By Michelle Allen & Katherine E. Hill

Make the most of the beach season in the Tahoe Sierra and plan to while away the summer days at one of our sandy or rocky beaches. Pack a picnic, the beach toys and sunscreen and visit some of our favorite beaches.

All area beaches are crowded on weekends, but you’ll find plenty of spots during the week to relax and enjoy. Parking will be limited during peak times, take local transit or ride your bike.

Commons Beach | Tahoe City
Commons Beach is in the heart of downtown Tahoe City. The water is shallow at this sandy beach and is a great place for kids to swim and climb on rocks. The sand leads into a large grassy lawn perfect for throwing a Frisbee, playing soccer or relaxing on a blanket. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park.

The park also has a large playground with features for kids of all ages, including a sand pit and rock-climbing feature. The lakeside bike path runs through the park linking the North Shore, West Shore and the Truckee River. Rent a kayak or paddleboard, stay for the Concerts at Commons Beach on Sundays, or check out Tahoe City Farmers’ Market on Thursdays.

While it’s a popular beach destination, it’s not as crowded as other North Shore beaches. | visittahoecity.org

Sugar Pine Point | West Shore
Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park is a popular beach destination that isn’t overcrowded like the beaches of the East Shore. The sandy beach stretches 2 miles along the edge of the park and is easily accessible from the parking area. The beach has a graduated incline, which creates great places to swim, kayak, paddleboard or lounge on an inflatable raft. The beach is linked to the rest of the park through a large network of trails. Take a tour of the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, visit the Nature Center or camp overnight to take full advantage of what the park has to offer. | parks.ca.gov

South Shore
The South Shore offers a plethora of options to enjoy its sandy beaches but head to the Tahoe Tallac Historic Site to avoid most of the crowds. A large sandy beachfront stretches from Camp Richardson through Tahoe Tallac down to Baldwin Beach at Taylor Creek with plenty of room to spread out. Don’t forget to visit the historic sites at Tallac and take in the Stream Profile Chamber at Taylor Creek.

Donner Lake
Donner Memorial State Park wraps around the eastern edge of Donner Lake. The beautiful beaches are a mix of grass, sand and rock and the shoreline has a gentle slope — an ideal spot for kids learning how to swim and for launching a kayaks or paddleboards. Majestic trees dot the shoreline creating a shady respite from the sun.

The outlet to Donner Lake, Donner Creek, bisects the shore and is usually a fun place to play. During much of the summer, the water in the creek is low, especially after peak snow melt. To take full advantage of what the park has to offer, add a museum tour, a trek on one of the many trails or camp overnight. | parks.ca.gov

What to bring
The obvious stuff: sunscreen, beach and water toys, towels, food and drinks, something to sit on or lay on, and a sturdy shade structure.

Drink lots of water, take lots of breaks in the shade and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours; more frequently for little kids. Be mindful of the early signs of dehydration or heat illnesses like headaches, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, fatigue, pale skin or profuse sweating.

What to wear
A swimsuit, of course, but consider wearing a swim shirt with an UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating for extra sun protection. Water shoes with toe protection are highly recommended because many of the area’s beaches are rocky and the sand can be hot and quickly burn feet.

Wear a hat to help prevent sunburn to the face and neck and reduce your body temperature, lowering the risk of heat illnesses.