Fall is hands-down the best time to visit the Tahoe area. Most of the summer crowds are gone, the winds have calmed down, and the water is actually warmer than it is in July. This is the time to take a few hikes or bike rides among the aspen trees, eat some cozy, local food, and enjoy the last gasp of warmth before the snow (hopefully) starts to fall.

Fall Hotel Specials
Fall happens to be one of the least expensive times to visit the lake. Hotels usually have lodging and food specials at around 30 percent less than in the summer. Sorenson's Resort near Kirkwood is surrounded by aspen trees and is a prime spot to see the leaves change during late September and October. This year the resort is running a special where if you book three or four nights, you get one free. On October 18, the resort will be offering their popular Fall Colors Hike in Hope Valley. The cost is $50 for guests and $75 for non-guests.

The Ritz-Carlton is also offering a fall lodging deal, fall spa treatments, as well as a new Harvest Weekend, October 18-19. The weekend will feature a pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, a candy apple bar and more.

Tahoe Fall Food
The newly launched Tahoe Food Hub will have their last "Meet Your Farmer" dinner at Dragonfly Restaurant in Truckee. On September 17, chef Billy McCullough will create a four-course meal with wine using the seasonal produce from Greg's Organics in Grass Valley, Calif. The cost for each person is $42. Tahoe Food Hub wants to link small farms and ranches within 100 miles of North Lake Tahoe to local restaurants, small grocers and schools.

In the fall, you can't forget the traditional Oktoberfest. Squaw Valley will be celebrating on September 28 with traditional Bavarian music and folk dancers, a beer garden, brats and sauerkraut. The $10 admission includes free entertainment, a speciality glass and your first beer. Special events will include a stein holding competition, a keg rolling race and Squaw Valley's only yodeling contest.

Fall Color on Tallac
The best ways to see Tahoe fall color is to head out on some of the local trails. If you want a challenge, hit the approximately 10-mile round trip hike on Mount Tallac trail early in the morning. The trail can either be picked up from the Glen Alpine trailhead south of Fallen Leaf Lake or from the Tallac parking lot in South Tahoe. The trail is challenging and contains a lot of slippery shale, but when you reach the summit at 9,735 feet you will be rewarded with views of all of South Lake Tahoe, Desolation Wilderness, Fallen Leaf Lake and Cascade Lake. As you ascend or descend, you can cool off in Floating Island Lake or Cathedral Lake.

If you don't feel like hiking all day, stick to the Fallen Leaf Lake area to see the some of the area's best colors while on a leisurely walk or bike ride.