I grew up at Lake Tahoe (well, in the SF bay area during the week, and at tahoe on the weekends ), and actually have family in Birmingham...

I''m partial to the South Lake Tahoe area, as there seem to be many more "day trip", "partial day", morning-, afternoon- options for getting outside and enjoying the fantastic scenery. If you can't snag a view from your hotel room, a short, easy walk along any of the trails leading to Mt. Tallac will put you on any number of hillsides with spectacular views of the Lake Tahoe Basin (most hike farther on to climb the mountain or into the Desolation Wilderness area, but the views along the way are awesome!!!) Or, you could drive up the road atop the hill between Fallen Leaf Lake and Angorra Lake, & stop at the old ranger station at the top of the hill. Incredible view of two small lakes on either side of you, with Lake Tahoe beyond. Then, keep driving/going to Angorra Lake/Angorra Falls---you can grab a pitcher of home-made lemonade (the best!!) and relax on the deck gazing at the falls and the mountains, or renting a boat on this great moutain get-away, you can drive up from the "Y" and check out Emerald Bay, Vinkingsholm, Eagle Falls, etc. with views along the way. You can drive up the "east shore" from Stateline and check out Zephyr cove, etc. You can drive up Hwy. 50, seeming like you're heading "away" from the Lake, but stop & explore the Echo Summit area for some neat walks to great views, great mountain lakes, etc. (and, more great views of Lake Tahoe along the stretch of hwy. 50 between Echo Summit and Meyers/the "Y".


North Lake Tahoe is a little closer to the Reno Aiport, both north and south lake tahoe are within a couple of hours of Sacramento (south by hwy 50, north by i-80).