We had a lot of fun. I went with a group of old friends who hadn’t seen each other for a long time to South Lake Tahoe for a long weekend of hiking, swimming and generally enjoying ourselves at the huge cabin we had rented. The weekend absolutely flew by, to the point where I couldn’t believe it when I realized that it was already Sunday night and we were all going our separate ways the following morning. Or at least that’s what I thought. I got a text message very early on Monday morning telling me that my flight had been canceled, meaning I’d be in the area for another day. I was fine with that, but wondered about arrangements. I knew I could extend the rental car agreement for a day, but I needed a South Lake Tahoe hotel.
Finding a hotel at a moment’s notice can take a lot of time. Fortunately, I found the HotelTonight app and used it. There were several South Lake Tahoe hotels available, and the range of choice was very good. In no more than a few minutes, I had found what looked like the perfect hotel room in South Lake Tahoe and I was ready to move on to my new space. I tossed my things into the rental car and off I went on an adventure, exploring this area in hopes of seeing it like a local would experience it.
It’s interesting walking through a city that sits directly on a state border. South Lake Tahoe sits directly on the border between California and Nevada. This is a vibrant, upbeat city and that likely has a lot to do with the stunning landscape that surrounds the town. This is a mountain town if there ever was such a thing, and you can feel it, hear it, see it and even smell it in the air. Whatever you want to do here is here, including eating, shopping or even drinking. It’s a happy place because it’s filled with happy and friendly people.
Just northeast of South Lake Tahoe is Stateline, which is actually in Nevada. Things do change appreciably the second you cross that border, as casinos are here and they are prominent. I really wasn’t into gambling, but did feel like walking and enjoying the weather and scenery. I came upon Rabe Meadows, which is about as beautiful a walk as you could ever imagine. I strolled for awhile next to Burke Creek and eventually to the lake itself. I wish I could describe what it was like to look at what I was looking at, but you’ll have to see it for yourself to fully understand.
A bit further to the north is Zephyr Cove. This is a true small town, with a population that’s in the hundreds instead of the thousands. It was once again a nice place to hike, as there are beautiful homes here along the water and a lot of boating to be done. This is where you go if you want to get away from it all and surround yourself with unforgettable scenery. I realized that with all of the hiking I was doing, I was very hungry. I asked some people where to go eat, and they pointed me a bit down the road to a burger joint. That sounded good. It tasted even better. It was exactly what I needed at the time, as my fuel tank was running low.
I thought that Zephyr Cove was small when I saw it. Compared to Skyland, Zephyr Cove is a gigantic metropolis. Fewer than 500 people live here, and it’s a tightly knit community or so it seems. I did a lot more walking, as I just never got tired of looking at all of these unbelievable mountains that surrounded this unbelievably beautiful lake. I talked to a few people about where I should have dinner later that day, and decided to make my way back towards South Lake Tahoe before it got dark. Driving is much easier up here that way.
I drove back in a southward direction, stopping this time in a little place called Meyers. It’s to the south of South Lake Tahoe, and it’s also small, with around 3,000 residents calling it home. It was yet another gorgeous and friendly mountain town, but I wasn’t there to look at the scenery. I was there to eat. I don’t know if it’s the altitude or what it is, but I was ravenous once again. Some people earlier in the day had told me about a great place here, but sadly it was closed. I headed back to South Lake Tahoe, found another place quickly and ordered a big meal. It was there in no time flat and I dug in. It was a great recommendation to be sure.
I decided to call it a night and make the short drive back to the hotel. I thought about all that I had seen that day, and realized that the lake looks different from just about every vantage point. I had met some great people and tasted some delicious things. I also had HotelTonight to thank for it, as without them and their choices for South Lake Tahoe hotels I would’ve spent the day at the airport trying to get home. Instead, I spent the day exploring, and it was a memorable one.
