Stick to the lake--get around to the CA side (includes Emerald Bay). If you're into hiking, there is awesomeness everywhere, plus there's the rim trail that puts you well above the lake. Even if you don't do the hiking thing, so long as you can avoid some of the stupid traffic jams full of literally everyone in the world, the driving views are still quite gnarly all around the lake (even while sitting in traffic in parts of South Lake Tahoe). Check out Donner Lake (and museum for cannibalism-related history) down 80 from Reno. There's so much more granite than suburban countertops could ever reveal . . .
As for Reno, prepare for a massive cluster at HAN. It will be hot, dirty, and crowded, but know that Reno is not all it appears to be at that point. Reno is actually now quite expensive, as it has become the next frontier of Bay Area real estate valuation (hence the commensurate hotel prices that may not only be event-centric). Sneer at the dirt and skankiness, but know that the guy in the Ferrari lives just over the freeway in a swell beige mcmansion . . .
If you're driving, there's a decent cars & coffee event every Saturday morning in Folsom (off of 50). I'd go to that before going to HAN.
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