Welcome to ExploreTahoe.com!
About Lake Tahoe
Because of Lake Tahoe's scenic beauty, great skiing, local casinos, parks, and boating activities, it has become a favorite tourist destination both in summer and winter.
Local shopping and fine
restaurants combine to make this a favored resort
area. There are many local attractions
for you to enjoy. Lake Tahoe's physical location
at the border of California and Nevada make it ideal for
day trips from Sacramento and Reno, Nevada. However, you may choose to extend your
visit and stay in one of the local
hotels and casinos.
Lake Tahoe has wonderful and unique features like being the highest altitude lake in the United States at 6225 feet above sea level. Lake Tahoe's waters are among the most pure in the world having a purity range of above 97%, and its clarity is amazing for you can see any white object placed about 30 meters below.
Brief History
In the 19th century, the Lake was named "Bonpland" after a French botanist, meaning “the Mountain Lake" and "Bigler Lake" (from the name of California's third governor). The name Tahoe was made official in 1945 doing away with the rest of name and it has remained so since.
The Effects of Gold & Silver Discovery around Tahoe
Gold and Silver was discovered in Sierra Nevada in mid 19th century making it a hub of many activities and settlement. This gradually caused massive degradation of its natural resources as forest and land. Many trees were cut down to facilitate the building of house both around the lake and outside as in Virginia City. This area was fortunately rescued from total environmental destruction in late 19th century when the mining was reduced considerably as the resources were depleted.
The massive migration of wealth seekers brought about the emergence of the Bonanza road, which is currently called highway 50. The better irrigation system and roads opened up the region attracting the elites from many places who built amenities all around the lake.
The opening of the region to the world
Despite the region having slowly proved to be an excellent place to vacation, it was opened to eyes of the world by the 1960 Olympic meeting in Squaw City nearby. The number of visitors tripled and is still soaring each and every year.
How to Get Here
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Travel Times
