Expert: Steve Summers - 5/4/2011

Question
Hi there,
Where would you fly into to go to Lake Tahoe?
I want to drive to Yosemite, any suggestions on lodging? I want to stay somewhere affordable in Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, any suggestions.
Also prettiest route to take to Yosemite from Tahoe.

Any help would be appreciated,
Vicki

Answer
Hi Vicki,

Back in the day, I used to fly into South Lake Tahoe airport. But I've noticed that they have really limited flights into and out of SLT, to you'll want to fly into Reno/Sparks. That's the airport that has a lot more flights.

Not sure what you mean by "affordable". That's a pretty subjective term, and I'm not sure you'll find much. In Tahoe, anything close to the Lake is going to be at a premium. We just factor that into our budget. We've stayed at the Inn at the Lake, and really enjoyed it. We really love the views of the lake from the rooms. This summer, we're renting a cabin at Camp Richardson Resort, also a great venue. Some of the little motels and casinos on the Nevada side are cheaper, but you tend to get what you pay for, according to people I've spoken to.

In Yosemite, the affordible option is the Camp Curry tent cabins. They are somewhat primitive, being camp beds on a wooden platform, and you are somewhat protected from the elements by your canvas tent. But if you're used to nice accomodations, the experience might be not to your liking. Unfortunately, nice accoomodations in the valley are very pricey, as well as booked a year in advance. It's just something to keep in mind. You might want to stay at the Wawona Hotel, which is a bit cheaper, and not in the valley where everyone wants to stay. It's about 30 miles to the valley from the Wawona, but less expensive and a bit nicer than the Yosemite Lodge. Or you might want to check into White Wolf Lodge, just north of the Valley.

As for the route, I can give you the best route of all, which is our favorite: From Lake Tahoe, take the Kingsbury Grade east to Minden, then take 395 south to Lee Vining. Gas up in Minden, as the gas is as cheap as it's going to get until you get to Fresno. There is a LOT of beauty on 395 as you meander south, with teeny towns here and there. Lee Vining is a good place to spend the night, or even Mammoth Lakes, if you want a little more civilization. There's a nice little BBQ place in Lee Vining. The town is so small, it's about 3 blocks long, so you can't miss it. In Mammoth, you have a lot more choices of accomodations, as well as cool local places like Grumpy's. Everybody has a happy hour, but Grumpy's has a "Grumpy Hour". Anyway, it's a cool little sports bar/restaurant that's a local favorite. Anyways, from either of those places, you take highway 120 up and over the high country into Yosemite, and down to the valley. It takes a good 2.5-3 hours from 395, but it's the joy of the journey. You just can't see beauty like this just anywhere. You'll want to stop at Olmstead Point, to see Half Dome from the "other side", the opposite side of where you usually view it.

Have fun!