LAKE LAS VEGAS, NEV.

STAY In summer, hotels at this lake resort 17 miles east of the Strip offer amazing deals. Try the MonteLago Village. From $139.* (866) 564-4799.

EAT The outdoor patio at Bistro Zinc is the coolest spot on the lake—with fresh oysters, jazz bands, and water misters. (702) 567-9462, bistrozinclv.com.

PLAY To find out about free events such as outdoor movies and food festivals, go to lakelasvegas.com/events.asp.

MANZANITA, ORE.

STAY The Inn at Manzanita's rooms with private decks offer views through the trees to a seven-mile-long sandy beach. From $150. (503) 368-6754.

EAT Pick up a box lunch ($9) at the Bread and Ocean Bakery for a beach picnic. (503) 368-5823.

PLAY A short but steep climb up Neahkahnie Mountain ends at an outlook where you can see for miles up and down the Oregon coast. (503)
368-5943.

SANDPOINT, IDAHO

STAY You can easily walk to Lake Pend Oreille from the Coit House, a Victorian with six antique-filled guest rooms. From $110. (208) 265-4035.

EAT What's the most popular lakeside spot in town? The patio at the Beach House. Order a burger ($9). (208) 255-4947.

PLAY On a 90-minute tour with Lake Pend Oreille Cruises you'll learn how an ice dam formed Idaho's largest lake 17,000 years ago. $18. (208)
255-5253.

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.

STAY Most rooms with views go for $400, but at the Best Western Beachside Inn overlooking the harbor, room rates start at $167.*
(805) 965-6556.

EAT It’s hard to get a seat at La Super-Rica Taqueria, so grab some guacamole and a burrito and head for nearby East Beach. (805) 963-4940.

PLAY Rent a bicycle from Wheel Fun Rentals for $8 to $9 an hour
(805-966-2282) and go for a ride on the three-mile-long Cabrillo Bike Path along the waterfront.

SEELEY LAKE, MONT.

STAY Does a little log cabin just steps from a pristine mountain lake sound like your kind of place? Check out Tamaracks Resort. From $119. (800) 477-7216.

EAT At Lindey's waterfront steak house, couples save by splitting the
16-ounce cuts of meat. (406) 677-9229.

PLAY Paddle a canoe 3.5 miles down the Clearwater River to the lake’s north end. Four-hour boat rental from Seeley Sports, $25. (406) 677-3680.

TRUCKEE, CALIF.

STAY A river runs through Truckee and the River Street Inn sits right on it. in guest rooms, you can even hear the water flow. from $115.
(530) 550-9290.

EAT How about a juicy burger topped with caramelized onions? Belly up to the bar at Moody’s Bistro. (530) 587-8688, moodysbistro.com.

PLAY Hike the two-mile Truckee River Legacy Trail. See a map at legacytrail.org or get directions from the chamber of commerce at
(530) 587-8808.