How to get from
Palisades Tahoe to San Francisco Airport (SFO)

About travelling from Palisades Tahoe, CA to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Set against the Sierra Nevada range of California, Palisades Tahoe spans two mountains — Palisades and Alpine Meadows — and is the largest ski resort in the Tahoe area, with over 6,000 acres of diverse terrain. The resort gained fame as host of the 1960 Winter Olympics and is often considered the cradle of extreme skiing in the United States, with wide alpine bowls, technical steeps, tree-lined glades, gullies, and long flowing cruisers. Beginners and intermediates are also well catered for, particularly on Alpine Meadows side, where the slopes are gentler and offer panoramic Lake Tahoe views. Expect heavy snowfall, soft turns, and long powder-filled days.

The village surrounding the slopes is bustling year-round. The Olympic Museum at High Camp showcases the resort's Olympic history, while après-ski bars and restaurants keep the energy high. Local favourites include Snowdrift Tavern, Plank & Paddle Café, and Cactus Mexican Grill. Coffee and breakfast are served at Morning Grind and Lakeshore Café. Alpine Meadows’ side is quieter, with lodge-based cafés perfect for relaxing between runs.

Summer brings festivals, films, and adventure sports. The Tahoe Maker Festival celebrates local artisans, and the Mountain Adventure Film Tour offers cinematic experiences outdoors. Hikers can ascend via the Aerial Tram or explore Shirley Canyon Trail for incredible lake and mountain vistas, waterfalls, and alpine scenery.

When you’re travelling back to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Ridebooker can take the stress out of the journey with shuttle options and private vehicles ranging from taxis to SUVs and larger vans. The drive typically takes around four hours, following Highway 89 out of Olympic Valley, then connecting to I-80 west as it winds through the Sierra Nevada before descending toward the Bay Area. It’s a longer trip than heading to Reno-Tahoe International Airport, but SFO offers far more flight options and is ideal if you’re continuing onward internationally or need flexible departure times.