We might be stuck in the desert, but there are so many things to do and see if you don't mind looking for it. Probably a shock to come here if your not into nature or the outdoors though.
I LOVE the desert. And the mountains are right there, too! I do some 4wding, but mostly to get get to 'those boulders over there'. Beautiful rock scattered around everywhere. When it's too hot for bouldering, time for some frolfing!
The drive around the lake is wonderful. There is golf in Incline. Char pit for hamburgers in kings beach. Frisbee golf in Tahoe vista. Wheeling on the Rubicon. Skiing at Diamond peak. There are any number of things to do in Tahoe. As for Reno well depends on what you want to do.
By far, the 4-wheeling is the best thing about this area. I love being able to jump into the Jeep and be on a trail within about five minutes. Taking some of the old Pony Express paths is cool.
And you can always shoot while you're out there, which is a bonus. Just be careful not to cross into California; my Springfield XD's high-capacity clip isn't legal there.
Lived in Fairfield back in the late 80s and always went to Reno or Lake Tahoe on any weekend available. Loved the casinos, the night life, and the ability to get any kind of food 24 hours a day and it was great and cheap.