Driving the scenic Emerald Bay Road in Lake Tahoe
Usa, north-america
29.93 km
2,084 m
moderate
Year-round
Cruising along Emerald Bay Road in California is an absolute must-do if you’re anywhere near Lake Tahoe. This scenic stretch hugs the western shore of the lake, offering views that will absolutely blow you away.
Okay, I’m not gonna lie – it can be a *little* intimidating. This road is carved into the side of a mountain, and in some spots, you’re driving right along steep cliffs with, gulp, no guardrails. It's part of Highway 89, running up the eastern edge of California near the Arizona border.
But seriously, don’t let that scare you off! The views are SO worth it. You’re high above the most incredible mountain lakes. Just take it slow and maybe avoid it if you're super afraid of heights.
This paved road winds for about 18.6 miles (29.93km) from Lake Valley up to Tahoma, nestled in the Carson range of the Sierra Nevada. The highest point is Inspiration Point, sitting at 6,837ft (2,084m), a full 600 feet above Lake Tahoe! From there, the panoramic view of Emerald Bay, the boats bobbing on the water, Vikingsholm, and tiny Fanette Island is unbeatable. Heads up: parking here can be a beast during peak summer hours, especially mid-morning to late afternoon.
Keep an eye out for some seriously steep sections (up to 9% grade). There's a particularly wild quarter-mile stretch where you're riding a ridge between Emerald Bay and Cascade Lake, with a 600-foot drop on either side and, yep, still no guardrails. If it’s a windy day, maybe skip it. Beautiful, but whoa!
Where is it?
Driving the scenic Emerald Bay Road in Lake Tahoe is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.8198, -96.4979
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 29.93 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,084 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 40.8198, -96.4979
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