Gays and lesbians, especially those living in central and northern California, flock regularly to the ski and lake recreations of Lake Tahoe — which straddles the state border with Nevada — and the nearby city of Reno, known for its many casinos. This isn’t a major vacation hub among party types, although the annual Lake Tahoe Gay and Lesbian WinterFest in March brings out a flood of revelers, but you will find a smattering of nightlife options in Reno. This is a great destination for romantic getaways, gaming (on the Nevada side), and year-round recreation, including skiing, fishing, boating, hiking and mountain biking.
The region is a three‑ to four-hour drive east of San Francisco, travel times depending on whether or not you leave during the weekly Friday afternoon rush (Sundays coming back can also be slow). From Las Vegas or Southern California, the 450‑ to 500‑mile drive takes many hours — most travelers opt to fly here from those parts.
It takes about 45 minutes to a bit more than an hour to drive between Reno and the towns on Tahoe’s southern shore, and about 30 to 45 minutes from Reno to the north shore of the lake.
Some 6,200 feet above sea level and spanning 20 miles north to south, Lake Tahoe is a breathtakingly scenic alpine lake, surrounded on all sides by evergreen-studded mountains. The lake’s water is among the purest of any in the world — far cleaner than the drinking supplies of most U.S. cities, and remarkably clear. A couple of gay-owned inns lie near the shoreline in South Lake Tahoe, California. The state border divides this town almost imperceptibly from Stateline, Nevada, where several gaming hotels are about the only features that really distinguish it from its California neighbor.
Tahoe gets considerably more snow, on average, than the ski areas in either Utah or Colorado. You’ll find several highly respected resorts, with Heavenly among the most popular and the closest to South Lake Tahoe ‑ Squaw Valley, Mammoth, Diamond Peak, Northstar and Kirkwood are among the other notables.
Northstar-at-Tahoe, which is one of the closest of the area’s ski resorts to San Francisco, underwent a huge and stunning redevelopment of its ski village in 2008 and is building a Ritz-Carlton hotel, slated to open in 2009 - it’s become arguably the swankiest and trendiest resort among GLBT visitors. But Heavenly has the most extensive and varied terrain, incomparable views and proximity to the gaming action of Stateline - it’s also where WinterFest gay ski week activities take place. Both of these resorts are top picks if you’re coming to the area in winter. Even in summer, you should take the aerial tram at Heavenly Resort up 2,000 feet above the lake for knock-out views of the entire region.
Despite efforts in recent years to redevelop the city’s riverfront and spruce up some of the gaming hotels, Reno is a considerably less flashy and touristy version of its cousin in the southern end of Nevada, Las Vegas. As you enter downtown on the main drag, Virginia Street, and drive under the glittering (rather kitschy, really) Reno Arch, a sign welcomes you to “The Biggest Little City in the World,” an old promotional slogan local boosters came up with in the 1920s. In fact, you can see the original and more charming wrought‑iron Old Reno Arch nearby at corner of Mill and Lake streets.
Some of the attractions here seem well-suited to the casino aficionados and many conventioneers, but others appeal to cerebral and/or outdoorsy types. You can spend a whole afternoon strolling the Truckee River Walk, which leads several miles along the city’s primary body of water and is said to have the wedding rings of countless divorcees lying at its bottom (Nevada has long been famous for its simple divorce laws).
Reno and the Tahoe region have plenty of excellent restaurants, with one of the best concentrations in South Lake Tahoe. Here at the intimate and diminutive Cafe Fiore, a reservation can be tough to score, but the superb Northern Italian cuisine merits the effort. A short drive west of town, Evan’s American Gourmet Cafe is a top pick for cutting-edge California-inspired cuisine like a Napoleon of coconut-cured salmon, crab and tobiko caviar with coconut creme fraiche and a mango reduction. The laid-back Beacon Bar and Grill is a waterfront hangout popular with lesbians and gay men - expect casual but American fare and a very nice Sunday brunch.
In northern Tahoe, some excellent dining options include Bite in Incline Village, which serves first-rate tapas, and the jazzy Baxter’s Bistro at Northstar, which is known for its outstanding mod-French cuisine. Try the venison chop with a juniper-Syrah demi-glace. Just a 15-minute drive north in the cute town of Truckee, you’ll find great dining at several places, with the Pacific Crest Grill a particular standout.
Reno has a handful of notable upscale restaurants but is even better known for some cheap, dive-y spots serving terrific food. For breakfast, you shouldn’t miss Peg’s Glorified Ham & Eggs, which serves an eggs Benedict topped with chipotle hollandaise sauce and served over chorizo sausage that’s simply amazing. Beto’s, across from the Patio gay bar, is known for its inexpensive and delicious Mexican food, including delicious seafood ceviche as well as potent garlic shrimp. In the back of the smoky Nugget Casino, you can savor juicy hamburgers at the Awful-Awful, a total dive that’s nevertheless a hit with carnivores. Overlooking the Truckee River in downtown Reno, gay-popular Dreamers Coffee House & Deli is a nice spot to people-watch and enjoy a light snack, while the neighboring Wild River Grille serves upscale contemporary American food and is a favorite gay-date spot.
It’s not famous for gay nightlife, but Reno does have the greatest concentration of GLBT bars within a 200-mile radius. Most of them are laid-back neighborhood joints, a favorite being the Patio, in an attractive and cheerfully furnished cottage on the western edge of downtown. It welcomes a mix of lesbians and gay guys - a nice range of beers and wines are offered, too. Tronix is the city’s top disco, set on a dreary stretch of strip malls south of downtown, but with a festive interior and friendly staff. It’s mostly standard club music. Across the street, Neutron is another popular option for dancing. Neighborhood-style bars elsewhere in town include the the 5 Star Saloon, which is open 24 hours and has slots; and the quite cruisy 1099 Club, which is also open all night. Tahoe has no gay-specific nightlife, although you’ll be made to feel quite welcome at most of the bars in the area popular with skiers, hikers, and other visitors - this is a fairly liberal part of the world.
Reno has no gay-specific accommodations, but most of the big gaming hotels make a concerted effort to court the GLBT market, and both mid-priced and economy chain properties abound. Best advice if you’re spending the night in Reno for the first time: Book a room at one of the downtown casinos, which puts you within walking distance of most of the city’s better restaurants and a few of the gay bars, as well as several additional casinos, some performing arts venues and a fair amount of shopping. The Silver Legacy is quite nice, and the adjacent Circus Circus has always been popular with gay visitors.
South Lake Tahoe has some excellent gay-friendly properties. Outside of Palm Springs, Holly’s Place is probably the most popular women’s resort (all are welcome, but the clientele is mostly lesbian) in California. This evergreen-shrouded compound of upscale cabins is within walking distance of the lake. It’s a very social place (with pets allowed), but guests can freely opt to mingle or to keep to themselves as they please. Jerry Birdwell and Kevin Chandler run the Black Bear Inn, a spectacular rustic-style lodge with a 34-foot-tall river-rock fireplace warming the great room. This wonderful getaway, which caters to both straights and gays, strikes the perfect balance between a cozy B&B and a luxurious small hotel. In Stateline, the Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa are reliable, upscale lodging options with large casinos and extensive dining and recreation options.
The jewel resort of the Tahoe region, however, is Northstar. The elegant Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe will bring five-star lodging to the area in November 2009, but this refined property midway between Truckee and the north shore of the lake also has myriad condo rentals, from more attractively priced older units to super-posh luxury pads with full kitchens, marble baths, gas fireplaces and gorgeous rustic-contemporary furnishings. Northstar is set around a bustling village with tony boutiques, ski and sports shops and lively cafes. When you’re looking for a romantic, outdoorsy weekend in the mountains, this laid-back yet sophisticated resort fits the bill perfectly.
The Little Black Book:
Awful-Awful 775-323-0716
Baxter’s Bistro 530-562-3200
Beacon Bar and Grill 530-541-0630, camprichardson.com
Beto’s 775-324-0632
Bite 775-831-1000, bitetahoe.com
Black Bear Inn 530-544-4451 or 877-232-7466, tahoeblackbear.com
Cafe Fiore 530-541-2908, cafefiore.com
Dreamers Coffee House & Deli 775-322-8040
Evan’s American Gourmet Cafe 530-542-1990, evanstahoe.com
5 Star Saloon 775-329-2878, 5starsaloon.net
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe 775-588-6611, harrahslaketahoe.com
Heavenly Resort 775-586-7000, skiheavenly.com
Holly’s Place 530-544-7040 or 800-745-7041, hollysplace.com
Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureau visitinglaketahoe.com
Lake Tahoe Gay and Lesbian WinterFest laketahoewinterfest.com
Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa 775-588-3515, montbleuresort.com
Neutron 775-796-2121
Northstar-at-Tahoe 800-GO-NORTH, northstarattahoe.com
Pacific Crest Grill 530-587-2626, pacificcrestgrill.com
Patio 775-323-6565, thepatiobar.com
Peg’s Glorified Ham & Eggs 775-329-2600
Reno‑Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority 800-FOR‑RENO
visitrenotahoe.com
1099 Club 775-329-1099, ten99club.com
Silver Legacy 800-687-8733, silverlegacyreno.com
Tronix 775-333-9696, tronixreno.com
Wild River Grille 775-284-7455, wildrivergrille.com
Andrew Collins is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA and eight additional travel guides. He can be reached at OutofTown@qsyndicate.com.
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.