Tiny houses in Tahoma & Tahoe West Shore

Tahoma and the rest of the West Shore are the quiet side of Lake Tahoe, with less shoreline development than either the North or South Shore. Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, about 10 miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89, holds the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion and — in winter — over 20 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails on the same ground used for the 1960 Olympics' cross-country events. Further south, D.L. Bliss State Park has the Rubicon Trail and the Balancing Rock, and Meeks Bay adds a sandy beach and campground right on the water. Cabin colonies here run to the classic: log construction, screened porches, built mostly in the early-to-mid 20th century.

Winter on the West Shore means Nordic skiing more than downhill — Homewood's lift-served terrain is nearby, but the appeal here is groomed trails through snow-covered forest. Summer is for shoreline walks and quiet beaches; this side of the lake stays noticeably less crowded than Tahoe City or the South Shore even in August.