Lake Tahoe

The largest alpine lake in California, Lake Tahoe is renowned across the world for having the deepest and bluest waters of any lake in the state. Lake Tahoe, which straddles the California-Nevada border and is located about 200 miles northeast of San Francisco, is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountain range.

Water sports and beach tanning are popular activities at Lake Tahoe, especially in the summer. Skiers visit in the winter, and mountain bikers and hikers frequent the lake's trails all year long. To be in awe of Lake Tahoe's beauty, you don't even need to get out of your car. Driving around the lake offers a variety of views, photo opportunities, and scenic vistas.

Try a half-day self-guided electric bike tour along the stunning eastern shore trail if it's your first time visiting Lake Tahoe. Take your mountain bike to the 14-mile Flume Track, a somewhat difficult trail with stunning views of the lake and mountains that extend from South Lake Tahoe all the way to the north, if you want to test your limits.

In addition, Lake Tahoe offers accommodations in South Lake Tahoe vacation homes, as well as resorts and quaint, vintage inns on the eastern shore that seem to have been plucked straight out of a 1950s summer vacation.

Location: The Sierra Nevada of the U.S., along the state line of California and Nevada