TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice 2010 placed San Francisco and Lake Tahoe in the top two spots for Best Destinations in the United States. TripAdvisor is home to over 30 million trusted traveler reviews and opinions.

Here is why TripAdvisor rated Lake Tahoe as the number two spot to visit in the entire country:

“Basking in its 300 days of sunshine, Lake Tahoe is a haven for outdoor fun in every season. Swimming, kayaking and windsurfing are popular in the summer months, while epic snowfall makes for spectacular skiing in winter. For those who prefer indoor fun, there’s plenty of that in Tahoe, too. With 24-hour casinos and a flashy nightlife scene, the area has a tangible Vegas vibe. A sprinkle of bling, if you will. Not surprising, since Lake Tahoe straddles the border between California and Nevada.”

Here is why TripAdvisor placed San Francisco in the number one spot:

“Who cares about a little fog (okay, a lot of fog) when there’s so much to do in San Francisco? By day, explore Fisherman’s Wharf and the Aquarium of the Bay, ride a cable car, and stroll around the Presidio; by night, have a fabulous dinner (at a Michelin-starred restaurant or a tiny place in Chinatown), then hit some of the best clubs on the West Coast.”

How luck are we? We have the option to live and play in #RenoTahoe or San Francisco, just a short drive from one another!

Sunset Magazine is looking for daytrips that are inspiring, fun, active, secret and reflective of life in the West. With so much to do in Reno Tahoe USA, no doubt your mind is already flipping through the hundreds of wonderful memories you’ve created in the area. Whether you’re a local or a visitor – you’ll agree that Reno Tahoe USA fits all of the aforementioned adjectives.

Trying to condense your experience in Reno Tahoe USA into only 200 words may be difficult, but well worth it. Your entry could earn you a trip for two to Vancouver, B.C. courtesy of Sunset Magazine. The Grand Prize winner will appear in the September issue of Sunset Magazine and receive an all-expense-paid trip to Vancouver for a 5-nights/6-day stay and $1500 spending money. Five runners up will have their daytrips featured online.

We all know why we love living and spending time in Reno Tahoe USA, here’s your chance to tell the world.

For more information click here.

It’s not your typical way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but by now you’ve learned that Reno is far from expected. Grab the kids and head over to the Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary and Nature Center to watch wild animals stalk, pounce and chase piñatas. (It’s only 25 miles north of downtown Reno.)

Here’s a quick cultural lesson for you – piñatas are brightly-colored papier-mâché covered cardboard shapes believed to have originated among the Aztecs, Mayans and other native peoples of Mexico. Back then, they made clay pots in the shape of their gods. The story goes that they broke the pots with poles and sticks to spill the favors from the gods. We don’t know what kind of goodies will be used to entice the critters at the Ark, but we’re sure it will be a spectacle worth catching.

Tigers, mountain lions, and bears (oh my!) are just a few of the animals on hand for the big event. It’s all going down on Saturday, May 1 from 10am to 4pm. Admission is $6 for children and seniors, $8 for adults and free for kids 2 and under.

Call (775) 970 – 3111 or visit the Animal Ark Website for more information.

Aces hat? Check.

Aces foam finger? Check.

Hotdog and Cracker Jack? Che… Cracker Jack?!

Whatever gets your heart pumping for Aceball, we won’t judge you. We will point fingers and laugh, though, if you don’t make it out to Aces Ballpark tonight at 6:05 p.m. for the second season opener against the Fresno Grizzlies. As expected, the Aces are rolling out the red carpet to welcome back all of the anxious fans with pre-game fireworks and the much-anticipated debut of the Freight House District. Have you seen that place?! It’s the newest downtown development with year-round dining and entertainment. Duffy’s Ale House and Bugsy’s Sports Bar and Grill will open for business at 2 p.m. today.

Why not revolve your entire weekend around Aceball? After all, the weather is perfect and you know you’ve been waiting for this moment all year. Friday night, the Aces will give away 2,500 magnet schedules so you’ll never miss a game. On Saturday, 3,000 fans will get an Aces fleece blanket, to keep you warm in those nail-biter extra innings.

Don’t forget, after every Friday, Saturday and Sunday game, all children 12 and under are invited to run the bases on the Aces Ballpark infield.

The weekend games start at 7:05 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 1:05 p.m.

Single-game tickets for all games start at just $7, while ticket plans for the 2010 season start at just $220. Call (775) 334-7000 for ticket info, visit the Aces Ballpark box office or head to www.RenoAces.com.

An exhibit memorializing the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Winter Games at Squaw Valley will go on display at today at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, four days before the start of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

The exhibit will allow passengers to position themselves on the very platforms used during the awards ceremony at the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics just 50 years ago, with the American flag hanging above the gold podium, providing for a great photo opportunity.

The museum will feature flags from all countries represented at the 1960 Games,  photos,  magazines, uniforms and more.  As well as two television monitors will run and display videos about the 1960 Winter Games.

The Olympic History Museum will be on exhibit at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, through the spring of 2010.

Southwest Airlines is offering a selection of low airfares starting at only USD $39 one-way with their Travel Near with Your Dear seat sale promotion.

Sample airfares to Reno/Tahoe (RNO) for this Southwest Airlines seat sale include $39 fares from:

• Boise
• Las Vegas
• Los Angeles
• Oakland
• Orange County
• Portland
• Salt Lake City
• San Diego
• San Jose

Travel is valid from March 15 to May 25, 2010, and applies to every day of the week except Fridays and Sundays.  But hurry, this 72-hour seat sale ends tomorrow, February 11, 2010, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

For more information on the Travel Near with Your Dear seat sale or to book your flights, visit Southwest Airlines.

Top Ten Reasons the Roaming Gnome should should have broken his Cabin Fever in Tahoe rather than Utah in Travelocity’s Top Ski Destination contest.

1.     Ski in two states at the same time at Heavenly while looking at the deep blue of Lake Tahoe, even with your narrow gnome stance

2.     Go on a blind date with Tahoe Tessie (Lake Tahoe’s mythical resident “sea creature”).

3.     Depending on how the date goes, perhaps a quick wedding and an even quicker divorce in Reno.

4.     50 Tram laps at Squaw Valley USA to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first televised Winter Olympic Games.

5.     Tempt fate with a visit to the Donner Party museum,  just hope they don’t think you’re a chocolate filled gnome.

6.     Our drinks have personality with drinks like the ‘Wet Woody’, the ‘Scorpion’ and the ‘Flaming Kava Kava’. Gnomes keep your beards away from the flames!

7.     Forgot your skis?  No problem, where else but in Sparks can you get your skis, ride a Ferris Wheel and drive a NASCAR simulator in one mega sports store?

8.     Follow in the footsteps of Ol’ Blue Eyes and Marilyn Monroe in the tunnels at the historic Cal Neva Lodge

9.     Spend a little downtime at the spa before heading out for a long night in Reno

10.    Satisfy a late night hunger at what has been heralded as one of the best burgers in the country, the Awful Awful, awfully big, awfully good, don’t be scared my friend, you can do it.

Almost every casino resort in Reno is sportin’ party bling this year for the Big Game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. The fun is not just limited to game-time, but non-stop fun and entertainment will be happening all weekend long.

Come spend the weekend in Reno and enjoy yourself during the Big Game, and if the ladies don’t want to watch, remind them we have great spas here as well to fulfill all their needs. Also, don’t forget to wager a few bucks on your team, just to show how much of a Superfan you are.

Parties throughout Reno include:

Circus Circus Reno: Big Game Bash – Big Screens, big food and big fun… Make sure to sign-up for our great raffle prizes!

John Ascuaga’s Nugget: Big Screen, Big Game Giveaway – Watch the Big Game at the Nugget on February 7th and get a chance to win one of four (4) Panasonic 42″ HDTVs!

Eldorado Reno: Big Game Weekend – The Big Game…Two Parties to Choose From Eldorado Convention Center with Viewing on 5 Giant 30′ HD Screens and 50-Yard Line Buffet or Eldorado Showroom with Viewing on a 20′ Giant HD Screen, Stadium Style Food & Souvenir Hat

Silver Legacy: Big Game Party and Buffet – Be sure to catch all the game action and fun at the Reno Ballroom, as Silver Legacy throws one of Northern Nevada’s best game day parties. Party-goers can watch the game on multiple giant screens throughout the ballroom while indulging in an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Peppermill Reno: Super Stadium Bash – Complimentary Bud & Bud Light Draft Beer at every table, meet the Budweiser Girls, door prizes every quarter, large HD format screens, all-you-can-eat buffet and a complimentary gift.

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa: Big Bowl Bash 2010 – You won’t want to miss a minute of the hard-hitting action at the Atlantis Big Bowl Bash XLIV! You will enjoy fabulous food and fun Casino wide as you watch pro football’s premiere game on our massive high definition screens in the sports bar! The beautiful Raiderettes will be on property to help you cheer your team to victory!

Grand Sierra Resort: Lombardi Party – Get up close and personal when you watch the Big Game at Xtreme Sports Bar & Lounge. With over 40 high-def screens and one giant mega-view projection screen showing all of the game and all the action. Its just like being at the game. Their sexy Xtreme girls will be serving kegs of beer and a menu that can’t be beat. Find out what attitude is all about!

Reno-Tahoe is a family-friendly getaway, offering tons of fun for kids and adults alike. Add some of these Top 10 attractions to your travel itinerary:

1. Catch a ballgame: Downtown Reno is home to a new ballpark and the Reno Aces, a Triple A team. The boys of summer are playing in Reno-Tahoe.
2. Hit the slopes: Reno-Tahoe offers the largest concentration of ski and board resorts in North America — 18 within an hour drive of Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
3. Shop till you drop: The shopping is great in Reno-Tahoe, including the new Legends at Sparks Marina in Sparks, Nev., which boasts more than 70 stores and restaurants, including Scheel’s, the World’s Largest All Sports Store at almost 300,000 square feet.
4. A river runs through it: The Truckee River winds through downtown Reno and downtown Sparks, offering great opportunities for recreation and relaxation during the warm months. Whitewater enthusiasts can paddle to their heart’s content in the two whitewater parks.
5. Nevada-style casino action: In Reno-Tahoe the action goes 24-7, with deluxe, modern resort casinos that offer fun gaming action without the Vegas crowds.
6. The Jewel of the Sierra: Lake Tahoe is 45 minutes from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and downtown Reno — a great day trip whether it is summer or winter.
7. The Comstock Lode: Step back to Wild West times in Virginia City. The preserved epicenter of the Comstock Lode features classic buildings, old saloons and a cast of characters that is always entertaining.
8. V&T Railroad: Ride the rails of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad in Carson City, Nevada’s capitol. Working steam engines hearken back to the golden age of rail travel.
9. Wine and dine: Reno-Tahoe is known for adventure and Nevada-style gaming, but hundreds of restaurants serving everything from casual to five-star fare also make it a great destination for culinary enthusiasts.
10. Culture connection: Reno-Tahoe is home to 31 museums, including the Nevada Museum of Art, the National Automobile Museum and the Nevada State Museum – live Nevada’s rich culture.

NEW Spa Atlantis Brine Room - Courtesy of Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

Atlantis Casino’s multimillion dollar spa expansion is now complete, and they spared no expense to create one of the best spa experiences in the US.

The 30,000 square-foot spa will open to Reno-Tahoe visitors this Sunday January 25, 2009. The Spa experience includes a Rasul Ceremonial Suite, which is a mineral mud therapy room; a couples massage room with Brine Inhalation-Light Therapy and an Aqua Lounge with whirlpools and a cold plunge. There are herbal steam rooms, men’s and women’s cedar wood saunas, private tea lounges, new locker rooms and a brand new cardio theater and fitness center.