BEACHES & BOATING GUIDE FOR LAKE TAHOE

BEACHES

Lake Tahoe region is noted for its beautiful and accessible beaches:

CHIMNEY BEACH - This U. S. Forest Service beach is located off of Nevada State Route 28 on the Lake’s East Shore. There are two parking lots with trailheads leading you one-quarter mile down to the beach. This beach is considered the most scenic beach on the East Shore. DOGS ARE ALLOWED!

DOG BEACH - just past the Tahoe Taverns on West Shore’s Highway 89, this U.S. Forest Service beach ALLOWS DOGS - ON A LEASH.

COON ST. BEACH - This beach is small, but large enough to make any water dog happy. Bring your lunch and eat at one of the picnic tables. BEACH FOR DOGS! OWNERS ARE ALLOWED!

COAST GUARD’S BEACH AND CAMPGROUND - This is a popular DOG BEACH, but beware, the beach is just feet from the boat ramp. From Tahoe City, go east approximately 2 miles on Hwy. 28 and make a right on Lake Forest Road. Turn at the Coast Guard sign, and veer right to the campground area. The beach is on your left.

THE NUDE BEACHES - Several beaches are recognized as being open to all including those who want the sun all over their bodies. Along Nevada State Route 28, look for Secret Harbor, Secret Cove and Paradise Beach, among others. These are very comfortable beaches to frequent. The beachgoers are quiet, clean, friendly and very conscientious toward taking care of this public land.

SAND HARBOR - Part of Nevada Lake Tahoe State Parks, Sand Harbor is one of the jewel’s in the crown of Lake Tahoe with the emerald hue of its clear water, its smooth rocks to swim off and soft sand beaches. Yes, beaches - there are three different beaches for this state park, plus picnic areas. It is home to Shakespeare at Sand Harbor in August.

KINGS BEACH STATE RECREATION AREA - This beach is usually jam packed. This long beach has some of the best sand and keeps the late afternoon sun with its southern exposure. There are concessionaires with water "toy" rentals. The beach is free, but there is a charge for parking. The beach fronts the community of Kings Beach, which offers lots of fun eating places and shops to visit.

TAHOE VISTA BEACHES - Moondunes, Agatam, Sandy – these are great beaches for children. The sandy bottom of Lake Tahoe extends from these beaches at a toddler-friendly depth of one to two feet for a few hundred yards.

MEEKS BAY - There are two beaches here and both have paid parking. Meeks Bay Resort has water "toy" rentals and a snack bar.

LESTER BEACH - In D. L. Bliss State Park is an extremely clean beach staffed by state park employees who go out of their way to ensure the comfort of the patrons.

WEST END BEACH - At the far end of Donner Lake in Truckee known for its volleyball, barbecues, water "toy" rentals, and horseshoes. A wonderful family beach on an intimate and charming lake.

BOCA AND STAMPEDE - Off Interstate 80 just outside of Truckee, you’ll find Boca and Stampede reservoirs. Wonderful boating of all types, water skiing, jet skiing, and swimming. Inlets all along the shoreline allowing for small gatherings and family picnics. The water is warm! Miles of wilderness hiking and biking can easily lure you away from the shoreline. DOGS WELCOME!

BOATING

Lake Tahoe is called more often than not, "THE LAKE OF THE SKY" or the "EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD" because of its deep, blue clarity surrounded by the majesty of the northern Sierra Nevada mountain range. It has beckoned to boaters since the Washoe peoples glided in their hand-hewn canoes from one shore to another. Water sports on the Lake pass many a glorious day during the summer months.

The "Old Woodies" (beautifully crafted, mahogany speed boats) are still cruising the Lake as they have been for the past century. Sailing, windsurfing, water skiing , paragliding, peddle boating, jet skiing, are all coexisting on the crystalline waters of this famous body of water.

And on the Truckee River, the rafters are gliding peacefully between Tahoe City and the River Ranch. Just outside of the town of Truckee, the river takes on a more ominous flow where the whitewater guides lead the more adventurous to a destination just over the Nevada border. It’s where you’ll find the true sport kayaker in this area - where the whitewater flows as if roiled up by a huge storm.

There are several boat and raft rental companies in every small community around the lake as well as in Truckee with its many lakes and reservoirs.

Boat enthusiasts, click on logo to check out this great site!

North & West Lake Tahoe Boat Ramp Facilities

TAHOE CITY MARINA (530) 583-1039: one way ramp launching, gas station and service dock available; rentals – 14 ft. aluminum fishing boat, two 20 ft. boats and one 23 ft. boat, near the Marina Mall which has a restaurant, clothing shops, etc.

HOMEWOOD HIGH & DRY MARINA (530) 525-5966: Forklift launching each way, gas, pump-out station, buoys for rent, service dept., chandlery, High Sierra Water Ski School (525-1214).

For power boat rentals

year-round dry rack storage:

LAKESIDE MARINA (530) 541-6626: Ramp launching, gas, pump-out station, buoys and slips for rent, service department, power boats, jet skis, wave runners for rent.

MEEKS BAY MARINA (530) 525-7242: Ramp launching, season slips are for rent from May 23 to Oct. 1. There is also an adjacent campground.

NORTH TAHOE MARINA (530) 546-8246: Ramp launching, fork lift launching, gas, pump-out station, buoys for rent, service department, power boat rentals, fishing charter, Sunsets on the Lake Restaurant, Dockside Deli.

OBEXER’S MARINA (530) 525-7962: Ramp launching, season passes, gas, pump-out station, special launching trailer for deep draft sailboats, service department, grocery store and deli.

SIERRA BOAT COMPANY (530) 546-2551: Launching for boats up to 10,000 lbs, sailboat launching, gas, pump-out station, service department.

SUNNYSIDE MARINA (530)583-7201: Forklift launching by appointment, gas, pump-out station, service department, High Sierra Water Ski School rents power, sail boats, jet skis, hobbies, and teaches water skiing (583-7417), Sunnyside Restaurant - water taxis and buoys available for restaurant customers, San Ramon Boat Sales (Cobalt dealer).

Public Boat Ramps

TAHOE CITY, at Lake Forest (530) 583-5544: Launch at own risk, no launching fee, daily parking fee, season passes.

KINGS BEACH, Coon St. (530) 916-7284: Launch at own risk, no launching fee, parking fee.

NATIONAL AVENUE MARINA, Tahoe Vista (530) 546-7284: parking/launch fee, high draft/low weight boats only.

Lake Tahoe Real Estate & Truckee Real Estate
Realtors, Bill & Nora Leeder - Prudential California Realty

950 N. Lake Blvd. (Hwy 28), Suite C, Tahoe City
P.O. Box 5127, Tahoe City, CA 96145
toll-free: (800) 477-5570 or (530) 583-4004
Ask for ext. #110 or #112