(Lake Tahoe, CA) — Avoid two California tourist spots next year. That’s the message from Fodors Travel Guide and includes Lake Tahoe. They say Lake Tahoe has “a people problem” and the increase in tourism is causing ongoing environmental damage. Andy Chapman President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada says the pandemic, the Great Migration, and folks buying second homes have all moved more people into Lake Tahoe over the last several years. But he says there’s been a lot of investment in Tahoe to mitigate the impacts of that and tourism including a new free shuttle system, additional trash clean up, ambassadors on trail heads and a new stewardship plan. Chapman says it’s important to give nature a break but not by avoiding the iconic travel destination. He says visitors and residents can still give Lake Tahoe a break by respecting and preserving the area. Mendocino is also on the list due to a severe lack of rain and suffering its second-driest year ever.
