Carnelian Bay was given its name in 1860 when semi-precious stones were discovered on the beach, Those semi-precious stones are gone now but the two public beaches that remain offer easy access, with free public parking , are south facing, sundrenched, dog friendly and still have lake washed smooth pebbles for relaxing and sun bathing on Tahoe´s shoreline.

Carnelian Bay is home to the Sierra Boat Company, which hosts the Tahoe Yacht Club´s annual Concourse d´ Elegance the first weekend in August each year. Sierra Boat is a full service marina and specializes in the restoration of classic wooden boats.

Gar Woods Restaurant , Pier and Grill is famous for its Wet Woody drink and grilled zucchini served on the lakeside deck along with the Polar Bear swim that occurs each year during the annual Snowfest festival activities. There is also a miniature golf, 7-Eleven convenience, CB´s Pizza, The Old Post Office Café (great home style breakfasts and lunch) and the US Post Office (96140).

The residential subdivisions of Carnelian Bay include Fulton Acres, Carnelian Heights, Cedar Flat, and Ridgewood Highlands (where I live) and Chinquapin to the west and Agate Bay to the east. The Carnelian Woods Townhomes are located above the little commercial center of Carnelian Bay.

Along the shores of Carnelian Bay are lakefront homes and estates that range in value from $3 to $ 15 million dollars. There is an eclectic mix of homes, cabins and condominiums throughout the area which gives this Northshore area a unique character. Cedar Flat was once a summer home tract and still has many "Old Tahoe" styled cabins. The Ridgewood, Fulton Acres and Carnelian Heights areas have homes from $500,000 to over $ 2 million and some with panoramic lake views.

The Carnelian Woods townhomes is a condominium development which was built in the early 1970´s and offer 1 to 4 bedroom units with prices starting in the mid $300´s. There is a clubhouse, tennis courts, swimming pool and par course for its residents and guests.

Chinquapin is a gated, townhouse condominium property located on the shores of Lake Tahoe just west of Dollar Point. There are 2 to 4 bedroom units starting in the low $700,000 price range to larger lake front units up to $ 2. 5 million. Chinquapin offers seven tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool, two sandy beach areas, pier with mooring buoys and an active on-site rental management department.

Agate Bay will have homes and cabins for sale in the range from the mid $ 400,000 to over $ 1 million dollars. The Agate Bay Pier and Swim Club has a pier for sunbathing and swimming along with mooring buoy rentals , tennis courts and summer time pool and clubhouse.