'Shoulder season' a good time to visit Lake Tahoe

Sure, September isn't August - when the promise of hot temperatures, summer vacation and events galore fill hotel rooms and hangout spots around Lake Tahoe.

But the fall, known as the shoulder season, should not be underestimated, or undervalued.

To those in the know, September is the lake's best kept secret. It's often warm enough to enjoy the outdoors most of the day, although anticipated temperature drops might prompt more hot-beverage consumption.

It's also less crowded, and hotel rates drop. Some decrease by as much as 20 percent, said Pat Ronan, who runs the Lakeshore Lodge and serves on the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority board.

"June is like September. May is like November. This September we're about even with last year, and that's fine. Losing is what we don't want to do," Ronan said.

LTVA Executive Director Patrick Kaler said this September appears "great for lodging properties," with weekenders dominating the visitation.

Although it has become more narrow each year, the shoulder season lures a mature crowd, many of whom make up childless couples. Romance fills the air, as these lovebirds stroll the empty trails and take seats at quiet restaurants.

For Patty Brissenden, who co-owns Sorensens Resort, this year seems to be on track. October weekends have filled up the Hope Valley resort, a hot spot for leaf lovers and other foliage observers.

"We're having a great summer and strong fall," she said. It's a departure from a few years ago when tourism fell to the point that she and her husband, John, beefed up marketing efforts to get people traveling.

The Brissendens have noticed seniors fill their resort in the fall. Many plan their vacations at a time when they know children have gone back to school, which now falls halfway in August for some districts.

"These people need to reset their clocks. Older couples don't need to wait for the traditional 'after Labor Day' vacation," she said.

To maintain their place in the competitive tourism business, the Brissendens schedule a host of fall events. Many focus on viewing the fall colors.

Organizers have quickly learned the support they get when holding events in the off season.

Eleven years ago, former physical education teacher Les Wright decided to run a marathon event. He specifically scheduled it in October for a few reasons - to close the road, seize on the fall colors and take advantage of a cooler season. The event has gained such popularity that 20 athletic events comprise the Lake Tahoe Marathon week from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1 this year.

Mike St. Michel, who works at the Forest Service's Taylor Creek Visitors Center, said the Kokanee Festival slated for Oct. 7 and 8 and month-long salmon run "fell into everybody's lap" in terms of getting visitors up to Tahoe between summer and winter. The LTVA was "looking for events to support," and the fish scheduled their arrival to meet those terms.

This year, lake fishermen have told the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit they've seen the fish near the mouth of Taylor Creek.