Sunbeams & Tahoe

Vaulted timber beams arch overhead in the great room, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame an uninterrupted stretch of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada beyond – the kind of view that makes it hard to leave the sofa. When you do venture out, a private pier puts you directly on the water, and the wrap-around deck with its outdoor kitchen is an easy place to spend a long alpine evening. Two fireplaces and radiant floor heating mean the house is just as inviting when the temperature drops, with Emerald Bay State Park a little over 1 mile away for when the mountains call.

Home truths:
* You'll need a car to get around. There's parking for four vehicles on site – two spaces in the garage and two in the driveway. If you're visiting in winter, four-wheel drive or snow chains may be necessary to reach the home safely.
* There's no air conditioning here – as is typical for homes at this elevation in the Sierras. Summers are generally mild, so it's rarely missed, but worth knowing if you're visiting during a warm spell.
* The wood-burning fireplace is not available to use during your stay – the two gas fireplaces are your options for an open fire.
* The outdoor kitchen and private pier are summer-season amenities.