Choose Lake Tahoe if…
- your guests lean relaxed (5 relaxed picks versus 3)
- you want special-occasion restaurants for a splurge night
- you love the setting: a giant alpine lake with granite beaches, pine forests and mountain towns
Choose Sedona if…
- guests are staying longer and want day trips
- your date is outside peak summer: fewer activities here depend on the season
- you love the setting: red rock buttes, desert sunsets, vortex hikes and dark night skies
Side by side
| Lake Tahoe | Sedona | |
|---|---|---|
| Best season | June to September, December to March for snow | March to May, September to November |
| Getting there | Reno-Tahoe (RNO) is about 1 hour away. Sacramento (SMF) is 2 hours. | Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is about 2 hours by car. Flagstaff (FLG) is 45 minutes. |
| Car needed? | Mostly yes | Mostly yes |
| Activity prices | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Group-friendly activities | 10 of 12 | 10 of 12 |
| Relaxed activities | 5 | 3 |
| Foodie activities | 3 | 3 |
| Adventure activities | 6 | 6 |
| Full-day trips | 1 | 2 |
| Seasonal activities | 6 | 0 |
| Budget eats on our list | 3 | 3 |
| Currency | US dollar (USD). | US dollar (USD). |
| Tipping | Expected: 18 to 22% in restaurants. Large groups often get an automatic gratuity. | Expected: 18 to 22% in restaurants. Large groups often get an automatic gratuity. |
| Dinner time | Dinner usually from 6 to 9 pm. Popular restaurants book up weeks ahead. | Dinner usually from 6 to 9 pm. Popular restaurants book up weeks ahead. |
Top group activities in Lake Tahoe
- Emerald Bay cruise. Paddlewheeler or speedboat into Tahoe's most famous bay.
- Clear kayak or paddleboard tour. Glide over crystal water and granite boulders.
- Heavenly Gondola ride. Ride up for a sweeping view of the lake and Carson Valley.
- Guided hike with lake views. A local guide picks trails to match the season and your group.
Top group activities in Sedona
- Red rock jeep tour. Off-road on the famous trails with a driver-guide.
- Vortex and meditation tour. Visit Sedona's energy vortex sites with a guide. Gentle walks.
- Grand Canyon day trip. The South Rim's best viewpoints with a guide.
- Verde Valley wine tour. Tastings at wineries in Cottonwood, Jerome and Page Springs.
Questions couples ask
Is Lake Tahoe or Sedona better for a destination wedding?
Choose Lake Tahoe if your guests lean relaxed (5 relaxed picks versus 3). Choose Sedona if guests are staying longer and want day trips.
When is the best time for a wedding in Lake Tahoe and Sedona?
Lake Tahoe: June to September, December to March for snow. Sedona: March to May, September to November.
Which is easier for guests to reach, Lake Tahoe or Sedona?
Lake Tahoe: Reno-Tahoe (RNO) is about 1 hour away. Sacramento (SMF) is 2 hours. Sedona: Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is about 2 hours by car. Flagstaff (FLG) is 45 minutes.
Made your choice?
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