Carnelian at Dusk

A cedar cabin nestled in the Sierra Nevada pines, this Carnelian Bay house delivers Lake Tahoe views from nearly every room – and two wraparound decks to make the most of them. Whether you're up at dawn with coffee watching the light shift across the water, or winding down after a day on the slopes, the upper and lower decks are the place to be. A fireplace and radiant floor heating keep things warm when the temperature drops, and Palisades Tahoe – host of the 1960 Winter Olympics – is about twenty-five minutes by car.

Home truths:
* At full occupancy, two guests will sleep on the sofa bed in the living area.
* For those with reduced mobility, there's a ground floor bedroom and bathroom here.
* There's no air conditioning here, so summer stays can get warm. A fan is provided, but you may want to plan around cooler parts of the day.
* The fireplace is the primary heat source for the main living areas, supplemented by portable heaters – so if you're visiting in colder months, you'll be relying on these rather than central heating.
* You'll need a car to get around – it's a short drive to the nearest beaches, dining, and ski resorts, and a car is recommended for exploring the area. There's space for up to four vehicles in the driveway.
* Winter road access can be tricky – four-wheel drive or snow chains may be needed to reach the home safely, even when conditions look clear.
* The lead guest must be at least 25 years old.