$34 Rental Cars in South Lake Tahoe, CA

Find cheap car rental deals in South Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular natural escapes in California and Nevada, a glimmering, mountainous destination celebrated in the writings of Mark Twain and John Muir. Hikers visiting the city of South Lake Tahoe, on the southern tip of the lake, are rewarded with miles of trails leading up Monument Peak or Keith’s Dome. Thrill-seekers, meanwhile, can enjoy watersports on the lake in summer, and skiing on the peaks in winter.

The vast lake is best navigated by rental car, which you can pick up in South Lake Tahoe and begin driving from soaring peaks to waterfront towns. Let Orbitz help you find the best deal.

South Lake Tahoe and beyond: Lakeside retreats and cool capitals

Lake Tahoe is about 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, so it has picturesque and interesting destinations all along its waterfront. Use your rental car in South Lake Tahoe to explore the area around the lake, before heading out to nearby capital cities.

Tahoe City

One of many scenic settlements on the edge of Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City offers culture and cuisine, as well as the wild outdoors. Here you can pick up fresh produce at farmers’ markets, ride old steam boats, and learn about the region’s past in the Tahoe Maritime Museum. Come to the charming town in winter for quick access to ski slopes in the surrounding mountains.

Journey time: Around 45 minutes

Distance: Approximately 30 miles

Carson City, Nevada

On the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe lies the capital, Carson City. Although it’s often just seen as a gateway to the lake, the city is in fact packed with historical attractions. The Nevada State Museum looks at prospectors and cowboys, while a vintage steam railway transports you to the Old West.

Journey time: Around 40 minutes

Distance: Approximately 30 miles

Sacramento

California’s laid-back capital city is just a short trip from Lake Tahoe. If you’re arriving or leaving from here, take some time to explore this little-seen corner of the Golden State. Drive around Downtown to admire the capitol building, or to stop by Old Sacramento, a charmingly preserved slice of history with carriage rides, old schoolhouses, and museums.

Journey time: Around 1 hour 45 minutes

Distance: Approximately 100 miles