Travel & stay

Getting to Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe sits on the California and Nevada border at the south shore of Lake Tahoe. Most guests will fly into Reno and drive up, or make the drive from Sacramento or the Bay Area.

A friendly heads-up: South Lake Tahoe lodging can fill quickly, so we recommend booking your stay early.

Getting there

Planes & mountain roads

Nearby airports

  • Reno-Tahoe International (RNO)

    Roughly an hour's drive to South Lake Tahoe in good conditions, and the closest major airport.

  • Sacramento International (SMF)

    Roughly two hours' drive to South Lake Tahoe via US-50, climbing through the Sierra.

Driving

From Reno, take US-395 S to US-50 W over Spooner Summit. From Sacramento or the Bay Area, US-50 E runs straight into South Lake Tahoe. Mountain roads are easy in September, so just allow a little extra time on weekends.

Transportation & rideshare

Transportation to and from the venue will not be provided, so please plan to drive or arrange a ride. Rideshare and taxis operate in South Lake Tahoe, but coverage can thin out late at night. If you plan to celebrate, arrange your ride back ahead of time or carpool with fellow guests.

Local weather

Mid-September at lake elevation (6,200 ft) usually means sunny days in the 70s and evenings dipping into the 40s once the sun sets. Pack a warm layer for the night.

Want the day-by-day outlook? National Weather Service forecast for South Lake Tahoe

Where to stay

Lodging

Rather than freeze a list that goes stale, each option below opens a live search, so you always see what is actually available for our dates.

Closest to the venue

Lodges and inns along the Emerald Bay Road side of the lake, nearest to Valhalla Tahoe and Camp Richardson.

Browse options

Hotels & resorts

The full range of hotels and resorts across South Lake Tahoe, from casino towers on the Nevada line to smaller lakeside stays.

Browse options

Cabins & vacation rentals

Cabins, condos, and whole-house rentals. A good option for families or groups traveling together.

Browse options

Browse the map for hotels, lodges, and rentals around the south shore.

While you're here

Make a weekend of it

A few places we think you will like. Every name links to a live map, so hours, directions, and reviews are always current.

Right by the venue

Valhalla sits inside the Tallac Historic Site, so some of the prettiest spots on the south shore are a short walk or a few minutes' drive away.

  • Tallac Historic Site

    The lakeside estates surrounding our venue, with easy walking paths through the pines.

  • Kiva Beach

    A quiet, dog-friendly stretch of sand next door, with Mount Tallac rising behind it.

  • Taylor Creek Visitor Center

    The half-mile paved Rainbow Trail loops through marsh and creek. Flat, shaded, and lovely.

  • Baldwin Beach

    Wide, calm, and usually less crowded than the beaches closer to town.

Explore the area

Worth the drive

If you are making a weekend of it, these are the classics of the south shore.

  • Emerald Bay State Park

    The view everyone photographs. Inspiration Point looks out over the bay and Fannette Island.

  • Vikingsholm

    A 1929 Scandinavian-style castle on the shore of Emerald Bay, reached by a steep but short trail.

  • Eagle Falls Trail

    A short, rocky climb to a waterfall and big views back over the lake.

  • Heavenly Gondola

    Ride up from Heavenly Village for a panorama of the whole basin without the hike.

  • Fallen Leaf Lake

    A smaller, quieter lake just south of the venue, ringed by pines.

See all attractions

Where to eat

A mix of local staples across the south shore. Reservations are a good idea on weekend evenings.

Browse all restaurants

Coffee & bakeries

For the morning after, or the morning of.

Find more coffee

A suggested weekend

Only if you want it. Here is how we would spend the days around the wedding.

  1. Wednesday, September 16

    Arrive and settle in

    Drive up, check in, and shake off the road. If there is light left, Kiva Beach and the Tallac Historic Site are a few minutes from the venue and make for an easy first walk by the water. Dinner in town afterwards: Himmel Haus if you are with a group, Cafe Fiore if you want something quiet.

  2. Thursday, September 17

    Wedding day

    Take the morning slow. Coffee at Cuppa Tahoe or breakfast at The Getaway Cafe, then a short drive out to Emerald Bay before the afternoon crowds. Leave plenty of time to change, and arrive at Valhalla Tahoe by 5:30 PM. Ceremony at 6:00 PM, with cocktails, dinner, and celebrating to follow.

  3. Friday, September 18

    One more Tahoe morning

    Brunch somewhere unhurried, then pick one last thing before heading home. The Heavenly Gondola gives you the whole basin without a hike, the Rainbow Trail at Taylor Creek is a flat half-mile loop through the marsh, and Fallen Leaf Lake is quieter than the main shore if you want one more stretch of water to yourself.

What else is on

September listings are not published this far ahead, so rather than guess, here are the calendars themselves. They will be up to date whenever you check.

  • Valhalla Tahoe

    Our venue runs its own arts season, with theater, music, and open mic nights at the Boathouse Theatre right on the grounds.

  • Visit Lake Tahoe

    The main south shore visitor calendar: concerts, festivals, and seasonal happenings around the lake.

  • Tahoe Chamber community events

    Local community listings, farmers markets, and smaller happenings around town.

Wherever you stay, the evening of September 17 ends the same way, with all of us together at Valhalla Tahoe.