Most of northern California is best known for its summertime tourism, but it's the winter season that tends to draw the crowds at Lake Tahoe, which straddles the California-Nevada border near Reno and Carson City. Even though snow lovers have made the area so popular, Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination, a stunning oasis amid the Sierra Nevada boasting spectacular panoramic views from virtually every inch of shore. Whether you want to ski down mountainsides or across a boat's wake, Lake Tahoe is a great option. There's a reason it's known as the geologic crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada region.