A Postcard from South Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Whether it's night or day, there's never a dull moment. Skiing and snowboarding until darkness falls, then entertainment and gambling at the local casinos. Finally, back to rest in our great vacation condo. Summer will be equally great. Hope you'll come share it with us.
About South Lake Tahoe, Nevada
The jewel of the Sierra is certainly Lake Tahoe, crystal clear, with visibility to 75 feet and blue as the sky. Surrounding the lake are two states, California and Nevada, each with its own set of towns and customs. The South Shore of Lake Tahoe is the southernmost portion of the Nevada towns, with a resort feeling enhanced by the open Nevada gaming laws. A recent focus in South Lake Tahoe has been redevelopment, sponsored by the resorts of Heavenly Village and Marriot. New amenities and entertainment, pedestrian access and shops are bringing new life to this part of Lake Tahoe. In addition, lots of activity is found in nearby towns of Stateline, Reno and Carson City. South Lake Tahoe attracts millions of travelers a year because it offers the best of both winter and summer climates. With awe-inspiring beauty and a multitude of selections for vacation homes and rentals, the South Lake Tahoe resort area is great for both vacation homes and investment opportunities. The South Lake Tahoe area is home to Emerald Bay (the most photographed scene of nature in the world), the cruise line "Tahoe Queen," and outdoor activities. Whether you come for fun or profit, South Lake Tahoe is ideal for a vacation home.
(Note that according to government sites, the name South Lake Tahoe officially refers to the town in the California, whereas the official cities in Nevada are Stateline, Douglas and Zephyr Cove-Round Hill Village, for example.
Local History
Discovered by John Freemont in 1844, during a trip of immense difficulty and deprivation, the lake had three different names before the Indian name Tahoe was finally proposed in 1862 and officially accepted in 1945. The waters of the lake never flow out to the ocean, but rather out the Truckee River to Reno and into another lake. Silver and gold miners brought explorers to the area, followed by hotel visitors at the turn of the century. In 1944, the first gambling hall opened and progress accelerated. With the 1960 Winter Olympics, Lake Tahoe became the skiing center o the Western US.
An Average Lifestyle in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada
This is definitely an active living community, with action day and night. There is an easy blending of lives with those focused on the outdoors happily turning the town over to the night-life and gambling folks at the end of the day. The presence of the community college gives stability to the area that's not found in the other lake towns. Easy drive from Sacramento and Reno make it a popular weekend spot as well.
Housing
Options: Timeshares, condos, vacation homes,
Median Costs (census) is $255,400
Things to Do in South Lake Tahoe
Skiing on 182 trails, and 8,800 acres of ski esort
Fishing
Gaming at six 24-hour casinos
Camping
Horseback riding
Every snow sport imaginable, from sleigh rides to skiing and snowboarding
Iceskating
All types of boating: sail, speed, windsail, canoe
Every type of water activity: waterski, parasail, swimming
Whitewater rafting on Truckee River
Bicycling
Rock Climbing
Hiking at Desolation Wilderness
Hot Air balloon
Ride the Gondola at Heavenly
Enjoy the beaches along the lake
Cultural Activities in South Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe Festival of Fine Arts
ARTtown (in Reno)
Improv Theater
Casino entertainment
Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum
Gatekeepers Cabin Museum
Like music at a large selection of nightclubs
Near-By Excursions
Museums in Carson City
Location
Douglas County, Nevada, near the California state line.
Elevation: 6200
Distance to other major cities:
Reno, Nevada: 50 miles
Virginia City, Nevada: 32 miles
Tahoe City: 35 miles
San Francisco, California; 200 miles
Sacramento, California: 98 miles
Around the lake: 72 miles
Getting To South Lake Tahoe, Nevada
By car from Sacramento or San Francisco;
By air to Reno-Tahoe International Airport
By Train to Reno
Weather
Sunshine 300 days
Annual Average Temperature: Jan: 15-41; July 40-79
Annual Average Snowfall: On the lake, 125 inches
Population
South Lake Tahoe, including the Stateline area, has a permanent, year-round population of 34,000. The Tahoe Basin, including California and Nevada permanent residents is 65,000.
Median Age, 2000: 41.7 (Douglas County)
Economics
Median Household Income: $46,550
Taxes
Taxes in Nevada are among the lowest in the nation and you will not pay any of the following state taxes: Personal Income Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Franchise Tax on Income, Unitary Tax, Inventory Tax, Inheritance Estate Tax, Gift Tax, Admissions Tax, Chain Store Tax. Sales tax is 6.75%. Property tax rates are between $1.77 and $3.22 per $100 assessed valuation.
Principle Industries
service and gaming
Higher Education
Lake Tahoe Community College