Hey – my two friend and I (all M27 from the UK) are visiting Lake Tahoe for the 4th July (staying in Homewood):
1. What would you recommend we actually do on the 4th? We’re pretty open to just experiencing as much as we can so any recommendations welcome
2. How would you recommend we get around? I’m guessing parking anywhere busy will be a nightmare?
3. What should we expect in terms of traffic/travel times on our way in and out of tahoe?
Any other advice?
18 comments
Wear sunscreen.
/r/tahoe/
/r/Reno
Local subs are always more helpful. I’ve been to Lake Tahoe, once.
Virginia City is an hour and a half away from Tahoe and it is a cool old west town with a great 4th of July parade.
Don’t know if it’s feasible but it’s fun.
Tahoe has a lot of 4th of July celebration too.
I’m not from there but was on a road trip in that area last year on Memorial Day weekend and decided to stop by Lake Tahoe because we had extra time. I was stunned how built up it was given the pristine natural pictures shown on the internet. Kindof reminded me of lake of the ozarks back home in Missouri with all the strip malls and restaurants crowded everywhere, just nicer. Finding a place to park is almost impossible. There’s a road that goes all around the lake, we probably traveled only 2/3 of it before turning around and leaving. Which makes me wonder if the side of it we did not see was that pristine part. The lake itself is beautiful with the mountains in the background but you gotta zoom in beyond the concrete and asphalt to get a shot of it. As for the rest of eastern California it’s gorgeous! We visited many parks and small towns that had stunning scenery. If you like twisty roads the mountain passes are great and very scenic! FYI though there is a wildfire season so be cognizant for that as it might negate some routes and sites and the price of gas is very high out there. (Dunno, might be cheaper than where you live) Hope that helps!
Being British you will almost certainly have total strangers bantering at you about colonization and the revolutionary war. I don’t know of any Americans that seriously hold a grudge about the Revolutionary War, but we love to joke about it, especially on the 4th of July. Playing along will earn you major brownie points. If you’re good natured about it, you will probably end up being the toast of whatever party you wind up at. Just play up your best fake posh accent, drop a few well timed scoffs about “colonials”, and have fun.
Oh, and don’t shit on American macrobrews. That’s a major party foul, esp at a summer bbq or outdoor event.
Just try not to set the western US on fire plz.
Tahoe can get very busy in summer in general, even more so on the south shore, where there is a big fireworks show and celebration. The area around Homewood should be less busy. There are many activities available in summer in Tahoe, such as hiking, rafting, jetskiing, and also a zip line. However, with summer being a busy and popular time to visit, I would recommend booking some of these ahead of time. As for getting around, your best option is really your own car.
Some places I would recommend stopping in along the way are Emerald Bay, Tahoe City, Dollar Point, Mount Rose, Zephyr Cove, and Heavenly mountain. If you are up for hiking, check out the Tahoe Rim Trail and Desolation Wilderness. For rafting, the Truckee River.
Travel times to Tahoe depend on where you are departing from. It is about 2 hours from Sacramento, 4 hours from San Francisco, and 30-45 minutes from Reno (the nearest large-ish city). However, I would expect heavy traffic along the south shore.
No matter what you do, I think you will enjoy Tahoe. It is a gorgeous area.
If you want to learn a bit of old west American history, you can drive west to the small town of Beckworth CA.
Named after [James P. Beckworth](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Beckwourth)
An early adventurer. A hunter. A warrior in the Crow Indian nation. A soldier. And fur trader.
If you saw the movie the Revenant with Leonardo DiCaprio, who portrayed Hugh Glass, James Beckworth was a member of that group of trappers.
Remember fireworks are incendiary explosive devices. Don’t put them near your eyes or look down the barrel of one that didn’t launch properly, don’t set the off or point them at anything containing flammable liquids or gases like a speed boat full of very drink people. Take fireworks seriously and you will most likely no lose a finger or your life.
Also be careful of sun or heatstroke and you should be eating food and lots of water while out in the heat. There’s an expression “only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday heat.” The sun is most intense usually from 12:00-2:00pm. Having some shade helps extend you can be out and about before you become exhausted.
Make sure everyone knows how to swim when you take people out on the water.
I spend a lot of time around Tahoe City
If you want to catch a movie, Tahoe Haus is a great little theater in Tahoe City that has a few couches you can use if you get there early enough. My family likes to take blankets too.
The bridgetender in TC is a good bar/grill
South Lake Tahoe is much more built up, Tahoe City is closer to a small town vibe.
Syd’s is a great bagel place in TC but they have weird hours so check in advance.
Emerald Bay is a really picturesque spot at the southwest corner of the lake. It has the lake’s only island in the middle of it with an old tea house at the top. If you’re willing to get into the ice cold water and swim to it, it’s a fun walk to the top. And in the middle of summer in Emerald Bay it shouldn’t be *that* cold.
Squaw Valley is a decent way away but it hosted the Winter Olympics and has some fun activities. You can take the gondola up to high camp where they have an Olympic museum, and there will probably still be snow up there with the amount we’ve been getting.
You *used* to be able to ski on the 4th when there’s enough snow, but I think they’re closing the resorts before that despite the snow. It’s a fun sort of “I did it” experience.
There’s only one small road around the lake so like others have said traffic will suck
There IS public transit, the TART system, but I’m not sure what it’s range or anything is. But it’s worth checking.
If you’re drinking, be aware that Tahoe is at 6,200 feet in elevation and you will get drunk much faster. You will also dehydrate faster, so drink LOTS of water.
Look in the paper for where the fire works will be. Then find a hill a bit away from the crowd and enjoy them.
Make sure you get a 12 pack of dewsa it’s so good
If you’re trying to watch fireworks over the lake, make sure to stake out your spot on a public beach VERY VERY early. I mean like 8 in the morning early. It’s a zoo by noon. Everyone will be there, and it’s an all day event for most. The one in Tahoe City is probably closest to where you’re staying. But seriously, prepare for crowds. And potentially aggressive people trying to stake their claim on a spot.
The cruise has a 4th of Julie Crusoe for the fireworks but it’s limited space so you would have to book soon
You have to go to The Beacon and try some rum runners and shrimp. Sit on the patio that is connected to the beach. Wear sunscreen.
Other than that rent bikes or a car.
Well. You probably picked the single worst day of the summer to be there. It’s a human zoo, traffic will be horrendous because it’s a 2 lane highway with limited chance to bypass traffic. Make sure you pee before you get in the car. Coming from RNO? SMF?
**However**, don’t let me dissuade you. Staying in Homewood is good, South Lake will be the worst part so don’t avoid it but even north will be crowded.
Otherwise depends. Lots of good food, fishing hiking etc. beaches will probably be crowded (limited sand access anyway) and the water on the cold side but tolerable. All Trails app if you are into hiking.
“Secret” fireworks spots are jealously guarded secrets, do some Google Maps/Earth recon before your trip maybe.
If you see fire, run.