Sand Harbor: Could this be the Most Beautiful Part of Tahoe?

The always-gorgeous Lake Tahoe is not what we would call a far-away destination. We’ve been making small trips and exploring the environs of North America’s largest Alpine lake in bits and parts. On our last couple of trips to Lake Tahoe, we had spent some time on the beaches at Ski Run Boulevard, Zephyr Cove and Round Hill Pines beach. This time around — along with a few other activities — we decided to hit Sand Harbor Beach — on the Nevada side of the lake. 

We had a little more than half a day set aside for that drive to the northeastern part of the lake, and to make a few stops at some vista points to see different views of Lake Tahoe. During our drive up north, I found that the banks of the lake seemed to have more rock and boulders both on the shore as well as in the water. These rocky features seemed to amp up the dramatic effects of this lake colored in different shades of blue. 

Sand Harbor Beach 

Sand Harbor Beach, like much of the lake, was very picturesque with those rich blues and greens. The rocks were a bonus. The beach is within Sand Harbor State Park and a 10 dollar entrance fee let us into large parking lots and lengthy stretches of beach.

But then, it was the third day of summer. It must come as no surprise that it took us a long time to find some parking. And when at last we got to the beach, we learned that the sandy stretches were quite populated although it was only a little after 9 (or was it 10?) in the morning. It took us forever to find a sandy patch where we could throw our bags down and let the kids play in the sand without bothering the people around us. 

We had started at the south end of the beach and walked all way around the Sand Point and finally ended up at the other end — near the boat beach before we found some space that felt right for us. 

Sand Point

Now the best part about the search for a spot was that it led us to the Sand Point boardwalk, something I had not known about until we were done with the hike. There was practically no pre-trip homework done this time.

Now, the Sand Point Boardwalk — if I remember correctly — starts near the parking lot in front of the visitor center and then goes towards the lake and through that portion of land that juts out into this part of Lake Tahoe. You will also see the venue for the Shakespeare Festival that takes place in the summer. 

Why I chose to call this part the ‘best part’ was because it had some of the most spectacular sights. Lake Tahoe is undeniably a very pretty place. And this area seemed to be one of the most beautiful parts. The water at the beach was crystal clear and it seemed to have a greenish tinge as it went towards the middle, blending with the cobalt blue of the deepest parts of the lake. The granite boulders that project out into the lake, the ones that stick out of the water, and the ones that lie immersed yet visible because of the clarity of the water are what give the lake all that picture-perfect beauty. 

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Lake Tahoe

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