Sand Harbor State Park
2005 NV-28, Incline Village, NV 89452
Open: 7 Days a week, year-round
Hours: 8am - 1 hr. after sunset
Boat Ramp: 6am-8pm
Reservations: required April 15th - October 15th, for entry 8-10:30am.
Fees (applicable year-round): $10 parking fee, $15 for out of state vehicles. Cards accepted.
If you're looking for some chill coastal music to listen to while checking out this post... Coast Modern is always like a fresh breath of coastal air. They rock.
Boy, does time fly. About ten years ago, my baby girl hit a milestone at Sand Harbor - she started pointing at 12 months old (once I find that picture, I'll be sure to add it to this post). Yes, Sand Harbor's beauty has that kind of effect on people.
Needless to say, Sand Harbor is one of Lake Tahoe's most popular beaches, drawing over 1 million visitors annually with its stunning scenery, clear turquoise waters, amenities, access to outdoor recreation, history, and undeniable charm, all of which keep me coming back time and time again.
And it being a tourist attraction is no reason to not visit. Sure, it can get super crowded at times, but having it nearby grants us the power to strategically visit it during off peak times - early mornings & late evenings during peak summer days, as well as during our "local's summer," the period after tourists leave the area and before fall arrives, usually mid-September to mid-October.
With the fluctuations in weather and temps reaching into the 100s, there's never been a better time to take advantage of our nearby beaches. In the pictures featured in this post, the kids and I took a spontaneous trip last week that lasted from 5-8:30pm. The beach was practically empty and the water was warm enough for my kids to enjoy a swim. Spontaneous beach days are an absolute privilege, and many times end up being the best kind of days... I think in big part because 1. last minute adventures spark excitement, and 2. spontaneity mean less planning, and in turn, less stress (at least that's the hope).
Aside from its beauty, Sand Harbor has so much more going on for itself. It has a restaurant, places to wash the sand off your feet, an underrated gift shop/museum that I think more people should be talking about, a beloved and widely celebrated annual Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival that features proper plays and entertainment that take place during the most magical time of the day - sunset time - against the most epic background of water, shoreline, and a blanket of endless majestic evergreens, and so much more. Catch Twelfth Night, Shakespeare's romantic comedy, and Peter and the Suncatcher, a playful Peter Pan sequel, now through August 24, 2025.
Another thing I love about this beach is its design. You have your main beach area with its water sports rentals, restaurant & museum, and a wood walkway connecting to some lookouts, another smaller more intimate beach section with huge climbable boulders, the event area, a rentable pavilions, and a quieter boat launch/docking area.
Not to mention its location on the stunning, less developed North shore and proximity to the main part of Incline Village, an underrated part of Lake Tahoe that's loaded with everything needed for a memorable & fun visit.
A Note
My daughter just started the 6th grade yesterday (tears). I can remember when I was in the 6th like it was just yesterday! Bottom line: TIME FLIES. And that's a big reason why I seize every moment I get to do the things I love, with the people I love.
Connecting with nature has limitless benefits, many of them priceless and not easy to measure. Visit nature during sunrise or sunset time, and you'll witness these benefits to the max. Tourists fly in from all over the world to visit this beach (& Lake Tahoe as a whole), & it boggles my mind how many people who live nearby still haven't been. Hopefully this post is enough to spark your curiously and inspires you to see it with your own eyes.
It's easy to get caught up in the frenzy of life, so be sure to pause from time to time and ask yourself if it's time to reconnect with yourself, your family, and nature. Oh, and try to not just chase the next thing and instead embrace & experience what's now. Often, we don't realize we're living the moments we'll one day miss. Now, get out there and be happy and don't just past time... make it matter.
Bonuses
-access an epic family friendly bike trail - Tahoe East Shore Trail - from the boat launch side of the beach (or Tunnel Creek lot if you're not planning a beach visit. RATES).
-Enjoy horse drawn carriage rides with Tahoe Sleigh Rides at the park in winter.
Nearby
Skunk Harbor
5.2 miles, 12 mins. away | about 2.4 mile out & back hike | 600-900 ft. elevation gain
A secluded unmarked hidden gem that features a short scenic hike, a small, intimate boulder lined beach, tranquility, and old remnants of historic buildings from the 1920s. Google directions will bring you to the pullout looking area where you can park. No restrooms and trash bins available. For the love of earth, please don't forget to pack it out.
Christmas Tree Village Shopping Center
(5 miles, 10 mins. from Sand Harbor)
*Thania's Juice Bar - Organic eats and organic drinks prepared by a fierce owner who listens to her customers and treats them with kindness. Nutrition is #1.
*Koi Sushi - pretty good sushi spot with AYCE and budget maki roll options. Heads up: Their portions are huge just in case you're interested in taking on an all you can eat session.
*Happy Tiers Bakery - if you want a serious spread of pastries and desserts, this place is sure to deliver. Serves local coffee from Coffeebar. Their tiramisu and key lime pie are pure FIRE.
Down the Street from Christmas Tree Village
*Sushi Scoops - cute little shop that serves ice cream, shakes & malts, sundaes, smoothies, frozen yogurt, shaved ice, sodas.
*Wing's Korean Chicken - Located in the same plaza as Susie Scoops. I've been enjoying this place for a good while now. It's without a doubt one of the best spot for chicken wings. Tip: ask for the sauce on the side to regulate the sauce and keep the wings crispy. Oh, and don't skip the sweet fried cheese balls. They're so addicting.
Bowl Incline (4.7 miles, 10 mins. from Sand Harbor)
Pricing of activities is on the higher end because of its location, but still a fun spot for its lively and bright atmosphere and retro/mid century modern vibes. Includes 16 lanes, patio with games like cornhole & axe throwing, arcade, bar, and restaurant (note: they serve dole whip, a pineapple soft serve that's loved by many). Make reservations for bowling lanes HERE.
Incline Village Recreation Center (Website)
A welcoming community space open to the public offering a variety of fitness, sports, and family-friendly activities for all ages. There's a fun, short, and sweet trail that follows Incline Creek that I've done many times with my kiddos that starts right next to the Bocce Ball area. There's also the Stream Environment Zone on the opposite side, which offers an 0.85-mile loop through a forested area with several small bridges that cross over streams and creeks.
Tip: Bring a bathing suit and waterproof footwear so you can splash around in the multiple creeks and streams found throughout the area.
***Information subject to change. All opinions are my own.
Photography
© Katherine Fung,
All rights reserved.
Categorized under "Lake Tahoe"
