The undulating shores of the Lake’s North Shore begins at the dam in Tahoe City and continue east, weaving in and out of the coves making up the hamlets of Tahoe Vista, Agate Bay and Kings Beach, before crossing from California into Nevada to the thriving community of Incline Village.
With the Concours d’Elegance from June 19 to 21 in Carnelian Bay, I decided to talk about some of the communities of the North Shore. For this column, I start outside Tahoe City and end in Tahoe Vista. I’ll cover Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Incline Village in later columns.
There are few spots to stock up on supplies, but boaters will find several public docks and ramps for their use, along with several exceptional restaurants accessible by boat.
One often overlooked pier that is open to public use lies just outside Tahoe City. The weathered “T” shaped pier offers no indication that it was built for the public, but it stands there rarely used.
As boaters leave Tahoe City, passing the Tahoe State Recreation Area campground, there’s a small stretch of wooded lakefront property with few homes. Sandwiched between Rocky Ridge Beach Club’s pier – a private club – and a homeowner’s pier, is the pier (it doesn’t have a gate). Boaters can dock here and enjoy the small public beach where the pier meets land. A small trail from the beach leads back to Highway 28.
Lake Forest
Perhaps the most heavily used public boat ramp on the North Shore lies outside Tahoe City in the Lake Forest community. The Lake Forest Boat ramp is a heavy traffic area and boaters should use extra caution in the area. The channel leading into the ramp area is shallow and marked by some rather large boulders – be sure to stay within the channel. There are no services at Lake Forest, but there are two campgrounds to the east and west of the ramp, along with a park, a picnic area with barbecues and restrooms.
Next to the boat ramp is the U.S. Coast Guard Station, who are there to help boaters on the lake. While it may be tempting to want to check out their station, it is a military facility, so steer clear.
A long, sandy stretch of public beach – Lake Forest Beach – lies beyond the Coast Guard station. The beach and public pier sit below a high, sandy cliff where one of the campgrounds is located. Boaters can stop here for a respite from the water, but, as always, be careful of underwater rocks and low water levels. There’s also a public pier for docking, but no services (there are restrooms in the campground above the beach).
Carnelian Bay
As you round Dollar Point into Carnelian Bay, you may catch a glimpse of anglers along the thick brush and rocks on the point. Dollar Point is known to be a premier fishing spot with locals. Stay clear of the point, however, as the underwater boulders are extremely dangerous to boaters and the water level can be deceptive.
Gar Woods Grill & Pier offers indoor and outdoor dining, and it’s not uncommon to see a wedding at the beach in front of the restaurant. The pier at the restaurant is public, as are the beaches to either side of the pier. Boaters can tie up at the pier, which is handicap accessible, or the restaurant has a boat valet available until dusk for its customers.
Navigation Aide: The large wooden and glass exterior of Gar Woods can easily be mistaken for another lakefront home. Look for the mammoth, rectangular buildings making up the facilities at Sierra Boat Company; Gar Woods is across the expanse of rocky beach to its left.
Sierra Boat Company, to the right of Gar Woods, offers a full-service chandlery, slip rentals, and specializes in the restoration and sales of wooden boats.
Situated between Gar Woods and Sierra Boat is Carnelian Bay Beach, a rocky public beach maintained by the California Tahoe Conservancy with picnic facilities and restrooms.
If you need to stock up on supplies, you’ll find a convenience store across the street along with CB’s Bar & Grill with some of the best pizza around.
On the west side of Sierra Boat Company is Patton Beach. This rocky picnic and beach area is dog friendly with public restrooms. A short walk to the west of the beach is the Old Post Office, open for breakfast and lunch.
On the far side of Sierra Boat Company is the largest mural on the lake, painted in 2000 by local artist Susie Alexander-Georgeson.
Agate Bay
Entering Agate Bay, the last bay on California’s side of the North Shore, you’re treated to more of the beautiful lakefront homes.
There are several public beaches on the east side of Agate Bay, along with a few private club beaches. As well, there’s a public ramp in Tahoe Vista, but due to low water levels, it will be closed for the summer.
Continuing along the shoreline, you’ll see North Tahoe Marina to the west, with a full chandlery and services. There is no public use of the pier, however.
Shortly before the marina is Moon Dunes Beach, a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming. The beach has a picnic area and restrooms.
