Mix up the commute. You know better than to travel westbound on the Bay Bridge at 9:00 am on a Monday, or drive past AT&T park during a Giants game, so why are you squeezing your way onto I-80 at 4:30 pm on a Friday afternoon? If you can, book a midweek stay. Arriving on a Sunday, when many vacationers are leaving town, and staying through the middle of the week, often means less traffic and better deals on your vacation rental. Don't have the flexibility to arrive and depart midweek? Skip the commute all together with options like megabus which take you from San Francisco to Reno, or Blackbird which uses crowd sourcing to offer low price, small plane flights between Palo Alto and Truckee, or Sausalito and Lake Tahoe.
Shop small and skip the lines. Locals and frequent visitors will tell you the jokes and tall tales surrounding the Truckee Safeway are endless. Summer weekends mean checkout lines that wind down every aisle, and weaving between the excited children and party goers is almost a sport. Pro tip: Check out New Moon Natural Foods, just across the street, for fresh produce and locally prepared foods, with almost none of the major grocer congestion. Looking to stock up on adult beverages? Zander's Spirits has an excellent selection and the staff is always friendly and happy to help.
The early bird wins. Heading out for a lake day? Getting up just an hour earlier means you'll get prime parking and perfect water ski conditions. After a long session, dock the boat and head into any of the lakefront dining favorites just before dinner time. Score better seats, happy hour specials, and more before the dinner crowd descends.
For more insider secrets and local recommendations, reach out to a Tahoe Getaways Vacation Specialist. We're here to help you plan your perfect Tahoe getaway!