Resort at a Glance: Northstar California Resort

Located not far from the northern banks of Lake Tahoe, Northstar California Resort has become an all-season escape for guests looking to experience the region’s signature outdoor adventures. In the summer, that means mountain biking and hiking around surrounding trails, rounds of golf at the resort’s picturesque course, or trips to the Summer Fun Center, where mini-golf, rock walls, and rollerskating await.

• Where you’ll stay: Accommodations are located at properties throughout the resort village; options at Northstar Mountain Condos and Timber Creek Lodge and include traditional guest rooms as well as larger apartment-style rentals.
• The Village at Northstar: Your stay includes easy access to this sprawling mountain complex, which boasts amenities ranging from boutiques and cafes to a year-round skating rink and The Village Cinemas, a full-scale movie theatre.
• Eat well at restaurants spread across the village, golf course, and even up on the mountain itself; options range from sushi and tacos to upscale dishes created in the California culinary tradition.

North Lake Tahoe, California: Ski Haven, Historic Sites, and Year-Round Outdoor Activities

Surrounded by the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the 22-mile-long Lake Tahoe straddles the California-Nevada state line. But for locals, the real division comes down to the North Shore versus the South Shore. The big-ticket nightlife is down below, including major casinos where the show rooms host everything from live bands to standup comics. In the winter, the north side reigns with one of North America’s largest concentrations of ski resorts. Most of the action is split between two of them. Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games, has 4,000 acres of skiable terrain spread across six peaks. 

Many of the resorts stay open year-round, with hiking as a popular summertime activity. The Village at Squaw Valley, designed to look like a European Alpine town, has a variety of shops and galleries as well as a museum dedicated to the 1960 Olympic Games. You can get in free with a cable-car ride and tour the collection of memorabilia and historic news clips.

Crowds of all ages gather for North Lake Tahoe’s special events, which range from wine and food festivals to rock concerts and mountain-lifting competitions. Historic sites in the area pay homage to Tahoe’s past as a Native American settlement. In the nearby historic town of Truckee, trendy boutiques and fine-dining establishments sit beside local dive bars and souvenir shops along the town’s main drag.

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