Zephyr Cove offers a scenic community on the shores of Lake Tahoe
On the mountainous shores of Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Cove is a serene community offering lake views and plenty of activity. "It's one of the most desirable places I know of to live. You have beaches right there, and you're close to everything. Skiing, casinos – everything is five to 10 minutes away," says Jim Porter, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker who's been in the industry since 1991. "All of the beaches along there are fantastic. There are some of the best beaches, forests and trails." Homes make up most of the area, but there are some local restaurants and a resort. While the access to nature and scenic views are the main draw, residents are a short drive away from shopping and other necessities along U.S. Route 50.
Mountain lodges make up much of the Lake Tahoe housing stock
Zephyr Cove has a wide variety of housing styles. "We have everything from cabins to castles. It just depends on where you're living and how much money you want to spend," Porter says. Craftsman and mountain lodge-style homes are the most common in the area. They often have wood siding, and many are A-frame houses with large windows. There are some contemporary modern homes and some that have castle-like features as well. Due to the hilly landscape, many are built into the hillside and offer expansive views of the area. Homes west of Route 50 are typically simpler and closer together. This area also has plenty of townhouses. The median sale price is around $1,350,000.
Swimming, boating and sports at Zephyr Cove Beach
Lake Tahoe offers plenty of recreation in the community. Zephyr Cove Resort's large beach is open to the public with a daily parking fee. Residents can lounge on the sand, dip in the water or rent kayaks and paddleboards. The beach also has sand volleyball courts and a bar and grill. The M.S. Dixie II is a 500-passenger paddleboat offering daytime and sunset cruises around the lake. Up the street from the resort is Zephyr Cove Park, an 80-acre green space with a disc golf course, trails, tennis courts and a softball field. Zephyr Cove Stable offers guided horseback rides through the mountains. Winter sports are easily accessible with several ski resorts in the area. Heavenly Mountain Resort is the closest; the gondola to the mountain is just across the California state line in South Lake Tahoe.
A variety of lakefront shopping and dining
Zephyr Cove Restaurant is located in the resort and serves classic American dishes like steak, seafood and sandwiches. The restaurant is open all day and is also known for its breakfast options. Residents can take Route 50 south to Stateline or into South Lake Tahoe, each of which has a wide range of dining options. This area is home to lots of resorts and casinos, and many of the restaurants are steakhouses or sports bars. Groceries are available at the Safeway in Round Hill Village, while South Lake Tahoe has a Target and several small boutiques.
Douglas County schools offer quality education
Zephyr Cove Elementary School serves prekindergarten through fifth grade and gets an A-minus from Niche. George Whittell High School serves sixth through 12th grades and earns a B-plus. The school offers a Fire Science program, which trains students in wildland fire behavior, fire suppression, CPR and first aid. It's also known for its successful athletics program, winning state championships in basketball, cross country and several other sports.
Easy access to nearby Lake Tahoe communities
Route 50 connects Zephyr Cove to Stateline, about 3 miles south, and South Lake Tahoe, about 6 miles away. Residents who commute into Carson City for work have about a 22-mile drive via Route 50 and U.S. Route 395. Barton Memorial Hospital is the closest medical center, about 8 miles from the community.
Preparing for wildfires in Douglas County
There is a risk of wildfires in Zephyr Cove due to the large amount of vegetation and foliage surrounding the community. The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District has a station in Round Hill Village and works to protect the community from wildland fires. In addition to being prepared to fight fires, the district also has several resources on fire prevention and community assistance programs.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
