Add Reno Tahoe to Your West Coast Road Trip

Most West Coast road trips hit the usual suspects: beaches, redwoods, national parks and big cities. Reno Tahoe is the curveball that levels up the whole experience, regardless of the season. This year-round destination allows you to bounce between city life and the great outdoors in a single day.

One minute you’re throwing dice in downtown Reno, the next you’re paddleboarding on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe. There’s so much to explore! You don’t have to create a thorough itinerary — unless that’s your jam — since you’ll find plenty to experience if you decide to be spontaneous.

The best part? It’s easy to get here. Reno Tahoe sits at the crossroads of major highways, making it a great addition for the best West Coast road trip yet.

The Best Road Trip Routes From Major West Coast Cities

For those seeking a solo adventure, a couple’s retreat or a group family vacation, Reno Tahoe is a great choice for either an overnight pitstop or your final destination. And getting here is half of the fun!

Depending on your starting point, you’ll cruise through desert stretches, rainy forests or Sierra switchbacks. Most drives clock in at under a day, and each offers its own views and roadside attractions.

Here are some of the most popular road trip routes to get you here:

• From San Francisco: Take I-80 east and watch the landscape shift from skyscrapers to mountain peaks in under four hours. While it’s a straight shot, there are plenty of roadside stops to break it up if you want.
• From Las Vegas: For around seven hours, it’s just you and the open road on US-95. Small towns are dotted along the route if you need to grab a bite or fill up the tank.
• From Los Angeles: Got time to kill? Cruise up the 395 for the scenic route. Or, if you’re on a mission, take the I-5 to I-80 and head north.
• From Portland or Seattle: Drive down I-5, then cut across on 89 or 36 for a taste of the wild Northern California woods before hitting Reno’s neon glow.

Regardless of where you kick things off, Reno Tahoe fits right into your West Coast road trip.

This destination is one of the best places for anyone flying solo, traveling with their partner or planning a large family vacation. As you pass through, you’ll find plenty of activities that are easy to add to your itinerary, no matter who’s along for the ride.

Outdoor Adventures

• Enjoy Lake Tahoe via paddleboard, kayak or floatie. You can also relax on the beach; Sand Harbor is popular for locals and out-of-towners alike.
• Kick up some dust on any of the numerous hiking and biking trails in the area.
• Make the most of a snow day with skiing, snowboarding, sledding and tubing.

The list doesn’t end there. Check out more outdoor activities in Reno and Lake Tahoe.

Culture & Arts

• Visit the Nevada Museum of Art, the only accredited art museum in Nevada with rotating exhibits.
• Check out the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum in Carson City, which showcases the complex and moving history of Indigenous peoples in our region.
• Walk around downtown Reno and MidTown to spot towering art sculptures and beautiful murals on the sides of buildings.
• Catch a show at one of Reno’s many concert venues and performing arts centers.

Family-Friendly Activities

• Embark on an epic adventure at Wild Island. The Waterpark is open during the summer, and Coconut Bowl offers year-round fun, including bowling, mini golf, laser tag, go-karts and more.
• Get close to wildlife, like cheetahs, tigers, birds of prey and more at Animal Ark! Check their hours before heading out.
• Put your problem-solving skills to the test with any of the puzzle rooms around Reno and Lake Tahoe.

Continue exploring all the things to do in Reno and Lake Tahoe with kids. Remember to capture memories of your family adventure trip by taking lots of photos and tagging #RenoTahoe!

Casinos & Nightlife

• Try your hand at a slot machine, put $20 on black or play a game of poker. Reno Tahoe boasts casinos with great atmospheres and top-tier gaming.
• Treat yourself to some self-care. Book a treatment at one of our area’s spas and refresh before the next leg of your road trip.
• Go bar-hopping. You’ll find a range of local breweries and distilleries in Reno and North Lake Tahoe. If cocktails are more your thing, we’ve got you covered, too: Rum Sugar Lime, Amari, The Emerson, Death & Taxes, Chapel Tavern and 1864 Tavern.
• Put your dancing shoes on and head to one of Reno Tahoe’s nightclubs.

Must-See Landmarks & Sites

Want to delve into history as part of your West Coast road trip? This is the place to do it. The spirit of the Old West lives on — after all, we’re close to the state’s capital and old mining towns.

Take the windy drive up to Virginia City, a once-booming mining town that still leans hard into its Wild West roots. Think saloons surrounded by wooden sidewalks.

There are two iconic landmarks right in the heart of downtown Reno: the arches. The original was built in 1926 and can be found near the Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel & Spa. The Reno Arch that many know and snap pictures in front of today was developed in the late 1980s and is located on South Virginia Street.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Reno Tahoe without spending time at the lake! Key landmarks here include Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm, Donner Memorial State Park and Sand Harbor. The gorgeous scenery never gets old.

Events & Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss

There’s no quiet season around here. Whenever you roll through, there’s a good chance something exciting is happening! Here are some of the locals’ favorite events and festivals:

• Pond skimming events take place at some of Reno Tahoe’s ski resorts, like Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, during April. They blend speed, skill and costumes as skiers attempt to glide across a pond at the end of a slope.
• The Reno Rodeo (June) is where dust flies, boots stomp and pros compete in multiple sports during the last half of June.
• Hot August Nights (August) turns the streets into a classic car fantasy, complete with rockabilly and enough horsepower to rattle your bones.
• The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook Off (August) brings two dozen pit masters together for a battle of flavors.
• The Great Reno Balloon Race (September) fills the sky with massive, colorful hot air balloons during a magical three-day event for all ages.
• Street Vibrations (June & September) is a massive motorcycle rally in both the spring and fall with live music and a whole lot of leather.
• THE ROW’s Great Italian Festival (October) transforms downtown Reno into a miniature version of Italy, featuring a grape stomp, wine walk, food booths and live music.

Give our events calendar a look to see what’s going on when you plan to take your road trip.

Our best advice as you plan your West Coast road trip is to throw Reno Tahoe into the mix. It’s where roadside stops turn into lasting memories. With jaw-dropping views, year-round events and adventure in every direction, this is more than a detour — it’s a highlight.

If you want more trip inspiration, take a look at our itineraries.