Kiva Beach
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Kiva Beach, next to the Tallac Historic Site in South Lake Tahoe, is the South Shore's go-to beach for people with dogs. The sand runs about 200 yards before giving way to the Taylor Creek marsh, a fragile area visitors are asked to stay out of. Old estate grounds and big pines sit right behind the beach.
Locals with dogs basically live here in summer, though the beach itself is small and the lot is tiny.
How we score beachesWalk east along the shore to the Tallac shoreline section. It has public restrooms and tends to be quieter than the Kiva end.
A small Forest Service lot at the end of the Kiva Beach road fills quickly on summer weekends; the Tallac Historic Site lot is the overflow.
A short dirt and sand path leads from the lot to the beach.
Dogs are welcome on leash; it's the main dog-friendly beach on the South Shore.
Summer brings the crowds and the warmest water, usually in the mid 60s by August. Fall is quieter and still pleasant for a walk with a dog, before snow arrives.
This isn't one entrance, it's a stretch with a few. Here's where locals actually meet up.
Kiva Beach Lot
The main entry at the end of the Kiva road, closest to the picnic area.
Get directions →Tallac Shoreline
About a quarter mile of sand and soil shoreline in front of the Tallac Historic Site, with a picnic area and public bathrooms. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Get directions →More Pacific Coast beaches
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