Insider’s Guide to Lakefront Properties in Lake Tahoe and Truckee

• Proximity to the road (consider noise and snowplow service)
• Ownership or access to a pier. Steel or wood pilings. Shared or private.
• Depth of pier and/or beachfront (fluctuating lake levels can affect usability)
• Community Amenities
• Beachfront entitlements and topography
• Privacy

Click HERE to see all Lakefront Listings in Lake Tahoe and Truckee and Surrounding Lakes

Here is a great breakdown of each region (and surrounding lakes), for you to find your unique Tahoe Lakefront Lifestyle.

Lake Tahoe Lakefronts

A Lakefront Property Located in Stateline

North Shore Lake Tahoe

Cabins, condominiums, and luxury homes can be found along the North Shore which runs west from Incline Village through King’s Beach, and down to Tahoe City. Stateline to Brockway springs is distinct in the large granite boulders and sandy coves that make this area very picturesque and great for kayaking and paddle boarding. Along the North Shore the quality of beaches and sand varies greatly, with fine sand and a large shallow bench from Kings Beach to Tahoe Vista creating warmer water and sandier beaches but more effected by lake level fluctuations. Rocky and deeper waters can be found from Carnelian Bay to Tahoe City making the beaches less desirable but the pier access more predictable. Some of the homes in this area are off set from the road, but most are located directly on Highway 28. This is not always a bad thing because many of the homes have the garage on the highway with the house perched below on the side of the slope which affords more expansive views of the lake than houses located at shoreline. Some of the houses located just north of Tahoe City have large, level lots with room for yards. Some of these homes are large estates with private rocky beaches but conveniently located close to town. 

A Unique Estate Located in Meeks Bay

The West Shore Lake Tahoe

The West Shore begins south of Tahoe City and continues through Sunnyside to Rubicon and Emerald Bay. Lake front properties in Sunnyside, Homewood, and Tahoma are a mix of very large luxury homes along the lake interspersed with a few Old Tahoe cabins. The area is well forested, with big trees, deeper waters, and rocky shoreline. Many of the West Shore properties offer larger acreage parcels that provide a peaceful private setting away from the highway.

South of Sunnyside are some very large estates. Sunnyside Lane is a very exclusive area with large estates, great privacy and amazing views. The best beaches on the lake can be found from Chambers Landing to Meeks Bay and Rubicon Bay. Beautiful long yellow sand beaches with granite boulders and deep emerald waters have made this area known as the Gold Coast. There are several historic estates located in Meeks and Rubicon Bays that were built around the turn of the 20^th century and had some famous guests. Click HERE to view one that is on the market right now. 

Lake Tahoe’s Famous East Shore

East Shore Lake Tahoe

The East Shore Begins with Incline Village, known for its multi-million dollar mansions along Lakeshore drive, most with private beaches, piers, and buoys. From Incline heading south along the East Shore are the infamous granite boulder beaches of Sand Harbor (Nevada State Park), Hidden Beach, Chimney Beach, etc. South of theses wonderful beaches are several private estates including the Thunderbird Lodge. Click HERE to view one that is on the market right now. South of this is Glenbrook, a private community with a sandy cove and great history, followed by Cave Rock, Linclon Park, Lakeridge, and Skyland neighborhoods with private yellow-sand beaches and boat launches. Just south of these neighborhoods is the area known as Zephyr Cove which has a mix of condos and homes located on two large, sandy bays; Zephyr Cove and Marla Bay.

South Shore Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe Lakefronts begin with Nevada Beach (Nevada State Park) and Edgewood Golf Course at Stateline. This area is right in the heart of the city, with Casinos, hotels, condos and lakefront homes with shared private and public beach access. Just beyond this is the California State Line and the city of South Lake Tahoe with a long stretch of yellow-sand beaches and lakefront home options. Just beyond is Tahoe Keys, a unique marina resort community with over eleven miles of inland and lakefront space. Past the Keys, the western side of South Lake Tahoe is known as Camp Richardson, it is primarily Sate Park beaches; Pope’s Beach, Kiva Beach, Baldwin Beach, with a few lakefront neighborhoods. The far western side of South lake Tahoe encompasses Cascade Properties and Emerald Bay, both of which have some amazing lakefront homes, some of which are historic. 

The Famous and Historic Fleur-du-Lac Boat House

Lake Tahoe Lakefront Condominiums

Lakefront communities on the North Shore like Brockway Springs, Chinquapin, and The Northwoods offer recreational resources to owners like piers with buoy fields, swimming pools and sandy beaches. Dollar Point offers recreational resources such as piers with buoy fields, swimming pools and sandy beaches as well as someone to manage the beach and take you to your boat. Star Harbor, has a pier, pool, harbor, and tennis courts. Some units are lake front, and some are on the harbor making for nice views and water access. Tahoe Marina Lakefront is located in the heart of Tahoe city and has a private pier and beach as well as tennis courts and a pool and easy access to town. 

The historic properties of Tahoe Tavern and Tavern Shores have nice beaches and amenities such as a long pier, pool and tennis courts and are located a short walk south of Tahoe City. Also on the West Shore is Cedar Point which has just 18 units with also a wide range of amenities including a pier, pool and private beach.

The most exclusive condominium complex on the West Shore is Fleur du Lac situated on 15 acres of land with 22 units ranging in size from 4,300 to 6,000 sq ft. The property features a private harbor, pool, tennis court and yacht club. This is a private gated community with a famous club house and rock harbor built on the former Henry J. Kaiser Estate.

The Chambers Landing Condominium Development is an exclusive, gated, lakefront complex. There are 43 townhome-style luxury condominiums situated on 13.5 acres of prime lakeside grounds. Owners have access to their own private pier and buoy field, along with a sandy beach, four tennis courts, and a seasonally heated pool. The Chamber’s Landing Bar & Restaurant is located adjacent to the pool. 

Other Lakes in the Area

Panorama of Donner Lake

Donner Lake

Donner Lake is a small lake located in Truckee Ca. The lake is 238 feet deep, and is well known for trout fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Lake front homes range from small classic mountain cabins to luxurious homes. Most of the lake front homes are located on the south side of the lake. These properties often have private piers, and some have small rocky sand beaches. The north shore of the lake has split lake front homes (a road between the home and the water access) which include great lake views and many have private piers and beach access. Donner Lake is a tight community that is quieter and more affordable than homes located on Lake Tahoe.

Aerial View of Serene Lakes

Serene Lakes

Serene Lakes are a pair of freshwater lakes, located in the mountains west of Truckee and about 15 mi northwest of Lake Tahoe. Serene Lakes consists of two connected bodies of water, Lake Serena and Lake Dulzura, which together span about 77 acres. Serene Lakes lakefront homes offer a quiet forested mountain setting at a fraction of the price of Tahoe and Donner lakefronts. 

Cascade Lake and Emerald Bay

Cascade Lake

Cascade Lake  is located about 0.5 mile from South lake Tahoe and is a 1 mile by 0.5 mile long and 170ft deep glacial lake, complete with a 200ft waterfall. This area is such a hidden treasure that most visitors to Lake Tahoe don’t even know it exists!  Many of the homes have piers or buoy’s for boat mooring. There is also an HOA that maintains a pier, roads, snow removal, and water.  There are very few homes located in this gated and private neighborhood. 

 

Mt Tallac and Fallen Leaf Lake

Fallen Leaf Lake

Fallen Leaf Lake is located one mile south of Lake Tahoe and is 2.9 miles long, 0.9 miles wide and 415 feet deep.  Homes in the historic neighborhood of Fallen Leaf Lake are usually lakefront or hidden among the trees with lake views. There are old ‘Tahoe Style’ cabins, newly constructed homes with boat houses and docks and wrap around decks, as well as historic wooden cabins that sit on acres of land.  This South Lake Tahoe neighborhood lies directly beneath Mt. Tallac—the most iconic of Tahoe’s mountain peaks, which results in fantastic mountainous views. This neighborhood is very boater friendly! 

Click HERE to see all Lakefront Listings in Lake Tahoe and Truckee

With 40 + years of experience in the Tahoe Truckee market, Greg can walk you through the primary differences in lifestyle and vacation experiences offered by all of the different Lakefront communities on the North and West Shores of Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake and Serene Lakes on Donner Summit.  If you’re interested in South Lake Tahoe or the Nevada side of the lake, Greg would be happy to refer you to an expert in those communities as well.