Tahoe beaches, Truckee’s annual 4th of July parade, and backyard grilling. That is what 4th of July with my family is all about. With temperatures expected to reach 90 degrees during the holiday, it’s off to Lake Tahoe with its refreshingly cold, clear water and shallow beaches found in remote areas off the north, east, and west shores of the big lake. With the expected crowds over the holiday, it becomes even more imperative to find those places off the beaten path that offer little to no parking, and to find them early. Many locals love the serenity and ease of Speedboat Beach tucked away between historic lakefront homes and private roads. Also, a popular spot is Moondunes, which provides a great shallow area for young families and plenty of sand to spread out for the day. If you want an adventure, you can set out for East Shore’s Hidden Beach, which is well worth the hike down for that pristine private setting that we admire in quintessential photos taken of the region. That said, the larger more well-known beaches like Sand Harbor and King’s Beach offer great options and convenient parking. We’ll have to choose once we pack the lunches, the sand toys, the paddle boards, chairs, blankets, sunscreen, and corral the kids – we’ll be lucky to make it there by lunchtime!

Wishing you a happy Fourth of July,

Liza Killen
530.550.2009