If you think casinos are smoke-filled holes sheltering lonely souls pouring their savings into slot machines, think again: On the South Shore, just over the Nevada state line, various casinos attract a young crowd looking for a lively, hip night out. But either direction provides a lovely excursion.

The obvious advantage is that your car stays on the lake side, making it easier to admire the views and to pull over at beaches and scenic overlooks. If you’re driving the perimeter of the lake, many locals recommend driving the route clockwise, northbound on the west side and southbound on the east. You’ll often find yourself deep in the pines with fewer lake views, though they certainly exist. The drive along the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe is beautiful, woodsy, and quiet, with fewer towns and stopping points along the way. On the North Shore, shortly west of the intersection of Highways 28 and 267, Crystal Bay marks the California-Nevada border crossing. 50 from the South Shore, the town of South Lake Tahoe becomes Stateline, Nevada, with barely a sign announcing the transition. Lake Tahoe straddles California and Nevada, and so do visitors to the area.

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