Lake Tahoe - Truckee, CA Real Estate for Sale

Carnelian Bay

Carnelian Bay

Carnelian BayCarnelian Bay, California, 96140

Carnelian Bay, California Homes for Sale:

Carnelian Bay, California 96140 is located on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe between the communities of Tahoe City and Tahoe Vista, California.

This North Shore community has approximately five (5) miles of Lake Tahoe Shoreline, which means you’ll find a number of lakefront homes,  along with lake view properties in this area.
Centrally located, from the downtown/commercial area, you’ll find that you are only about four (4) miles to Kings Beach, or about six (6) miles to Tahoe City.
The Carnelian Bay area offers a wide variety when it comes to neighborhood settings with intimate mountain-side/forest setting neighborhoods that have narrow pine tree-lined roads, or are set high on the mountainside with some having views of Lake Tahoe.
Want to know where this community is located at on the North Shore?
Check out the map below and search for Homes, Condos, and Lots for sale in the area by starting in the Carnelian Bay, California area here:
There are also neighborhoods that have wider streets and have very little elevation change and are close to the shoreline of Lake Tahoe and the downtown/commercial core area and the public beaches.
There are several Carnelian Bay subdivisions that are well known on the North Shore:
  • Agate Bay (+/- 569 Parcels in the Agate Bay Subdivision per Placer County Records)
  • Fulton Acres ( +/- 169 Parcels in the Fulton Acres Subdivision per Placer County Records)
  • Carnelian Heights (+/- 169 Parcels in the Carnelian Heights Subdivision per Placer County Records)
  • Cedar Flat (+/- 252 Parcels in the Cedar Flat Subdivision per Placer County Records)
  • Ridgewood Highlands (+/- 171 Parcels in the Ridgewood Highlands Subdivision per Placer County Records)
  • Lake Forest II (+/- 106 Parcels in the Lake Forest Subdivision per Placer County Records – By Lardin Way)
  • Lake Forest III (+/- 68 Parcels in the Lake Forest Subdivision per Placer County Records – Old County)
Carnelian Bay Beach Area at Gar Woods.A little history on the Carnelian Bay area.  Every once in a while I’ll have a home buyer that will ask if the name for Carnelian Bay comes from the semi-precious Carnelian gemstone and they are right, it does!
Back in the 1860s the semi-precious Carnelian stones were discovered on the beaches of Lake Tahoe and the area was named after the reddish-orange stone.
Today, you can still find the Carnelian gemstone rough (natural crystal/rock state before it is worked on by a jeweler, or gemologist), which can be formed into a bead, cabochon, or faceted stone).
It often appears as a tumbled piece of reddish-orange piece of sea glass.
Over the years I’ve looked for the Carnelian gemstone rough on the public beaches in Carnelian Bay, and along with the creek beds in the area that bring the stones/rough crystals down to Lake Tahoe, but I’ve yet to be successful in finding this treasure.
Commercial Core in downtown Carnelian Bay, CA 96140Today, Carnelian Bay is home to Gar Wood’s lakefront restaurant, the Sierra Boat Company, Magic Carpet miniature golf course, Jiffy’s Pizza, a small convenience store, and the Old Post office restaurant, just to name a few of the more well-known businesses in the area.
Carnelian Bay has a small commercial area, about three (3) blocks long.  Not only will you find these local businesses, but you’ll also find the Carnelian Bay public beach areas here, which are also dog friendly.
A big feature of being on the North Shore is the all-day sunshine, as the sun moves east to west.
The central North Shore location makes it easy to get to any of our local ski resorts such as Northstar, Incline Village, Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley, or Homewood. Carnelian Bay is located in unincorporated Placer County in California and has a full-time population of about 524 people (2010 US Census).
Carnelian Bay as the moon risesCarnelian Bay’s close proximity to all of Lake Tahoe recreational activities such as boating, hiking, biking (dirt and paved trails), tennis, golf, skiing, shopping, and restaurants makes this a great area for those that enjoy being outdoors and looking to get away from it all, but like having many nearby options for dining.
The Carnelian Bay area is easily accessed all year-long and is a nice mix of full-time residents and second homeowners.

The Carnelian Bay area has single-family home lots (including lakefront/waterfront), duplex, triplex, four-plex, motel, and commercial lots in this community.

The Carnelian Bay area only has one condominium/townhouse development, the Carnelian Woods complex.

Carnelian Woods condos for sale:

Carnelian Bay as the moon risesThe Carnelian Bay area is one of the larger communities on the North Shore but still has a small housing supply when compared to other areas around Lake Tahoe and the greater Truckee area.

You’ll find a limited supply of homes or condos on the market at any given time due to the popularity of the area.

Carnelian Bay homeowners that want to belong to one of the recreational homeowner amenities associations will find they only have a few options.

Property owners with a recreational (access to Lake Tahoe beach area, pier, and/or buoy access) Home Owner Association option will find those properties tend to carry a market premium over other neighborhoods where the optional HOA membership is not available.

Carnelian Bay Home Owner Associations:
Agate Bay HOA neighborhood pool in Carnelian BayHome Owner groups typically offer access to a Lake Tahoe private beach area. HOA groups often offer shared pier use, and/or buoy access options.
Some HOA groups also have a pool and tennis court areas, it just depends on the HOA group and the amenities and features they are offering that can add value to that neighborhood and property.
The primary benefit for homeowners that have access to a private recreational area is to gain access to Lake Tahoe beaches and waterfront amenities that typically do not come with non-lakefront properties, which can be very valuable to a boat, or watercraft toy owner.
Membership into most local Carnelian Bay HOA groups is voluntary, but some are mandatory.
Carnelian Bay Lakefront PierCarnelian Bay lakefronts, waterfronts, mountain homes, cabins, and cottages range in price from entry-level to luxury multi-million dollar lakefront properties.
The selection of Carnelian Bay homes is diverse and houses range from small studio Tahoe cabins to $20+ million dollar lakefront estates.
The Carnelian Bay area is a favorite for second home owners and is a great place to live all year long!
Carnelian Bay Homes Sold Market Data, Market Trends, and Information:

Looking for some quick Carnelian Bay real estate market data? Check the information out below and if you want more details, call me

Carnelian Bay Community Details:

  • Carnelian Bay is located in unincorporated Placer County in the state of California, zip code 96140.
  • Elevation at the shoreline at Lake Tahoe in Carnelian Bay is approximately 6,245 feet above sea level
  • Approximately # +/- parcels
  • Approximately +/- 98 Carnelian Bay Lakefront Homes
  • Multiple zoning in the area: Single Family Residential Lots, Duplex/Triplex/Four-plex, Motel, Commercial Areas
  • Mail Delivery via the US Postal Post Box System at 5075 North Lake Blvd., Carnelian Bay located in the small commercial building development
  • Most homes are heated by natural gas, or electricity, however, there are a few homes that are on propane gas, and a few have some solar energy features
  • Garbage is picked up once a week. It is highly recommended that property owners install a “bear box” to hold their garbage cans.
  • Water is supplied to the area through various local Water Companies, the North Tahoe Public Utility Department (NTPUD), or by a private water well.
  • Sewer – All properties in the Carnelian Bay area must be tied into the North Tahoe Public Utility Department (NTPUD) public sewer system. Septic systems are not allowed in the Tahoe Basin area.
  • Nearby Public and State Parks and Resorts:
  • Nearest mini-mart – 7-Eleven, downtown Carnelian Bay, CA
  • Nearest mini-mart – 7-Eleven, Dollar Point, North Shore, Tahoe City, CA
  • Grocery Markets | Pharmacies – Downtown Tahoe City, CA, or Kings Beach, CA
  • Nearest Gas Stations – Downtown Tahoe City, or Kings Beach, CA
Carnelian Bay Area Photographs:
Carnelian Bay, California, 96140

Labor day Fireworks over Carnelian Bay

Winter in Carnelian Bay, CA

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs –

Laura A. Allen | 530.414.1260  | Laura@TahoeLaura.com
BROKER ASSOCIATE, Tahoe Real Estate Agent
CalRE# 01473598
Coldwell Banker | Tahoe City – Truckee, CA

All information is deemed reliable, but is subject to change, and/or correction without notice.

Carnelian Bay, California 96140