| Emerald Bay State Park | |
|---|---|
Emerald Bay, withFannette Island | |
| Location | El Dorado County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Tahoma, California |
| Coordinates | 38°57′13″N120°5′38″W / 38.95361°N 120.09389°W /38.95361; -120.09389 |
| Area | 1,533 acres (6.20 km2) |
| Established | 1953 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
| Designated | 1968 |
Emerald Bay State Park is astate park ofCalifornia in the United States, centered onLake Tahoe'sEmerald Bay, aNational Natural Landmark.[1] Park features includeEagle Falls andVikingsholm, a 38-room mansion that is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States.[2] The architect was Leonard Palme, who was hired by his auntLora Josephine Knight to design and build Vikingsholm. The park contains the only island inLake Tahoe,Fannette Island. The park is accessible byCalifornia State Route 89 near the southwest shore of the lake. Emerald Bay is one of Lake Tahoe's most photographed and popular locations.
In 1969 Emerald Bay was recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the federalDepartment of the Interior. In 1994California State Parks included the surrounding water of the bay as a part of the park, making Emerald Bay one of the first underwater parks of its type in the state, protecting the various wrecks and other items on the bay's bottom.
The 1,533-acre (620 ha) park was established in 1953.[3] It is located directly south ofD. L. Bliss State Park.
Summer temperatures at the park range from the low 40 °F (4 °C) at night to mid-70 °F (21 °C) during the day, and during the winter visitors will usually experience temperatures between 20 and 40 °F (−7 and 4 °C). During harsh winters the bay freezes over. The bay is about 1.7 miles (2.7 km) in length, and about two-thirds of a mile (1 km) wide at its widest point.