South Tahoe Beach Bike Path Cruiser Ride Detail
Challenge:
A flat bike path. Take into account the length of ride you select, your available time, and your level of fitness. Caution is needed when crossing intersections, driveways, and other users like pedestrians, pets, skateboarders and strollers. Particular caution is needed on the unimproved section from Ski Run Blvd. to El Dorado Beach.
Trailhead:
There are many places to connect to the Beach Cruise. Below are GPS coordinates for each beach that can help you select the best route for you.
GPS: 38.961062 / -119.949684 (Lakeside Beach & Marina)
GPS: 38.948553 / -119.957612 (Ski Run Beach & Marina)
GPS: 38.944750 / -119.977343 (El Dorado Beach)
GPS: 38.934248 / -120.000925 (East Cove Beach)
GPS: 38.932957 / -120.034146 (Pope Beach)
GPS: 38.933631 / -120.049746 (Kiva Beach)
GPS: 38.933906 / -120.064777 (Baldwin Beach)
The Bike Ride:
South Tahoe Beach Bike Path: As the name implies, this ride connects South Tahoe’s beaches — some of the best in the entire region along a network of bike paths (South Tahoe Bikeway) and neighborhood roadways. Starting from Stateline, the beaches include: Lakeside Beach and Marina, Ski Run Beach and Marina, El Dorado Beach, East Cove, Pope, Camp Richardson Resort, Valhalla Historic Site, and Baldwin beach. These are large sandy beaches ideal for sunbathing, swimming, or just taking in the beauty of the natural surroundings. Just passed Valhalla is a bike path that can take you to Fallen Leaf Lake. Shortly after that are the USFS Visitor Center and Taylor Creek Stream Profile Chamber. During October, Kokanee salmon in the thousands swim upstream to spawn – it is quite a sight when the Black Bears arrive to gorge themselves of the salmon. The Baldwin beach area is a known nesting area for Bald Eagles and sightings are common.
Be sure to bring water, snacks, a bathing suit, and sunscreen as you will want to stay awhile. And of course bring your camera. Along the way are many opportunities for meals, beverages, shopping, and bike rentals.
Historical:
Along the way on the South Tahoe Beach Bike Path: Just passed Camp Richardson is the Tallac Historic Site made up of three estates: Pope, Baldwin and Valhalla. In 1894, George P. Tallant, San Francisco’s Crocker Bank leader, built the Pope estate, sold it in 1899 to Lloyd Tevis, president of Wells Fargo Bank, whose family sold it George Pope in 1923. Next to the Pope Estate, E. J. “Luck” Baldwin, a logging baron, build the Tallac Hotel in 1922. “Valhalla”, the Heller Estate was conceived in 1922 by San Francisco investment banker Walter S. Heller. He named his estate “Valhalla” from the great hall of Viking afterlife. Today, these historic estates are owned by the USFS and managed by nonprofit organizations that maintain and promote the Tahoe’s rich cultural traditions with these elegant estates. During the summer months these sites offer tours, special events, and musical performances in the boat house theater.
Camp Richardson Beach
