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Lake Tahoe is a huge freshwater lake that sprawls across the border between California and Nevada. It’s a magical summer getaway location, where you can enjoy horseback riding, spectacular hikes, or a refreshing dip in crystal-clear, sun-warmed water.
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddling the border of California and Nevada. It’s known for its beaches and ski resorts. On the southwest shore, Emerald Bay State Park contains the 1929 Nordic-style mansion Vikingsholm. Along the lake’s northeast side, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park includes Sand Harbor Beach and Spooner Lake, a gateway to the long-distance Tahoe Rim Trail.
In winter, thrill-seekers head for the surrounding mountains to visit ski resorts like Palisades Tahoe. South Lake Tahoe has evolved over the years into a fun-packed tourist town, complete with lavish casinos, decadent luxury hotels, and upscale malls. It’s also a local nightlife hotspot, with everything from chic bistros to lively bars offering jaw-dropping lakeside views.
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The best times to visit Lake Tahoe are from March to May and from September to November, but the area welcomes visitors throughout the year thanks to the wide variety of attractions and activities.
Here are the top 5 beaches in Lake Tahoe
Sand Harbor
Popular Lake Tahoe site for swimming, boating & seasonal open-air entertainment with mountain views.
Sand Harbor is a crescent-shaped beach in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. Located on the eastern shore of the lake, this beach park is popular for bathing, kayaking and diving during the summer months. Onsite facilities include a boat launch, showers, picnic tables, and BBQ broils. You can dive into the crystal-clear water from rock formations around Sand Harbor.
The best time to visit is in July or August, when the famous Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival takes place right on the sandy beach. If you’re getting to Sand Harbor by automobile, park in Incline Village and take a shuttle bus – the fare includes entrance to Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park.
The entrance fee at Sand Harbor is $10 per vehicle ($15 for non-NV vehicles). For cyclists, it’s $2 per bike. Fees are subject to change, so check the Nevada State Parks fees for the latest information.
Location: 2005 NV-28, Incline Village, NV 89452, USA
Open: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 775-831-0494
Cave Rock
Cave Rock is a recreation site in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, on the south-eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. Its centerpiece is a large rock formation that dates back over 3 million years. It’s a sacred site for the Washoe Indians, who called it “The Lady of the Lake” – the rock looks like the profile of a woman’s face gazing out toward Lake Tahoe.
Cave Rock has a sandy beach with picnic neighborhoods, toilets, and a boat launch. The waves are quite calm, making it safe for kids to swim and snorkel. You can also rent a canoe or kayak and explore Lake Tahoe.
To get to the trailhead from South Lake Tahoe go towards Nevada on Highway 50. Pass Zephyr Cove and you’ll see the tunnel. Just prior to the tunnel, make a right onto Cave Rock Drive. Drive up a little ways and you’ll see the trailhead on your left.
Location: Hwy 28, Glenbrook, NV 89413, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 8 pm
Kiva Beach
Kiva Beach in South Lake Tahoe offers fantastic views of Mount Tallac. This dog-friendly beach is usually quiet, so you’ll have around 600 ft of shoreline to work on your tan. It’s one of the few South Lake Tahoe beaches that allow dogs, but make sure to keep your pet on a leash throughout your visit.
It is a short easy walk to the beach but if you drive a very short distance down Hwy 89 from the visitor center you can drive to a parking area next to the beach. It was a pleasant Sunday when we went and the beach was pretty crowded. We were very pleased to see that Kiva Beach is a dog beach!
Kiva Beach is adjacent to a protected marsh, along with rows of willow, aspen, and pine trees providing shade from the scorching sun. A trail to the Tallac Historic Site offers views of South Tahoe Lake, as well as informational panels about the area’s vegetation and history.
Location: Kiva Beach, CA 96150, USA
Zephyr Cove
Zephyr Cove attracts families with its extensive range of recreational facilities. Located on Lake Tahoe’s southeast shore, the resort has a mile-long beach with a roped-off bathing area, volleyball courts, picnic tables, beach chairs and umbrellas. You can enjoy beverages with views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada at Sunset Bar & Grille.
Zephyr Cove in South Lake Tahoe is traditionally known for its miles of sandy beaches, volleyball courts, and access to summer water sports.
The Zephyr Cove Marina offers yachting, parasailing, jet-skiing and wakeboarding for those looking to explore South Lake Tahoe. You can join a cruise to Emerald Bay on the 500-passenger MS Dixie II paddlewheel boat. Zephyr Cove has plenty of accommodations if you want to spend a few nights, including cabins, guestrooms, an RV park and a campground.
Location: Zephyr Cove, NV 89448, USA
Open year-round; sunrise to sunset. Entry fee required.
Lester Beach
Lester Beach is part of D. L. Bliss State Park, on Lake Tahoe’s western shore. The sandy beach is conveniently close to the parking lot, so it gets pretty busy during summer break. It has a private cove that’s great for kids to swim in. You can even explore the alpine lake in a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard.
Lester Beach offers easy access to the state park’s other attractions. Hikers can tackle a 1.5-mile roundtrip trail to Rubicon Point Lighthouse or a half-mile loop trail to the Balancing Rock. Campgrounds with food lockers and fire pits are available in D. L. Bliss State Park.
Beach Details:
D.L. Bliss Campsites Nearby
Fishing Nearby
Parking/Day-use Fee
Picnic Tables
Public Bathrooms
Shade Available
Showers
Watertrail Trailhead
Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA
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