No trip to Tahoe is complete without dipping your fingers and toes in the crystal clear water. Forty public beaches ring the lake; this popular one has the longest shoreline. Dotted with dunes and pines, the sandy beach is on State Highway 89, convenient to South Lake Tahoe. Nearly a mile long, it has trees for shade, swimming (the water’s clear but cold), paddleboard and kayak rentals, picnic tables, food concessions, restrooms and parking (fees apply). There’s live music in summer. Tip: A National Park Service pass gets you a 50% discount on parking fees. tahoepublicbeaches.org/beaches/pope-beach<