If it’s spring, summer can’t be far away–and summer is prime time at South Lake Tahoe, for hotel stays and vacation rentals alike. If you’re staying longer than a night or two or have more than two humans in your party, a vacation rental can be your ticket to dog-friendly togetherness and flexibility; plus the lake and miles of dog-friendly hiking trails are right outside your door.
One sure bet: Tahoe Keys Resort, a private marina community bordered by conservation areas on the southwest side of the lake. It offers a number of dog-friendly vacation rentals at affordable rates, and some have access to beaches, pools and other areas not open to the public. Many units come with fenced yards or patios where your dog can safely hang out while you fire up the grill, and the inland channels are perfect for morning walks along the water.
Looking for a place big enough to accommodate that long-awaited family reunion? Check out Chef Dave’s Lodge, a nine-bedroom, five-bath mansion near Heavenly Mountain Resort’s Boulder base area in Nevada. It sleeps 22 and is managed by TahoeVacations.com, a long-time player in the South Shore rental scene. Another large home in their inventory: Hodge Podge Lodge, with 5,407 square feet of space including eight bedrooms, sit-down dining for 31, parking for eight cars and two lofts for dorm-style sleeping. Both properties have generous outdoor space where your dogs can stretch out after a day on the trails.
Also in South Shore is a collection of distinctive luxury properties managed by Stonehenge At Tahoe, named for a pet-friendly signature property incorporating giant boulders into its architectural design.
Vacation rentals are especially appealing for dog owners because you get a full kitchen for preparing meals (no more worrying about finding a dog-friendly restaurant for every dinner), a living room where everyone can sprawl out together, and often a washer and dryer for muddy hiking clothes and sandy towels. Many South Shore rentals are within walking distance of trails like the Lam Watah path to Nevada Beach, where your pup can run off-leash in designated areas.
This list is just a taste of what you can find in Lake Tahoe. For great suggestions on places to go and things to do at Northern California’s favorite playground, check out the Lake Tahoe destination pages at DogTrekker.com.
