster a tourism economy that gives back; turn a shared vision into shared action; advance a culture of caring for the greater Lake Tahoe region; and improve the Tahoe experience for all – tourists and residents. Lands are managed by federal, California, and Nevada state, the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, and other local and private entities. The Destination Stewardship Council is building bridges for collaboration, creating synergy between government agencies, non-profits, and private sector businesses, and enabling resource sharing and problem solving to address challenges brought on by the increase in outdoor recreation post-pandemic. Together, we are seeking long-term solutions and putting conversations into action. Early initiatives include the Take Care Ambassador program, the Tahoe Regional Identity Project, intensive Fourth of July and “peak demand period” collaboration, and improvements to accessibility communications.

Visit Lake Tahoe launched its Rules to Lake By messaging campaign in 2024: five ways to care for the lake, land, wildlife, and each other. With a goal of supporting a cultural shift towards land
stewardship, kindness, and patience, this rollout will continue with murals and other activations to inspire residents and visitors to feel connected and, therefore, responsible for the environment: lake, land, and social atmosphere.

In 2024, Visit Lake Tahoe expanded and formally launched its Meaningful Travel Map in partnership with Tourism Cares. The Map highlights lodging, dining, and activity businesses within the region that center sustainability and inclusivity in their work—by reducing single-use plastics, water and utility usage, and waste by hiring locally, buying local, and giving back via fundraisers. The Map enables visitors to “vote with their dollars” and prioritize these locations in their itineraries.

Going car-free is entirely doable at Lake Tahoe. For a comprehensive guide to getting around, visit www.linkingtahoe.com. The app-based, Lake Link www.tahoelakelink.com, launched in the summer of 2022, allowing visitors and locals to request free rides in 9-12 passenger vans on the main thoroughfares from the casinos and the new Event Center in Nevada to the Al Tahoe neighborhood in South Lake Tahoe, approximately three miles from the state line. In the summer months, some lodging properties offer bikes to borrow, and plenty are available to rent and scooters. Most amenities are within easy walking distance for those staying in the Stateline area.

To learn more, please contact: ryn@visitlaketahoe.com