A Lake Tahoe Honeymoon Guide For Outdoorsy Adventures

Considering a Lake Tahoe honeymoon? Straddling the border between Nevada and California, Lake Tahoe is affectionately known as the "Jewel of the Sierra." This top US honeymoon spot, beloved by famous historical figures ranging from Mark Twain to Frank Sinatra, is as beautiful as any national park.

A Lake Tahoe honeymoon in California (or Nevada) is perfect for outdoors enthusiasts of any kind. Lake Tahoe's natural beauty has been mostly well-preserved over the years, driving its reputation as a hot spot for both romance and outdoor recreation.

From live shows, restaurants and skiing in South Lake Tahoe to the laid-back, outdoorsy vibes of the North Shore's small towns, there's plenty to fill a honeymoon in this alpine paradise. Keep reading for everything you need to plan the perfect romantic getaway in Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe Honeymoon Tips in this Article:

• Best Time to Honeymoon in Lake Tahoe
• Lake Tahoe Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Places to Visit on a Lake Tahoe Honeymoon
• Best Lake Tahoe Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
• Lake Tahoe Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
• What to Pack for a Lake Tahoe Honeymoon

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Best Time to Honeymoon in Lake Tahoe

The best time to visit Lake Tahoe depends entirely on what you'd like to do. If you want to go skiing and snowboarding, come in February or March, when the slopes are most likely to be covered in feet of fresh, fluffy snow. March is an excellent month for powder days as well since it'll be both snowy and sunny.

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If you're keen on summer recreation, June is a great month to visit, as is September; the latter is usually a little less crowded. July and August are the peak of summer, but they're pricier times to visit and can occasionally have smoky skies if there are nearby wildfires. However, most of the best festivals occur during these months, and summer activities like happy-hour cruises and mountain-biking tours run daily.

Best weather: June to September for summer activities, December to March for winter.
Festival highlights: The Summer Concert Series at Harveys brings major musical acts to the lake. The Autumn Food and Wine Festival in Northstar is perfect for gourmet enthusiasts, offering tastings and culinary competitions.

Lake Tahoe Honeymoon Planning Tips

With beautiful mountain sunsets, high-end lakeside restaurants and some of the country's best outdoor recreation, it should go without saying that Lake Tahoe is a fantastic honeymoon destination for outdoorsy couples. A Lake Tahoe vacation can be as elegant or as rugged as you'd like, and lodging options range from classic Sierra Nevada cabins with stone fireplaces to high-end lakeshore resorts with outdoor hot tubs and boat rentals.

Lake Tahoe is very easy to reach from anywhere on the West Coast. It's 3 hours east of San Francisco, 90 minutes east of Sacramento, and 30 minutes west of Reno, Nevada. If you're not from the West Coast, most US cities have direct flights into at least one of those airports. It's also somewhat close to Napa Valley (2 hours) and Yosemite National Park (3.5 hours), making it an excellent stop on a California road trip honeymoon.

Aside from stunning natural beauty (have you seen Emerald Bay?), newlyweds in Lake Tahoe can look forward to a massive variety of outdoor recreation options for all levels.

Not into the outdoors? That's no problem, since Tahoe has plenty for honeymooners who didn't bother packing their hiking boots. Summer visitors can take dinner cruises of the lake on old-fashioned paddlewheel boats, ride resort gondolas to activities like mountain roller-coasters and zip-lines, or attend one of nearly 100 festivals focused on wine, art and live music. You can also explore the cute shops and restaurants in Tahoe City.

Entry requirements: Since Lake Tahoe is in the US, you won't need your passport—but make sure to bring ID just in case you need it.
Language: English.
Location: Lake Tahoe is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of the United States, on the border between California and Nevada.
Currency: USD.
Flight time to Destination: From New York, flight times to airports near Lake Tahoe (like Reno-Tahoe International Airport) are roughly 6 hours.
Getting around: Renting a car is the most flexible way to explore Lake Tahoe, especially for visiting different beaches, trails, and attractions scattered around the lake.

Pro tip: Invite a honeymoon planning expert to join your vendor team. You can look up travel agents near you on The Knot Marketplace for Lake Tahoe honeymoon expertise, reviews and more.

Places to Visit on a Lake Tahoe Honeymoon

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Emerald Bay State Park

The most photographed place in Lake Tahoe is none other than Emerald Bay, a small offshoot of the lake that's home to Tahoe's only island. Emerald Bay State Park is a great place to spend an afternoon, whether you take the quick hike uphill to Eagle Falls or take the 1-mile walk down to the beach, where you can rent kayaks, tour a historic home or float around in the warm turquoise water. It gets busy, so try to visit midweek if possible.

The Flume Trail

For an easy hike with epic views, take the Tunnel Creek Trail to the Flume Trail (in Incline Village). At the trailhead is a mountain bike rental shop where you can rent bikes and get a ride to the top, cutting out nearly all of the challenging climb. Don't want to bike? Set out on foot, and you'll be rewarded with a stunning view of the lake after about half a mile. The views across the lake of the Sierra Nevada Mountains are phenomenal, especially considering the hike is relatively easy.

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows

No matter what time of year you visit, you'll want to head to Squaw Valley, just a few minutes north of the lake. The resort hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, which was the first televised Olympics and responsible for jump-starting Tahoe's winter tourism boom. There's a large village at the base with outdoor dining, a ropes course and cute shops.

Best Lake Tahoe Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts

From cute honeymoon cabins to luxurious resorts, here are our top picks when it comes to accommodations for a honeymoon in Lake Tahoe.

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Marriott Grand Residence Club Lake Tahoe

Hands down one of the best resorts in Lake Tahoe for skiing and snowboarding, the Marriott Grand Residence is in the Heavenly Village, so honeymooners can walk to the slopes (and to the lake). Aside from not having to worry about traffic or parking, you'll also get the benefit of being near the attractions and nightlife in South Lake Tahoe, including breweries, casinos, live music and the ice-skating rink and hot chocolate bars that pop up every winter.

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Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino

If you're honeymooning on the North Shore in the summer or fall, splurge on one of the lakeside cottages at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino in Incline Village. The one- or two-bedroom cottages have private balconies and lake views, and are steps away from the resort's 500-foot-long private beach, complete with a floating pier bar in the summer. Guests can rent private cabanas, visit the Stillwater Spa, have a high-end al fresco lunch at the lakeside restaurant, or go on guided hikes and tours with the resort's adventure specialists. If you visit in the winter, it'll be a little too cold to hit the beach, but you'll be just a quick (free) shuttle ride away from Diamond Peak Ski Resort.

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The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

Planning to ski on the North Shore? Then stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, a luxury hotel with ski-in, ski-out access to Northstar California Resort. While the hotel doesn't have great views of the lake like the Hyatt, it does have unbeatable proximity to outdoor recreation near Truckee and Kings Beach. Honeymooners can take a quick shuttle ride to the resort's private lake club in the summer or enjoy cocktails at the Highlands Bar.

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Pro tip: For Lake Tahoe honeymoon accommodations that may provide you with a bit more privacy or lower prices, you might also want to consider staying at a romantic Airbnb or VRBO.

Lake Tahoe Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

Couples on a honeymoon in Lake Tahoe can enjoy all kinds of romantic activities, including sunset cruises on the lake, couple's massages at top-notch spas or cozy evenings by the fire in a lakeside cabin. Adventure-loving couples can explore hiking trails, go kayaking or ski at world-renowned resorts.

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Hit the Trails

Hiking and mountain biking are the activities of choice for locals and visitors in Tahoe come summer and fall, and your adventure can be as active or low-key as you'd like. First-time mountain bikers can take a guided tour with Tahoe Adventure Company, while experts will want to give downhill mountain biking a try.

Experienced hikers probably already know about the beauty of Tahoe's wildflower-filled, waterfall-heavy trails, but beginner hikers will have plenty of options as well, including hikes through historic sites and turn-of-the-century lakeside resorts.

Get on the Water

Newlyweds would be remiss to come all the way to Tahoe and not spend any time on its calm, clear-blue waters. Consider spending a day paddle-boarding or kayaking at the downright-stunning Sand Harbor State Park, or rent rafts and go for a lazy float through the mountains down the Truckee River. If your idea of a romantic getaway involves not having to do the paddling, sign up for a scenic boat tour.

Give Skiing and Snowboarding a Try

Tahoe's resorts typically have snow from December to May. If you're visiting during that window, try to tear yourself away from your cozy cabin's fire pit for an afternoon trying a new snow sport.

Resorts rent out everything from helmets to skis, and lessons are always available (though you'll usually pay less if you book in advance). If you don't feel like skiing, you'll find other activities like snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and even snow mountain biking (called "fatbiking").

Pro tip: Add Lake Tahoe honeymoon experiences to your gift registry so that loved ones can give you a memorable couples activity. Post a few photos to your wedding website—this way all your guests can keep up with your adventures.

What to Pack for a Lake Tahoe Honeymoon

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Tahoe may be slightly expensive, but it's not formal. Summer calls for hiking shoes or sandals, shorts, T-shirts, sunglasses and a cap. Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen in your honeymoon luggage; if it's not snowing, it's sunny, and rainy days are very uncommon. It can get cold in the evenings year-round, so even if you visit in July, you'll want a pair of pants and a jacket or sweater.

Coming in the winter? Bring your snow gear, including tall boots, gloves and a warm beanie. Wearing ski jackets out in the evenings is completely acceptable, though in the more nightlife-oriented areas of Tahoe like Heavenly Village, you may see high-fashion winter wear. It's best to avoid jeans and other moisture-absorbing fabrics if you're playing in the snow, and you'll likely want a backpack and big water bottle on your packing checklist if you're hiking (dehydration happens quicker at higher elevations).

Brittany Barber contributed to this article.