Lake Tahoe is a beautiful place to visit, and there are endless elements that will make your trip to this mountainous lake area memorable. South Lake Tahoe vacation rentals are spread out over a variety of areas. Stay right on Lake Tahoe’s waterfront, or find a rental in the center of town, closer to restaurants, and grocery stores. 

With many casinos, golf courses, hiking trails, and state parks, this California/Nevada location is most famous thanks to its scenic views and exciting nightlife. Experiencing luxury lodging in Lake Tahoe’s south shore is easy with VacationRenter! With 400+ rentals in SLT alone, there will be no issue finding the perfect place to stay.

Luxury isn’t the only way to experience South Lake Tahoe. The region may be most well known for its glamorous casinos and nightlife, there are plenty of modest options nearby. North Lake Tahoe also has its perks, though there is no need to head to North Lake to experience incredible adventure activities such as white water rafting or mountain biking. It’s not hard to find your favorite activity right here in SLT.

To help you pick what type of rental you want, first you’ll want to decide which area you want to stay in. In this article, we’ll explain the best places to stay in South Lake Tahoe. For more on the difference between North and South Lake Tahoe, check out our other guide.

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Close to the Mountains

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In winter, Lake Tahoe is packed with skiers who can’t wait to get to the tops of the slopes. So if you’re heading to Lake Tahoe for a ski vacation, you’re going to want to make sure you’re as close as possible to the ski hills to avoid unnecessary commute times. Choose between a rental close to the California Lodge Gondola, or find something closer to Heavenly Village. While the Village is closest to many of downtown Tahoe amenities, the California Lodge Gondola bring you to a variety of Tahoe’s best black diamond ski trails. 

Favorite Activity: It only takes a short hike through Van Sickle Bi-State Park to see how incredible South Lake Tahoe is. With moderate, easy to access trails that offer incredible views of the mountains and Lake Tahoe, this park is a great place to explore any time of year.

Downtown South Lake Tahoe

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Whether you’re into skiing or not, South Lake Tahoe is a beautiful place to stay. If you’re not overly worried about commuting back and forth from the ski slopes, consider booking a vacation rental in the town’s center. All along Highway 50 you’ll find a variety of grocery stores and boutique shops, perfect for keeping the kitchen of your vacation rental home well stocked. 

Favorite Activity: While staying in downtown South Lake, check out the excitement at the casinos! Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Resort hosts all sorts of slots and table games, as well as a variety of concerts and events in their outdoor arena. See what events are happening before you go, or just pop in any time for some gaming fun.

Tahoe Keys

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The Tahoe Keys are a collection of residential homes along the lakefront. There are a handful of incredible private vacation home rentals and resort options in this quiet area. If you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious than the other rentals, you’ve found it. While fewer amenities are found near this section of town, there are a few restaurants just a short drive away.

Favorite Activity: While visiting South Lake Tahoe, you’re going to want to take advantage of this incredible body of water. In the summer, spend a day having fun in a boat or jet-ski rental. Visit Tahoe Sports for all your on-the-water sporting needs.

Waterfront Lake Tahoe

Do you want to enjoy both the beautiful lake view and the ski resorts? No problem. Get yourself a hotel, condo or resort room along the southern edge of Lake Tahoe. You can even find cozy cabins in this area, so pretty much anything goes. Whether you’re traveling on your own, as a couple, as a family or as part of a group, you’ll find something perfect along the lakefront. Restaurants are plentiful towards the east in the Bijou neighborhood.

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Favorite Activity: While there are quite a few beach options around South Lake Tahoe, our favorite is Baldwin Beach for a few reasons. Being a little ways out of town, it tends to be not as populated as some of the other beaches, giving you more space to relax and enjoy the incredible scenery. You can rent a kayak and explore up and down the Tahoe shoreline.

Your South Lake Tahoe Adventure Awaits

It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting South Lake Tahoe for the fantastic scenery, the chance to see wildlife or, of course, the ski resorts, you really just can’t go wrong. This incredible location has so much to offer that, even if the ski trails melt, you’ll have no trouble finding something to see or do. Whether you want to spend your vacation nestled up in the mountains, or relaxing on the beach, South lake Tahoe has the perfect vacation rental option for you.