Home
>
Guide
>
Planning an Ultimate Road Trips from San Jose to Lake Tahoe

It contains affiliate links and Extrabux will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on Extrabux links.

Planning an Ultimate Road Trips from San Jose to Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is the USA's second-deepest lake and, at 6245ft high, it is also one of the highest-elevation lakes in the country. Driving around the spellbinding 72-mile scenic shoreline will give you Quite a workout behind the wheel. Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction in both Nevada and California. It is home to winter sports, summer outdoor activity, and natural landscape enjoyed throughout the year. If you are living in San Jose and looking for somewhere to spend a weekend with kids or families, Lake Tahoe is one of the best destinations. Here, we collected the best ways, routes, and must-see attractions for helping who are planning a road trip from San Jose to Lake Tahoe.

Cover Photo:12019 on Pixabay

San Jose to Lake Tahoe

Distance: 226 miles; Driving Time: 3 h 54 min.

Lake Tahoe Map

South Lake Tahoe offers that spectacular scenery up with a gigantic helping of things to do year-round, including winter sports and water sports, blackjack and bike trails, family fun and nightlife, all with a unique, Tahoe spin.

North Lake Tahoe is the perfect mix of lakeside adventure and on-mountain activities with a thriving summer scene loaded with experiences meant to refresh, recharge and reinvigorate your soul. From a scenic paddle to a picturesque hike, to lounging on the beach to hitting up the gaming and dining scene.

Top Attractions in Lake Tahoe

1. Emerald Bay State Park

2. Vikingsholm

3. Lower Eagle Falls

4. Tallac Historic Site

5. Van Sickle Bi-State Park

6. Donner Memorial State Park

7. Sand Harbor Beach

Emerald Bay State Park

This spectacular bay in Lake Tahoe is best approached by hiking trails. The views are amazing with Lake Tahoe, the Island, Eagle Falls, and Mountains in the background. The viewing platform behind the Parkin is good. The parking is $10 a day for CA State Parks.

Source:Michael on wikimedia.org (CC BY 2.0)

Vikingsholm

Built as a summer home in 1929, this grand castle on Emerald Bay is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the Western Hemisphere. Explore the castle marvel at the meticulous stonework, hand-forged metalwork, and intricately carved wooden beams ending in dragon heads.

Source:uzvards on wikimedia.org (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Lower Eagle Falls

Easy short hike to beautiful views. It's a super great place to take pictures. You could park free on the street and parking lot opposite to the Falls. Or you could park at the National Forest Parking which you have to pay. But all parking lots spots are limited.

Source:Radhika Bhagwat on flickr.com (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Tallac Historic Site

A Historic Site made up of 3 Estates built between 1894 and 1930. Each Estate has something different and exciting for visitors to do and see! Learn the amazing history of this area in the free museum, then stroll through the former summer homes and gardens of four wealthy gilded-age families. Guided, self-guided, and private tours are available.

Nice walking place to visit, lots of local historical information about how the area was in the early 1900's and you can walk right up to lake if you want to dip your feet into the water.

Van Sickle Bi-State Park

A great short hike to the Tahoe rim trail offering beautiful views of the Lake and mountains. It offers beautiful terrain, lots of trees, you get to walk beneath some of the Gondola lines, and best of all it has some absolutely gorgeous views Lake Tahoe, not to mention that you get the fun of walking over the California and Nevada dividing line.

Donner Memorial State Park

A good place to visit if you are somewhat familiar with the story of the Donner party in 1846, or if you are interested in the history of the Central Pacific Railroad's struggle to get through the Sierras in the 1860's as part of the building of the transcontinental railroad.

Source:glenngould on flickr.com (CC BY 2.0)

Sand Harbor Beach

Rocky coves and boulders to jump off of are the primary features of Sand Harbor Beach. This place has it all, romance, nature lovers, peace and quiet. Absolutely stunning views all around which you just don't get tired of. You can go there during sunset and nature definitely lived up to its hype. It's a great place to escape from it all especially if you live in the stressful city.

Source:Don Graham on flickr.com (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Renting a Car for the Road Trip

If you need to rent a car to start your road trip, you can book at Dollar Rent A Car, Europcar, Avis, Thrifty, Hertz, Sixt Rent A Car, CarRentals.com. Don't forget to sign up at Extrabux (What is Extrabux?), then you can get up to 6% super cashback from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus!