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Leaving behind the Vikingsholm parking lot, northbound California 89 enters another rock slide area and will use a sidehill viaduct (concrete roadway) to cross the unstable ground. The highway again gains elevation to leave the Emerald Bay area. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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This sidehill viaduct, which consists of five separate structures, was constructed in 1991. While the sidehill viaduct structure is narrow, there are bicyclists and others who use the road through this narrow segment. Photos taken 07/08/07 and 07/21/09. |
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At the top of grade, California 89 turns north again and leaves Emerald Bay behind. Ahead are D.L. Bliss State Park, Rubicon Bay, Meeks Bay, and Sugar Pine Point State Park. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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California 89 passes east of Rubicon Peak and west of the shoreline of Rubicon Bay for the next several miles. Photos taken 07/21/09. |
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The next right (Lester Beach Road) turn connects California 89 with D.L. Bliss State Park, which was donated to the state by the Bliss family in 1929. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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D.L. Bliss State Park is a popular day-use beach and campground situated along Lake Tahoe north of the entrance to Emerald Bay. One of the principal attractions at D.L. Bliss State Park is Balancing Rock, which true to its name balances delicately on a stone base. Hiking trails are abundant in this park. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Continuing north, Rubicon Bay and Lake Tahoe come into view. The state route gradually leaves the relative tranquility of passing through national forest and state park land to enter the unincorporated community of Rubicon Bay. Most development is located off the state highway, so the scenery remains unspoiled. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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California passes through Rubicon Bay. Vacation homes and rental properties are located in this scenic nook of western Lake Tahoe, but most are located off the main highway. Photos taken 07/21/09. |
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Continuing north, California 89 next enters the unincorporated community of Meeks Bay (according to the sign, population 150, elevation 6,259 feet). Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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The next right (Manicina) connects to Meeks Bay Resort, which features cabin lodging, beach, marina, and campground. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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The entrance to Meeks Bay Resort is located at California 89 postmile 25. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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A 1929 bridge carries California 89 over Meeks Creek. Photo taken 07/08/07. |
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California 89 leaves Meeks Bay and approaches the unincorporated community of Tahoma, which is located along California 89 north at the El Dorado-Placer line. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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The next right off California 89 serves Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. This gorgeous state park, which is the largest on the west shore of Lake Tahoe includes activities such as camping, swimming, hiking, fishing, and touring the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion. A focal point of this park (along with the towering sugar pine trees and large beach) is the 1903 Pine Lodge/Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, which has tours daily. This former summer home for the wealthy people who visited Lake Tahoe in the early 1900s was sold to the state of California along with the nearby grounds in 1965. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Ahead on the left is the entrance to the Sugar Pine Point State Park campground. During the busy summer tourist season, the campgrounds fill up quickly. Photos taken 07/21/09. |
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California 89 enters the unincorporated community of Tahoma prior to the El Dorado-Placer line. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Parking is restricted on the state highway for the next nine miles due to snow plow operations in Placer. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Northbound California 89 leaves El Dorado County and enters Placer. Home to 248,399 people as of the 2000 Census, Placer encompasses the Interstate 80 corridor leading northeast out of Sacramento into the foothills and extends east to northwestern Lake Tahoe. The county seat is Auburn, which is located at the intersection of Interstate 80 and California 49 (Gold Country Highway). Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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The Tahoma Market is just north of the county line, and it offers groceries, a deli, and other supplies. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Turn left ahead for McKinney Rubicon Springs Road west to a off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation area. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Rounding the bend, California 89 approaches the unincorporated community of Homewood (el. 6,238 feet). Lake Tahoe again comes into view. On the west side of the highway is Homewood Mountain Resort, a ski resort. The bike path resumes in Sugar Pine Point State Park in Tahoma and continues north on a path parallel to California 89 en route to Tahoe City. Photos taken 07/21/09. |
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This is about as close as California 89 ever gets to the water's edge. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Northbound California 89 leaves Homewood and enters the unincorporated community of Tahoe Pines (el. 6,240 feet and population estimate of 255 per the highway sign). Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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California 89 crosses Blackwood Creek on this old bridge. Oddly, this bridge is not listed in the bridge log but was likely constructed in the late 1920s or early 1930s based on the bridge rail design. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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A large rock protudes on the east shoulder of California 89. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Northbound California 89 approaches the Kaspian Picnic Area (administered by the national forest). Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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The next left from California 89/West Lake Boulevard north is Barker Pass Road west to Blackwood Canyon. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Vacation homes follow California 89 north through Tahoe Pines. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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The bike path occasionally comes into view alongside California 89. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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California 89 crosses Ward Creek on this bridge, which was built in 1928. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Now in the unincorporated community of Sunnyside-Tahoe City, California 89 sees a bit more development, including more stores, resorts, and homes. Ahead is the Sunnyside Tahoe Lodge and William Kent Campground. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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California 89 passes through the center of Sunnyside and continues north toward Tahoe City. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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A California 89 reassurance shield is posted on northbound West Lake Boulevard. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Occasionally, the bike path switches from one side of the state highway to the other. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Continuing north along California 89, a weather and traffic advisory sign is posted for conditions leading north and east from Tahoe City. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Northbound California 89/West Lake Boulevard approaches Granlibakken Road west to Granlibakken Resort. On the west side of the highway is the Tahoe House Bakery. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Shortly thereafter, California 89 leaves Sunnyside and enters the unincorporated community of Tahoe City. Together with Sunnyside, Tahoe City is a Census-designated place with a population of 1,761 as of the 2000 Census. Photo taken 07/08/07. |
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The next left is a driveway to a parking area for Truckee River and bike path access. A bike path bridge crosses the Truckee River separately from the Fanny Bridge (which carries California 89 over the Truckee River). Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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A dynamic message sign is located prior to the Truckee River crossing (Fanny Bridge). Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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For the first time since leaving South Lake Tahoe, northbound California 89 approaches a state route. The next signalized intersection (after the pedestrian crosswalk signal) is with California 28, which continues the journey around Lake Tahoe by following the shoreline to Carnelian Bay, Tahoe Vista, Kings Beach, and Brockway. Upon entering the state of Nevada, the highway retains the designation as Nevada 28 and proceeds east through Incline Village, then turns south through Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park to end at U.S. 50 at Spooner Junction. Together, California 28, Nevada 28, U.S. 50, and California 89 form a loop tour around Lake Tahoe. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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The Truckee River is notable as the only river to flow out of Lake Tahoe. While all other rivers and creeks flow into the lake, the Truckee River offers the only outflow. Waters from Lake Tahoe follow the Truckee River north to Truckee, then east toward Verdi, Reno, Sparks, and ultimately Pyramid Lake in Nevada. A parking area, museum, and visitors center is located adjacent to California 89 near the Truckee River outlet. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Prior to the Fanny Bridge, which carries California 89 over the Truckee River, is this California 28 shield assembly. California 28 is notable as being one of two California state routes to carry its number into Nevada. The other is California 88, which becomes Nevada 88 south of Minden-Gardnerville in the Carson Valley. Photos taken 07/21/09. |
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At the visitors center are a series of exhibits documenting the history of the Truckee River Outlet Gates, and one of those placards shows a photo taken in 2002 of the 1928 Fanny Bridge that also includes the California 28 junction sign. Even over the course of seven years, changes to signage has occurred. It will change again when a new Truckee River bridge is built and the intersection with California 28 is realigned. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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Northbound California 89 crosses the Fanny Bridge. Photo taken 07/08/07. |
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After crossing the Fanny Bridge, stay right to transition onto California 28 east to Kings Beach and Incline Village. The two northbound lanes will both turn left at the upcoming traffic signal and follow the Truckee River north to Squaw Valley and Truckee. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
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This traffic signal serves as the western terminus of California 28. Northbound California 89 turns left here to continue north toward the city of Truckee. Photo taken 07/21/09. |
Page Updated October 11, 2009.
