Kid-friendly places in South Lake Tahoe

A big community park and playground away from the lake, good for a break from the beach.

A quieter sandy beach near Taylor Creek with calm, shallow water.

A sandy, easy-access South Shore beach with calm water good for wading.

A scenic West Shore state park overlooking the bay, with a steep but short trail down to the water.

An enclosed gondola ride up Heavenly Mountain with an observation deck overlooking the whole lake.

A gated South Shore beach with a playground, picnic tables and boat and jet-ski rentals next door.

An all-suite resort near the Heavenly gondola, with more room than a regular hotel room.

A wide, gently sloping beach near Camp Richardson with plenty of sand for building.

A shallow, calm South Shore beach with a playground and grassy lawn right in town.

An indoor rink with public skating sessions and rentals, a solid rainy-day or off-season option.

Kitchenette suites with a separate sleeping area, which is handy with little kids.

A lakeside historic estate near Camp Richardson with grounds kids can explore for free.

A Forest Service nature center with easy paved trails and the underwater Stream Profile Chamber, great for young kids.

A Scandinavian-style historic mansion at the base of Emerald Bay, reached by the same trail down from the parking area.