Lake Tahoe has been named one of the top places in the West for couples to get engaged or married. That's enough to prove that it is one of the most romantic places to visit and then visit again – whether for the beautiful hotels and restaurants, for a weekend in the snow or for the numerous hiking trails.
Start out a romantic evening at the Lone Eagle Grille at the Hyatt — Photo courtesy of Travel Nevada/Flickr
A great start to a long weekend getaway can begin at a romantic hotel. Several of the best include luxury rooms with great views of either the lake or the mountains, in-room fireplaces or hot tubs and, of course, room service.
If you are looking to splurge, but still get away from it all, reserve a suite at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe at the Northstar California ski resort. Whether or not you ski, this hotel has everything you need for a romantic stay, including a world-class spa, award-winning restaurants and a heated outdoor pool.
If you want a view of the lake, the new The Landing Resort & Spa in South Lake Tahoe has bathrooms with heated floors and year-round beach access.
If you want your own space, visit the Tahoma Meadows Bed & Breakfast Cottages on the West Shore. The cottages are charmingly decorated, and you can bring your dog.
The suites in The Landing Resort & Spa have views of the lake — Photo courtesy of The Landing Resort & Spa/Facebook
While in the Tahoe area, go shopping in the ski villages of Northstar or Heavenly or in the cute town of Truckee.
For outdoor fun, Alpine Meadows offers snowshoe dinners at its Swiss-style alpine lodge, The Chalet, for only $69 per person. Other winter outdoor adventures include dog sled tours with Wilderness Adventures or drinks by the fire at the Hyatt Regency on the North Shore.
If you are in Tahoe during the summer or fall, check out the "just for two" parasail rides over the blue water with North Shore Parasail or rent a Jet Ski from Camp Richardson.
The desserts at Trokay in Truckee scream romance — Photo courtesy of Restaurant Trokay
No romantic getaway is complete without dinner out. Breakfast can be in bed, but dinner can be at one of Tahoe's intimate restaurants, including Café Fiore. This seven-table Italian cafe has been named one of the best places to kiss in Northern California.
Other romantic places to eat include the artistic and experimental Trokay in Truckee; Manzanita at The Ritz-Carlton with its local, organic menu; and if your hotel does not have a hot tub, go eat at Nepheles in South Lake Tahoe, where you can rent a steaming hot tub for an evening.
