California 89 North - South Lake Tahoe to Emerald Bay

U.S. 50 east & California 89 north
U.S. 50 and California 89 leave Meyers and enter the city of South Lake Tahoe. Sitting at an elevation of 6,260 feet at the south shore of Lake Tahoe, the city of South Lake Tahoe was incorporated on November 30, 1965. The population of the city was 23,609 as of the 2000 Census. Rapid growth and redevelopment have fueled massive changes to South Lake Tahoe through the years. With new hotels and resorts recently built and constructed near the Nevada casinos, downtown South Lake Tahoe has become quite cosmopolitan. The city plans more changes in the future, with a large convention center and realignment of U.S. 50 out of downtown (near Stateline, Nevada) in the coming years. Photos taken 07/20/09 and by Jeff Royston (01/00).
A more unique welcome sign is found along U.S. 50 east and California 89 north soon thereafter. Photo taken 07/20/09.
A reassurance shield for U.S. 50 (Emerald Bay Road) east omits the shared alignment with California 89 north. Since California 89 follows Emerald Bay Road north out of South Lake Tahoe toward Camp Richardson and Emerald Bay, it seems like California 89 should be posted here as well. Photo taken 07/20/09.
U.S. 50 east and California 89 north are designated as part of the state scenic highway system as identified by this sign. Photo taken 07/08/07.
Emerald Bay Road widens to four lanes as we approach the wye intersection (junction with Lake Tahoe Boulevard). The next several intersections are with D Street and C Street. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Eastbound U.S. 50 and northbound California 89 meet C Street. Photo taken 07/20/09.

The routes divide ahead. Stay left for California 89 north to Camp Richardson, Emerald Bay, Tahoe City, and Truckee. Merge right to continue east along U.S. 50 (Lake Tahoe Boulevard) toward Stateline and Carson City in Nevada. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Trailblazers shows both U.S. 50 east and California 89 north prior to the wye intersection. Photo taken 07/20/09.
U.S. 50 east and California 89 north split. The truck route turns onto U.S. 50 (Lake Tahoe Boulevard) east toward Stateline and Carson City; California 89 proceeds north to Tahoe City and Truckee. Photo taken 07/20/09.
California 89 north continues north through this traffic signal to follow the western shore of Lake Tahoe. This is one of the most beautiful drives in the Sierra Nevada and is well worth the drive. Photo taken 07/20/09.
California 89 north
After California 89 (Emerald Bay Road) splits from U.S. 50 (Lake Tahoe Boulevard) in the city of South Lake Tahoe, this reassurance shield is posted along California 89 north. Trucks over 30 feet long are not advised on this stretch of state highway, especially near Emerald Bay itself. Photo taken 07/21/09.
A second warning sign for trucks and semis is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 07/21/09.
Northbound California 89 (Emerald Bay Road) approaches 15th Street north to Tahoe Keys. Tahoe Keys, which was planned in the 1950s and constructed in phases in the late 1950s and 1960s, is a waterfront development that features water access to homes via canals that were dug to provide boat access from backyard docks. The construction of the canals proved to be very controversial, as some enjoyed the private access to the lake while others bemoaned the environmental damage caused by dredging the area to create the canals near the mouth of the Upper Truckee River. Tahoe Keys consists of 740 acres and was heavily advertised for vacation properties in the 1960s and 1970s throughout California.1 Photo taken 07/21/09.
Leaving the city of South Lake Tahoe, northbound California 89 narrows from two lanes to one lane. From here, California 89 travels through the Tahoe National Forest on the west shore of the lake. Photo taken 07/21/09.
Trees line both sides of California 89 as we travel between South Lake Tahoe and Camp Richardson. For the next several miles, California 89 travels nearly due west through Camp Richardson en route to the Taylor Creek Stream Profile Visitors Center, Cascade Lake, and Emerald Bay. Photo taken 07/21/09.
The first public access turnoff from California 89 is to Pope Beach, which features beach access and a parking lot. During summer months, the entrance to the beach carries a nominal fee. Photo taken 07/21/09.
California 89 enters the unincorporated community of Camp Richardson Historic Resort and Marina. This resort area features cabins, camping, and public beach access. Again, a fee is charged for parking in the lots near the beach during summer months, but parking is allowed along selected segments of California 89 off the pavement. A full service marina, bar, and restaurant are located along the lakeshore in Camp Richardson (turn right at the next intersection). Photo taken 07/21/09.
The next right connects to northbound Jameson Beach Road to Camp Richardson's marina, boat ramp, and swimming beach, including a parking area. Campgrounds are located on the left (south) side of the state route. Photo taken 07/21/09.
The historic Camp Richardson lodge is situated on the right (northwest) corner of the intersection with Jameson Beach Road. Photo taken 07/21/09.
A service road (Valhalla Road) leads north from California 89 to the historic Tallac and Valhalla properties. Photo taken 07/21/09.
A bike path parallels California 89 on the north side of the state route. This multi-purpose trail can be used by bikes, hikers, and horses. Walking paths connects the bike path with the historic buildings at Tallac and Baldwin as well as the undeveloped lakeshore and beaches. Photo taken 07/21/09.
During winter months, California 89 can be closed due to snow pack on the high points around Emerald Bay. At this time in the summer, the state highway was open. During times of closure, this sign can be adjusted to indicate the points of closure. Photo taken 07/21/09.
Tall fir and pine trees line both sides of the highway, while sagebrush and smaller plants grow between the tall evergreen trees. Photo taken 07/21/09.
Northbound California 89 (Emerald Bay Road) approaches Fallen Leaf Road south to Fallen Leaf Lake and Heritage Way north to Tallac Historic Site and Kiva Picnic Area. Hiking trails link Tallac, Valhalla, Camp Richardson, and Pope Beach, so it is possible to park at any of the individual parking lots and walk to the various beaches and attractions along the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe. Photo taken 07/21/09.
The Tallac Historic Site commemmorates what was once the "Grandest Resort in the World" over a century ago but is now part of the national forest. Remains and restored buildings and grounds of the estate are a popular tourist draw today. Much of the history is portrayed at the Tallac Museum, and tours are available of the buildings. The four major complexes within the Tallac Historic Site are the Baldwin Estate, the Pope Estate, the Tallac Resort, and Valhalla. Many of these properties date from 1894 to 1921. Photo taken 07/21/09.
The next intersection connects with a U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center, which features the Taylor Creek Stream Profile Chamber. The stream chamber offers views of fish found in the natural ecosystem. Trails follow the creek to the lakeshore. Photo taken 07/21/09.
Northbound California 89 (Emerald Bay Road) meets the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Visitors Center. All tourist information and ranger information is available at this center. Photo taken 07/21/09.
A California 89 reassurance shield is posted after the visitors center entrance. This photo was taken within the week after the Angora Fire was contained in southeastern Lake Tahoe, and the smoke remained prevalent for several weeks thereafter. Photo taken 07/08/07.
The lack of traffic on this summer's morning was quite unusual. Normally this road can be quite busy during a given summer's day. Photo taken 07/21/09.
California 89 next crosses over Taylor Creek. Photo taken 07/21/09.
Northbound California 89 approaches Mount Tallac Road south to Camp Shelly and Baldwin Beach Road north to Baldwin Beach. Photo taken 07/21/09.
Turn left from California 89 into Camp Shelly, which is operated by the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District. This campground is open to all and features basic camping amenities. Photo taken 07/21/09.
After the Camp Shelly turnoff, California 89 begins to see some of the curves that warranted the earlier truck advisory signage seen in South Lake Tahoe. Photo taken 07/21/09.
This suite of photos follows California 89 north as we travel west and then north, avoiding nearby Cascade Lake. Mount Tallac (el. 9,735 feet) occasionally comes into view to the southwest of the highway before it turns north toward Emerald Bay. The highway sees a left turn to Spring Creek Road west; at this point, California 89 turns north. A sharp "off-ramp" to Cascade Road leads to waterfront access. A blockade next to the "Cascade Properties" sign leads to Cascade Lake, which is privately owned and closed to the public. Photos taken 07/21/09.
A series of sweeping switchbacks takes California 89 to an elevation well above the lake level. By the time the state highway reaches the top of the grade, it will look down on Emerald Bay. Photos taken 07/21/09.
At the top of the grade, northbound California 89 enters Emerald Bay State Park. This scenic state park, located at the southwest corner of Lake Tahoe, offers a variety of activities including tours of Vikingsholm on the shore of Emerald Bay, hiking trails around the historic estate and bay, and views of Eagle Falls with access to nearby forest service trails. To the trail to Vikingsholm, follow California 89 north. Photos taken 07/21/09.
Another switchback after the entrance to the state park greets northbound travelers. At the top of this grade, California 89 will follow a narrow ridge that barely fits the two lanes of traffic. This road was originally built in 1913 and gradually improved to the modern two-lane highway seen today. According to a sign at the vista point ahead, workers spent month blasting granite to make a surface suitable for a road. This segment of California 89 near Emerald Bay was among the most difficult segments of highway to build around Lake Tahoe due to the sheer cliffs and grade between the water's edge and nearby mountains. Photos taken 07/21/09.
A vista point allows motorists on California 89 to look down on scenic Emerald Bay. This is one of the most beautiful views in the Lake Tahoe Basin; enjoy! Benches and a small rest area with pit toilets are located at this small parking area. Visible in the waters below is Fanette Island, which is the only island in Lake Tahoe. A small building on the island is the former teahouse of the former owner of Vikingsholm. The estate is not visible from this vantage point. Photos taken 07/21/09 and 07/08/07.
Leaving the vista point, northbound California 89 will wrap around the south and west edges of Emerald Bay. The parking area for Vikingsholm is still about a mile ahead. Since the road was built into a cliff high above the lake, rock slides and related landslide issues can be a concern, especially during the spring snow melt or significant rainfall. This narrow road has limited shoulders, but bicyclists are commonly found here during summer months. Drive with caution. Photos taken 07/21/09.
Northbound California 89 (Emerald Bay Road) crosses Eagle Creek and approaches the turnoff for the Eagle Falls parking lot and Eagle Lake trailhead. Photos taken 07/21/09.
At the Vikingsholm parking lot is a stellar view of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe (looking south and east). The second view shows the mountains surrounding the north and west side of Emerald Bay, looking from the Vikingsholm parking lot toward Desolation Wilderness to the in Tahoe National Forest. Photos taken 07/21/09.

Sources:

  1. Tahoe Keys a center for recreation - and controversy, Tahoe Daily Tribune, by Adam Jensen, Thursday, October 2, 2008

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Page Updated October 12, 2009.

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