VITAL INFORMATION
| Population | 34,000 |
| Language spoken | English |
| Currency | American Dollar (USD) |
| Average temperature in May | High: 61°F, Low: 32°F |
| High season | Summer & Winter |
Memorial Day was established as a day of recognition and remembrance for the men and women who lost their lives serving their country. Today, Memorial Day symbolizes the beginning of summer -- the air begins to warm, vacations are planned, and family and friends get together to celebrate and enjoy a day off from work and school.
Don’t have plans for the holiday weekend?
For men, one of the best places to spend this sunny three-day weekend is Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is a large, natural lake that lies in the Sierra Nevada, on the border of California and Nevada (about 200 miles from San Francisco).
Tahoe provides visitors with the best of all seasons -- great skiing in the winter and an outdoor lover’s paradise in the summer. Read on for tips on how to spend a great Memorial Day weekend in this beautiful area!
Day 1: Checking in
The weather in Lake Tahoe is usually bright and sunny for Memorial Day; however, you must stay at one of the many cozy ski resorts nestled in the mountains. With or without snow, staying in the mountains is much more exciting than camping out in the city.Where to stay
The Resort at Squaw Creek comes highly recommended and is about 42 miles from the Reno-Tahoe airport. After you land, you’ll need to rent a car from the airport to get there (Lake Tahoe is in the mountains).The Resort provides a cozy, wooded, high-altitude ambiance, while still offering luxurious services and restaurants that are comparable to those of a five star hotel.
The Resort can accommodate those traveling for business, pleasure or family time, or those who simply want a relaxing weekend away from the city. The Resort includes several great restaurants, a day spa and a variety of recreational seasonal activities to choose from.
The Resort usually offers a special deal for the long weekend -- for around $199 per night, you can stay in a forest view room and have breakfast for free every morning. So, check in, put your things away, and get ready to start your weekend!
Where to eat
If your stomach is starting to growl from the long flight, you don’t have to travel far to get a good meal at a good price. Sandy’s Pub, located within the Resort, is a large sports bar serving delicious pub grub and a variety of microbrews. While you dine on comforting lunch items including burgers, pasta or sandwiches (the sirloin steak sandwich is a local favorite), you can play pool or watch sports on multiple flat screen televisions. Most entrees range from $14-$30.The activities
When your belly is full, get outside and experience one of the true reasons why people love Tahoe during Memorial Day -- the incredible mountain biking!Memorial Day is a special time of year for mountain biking enthusiasts, because it is the first weekend of the year that many of the trails open. You can select a mountain bike of your choice to rent for four hours from Tahoe Bike and Ski (in Squaw Valley) for between $19 and $29. For an additional $15, the bike shop will also sell you a map of the area with the corresponding bike trails. Ask the shop where the best place is for your level and enjoy the rest of the afternoon seeing the beauty of Tahoe flash before your eyes as you barrel down the side of a mountain.
The nightlife
As the evening nears, a shower is probably in order. If you’re not too beat up from the mountain (it is customary to fall sometimes), put on some nicer clothes and head out to the “city” to experience some of the nightlife Tahoe has to offer.Begin the night with a succulent dinner at Friday’s Station Steak and Seafood Grill in the Harrah’s Casino. Don’t let the casual dress code fool you -- this restaurant serves the best steak and seafood in the area!
At Friday’s, you can select from amazing appetizers, such as spicy cajun shrimp with a pineapple rum butter sauce, or oysters on the half shell ($11-15). For the main course, the lobster and filet mignon combination ($66) is recommended or the sesame crusted ahi ($32). For dessert (if you still have room), the mocha crème brulee or the New York style cheesecake are excellent choices ($8-$9). Friday’s also has a huge selection of wine and beer.
After dinner, if you feel the urge for a nightcap, pop into Cliché Ultra Lounge, also in Harrah’s, for a martini or two. Cliché is a cocktail and cigar bar that is famous for carrying more than fifty brands of cigars, including the Zino Davidoff, Vintage Macanudos and the Fuente Fuente Opus X. Cliché also has a wide variety of international wine and champagne, Cognacs, vintage ports and of course, designer cocktails.
When it’s time to call it a night, phone a taxi -- there are several taxi companies in the area willing to take your money and drive you home.
Day 2: Spring skiing
Hopefully you won’t overdo it at Harrah’s on your first night, because your second day in Tahoe is going to busy!Rise and shine
Begin the morning with an early breakfast at the Six Peaks Grille in the Resort. From 6:30 a.m. until 11 a.m., Six Peaks serves a hot and cold buffet, which includes eggs, skillet potatoes, french toast, pancakes, cheese blintzes, and other pastries, fresh fruit and breads. The cost is around $17 per person and also includes coffee, teas and juices.After breakfast, head to the slopes for spring skiing. Memorial Day weekend in Tahoe is special because it is usually the last weekend of the year that ski runs are still open for spring skiing. The sun is so bright and warm that most people simply wear T-shirts while they board or ski down the mountain. An all-day pass for boarding or skiing (in Squaw) is around $47.
Midday jazz
If you get hungry between runs, pick up a delicious sandwich at the Wildflour Baking Company (on the mountain). Wildflour is a fresh bakery with natural ingredients. On any type of bread, choose from a variety of sandwiches: from chicken with cranberries and walnut on whole grain to eggplant mozzerella with tomato-basil sauce on French. Don’t forget to top it off with a fresh (world-famous) cookie and a cup of Northern California’s favorite java, Peet’s Coffee. You can get a sandwich and a coffee for a few bucks each.When you’ve had enough of skiing and you’re ready to relax a bit, you can enjoy the Annual Lake Tahoe Jazz Festival, which is unique to Memorial Day weekend. Various jazz bands will be performing throughout Squaw Creek and Squaw Valley for the duration of the weekend. The Resort should have a list of the performing artists and ticket prices.
The nightlife
When dinnertime rolls around, jump in a taxi and head to Incline Village, which is about 20 miles from the Resort. Incline Village is the “Beverly Hills” of Lake Tahoe, boasting beautiful lake front homes, charming shops and delicious restaurants. It is also home to Hacienda de la Sierra, a local Mexican food restaurant, which was recently voted “Best Mexican Food, Best Happy Hour and Best Inexpensive Meal” in the area.The cuisine is very authentic -- you can select from carnitas, burritos, fish tacos, carne asada, fajitas, and much more. The cost for an entrée ranges from $9 to $13 and the portions are huge. Don’t forget to try one (or more) of their world-class margaritas ($5-$7, depending on the type of tequila).
After a long day of skiing and (probably) too-many margaritas, head home to get a good night’s sleep in preparation for your last day in Tahoe.
Day 3: Tee time
On your last day in Tahoe, wake up early and head to the hotel for breakfast. We suggest the Headwall Café in Squaw Valley. Headwall opens at 6 a.m. and serves homemade fresh bread, pastries, sandwiches, and piping hot coffee at reasonable prices.Up and at ‘em
If you’re feeling adventurous this early in the morning, you can also tackle the 45-foot outdoor climbing wall at the Headwall Café for around $12 (no experience necessary).After breakfast, try your luck on one of the many mountain-view golf courses. Our pick is the Incline Village Mountain course: a stunning 18-hole, 58 par wooded course. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., this challenging course has breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the lake from every hole. For around $60, your green fees and golf cart rental will be covered -- but book in advance, as this is a very popular course (especially among the locals).
Snack shack
If you get hungry during your round, shell out a few dollars and pick up a sandwich and a beer on the course -- there are several snack and drink carts located throughout. When you’re finished, relax with a cocktail or another beer at the Clubhouse.In the evening
After a full day of golfing in the sun, go back to the Resort and get ready for your last dinner in Tahoe. We recommend the PlumpJack Café in Squaw Valley. PlumpJack Café serves contemporary, American cuisine using fresh, seasonal ingredients. You can munch on smooth tuna tartar or hearty Dungeness crab cakes to start (both around $12), then feast on Niman Ranch pork tenderloin, Maine lobster or Irish organic salmon for your main course (main courses between $25 and $35). If you have room for dessert, the chocolate fallen soufflé or the macadamia crème caramel are sure ways to finish off your meal (all desserts are $8). PlumpJack also has a large and varied wine list to choose from.trail blazer
Tahoe is a beautiful spot that is accessible from nearly anywhere in the U.S. Tahoe is perfect for outdoor sport lovers, foodies, or those just looking to pamper themselves with good food, breathtaking scenery and fresh air.trip tips
• Do your research: Memorial Day weekend is a busy time of year in Tahoe, but there are deals if you investigate properly. Check out the Internet and local newspapers for great deals on hotels, ski packages or dining.• May can be gray: Just because the weather is supposed to warm up, that does not mean it necessarily will be. Although Memorial Day is usually a weekend of sunshine, sometimes it can turn cold (especially at night). Bring a jacket.
• Have a Plan B: Just as the weather can be unpredictable, so can the many outdoor sports that you may want to partake in. If the weather is not cooperating, many outdoor activities, such as mountain biking or fishing may not happen. Make sure to have a few fun activities in mind for the weekend in case your original plans fail.
• Despite the small population, the area of Lake Tahoe is huge, which means that unless you stay in a casino and only plan to gamble, shop and eat, you will need a car.
• Memorial Day weekend in Tahoe is trendy: You are not the only person planning a trip to Tahoe during this popular weekend. This means that you must book in advance. If you choose to wing it, you may find yourself sleeping in a tent.
Resources:
http://www.bluelaketahoe.com/page.php?p=candw&l=1&s0=14&PHPSESSID=817ae7caafbbf1284059ddbbc252481f
http://www.tahoeinfo.com/visit/gettinghere.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Tahoe
http://www.virtualtahoe.com/Community/TahoeFAQs.html
http://www.askmen.com/fashion/travel_100/www.squawcreek.com
http://www.squaw.com/summer/html/directions.html
http://tahoebikeski.com/_wsn/page5.html
http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/tah/dining/dining_detail_02.html
http://www.squawcreek.com/rates.php
http://www.jazztrax.com/
http://www.squaw.com/winter/tickets.html
http://www.squaw.com/winter/wildflour/wf3.htm
http://www.haciendadelasierra.com/
http://www.squaw.com/winter/headwallcafe.html
http://www.golfincline.com/
http://www.plumpjack.com/cafe7.html
Lake Tahoe Travel Guide
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