Visitors pack South Lake Tahoe over Memorial Day weekend
By Maricela De La Cruz
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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, California (KCRA) — South Lake Tahoe saw a large number of visitors over Memorial Day weekend, with families enjoying the warm weather and local businesses experiencing unexpected holiday crowds.
The summer kickoff brought families outdoors, with children jumping into the lake and visitors soaking up the sun.
“We just did a spontaneous trip. You know, we just said let’s get our things and let’s head out,” Liliana Resendiz, a first-time visitor from Lodi, said. “For here, we got basic things like sandwiches for the kids, fruits, chips.”
Local businesses reported a surge in activity.
“It’s kind of a shock. It’s almost – the Saturday and Sunday kind of approach towards the Fourth of July weekend,” David Miligante of Tahoe Bike Company said. “For businesses out here, it’s great. It was surprising. I wasn’t expecting it to be as busy as it has been.”
Lisa Coretz, who traveled from Minden, Nevada, shared her experience.
“We closed the office and I’m up here having a great time enjoying Lake Tahoe,” she said.
She described Regan Beach as a hidden gem.
“It’s not crowded at all. Regan Beach, well I shouldn’t even say – it’s a little gem in Lake Tahoe, so I love coming here,” Coretz said.
Kayak businesses also saw high demand during the holiday weekend.
“We had kayaks going out all day, from when we opened – we were basically sold out of kayaks from open til when we closed,” Matt Brunton of South Tahoe Kayak said.
He noted the impact of the warm weather, saying, “May’s starting to warm up.”
I think people are excited to get outside, excited to get out, excited to get paddling,” Brunton said.
With visitor numbers rivaling a typical Fourth of July weekend, businesses in South Lake Tahoe are hopeful the momentum will continue throughout the summer.
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