Westshore

Some say that the Westshore is the best shore. The locals do anyways. The westshore has different terrain than the north shore. At the lakeside and adjacent neighborhoods it is fairly level and as you head back from the lake the mountain rises up to create a wonderful area to explore. Blackwood Canyon leads you to the Desolation Wilderness. You can also find the trail that leads you to the Rubicon Trail, which is very popular with the 4x4ers.

Obexers Market in Homewood & PDQ Market in Tahoma supplies great lunch items, including build your own sandwiches. And if you don't want to drive the 5 miles back to town these markets should supply your minimal needs.
Homewood Mountain Resort, is also located here, making the westshore a little city of its own.
If you are lucky enough to go skiing or snowboarding at Homewood Mountain Resort your view from the top is the photo that I have included here.

The first state park you come to on the westshore is:
Sugar Pine Point State Park and it offers an abundance of history. The Erhman Mansion, built in 1902 and its grounds are located on the lakeside of the Highway 89, with areas to picnic, play lakeside and a pier if you come by boat. There are tours available in the summer.
The campground is located on the west side of the highway.

Also located on the west shore is DL Bliss State Park:
D.L.Bliss State park was named for a pioneering lumberman, railroad owner, and banker of the region. It seems to me that a lot of the developing area around Lake Tahoe was owned by bankers. A lot of them from San Francisco.
The D.L. Bliss family donated 744 acres to the State Park system in 1929. This park offers a trail from DL Bliss to Emerald Bay State Park, called the Rubicon Trail. The views offered through out most of the hike are breathtaking. And off course great picture taking opportunities. Visitors can pick up a brochure at the start of the trail that describes numbered markers, where you can stop and learn about the relationships between the soils, plants, and animals found in the park.

If you continue to travel south you will come to Rubicon Bay and then Meeks Bay Resort. It is a deep bay that takes your breath away because of its beauty. There you will find a campground, cabins to rent and homes perched at the waters edge.
Click here to read about the subdivisions you will find down the westshore

If you continue south, which I highly recommend, you will arrive at Emerald Bay. A perfect name for it. If you have the desire you can walk the 1 mile road down and visit Vikings Home. Another wonderful area rich in Lake Tahoe history. Tours are available there also ion the summer.
For a dog friendly beach visit DOG BEACH - just past the Tahoe Taverns on West Shore’s Highway 89, this U.S. Forest Service beach allows dogs on a leash!