Sand Harbor is on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, tucked below the drier mountains of the East Shore and generally far less crowded than the California beaches. The beach itself is one of the prettiest on the lake: white sand, gin-clear water, and enormous rounded boulders worn smooth by glacial action sitting just offshore, creating natural enclosures and channels ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
The Nevada State Park beach at Sand Harbor has a small boat launch, picnic facilities, and a natural amphitheatre used for the annual Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival in summer. Arrive early on summer weekends — the parking lot fills by mid-morning and the gates close. The lake here is extremely cold even in August; bring a wetsuit if you plan to spend time in the water.