Hoodie Sapphire Bay Lake Tahoe

The Story of Sapphire Bay

The clear blue bay stretching from Roundhill to the Tahoe Keys was originally named Sapphire Bay. In the 1800s, this name was likely conferred by notable figures such as John C. Fremont, Kit Carson, or Mark Twain, who named many of Lake Tahoe's bays after precious gemstones: Crystal Bay, Agate Bay, Carnelian Bay, Emerald Bay, and Sapphire Bay.

Sapphire Bay is a well-known name among Lake Tahoe historians, many of whom advocate for restoring its original designation. Located on the South Shore, Sapphire Bay is recognized as one of the richest fishing grounds on the lake. The first commercial fishermen spread their nets along the shoreline of Sapphire Bay, regularly catching thousands of native silverside and cutthroat trout from its sandy shallows. Today, this bay continues to offer its wealth of fishing and breathtaking views to every visitor.

Unfortunately, the name Sapphire Bay fell into obscurity when the California-Nevada boundary was redrawn, leading to the bay being referred to as Boundary Bay. Today, even the name Boundary Bay has been forgotten, leaving this stunning bay on the South Shore without a distinct identity. However, the bay truly embodies its original namesake, "Sapphire Bay," thanks to its crystal-clear blue waters.