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Major city · United States

HomewoodHomewood, California

Base here 1–2 nights only if you ski Homewood or want a quiet west-shore bed; otherwise day-trip from Tahoe City, 10 min north on SR-89.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Homewood is a small west-shore town on Lake Tahoe built around one ski hill, Homewood Mountain Resort, 10 min south of Tahoe City on SR-89. It has almost no shops or nightlife, so it works as a cheap, quiet ski base or a lunch stop, not as a full Tahoe base. Most travellers sleep in Tahoe City, Truckee or South Lake Tahoe and drive over.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Jan–Mar (ski), Jul–Sep (lake)
avoid Apr–May and Oct–Nov (quiet, some closures)
Airports
RNO · SMF
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Homewood911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Homewood, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$4–7
  • Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-range restaurant$18–32
  • Street or quick mealDeli sandwich$12–18
  • BeerDraught beer$7–10
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
  • Budget bedHostel or shared bunk, a night, per personUS$55
  • Mid-range bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$210
  • High-end bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$380

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Homewood Mountain ResortLake views from the Madden chairWest Shore beaches and Obexer's MarinaAccess to Desolation Wilderness
Airports
RNO Reno–Tahoe International (About 1 h 15 min by car via I-80 and SR-89; the usual gateway.) · SMF Sacramento International (About 2 h 30 min by car via I-80; use for Bay Area and Sacramento arrivals.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    4°C (39°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    5°C (41°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    8°C (46°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    12°C (54°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    17°C (63°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    22°C (72°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    17°C (63°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    4°C (39°F)

Best: Jan–Mar, Jul–Sep. Avoid: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Homewood: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

4°C (39°F)

−7°C (19°F)

8 rd

Feb

5°C (41°F)

−6°C (21°F)

8 rd

Mar

8°C (46°F)

−4°C (25°F)

8 rd

Apr

12°C (54°F)

−2°C (28°F)

6 rd

May

17°C (63°F)

2°C (36°F)

5 rd

Jun

22°C (72°F)

5°C (41°F)

3 rd

Jul

27°C (81°F)

8°C (46°F)

1 rd

Aug

27°C (81°F)

8°C (46°F)

1 rd

Sep

23°C (73°F)

5°C (41°F)

2 rd

Oct

17°C (63°F)

1°C (34°F)

4 rd

Nov

9°C (48°F)

−3°C (27°F)

7 rd

Dec

4°C (39°F)

−7°C (19°F)

8 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is close to essential: SR-89 runs along the shore and there is no useful local bus for errands. In winter carry chains or snow tyres and check Caltrans road conditions before driving. Skiers can walk between the lodges and the resort base.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Tahoe City

go

Door to door: About 15 min

Drive north on SR-89

Shops, restaurants and the main west-shore base.

Emerald Bay State Park

go

Door to door: About 25 min

Drive south on SR-89

Go early: the overlook car park fills by mid-morning in summer.

South Lake Tahoego

Door to door: About 45–55 min

Drive south on SR-89

Casinos, bigger restaurants and the gondola.

Truckeego

Door to door: About 45 min

Drive north on SR-89 then I-80 east

Historic downtown and the other ski resorts.

Olympic Valley (Palisades Tahoe)

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive north on SR-89

Bigger terrain than Homewood; busier and pricier.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Homewood village and West Lake Boulevard

Condos and two hotel-style lodges; walk to the lifts, but you need a car for groceries.

Tahoma

5 min south on SR-89; quieter cabins, same west-shore access.

Tahoe City

10 min north; the real base for shops, restaurants and rentals.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–150 excl. bed
Mid
$150–260 excl. bed
High
$260+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or lodge double room1 × 2 nights × US$210US$420
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170US$680
Car hire, one day, compact1 × US$70 · checkUS$70
Homewood lift ticket, one day2 × US$110 · checkUS$220
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20US$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$143
Trip total≈ US$393 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,573

2026 estimate in US dollars; lift tickets and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$4–7
Deli sandwich$12–18
Dinner main, mid-range restaurant$18–32
Dinner main, splurge restaurant$30–55
Draught beer$7–10
Petrol, 1 galloncheck$4.50–5.50
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very low crime; the real risks are winter driving on SR-89 and I-80, altitude (about 1,900 m) and cold water in the lake. Carry chains in winter and never swim alone in spring snowmelt.
  • Winter storms close SR-89 and I-80 at short notice: check Caltrans QuickMap before you set out.
  • Chain controls are enforced; rental cars may not be allowed to fit chains — check the rental terms.
  • Many west-shore restaurants and lodges shut for weeks in spring and late autumn.
  • Cell coverage is patchy on the west shore and in Desolation Wilderness.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Placer County Sheriff (non-emergency)
530-886-5375
Caltrans road conditions
1-800-427-7623

Pocket card

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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

HomewoodHomewood, California

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Placer County Sheriff (non-emergency)530-886-5375
  • Caltrans road conditions1-800-427-7623

Embassy

No consulates in Homewood; nearest consulates-general are in San Francisco. US visitors: your own embassy is in Washington, DC.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • RNO → Homewood by car: about 1 h 15 min, 90 km (56 mi) (check)
  • Homewood → Tahoe City by car: about 15 min, 10 km (6.2 mi) (check)
  • Homewood → South Lake Tahoe by car: about 50 min, 40 km (25 mi) (check)

Say or show

  • Where is the lift ticket office? — Where is the lift ticket office?
  • Do you have chains for this car? — Do you have chains for this car?
  • Is the road open? — Is the road open?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where is the nearest petrol station? — Where is the nearest petrol station?

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Homewood. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jan–Mar (ski), Jul–Sep (lake) · avoid Apr–May and Oct–Nov (quiet, some closures) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for RNO and SMF: last sensible winter arrival, chain-control fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking cluster at the Homewood base plus a car-required cluster for Obexer's, Tahoma and Emerald Bay.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Homewood Mountain Resort, Emerald Bay, Sugar Pine Point) and eat pages with seasonal closures.
  4. Storm and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Homewood

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