Meeks Bay, which is on the west side of the lake near Emerald Bay is actually quite rural, and reminds me of what Lake Tahoe was like back in the 50's. If we go before Memorial Day, or after Labor Day it is actually very uncrowded....after Labor Day is my favorite time....in fact if we got into early October we would be able to see the leaves changing along HWY 395. October is right in between the seasons, and is the least crowded time there. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Checked the mileage for you taking I-10 to I-15 to HWY 395 and it is 100 miles shorter than going up I-5....high 700's.
Here's the webiste for Meeks Bay Resort:
http://www.meeksbayresort.com/