Yeah, Cal-Neva is a must see. Don't know exactly what will be offered when they reopen, but there are tunnels under the club that lead to the cabins used by Marilyn Monroe, Sam Giancanna, etc. Fun to take the tour if they still offer it. April - Sept is your best time, expect some pricjey rates at the lake though.

Staying in Reno isn't bad money-wise, and you can take highway 395 over Mount Rose to North Shore (40 minutes from downtown)or drive toward California on I-80 and take the Truckee exit (247 I think) and go straight to North Shore also, about a 50-minute ride.