Tahoe is a well-known tourist destination. In the summer, the picturesque shoreline is lined in umbrellas and sun-drenched families. Winter brings snowy adventures to skiers. Aside from the breathtaking scenery, the region is home to excellent outdoor recreation. The lake offers scenic cruises as well mountain gondola rides.
It was home to the Washoe tribe, who first lived there thousands of years back. The Washoe used the lake as a sacred summer ground for many generations. The arrival of white settlers forced the tribe to leave the remaining land in the middle 1800s. George Whittel, Jr., lumber magnate, was responsible for the development on the north shore. He built a narrow gauge train that connected Truckee and Tahoe City. He also planned to construct a casino.
Since almost 100 years, the lake has been a popular destination for entertainment and film industries. It is the setting for many American classic films. Mount Tallac was seen in the background during Bonanza's first sequence. Other movies have included A Place in the Sun, True Lies and The Navigator.
It is also home to several casinos, high-end shopping and a few other amenities. It is also a popular destination for skiing. The 1960 Winter Olympics boosted the popularity of winter sports in the Lake Tahoe area.
Tahoe derives its name from the Washoe da owa ga, meaning "water in a high area". The Lake is surrounded majestically by mountain peaks that rise to as high as 10,000 feet. The western shore is more developed than the eastern shore.
The Lake Tahoe basin is situated on the border of Nevada & California. The United States Forest Service has jurisdiction over seventy five percent of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. It is home to some of the most beautiful landscape in the world. It is one of the most popular destinations for outdoor and hiking in the United States. It is known for its pristine water clarity.
Lake Tahoe is a year-round attraction with scenic shoreline, mountain gondola rides and excellent skiing. The Brews, Funk and Funk Fest is in August and the Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival are in September. The Tahoe Loop Drive, a 100-mile loop around the lake, is also known as the Tahoe Loop Drive. There are numerous stunning views to choose from.
The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit evaluates environmental conditions, monitors water clarity, and analyzes meteorology around Lake Tahoe. This unit also focuses on education and outreach to the public. The "State of the Lake", which is an annual report by the agency, evaluates the lake's health. The report details the changes in clarity, water depth, and environment near shore. Due to better environmental conditions within the watershed, clarity has declined.