By Kathryn Reed

ZEPHYR COVE – As captivating as Lake Tahoe is, it’s the people watching at the beach that can be more enthralling. And all those toys to play with in the sand and on the water. Kids have it good today.

Round Hill Pines Beach is a bit different than some of the other popular sandy destinations on the South Shore because it’s not all about the party scene and the best body.

Man's best friend is well taken care of -- a free ride and zipped into a life vest. Photos/Kathryn Reed

Families dominate the landscape on this particular Sunday. One dad is teaching his son how to pump a water gun, another is on a standup paddleboard taking his child for a cruise among the moored boats, while other parents are helping to build sand castles.

This is not to say adult activities are not taking place. The Rum Bar is right on the beach, offering up a slew of cocktails that make you want to sing a Jimmy Buffet tune. Food is served a few steps away in a permanent structure.

For those who didn’t bring their water toys, ones are available for rent. Personal watercraft is available and people are in the air parasailing.

Tour boats dock here, too – like Harrah’s Tahoe Star and the Bleu Wave.

A game of beach volleyball is being played, while others toss a football.

In 2009 this is where then Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., hosted that year’s environmental summit. Much of the talk that year was about the fuels reduction project on this swath of land owned by the U.S. Forest Service.

Expect beach weather to continue as the calendar moves into August, even though there is a slight chance for afternoon thunderstorms today. Highs will continue to be in the 80s.

Getting there:

From South Lake Tahoe go east on Highway 50. Go past Elks Point Road. Turn left at the sign for Round Hill Pines Beach. Note there is no left turn lane and it’s a precarious blind spot.

Cost is $8 per vehicle.

More information is online.