Lake Tahoe/Reno - Gay and Lesbian Travel Travel Guide, Lake Tahoe/Reno - Gay and Lesbian Travel Vacation & Travel Tips on Orbitz

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Introduction to Lake Tahoe/Reno - Gay and Lesbian Travel

Lake Tahoe/Reno

Photo credit: text

People not familiar with California will be surprised at stunningly alpine-esque Lake Tahoe -- which looks more like it was imported from Colorado or Alaska. This "Jewel of the Sierras" in northern California was a spiritual sanctuary for Native Americans, and despite years of commercialism and timber collecting in the area, it remains one of the most pristine parts of the state. Better known for its skiing (Squaw Valley and Heavenly resorts are around Lake Tahoe, along with 13 other ski areas), Tahoe hosts a happening gay "Winterfest" in early March. The area is home to more than a dozen large state and county parks, and the hiking, backpacking, kayaking and sailing during the cool summer days are close to perfection. Straddling the border between California and Nevada, the south shore is home to some high-rise casino hotels, but the north shore is more neighborhoody and local. The lake's deep water, meanwhile, is a favorite for fishing, kayaking and boating. Tahoe has a longtime gay bar and some LGBT-owned properties in the area, as well as a couple of popular nude beaches on its north shore, and it's generally gay-friendly.

A 45-mile drive down the backside of the Sierras will take you to Reno, a mini but more low-key Las Vegas filled with casinos. (Travelers usually visit both Reno and Tahoe in one trip.) Reno, like the rest of Nevada, has a libertarian, let-live attitude that enables resident gays and lesbians to be themselves, join in a number of gay groups, and party at several popular LGBT bars. Just south of Reno is the state capital of Carson City, which exudes Old West charm, and just north of Reno is the mystical Pyramid Lake, still home to many Native Americans. Be sure to check out Reno's gay rodeo in November, and gay pride festivities in August. And since Reno has been popular for elopers for decades, it's also a good place to get hitched (same-sex marriage isn't legal, though) in its gay-friendly wedding chapels.

1. Use the tourism board for LGBT help. The forward-thinking Reno/Tahoe bureau has a gay microsite with helpful info at www.visitrenotahoe.com.

2. Watch snow on Interstate 80. Pacific winter storms sweep directly over the Sierras, dumping heaps of snow. It makes for great skiing, but the area's main thoroughfare of I-80 can actually get closed down during heavy snowfall.

3. Fly or drive. Tahoe is about a four-hour drive from San Francisco, across mainly boring terrain. But a number of low-cost carriers fly directly into the Reno airport, so you might opt for that instead. If you fly, you'll want to rent a car to get around.

Lake Tahoe/Reno Gay Travel Essentials