South Lake Tahoe Cabins & Vacation Rentals

South Lake Tahoe Travel Guide

Lined by the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Lake Tahoe, this town is a year-round destination that offers world-class beaches during the summer and incredible ski resorts during the winter. South Lake Tahoe is a picture-perfect spot to relax, unwind, and have fun.

Things to Do in South Lake Tahoe

For nature lovers, South Lake Tahoe is surrounded by incredible places where you can get in touch with nature like Emerald Bay State Park and Fanette Island. There are plenty of stunning hikes, waterfalls, pine-tree forests and lakes to explore. The area is also home to several hot springs, alongside almost 50 wineries, so there’s plenty of ways you can kick back and relax. During ski season, there are numerous options that include Squaw Valley Ski Resort and Heavenly Mountain Resort, among others. Not everything is all-nature in South Lake Tahoe, the city is also filled with top-class boutiques and shops, a wide variety of restaurants, and a full menu of bars and clubs to have a fun night out.

Best Time to Visit South Lake Tahoe

Summer months are perfect for water activities and sports. Lots of visitors head to El Dorado Beach to catch some rays and chill out or go hiking in the surrounding mountains. During ski season (November to April), the city is packed with people looking to shred the slopes.

A Local's Guide to South Lake Tahoe

A mountainous retreat with the still waters of a stunning lake, South Lake Tahoe is the perfect place for a vacation. The Californian resort city sits on the shore of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains. From skiing in the mountain range to sunbathing on the beaches, there is something in this picturesque resort for everyone.

With picnic areas, restaurants, bars and casinos in nearby towns, this resort is full of activities for families, couples and friends.

Skiing & Winter Sports

For skiers, snowboarders or anyone that loves the snowy mountaintops of California, Heavenly Mountain Resort is one of the best places to spend a day on the slopes. The resort is on the California-Nevada border in South Lake Tahoe and has been a popular spot for tourists since it opened in 1955. There are 97 runs and 30 ski lifts spread among California and Nevada.

The Heavenly village ski resort rents skis and snowboards along with all of the gear needed to have a great snow holiday. There’s also shopping, lodges, and festivals taking place throughout the year. The resort gets around 360 inches of snow every year and there is an average of 300 bluebird days (days where the sky is clear and the weather is fair) every year.

When in Heavenly Mountain Resort, a must-do is taking a ride on the Heavenly Mountain Gondola, which isn’t a water gondola, but a glass cabin that takes passengers on a ride high-up above the mountains, offering an incredible bird’s eye view of the surrounding scenery.

See & Do

For travelers who don’t want to hit the slopes, there are lots of other activities for a great family vacation. Close to the south shore is the Lake Tahoe golf course. This stunning course is in a mountain meadow that sits within the Sierra Nevada Mountain’s Lake Valley State Recreation Area.

The William Bell-designed championship layout is perfect for golfers of all skills and abilities. The course sits within amazing natural surroundings and there are scenic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

If traditional golf isn’t exciting enough, the resort also offers a 2,270-yard, 18-hole golf course for adults and children.

Meanwhile, if ice-skating is your thing, be sure to head to the South Tahoe Ice Arena, where you can go skating or play ice hockey. It’s family friendly and there are also some arcade games if you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the real ground while cheering on friends or family who are on the ice.

Another great place to visit is El Dorado beach, otherwise known as ‘Commons Beach’, which is a stunning sandy strip that’s popular with families during the summer time as the water is shallow enough for kids. It’s a great spot for a picnic or a barbeque. There’s also water sport equipment rentals on the beach, meaning you can go canoeing or snorkeling.

Hiking & Outdoors Adventure

Meanwhile, if national parks are more your thing, head to Van Sickle Bi-State Park. The Van Sickle park has wooded trails and traveling west of the city, visitors will find the Vikingsholm mansion which sits in Emerald Bay State Park. The mansion is a Viking-style castle, with 38 rooms that you can tour. You can learn more about the history of the castle on guided tours. The castle was constructed in 1929 and it’s filled with interesting woodwork, carvings and antiques.

Emerald Bay State Park is one of the top spots for those looking for a spot of R&R in a beautiful, natural surrounding. The park has tons of hiking trails, stunning views of the crystal clear Lake Tahoe waters, and the fresh aroma of pine tree forests. The best time to visit is during sunrise or sunset for truly epic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

If seeing mighty mother nature at her finest is your thing, visit one of South Lake Tahoe’s many waterfalls. The best of the bunch is Cascade Falls, in the Emerald Bay area, which offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, or the stunning Horsetail Falls, in El Dorado Country, for those who aren’t afraid of a challenging hike.

Leaving one of the vacation rental cabins, drivers can take the Rubicon Trail through the Sierra Nevada. The 22-mile long route is part road and part 4x4 trail which sits east of Sacramento.

For an easy trip, take a picnic to the public beach of Lakeview Commons. There are lakeside picnic tables, BBQ grills, and a boat ramp. In the summer, Lakeview is a popular place for concerts and festivals.

When it's time for a history fix, you can head to Zephyr Cove Resort, which was built in 1900 during the Comstock silver mining boom, or to Camp Richardson Resort, which has been a relaxed holiday destination for almost one hundred years. Meanwhile, if you’re curious what Lake Tahoe looked like before it became a ski resort, visit the Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum, which is home to an extensive collection of photographs and films about the Lake’s history.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, there are plenty of great restaurants in the South Lake Tahoe area and our favorite is Himmel Haus Restaurant, which serves up delicious German food including schnitzels, bratwursts and great beers.

Meanwhile, if wine is your thing, you simply have to do a wine tasting tour around the El Dorado area. Its vineyards have been making wine for over 150 years and there are over 50 wineries you can explore.

Hot Springs

When it’s time to unwind, why not visit one of the area’s hot springs? The Lake Tahoe area is home to several hot springs, known for their nourishing and healing properties. Some of the hot springs have been made into official-looking outdoor pools, and others are more rustic and natural. The best hot spring to visit is David Walley’s Hot Springs, which is home to five hot mineral pools, alongside a steam room and spa. Other great options include Steamboat Hot Springs, which has seven pools and spa services, or Carson Hot Springs, which looks like a public pool, however, the water flows from the ground from as far as 35,000 feet below.

With such beautiful scenery, choosing Lake Tahoe cabins with lake views is easy. There are many Lake Tahoe vacation rental homes that include a hot tub and some even have pool tables! Lake Tahoe vacation homes on the shore of Lake Tahoe are a stunning place to spend some time. Choose two or three nights over a weekend or a couple of weeks to truly relax. There are vacation rentals of all sizes, whether you’re looking for a cozy getaway for you and your significant other or a larger home rental for a family or group of friends.

Cabins in South Lake Tahoe

Located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, South Lake Tahoe cabins are the picturesque place to experience beautiful Heavenly Valley. With homes located near Heavenly Ski Resort and Tahoe Keys, you’ll find a vacation home to fit all of your needs. Enjoy living spaces with family and friends or take a relaxing dip in private hot tubs. Lake Tahoe vacation rentals offer the best in both indoor and outdoor activities.

Hit the slopes at Heavenly Mountain or enjoy a day in the sun at Lake Tahoe. Spend the afternoon on the golf course or shoot pool at the pool tables. Vacation rental cabins feature full kitchens to prepare the perfect meal and enjoy premium lake views at the end of the day. Rental homes at Heavenly Mountain will make your South Lake Tahoe vacation unforgettable. Find your South Lake Tahoe house rental to experience the best of Lake Tahoe.