Escape Europe's busiest hot spots this summer: Five reasons to Swap Lake Como for South Lake Tahoe

With around three-quarters of UK overseas holidays taken in Europe, South Lake Tahoe is inviting British travellers to look beyond the continent's best-known alpine lakes and discover California's spectacular mountain escape instead and here is 5 reasons why:

1. Trade lakeside crowds for 72 miles of 99.994% pure, crystal-clear alpine shoreline

While Europe's famous lakes draw millions of visitors each year, South Lake Tahoe offers a different kind of lake escape: a vast alpine landscape surrounded by forest and mountains. With 72 miles of shoreline, visitors can discover sandy beaches, hidden coves, scenic viewpoints. Lake Tahoe also boasts some of the purest water in the world, Its annual average clarity ranges between 69 to 72 feet – perfect for swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking.

2. Experience two states in one unforgettable alpine getaway

Unlike European lake destinations, South Lake Tahoe offers the unique experience of exploring both California and Nevada in one trip. Visitors can combine mountain scenery with vibrant restaurants, entertainment and the buzzy atmosphere of the Nevada casinos.

3. Discover a cooler alternative to the Mediterranean summer

As travellers increasingly look for ways to escape extreme summer temperatures, South Lake Tahoe offers a refreshing alpine climate, with warm sunny days (300 days of sunshine and average 26 degrees), cool evenings and endless opportunities to spend time outdoors, from sunrise paddleboarding to sunset hikes.

4. Turn a lake holiday into the ultimate California road trip – City, Surf and Sip all in one week

South Lake Tahoe is the perfect starting or end point for exploring the wider region. Visitors can also combine their stay with iconic California experiences including a city break in San Francisco, surfing on the coast and exploring wine region in Napa Valley, all in the same week.

5. More adventure, more memories: South Lake Tahoe’s best experiences are free

For travellers looking to make their holiday budget stretch further, South Lake Tahoe offers something increasingly valuable: unforgettable outdoor experiences that don’t come with an entrance fee. With more than 165 miles of hiking trails through the Sierra Nevada wilderness and discovering hidden viewpoints to swimming from sandy lots of Tahoe’s most memorable moments are completely free. Not forgetting that stunning wildlife that you wouldn’t get in Europe – of course the Californian Bear!

For more information, please visit: www.visitlaketahoe.com