Introduction with Resources

Reno and Lake Tahoe

TAHOE/RENO Lake Tahoe perches atop the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the elbow angle between California and Nevada. At over 6,000 feet elevation, the weather is alpine. Long known for its pure, deep, blue waters, this jewel is surrounded by mountain peaks, smaller lakes, meadows, and the long, slow decline to the Nevada salt flats to the east and the Sacramento Valley to the west. Getting to Tahoe is easy, as interstate 80 passes over the top of the lake, which puts you in Truckee and Reno, while interstate 50 passes to the south of the lake. ALWAYS carry chains when traveling in the Sierra during winter - and carry them in spring and fall to be on the safe side. Remember, while the lake is at 6,000 feet, the surrounding mountains rise another 4,000 feet, and to get to the lake you must negotiate mountain passes. Tahoe is not a cosmopolitan metropolis, but it does abound with natural beauty and nature explorations, and offers water sports, snow sports and hiking in excess. There is also a lively nightlife in the casinos on the Nevada side, including shows and theater. The history of the area is exciting and somehow familiar - between the Donner Party and the Ponderosa country of the Bonanza series, which often featured old Virginia City and Carson City (the Nevada state capital). Reno has a reputation all its own. It is a fine university town, has casinos and quite a nightlife. And in August, Reno draws car buffs from all corners for its Hot August Nights. Whatever you go for, you'll enjoy the scenery and find the locals very friendly. REMEMBER PERSONS MUST BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE TO GAMBLE IN CASINOS IN NEVADA. CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TOURISM Department of Commerce 801 K Street, Suite 1600 Sacramento, California 95814 (916) 322-2881 (800) 862-2543 CALIFORNIA STATE PARK SYSTEM Department of Parks & Recreation P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, California 94296 (916) 653-6995 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Fort Mason, Building 201 San Francisco, CA 94123 (415) 556-0560 NATIONAL FORESTS - INTERMOUNTAIN REGION 324 - 25th Street Ogden, Utah 84401 (801) 625-5182 (800) 280-CAMP CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 653-7664 NEVADA COMMISSION ON TOURISM 401 North Carson Street Carson City, NV 89701 (800) NEVADA-8, (775) 687-4322 NEVADA DIVISION OF STATE PARKS South Curry Street Carson City, Nevada 89703-5202 (775) 687-4384 NEVADADEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE 1100 Valley Road Reno, Nevada 89512 (775) 688-1500

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