Insider's Guide to Lake Tahoe’s West Shore

Jul 17

Every side of Lake Tahoe provides a different experience to visitors and the West Shore is always a great experience with scenic views, incredible beaches, and some of the best trails in the area. Options like Meeks Bay, Rubicon Bay, and D.L. Bliss State Park are well worth a day trip or an overnight stay.

Whether you come to Lake Tahoe for the water or the mountains, here are some of the great spots to check out along Lake Tahoe’s West Shore.

Best Places to Visit on the West Side of Lake Tahoe

The area on the west shore of the lake between South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City offers several fantastic experiences. This side is less built up than other areas of Tahoe, like South Lake, Stateline, or Truckee. You will have ample opportunities to enjoy nature while still being close enough to local towns for any amenities that you might need.

Some of the top places on this side of the lake include:

Meeks Bay - Meeks Bay is home to the Meeks Bay Campground and Meeks Bay Beach, offering a great place to hang out for the day or to spend the night. The beach has sandy shores that extend shallowly out into the lake, making this a great place to swim and play in the water, or head out on a stand up paddleboard. When you are ready for a change of scenery, several trails, like the Meeks Creek Trail depart from the campsite and offer hiking opportunities in the Sierra Nevadas.
Meeks Bay Resort - If you prefer a warm shower and comfortable bed after your day of exploring Lake Tahoe, you can opt to stay at the Meeks Bay Resort. The hotel offers many amenities with the same convenient access to all the area's great trails. You will also have access to the private resort beach.
D.L. Bliss State Park - Located adjacent to Rubicon Bay and south of Meeks Bay, D.L. Bliss State Park is home to multiple beaches, including Lester Beach and Callaway Cove Beach. Both are top locations for swimming, kayaking, SUP, picnics, and sunbathing. The state park is also home to multiple hiking trails, including the half mile Balancing Rock Nature Trail, and a campground that offers a bike-in campsite for those arriving by bike. The beaches can fill up early so get there early for day use.
Rubicon Trail - D.L. Bliss State Park is also the starting point for the famous Rubicon Trail that connects D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay State Park with a 5 mile hike each way, or 10 mile round trip. The hike has beautiful views of Lake Tahoe along the way.
Rubicon Point Lighthouse - The Rubicon Point Lighthouse is located at the south point of Rubicon Bay. It is accessible via the Rubicon Trail or you can view it from the water if you head out on a kayak or stand up paddleboard from either Emerald Bay or one of the beaches in D.L. Bliss State Park.

Many of the top places on the west side of South Lake Tahoe are best appreciated when you can get out to the water on a stand up paddleboard or kayak. This way, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful, clear waters of Lake Tahoe up close and take in all of the surrounding views of the mountains on the west side of the lake.

SUP Tahoe makes it easy to rent a stand up paddleboard or kayak in Lake Tahoe. Our SUP rentals include a car rack as well to make it easy to take your rental from our nearby location in South Lake Tahoe up to any campgrounds or for day use areas on the West Shore. From there, you can easily launch and enjoy a day - or several - on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore. Reserve a stand up paddleboard or kayak online from SUP Tahoe as you start planning your trip.