There's no need for travelers
to choose between the beaches and the mountains for their next
vacation. The pristine beaches skirting North America's most famous
alpine lake attract as many visitors to Lake Tahoe in the summer
months as the surrounding mountains, making it a top destination.

With 54 million trips made to the beach by U.S. households (according
to the Travel Industry Association of America), beach travel
continues to be on the rise. Teresa Plowright of Travel with Kids
notes that ?beach pools? and beach-type activities are being created
at inland and coastal destinations everywhere to cater to the
families desire to beach it. North Lake Tahoe, however, has always
offered a unique alternative, yet very authentic, beach experience.

There are 72 miles of shoreline around the crystal waters (ranging in
the mid 60 degrees) and an array of beaches to roll out the towel.
Moon Dunes Beach in Tahoe Vista is a local's favorite, guarded by a
grove of trees and bushes and then opening to large open sands past a
huge dune, which creates a true coastal feel.

Families will enjoy Kings Beach State Recreation Area just down the
road in Kings Beach, where a wide stretch of sand is perfect for
picnics and playtime (with adjacent playground and barbeques).
Parasailing, kayak rentals and paddleboats are also available from
North Tahoe Water Sports. If you have a canine in your clan, head to
Patton Beach, just west of the marina in Carnelian Bay or Kaspian
Recreation Area on the West Shore, just south of Sunnyside.

Campers can enjoy a lakeside s'more under the night sky at Meeks Bay,
Sugar Pine Point State Park and D.L. Bliss State Park on the West Shore.

In addition to swimming and sunning, live entertainment is
commonplace to North Lake Tahoe beaches. The extremely popular-by-day
Sand Harbor in Incline Village lights up at night with the Lake Tahoe
Shakespeare Festival through August 19. This season's playbill
includes Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet and the comedy Greater
Tuna. Guests bring a beach blanket and picnic to enjoy the one-of-a-
kind open-air performances.

Commons Beach in Tahoe City recently underwent a major renovation and
is home to a playground and expansive lawn area. Weekly events
include Sunday afternoon concerts, Thursday farmers? markets and
Wildlife Wednesday lectures, followed by movies at dusk.

City Concierge, Lake Tahoe is the epicenter of Reservations and Information for the entire Lake Tahoe region. With multiple offices in Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes, California, City Concierge books more reservations and delivers more information than most other resources. www.CityConcierge.com, 877-864-6444