Sand Harbor and the East Shore45 minClear water, granite boulders and small beaches on the quieter Nevada side of the lake.

Incline Village45 minA small lakeside town on the north shore. Good for supplies and an easy first stop.

Tahoe City1 hrWhere the lake drains into the Truckee River, with a paved shoreline path and places to eat.

Zephyr Cove and Nevada Beach1 hr 15Wide sandy beaches on the southeast shore. Nevada Beach campground takes coaches up to 45 feet, May to October.

South Lake Tahoe1 hr 15The biggest town on the lake: groceries, restaurants and the gondola up Heavenly.

Emerald Bay1 hr 30The most photographed view at Tahoe. The road is narrow and winding and closes in winter, so ask us before you take the coach.

Virginia City45 minA preserved 1860s mining town on the Comstock Lode, with boardwalks, saloons and mine tours. Come in on the SR 341 truck route from US 50, not SR 342.

Carson City40 minNevada’s small capital, with the State Museum, the railroad museum and a walkable historic district.

Genoa and the Carson Valley1 hrNevada’s oldest settlement, at the foot of the Sierra among ranchland and quiet roads.

Washoe Lake State Park30 minAn open valley lake between Reno and Carson City, used for windsurfing, birding and camping.

Truckee35 minAn old railroad town with a historic main street, about fifteen minutes from the north shore.

Donner Lake40 minA mountain lake with a museum on the emigrant trail and the Donner Party story.

Pyramid Lake45 minA large desert lake on Paiute tribal land, known for its tufa formations and cutthroat trout. A tribal permit is required for day use and camping.

Black Rock Desert1 hr 45A vast dry lakebed with free camping, very dark skies and almost no services. Call the BLM for playa conditions first.

Lahontan Reservoir and Fort Churchill1 hrBeaches on the reservoir next to the adobe ruins of an 1860s army fort.

Sand Mountain1 hr 45A tall singing dune on US 50, America’s Loneliest Road, with a Pony Express station site nearby.

Sierra Valley1 hrA broad high-mountain valley of ranches and wetlands, well off the main routes.

Nevada City and Grass Valley1 hr 30Gold Rush towns with intact main streets and a state historic park at the Empire Mine.

Auburn1 hr 30An old Gold Rush town above the American River canyon, with trails and river access.

Coloma2 hrWhere gold was found in 1848, now a quiet state historic park on the American River.

Sacramento2 hrOld Sacramento’s riverfront, the California State Railroad Museum and the Capitol, all a short walk apart.

Mono Lake2 hr 45A salty, ancient lake with tufa towers along the shore at the foot of the eastern Sierra.

Bodie State Historic Park3 hrA gold-mining ghost town left much as it was abandoned. Part of the access road is unpaved, so check before you go.

Yosemite via Tioga Pass3 hr 30The park’s high country from the east. Tioga Road is closed roughly November to May.