2026 Whitebark Pine Conference Visit Tahoe
2026 Whitebark Pine Science and Management Conference and Training
Sept 22-24, 2026 – South Lake Tahoe, CA
We look forward to seeing you in South Lake Tahoe this fall.
GETTING TO SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
Getting Here by Car
Driving is the most common way to reach the area. Major routes are:
- From Sacramento / West: Take 50 East directly to South Lake Tahoe.
- From San Francisco / Bay Area: Take 80 East to Sacramento, then take 50 East.
- From Reno, NV / North: Take 580 South to Carson City, then take 50 West.
- From Los Angeles / South: Take 395 North along the Eastern Sierra, then take 50 West at Carson City.
Getting Here by Plane
South Lake Tahoe does not have commercial airline service; fly into nearby airports:
- Reno-Tahoe International Airport- Reno, NV. The closest major airport (~1 hour drive). From RNO, you can rent a car or book a ride on the South Tahoe Airporter, a daily shuttle service that drops passengers off at larger South Lake Tahoe hotels.
- Sacramento International Airport- Sacramento, CA. Located about 2 hours away. You will need to rent a car at SMF and drive up 50 East.
LODGING OPTIONS
Rooms are available with a discounted rate for conference attendees at Hotel Azure (3300 Lake Tahoe Blvd). Please call directly (800-877-1466) or visit their website to reserve your room using promo code whitebarkpine (all one word). Discount applies to stay dates 9/20-9/27, if you want to spend extra time in the Tahoe area.
Numerous larger chain hotels and casinos are located to the east toward the Heavenly Village and Stateline, NV area (15-20min drive from Valhalla Tahoe), such as Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Harrah’s, Bally’s, etc.
Additional lodging options listed below are closest to the main conference venue and the evening community event, near “the Y” (intersection of Highways 50 and 89). Short-term vacation rentals are also available in surrounding neighborhoods.
- Camp Richardson Resort– Next door to Valhalla and right on the lake. Inn, cabins and campsites available.
- Fallen Leaf Lake Campground– Forest Service campground within biking distance of Valhalla- reservations required.
- Tahoe Mountain Inn– Recently renovated, east of the Y on Highway 50.
- Fireside Lodge– Close to Valhalla and right on the bike path- bikes included.
- Playpark Lodge– Near the Y on Highway 50.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Food and Drink
- Cuppa Tahoe
- AleWorx
- Lake Tahoe Pizza Company
- Verde Mexican Rotisserie
- The Grove
- Freshies
- Tahoe Bagel Company
- Keys Café
- Sonney’s BBQ Shack
- Cocktail Corner
- My Thai Cuisine
- Artemis Mediterranean Grill
- The Hangar Taproom
- Berts Café
- Primos Lake Tahoe
Recreational & Cultural Sites
- Tahoe Beaches
- Desolation Wilderness
- Taylor Creek Visitor Center
- Tallac Historic Site
- Emerald Bay/Inspiration Point
- Vikingsholm
- Explore Tahoe Visitor Center
- Heavenly Scenic Gondola Rides
- Lake Tahoe Historical Museum
- Haldan Art Gallery
Biking and Hiking
Area Tourism Guides
All photos courtesy of Blake Engelhardt