Sand Harbor — Attraction in Incline Village-Crystal Bay

Warning Cash Only and Arrive Early!

This is an incredible Lake Tahoe Beach with a strict occupancy limit that ensures limited overcrowding but does come with some drawbacks. This is the iconic Lake Tahoe beach and has beautiful views, immaculately clean facilities, an onsite bar & grill, a parking lot, rentals for paddle boards, and a reservable barbecue area. This site has nearly everything you could wish for but comes at a cost. The cost is well worth it, considering Tahoe is becoming overcrowded - so your access to this beach is determined by how dedicated you are to arrive early and prepare!

You must arrive early here and bring cash. The parking is $15 and you must pay in cash or check. If you don't have it, you will have to turn around to Incline Village to visit an ATM and likely be shut out of the park. Secondly, if you are visiting during the busy summer months when children are out of school, be prepared to arrive at 6:30am - 7:00am and wait in line to enter the lot. If you don't arrive then, don't bother coming. They might open the lot later in the afternoon towards 3-4pm, but thats a gamble. During the "off" months when kids are back in school, you might be able to arrive at 8:30am and get a spot on the beach.

There are multiple beaches, rocks, and overlooks where you can set up and enjoy beautiful views of the lake. You are welcome to bring food and tents, but there is also an onsite bar and grill which sells typical American food such as hamburgers and hot dogs. There is also a bar that has decent drinks. Be warned, the waits for food is pretty long because of the popularity here, so I recommend bringing your own alcoholic beverages and possibly packing lunch.

The facilities here are incredibly clean. There are multiple public bathrooms that are well maintained. There is a single barbecue reservation area. There is also a small theatre and also paddleboard rentals nearby. This place truly has everything.

This is a must-see at least once during your Lake Tahoe trip. The views are incredible and worth it. Just be prepared to wake up early and pay for...

During a recent family trip to Sand Harbor, California, my daughter and I, along with the rest of our family, had an unforgettable time immersed in the natural beauty and vibrant atmosphere of this lakeside gem.

Activities We Enjoyed

Sand Harbor offered us a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. We spent our days:

Playing Volleyball: The sandy courts were a great spot for some friendly family competition.

Swimming in the Lake: Despite the chilly water, we couldn’t resist taking a plunge.

Relaxing on the Beach: The pristine sands provided a perfect setting to unwind and soak up the sun.

Highlights of Our Visit

Several aspects of Sand Harbor stood out, making our visit truly memorable:

Great View: The breathtaking vistas of Lake Tahoe were nothing short of spectacular, providing a picture-perfect backdrop for every activity.

Live Music: We stumbled upon live music performances that added a lively touch to our beach experience.

Paddleboarding: Although our paddleboarding plans were interrupted by an unexpected lightning closure, the prospect of trying it was exciting nonetheless.

Good Food: The local food offerings were delightful, adding flavor to our sunny days by the water.

Recommendations for Future Visitors

For those planning a trip to Sand Harbor, here are a few tips from our experience:

Arrive Early: Parking fills up quickly, so aim to get a spot by the lake. Otherwise, you’ll need to park in town and take a shuttle.

Prepare for Cold Water: Even in summer, the lake can be quite cold, so bring appropriate swimwear.

Be Weather-Ready: The weather can change quickly, so pack accordingly to stay comfortable and safe.

Our visit to Sand Harbor was a refreshing escape into nature, filled with activities that both adults and kids could enjoy. It's a must-visit spot for families looking to create lasting memories amidst stunning...

We arrived on a Sunday at 12:30pm. The gate was closed off. We drove by a few times back and forth to see if they'll open because the parking lot looked pretty empty and cars were constantly coming out. We then decided to go find and park in the "other parking lot" and take the bus/shuttle. It was about a 15 min drive ~3 miles away back into town to find that parking lot. We came back 2 other times and the lot was full. We didn't get in until 2pm through the option of the other parking lot and taking the shuttle which is fine. But note, they advise you take the shuttle back before the 5pm shuttle so you can get your car. The lot closes at 6:30 and the gate will be closed overnight. And if you leave for a later shuttle, everyone is also tryna catch it so you had to wait for the 5pm shuttle. The shuttle didn't get there til 5:30pm. They said it's a 35min shuttle back and forth. Parking is $15 and they didn't open the gate til 5pm for new comers. 😒 I guess it's also because they had private events but there was barely folks on the beach. Not very crowded, plenty of space. Maybe it's a way they can control and limit people. There was probably a fire not too far away because it was pretty smokey. The later we stayed, the more smokey it got. It's always pleasant and pretty blue. Love Sand Harbor. Been coming here for over 10 years, I will say, it's kind of sad to see it not look the same as it did. Water is getting smaller and it's pretty shallow and it goes pretty far out. Family friendly but just sad to see it getting dirtier a d the water getting more shallow. The rocks in the water revealing itself over the years. Still gorgeous and blue, just maybe not as clear as it use to be. Also...