Car Rental Lake Tahoe - Exploring Lake Tahoe

In addition to the lovely drive along the lakeshore, there are many excellent destinations for daytrips by car in the surrounding region.

In the romantically rugged landscape of the Gold Country, overshadowed by the 3,048m granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, fast-flowing rivers cascade through steeply walled canyons. During the fall, the flaming reds and golds of poplars and sugar maples on the slopes stand out against an evergreen background of pine and fir.

Sonora is one of the most popular towns in the area, with its friendly charm and numerous Victorian houses, and false-fronted buildings on its main Washington Street. Contrasting with Sonora is the ghost town of Columbia, just a few kilometres north, with its restored buildings re-creating the town as it existed during the gold rush era.

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown holds an impressive collection of old steam trains, including the one used in the film High Noon. While in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, make sure to check out the small artist communities of Grass Valley and Nevada City.

Farther south, after a breathtaking drive over Don Pedro Lake and the Merced River, is Mariposa, gateway to the stunning Yosemite National Park. It is famed for its towering cliff faces, groves of giant Sequoia trees, high waterfalls, picturesque wildflower meadows and El Capitan - the biggest and tallest exposed piece of granite in the world.

For those with enough time, the more remote King’s Canyon and Sequoia national parks offer cloud-covered peaks, deep canyons, magnificent caves, and stunning forests dominated by huge Sequoia trees.

Not been lucky at Stateline or craving some urbanization? Then head for Nevada’s Reno, Las Vegas or Carson City for more gambling action and exciting entertainment spectacles. Carson City also boasts some fine museums and elegant buildings, such as the Nevada State Museum and the State Capitol Building.