Carnelian Bay vacation rentals and cabins
Carnelian Bay vacation rentals: MG Vacation Rentals, a local manager here since 2017, manages 5 homes in Carnelian Bay, CA (3 houses and 2 cabins), from $152 a night, with 2–4 bedrooms and room for up to 10 guests (2 with a lake view), rated 4.9 out of 5 by 425 guests. Booking direct on this site costs about 21% less rent than the same home on Airbnb.
A small, low-key stretch of shoreline between Tahoe City and Kings Beach, quieter than either and central to both.
- homes here
- 5
- lowest open night
- $152
- with a hot tub
- 2
- from 425 reviews
- 4.9★
Check prices for your dates in Carnelian Bay
Carnelian Bay house and cabin rentals
Tranquil Tahoe Haven
Restful North Ridge
Lakeview Grandeur
Patton's Pfeiffer Cabin
Tahoe Lake & Mountain Retreat
Also close by
Grand Regency Retreat
Sierra Woodlands Getaway
Mammoth Haven Retreat
Trailside Tahoe Townhouse
Trout and About
Hastings Hideaway Cabin
Best vacation rentals in Carnelian Bay, CA: our picks
Picked from each home's own record and guest reviews. All are booked direct on this site.
- Guest favorite
Tranquil Tahoe Haven
4 bedrooms, sleeps 10 · lake view · fireplace · 4.9 mi to Northstar · from $400 a night · rated 4.84 from 154 reviews
“Great experience! We loved the location and the amenities! Very beautiful house.” Stephanie H., Oct 2026
- Best with a private hot tub
Lakeview Grandeur
4 bedrooms, sleeps 10 · private hot tub · lake view · fireplace · 4.2 mi to Northstar · from $270 a night · rated 5.0 from 71 reviews
“Airy, spacious, clean, beautifully decorated, and well-stocked. The deck offers a lovely view of the lake.” Mehmet K., Oct 2026
- Best value
Tahoe Lake & Mountain Retreat
2 bedrooms, sleeps 4 · 3.8 mi to Northstar · from $152 a night · rated 4.78 from 9 reviews
“We had a comfortable stay. The place was quiet, well-equipped, and had everything we needed. We especially enjoyed the heated bathroom floor.” Ann D., Oct 2026
Best vacation rentals in Carnelian Bay, CA, side by side
Every home we manage in Carnelian Bay, most-reviewed first, all bookable direct on this site.
| Home | Type | Bedrooms | Sleeps | Hot tub | Lake view | Nearest ski area | From / night | Guest rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tranquil Tahoe Haven | Cabin | 4 | 10 | – | Yes | Northstar California (4.9 mi) | $400 | 4.84 (154) |
| Restful North Ridge | Cabin | 3 | 6 | – | – | Northstar California (4.3 mi) | $165 | 4.94 (132) |
| Lakeview Grandeur | House | 4 | 10 | Yes | Yes | Northstar California (4.2 mi) | $270 | 5.0 (71) |
| Patton's Pfeiffer Cabin | House | 3 | 6 | Yes | – | Northstar California (3.8 mi) | $171 | 4.88 (59) |
| Tahoe Lake & Mountain Retreat | House | 2 | 4 | – | – | Northstar California (3.8 mi) | $152 | 4.78 (9) |
From each home's live record, refreshed every night. "From" is the lowest open night in the next few months; ski distances are straight-line. No MG home accepts pets.
What guests say about our Carnelian Bay homes
Rated 4.9 out of 5 by 425 guests who stayed. The newest review of each home, word for word. All reviews
“Great experience! We loved the location and the amenities! Very beautiful house.”
“Airy, spacious, clean, beautifully decorated, and well-stocked. The deck offers a lovely view of the lake. The host is very responsive, helpful, and accommodating.”
“Had an amazing stay! We enjoyed the house and the surround area. I would highly recommend”
“We had a comfortable stay. The place was quiet, well-equipped, and had everything we needed. We especially enjoyed the heated bathroom floor. The location was convenient, with restaurants and the beach within walking distance.”
“Had a great time! Host was super flexible and let us check in early and check out late. The place is located very close to the water and has everything you need for a weekend stay. Highly recommend!”
| MG homes in Carnelian Bay | 5 (3 houses and 2 cabins) |
|---|---|
| Nightly rates | From $152 to $400 (each home's lowest open night) |
| Bedrooms | 2–4, sleeping up to 10 |
| Private hot tub | 2 of 5 homes; service fee $100 per stay |
| Fireplace | 4 of 5 homes |
| Lake view | 2 of 5 homes |
| Guest rating | 4.9 out of 5 from 425 reviews |
| Lodging tax | 12% (Placer County, TBID Zone 1) |
| County | Placer County, California |
| Ski resorts | Northstar California 4 mi · Palisades Tahoe 8.5 mi (straight-line) |
| Nearest big public beach | Kings Beach State Recreation Area 3 mi (straight-line) |
| Reno-Tahoe airport | 25.2 mi straight-line; the drive is longer |
| Pets | Not accepted at any MG home (our policy) |
| Book direct vs Airbnb | About 21% less rent (Airbnb rates are set higher to cover its fees) |
From the live record of each home, refreshed every night. Rates are each home's lowest open night in the next few months; distances are straight-line from the middle of Carnelian Bay.
Staying in Carnelian Bay
Carnelian Bay is a small, mostly residential community on CA-28, between Tahoe Vista and Tahoe City. Homes sit in the trees on the hillside above the highway, with a lakeside restaurant and a few businesses along the shore. It's a good base for splitting days between Tahoe City and Kings Beach, both a short drive away, and for a group that wants quiet over nightlife.
Lake access
The shoreline here has small public access points rather than one big beach. For a full beach day, Kings Beach State Recreation Area is a few miles east and Commons Beach in Tahoe City a few miles west. Lake Tahoe beaches compares them.
Winter
CA-28 is a state highway and plowed as one, but some residential streets above it are steep. Check whether your home's page asks for 4WD, and carry chains: CA-28 toward Tahoe City and CA-267 toward Truckee both get chain controls after storms.
Good to know before you go
- Roughly midway between Tahoe City and Kings Beach on CA-28.
- Waterman's Landing and the Carnelian Bay shoreline are the local water access.
- A convenient base for splitting days between Palisades and Northstar.
- Kings Beach State Recreation Area3 mi
- Northstar California4 mi
- Commons Beach, Tahoe City5.2 mi
- Sand Harbor State Park8.3 mi
- Diamond Peak Ski Resort8.5 mi
Distances are straight-line from the middle of Carnelian Bay, not driving distance.
Carnelian Bay vacation rental questions
Are there vacation rentals available in Carnelian Bay, California?
Yes. MG manages 5 vacation homes in Carnelian Bay (3 houses and 2 cabins), all listed on this page and bookable direct. Pick your dates in the search at the top to see which are open and the full price, or call us at (530) 317-0291.
Best vacation rentals in Carnelian Bay, CA?
Our picks: guest favorite: Tranquil Tahoe Haven (4 bedrooms, sleeps 10, lake view, fireplace, 4.9 mi to Northstar, rated 4.84 from 154 reviews); best with a private hot tub: Lakeview Grandeur (4 bedrooms, sleeps 10, private hot tub, lake view, fireplace, 4.2 mi to Northstar, rated 5.0 from 71 reviews); best value: Tahoe Lake & Mountain Retreat (2 bedrooms, sleeps 4, 3.8 mi to Northstar, rated 4.78 from 9 reviews). MG Vacation Rentals, a local manager since 2017, has 5 homes you can book direct: Tranquil Tahoe Haven (4 bedrooms, sleeps 10, lake view); Restful North Ridge (3 bedrooms, sleeps 6); Lakeview Grandeur (4 bedrooms, sleeps 10, hot tub, lake view); Patton's Pfeiffer Cabin (3 bedrooms, sleeps 6, hot tub); Tahoe Lake & Mountain Retreat (2 bedrooms, sleeps 4). They're compared side by side on this page, and none of them accepts pets.
How many vacation rentals does MG have in Carnelian Bay?
5 homes: 3 houses and 2 cabins. They have 2–4 bedrooms and sleep up to 10, and every one is listed on this page with live prices.
How much does a vacation rental in Carnelian Bay cost per night?
Our Carnelian Bay homes start at $152 a night, and the most expensive home's lowest open night is $400 (lowest open nights over the next few months; holidays and peak weeks cost more). The total adds a cleaning fee, a hot tub fee where there is one, and 12% lodging tax, all shown before you pay.
Do any Carnelian Bay rentals have a hot tub?
Yes, 2 of our 5: Lakeview Grandeur, Patton's Pfeiffer Cabin. See every Lake Tahoe cabin with a private hot tub.
What is the lodging tax on Carnelian Bay vacation rentals?
12%, the transient occupancy tax for Placer County, TBID Zone 1. We collect and remit it, and it's shown in the quote before you pay.
Are Carnelian Bay vacation rentals pet friendly?
No. None of our homes accepts pets, in Carnelian Bay or anywhere else, and each home's page says the same. Our pet policy explains why and covers service animals.
Is it cheaper to book Carnelian Bay rentals direct than on Airbnb?
Yes. Our Airbnb rates are set higher to cover Airbnb's fees, so the same home costs about 21% less in rent here, with the same team and the same house. How booking direct works.
Where is Carnelian Bay?
On the California side of Lake Tahoe's North Shore, in Placer County, on CA-28 between Tahoe Vista and Tahoe City.
Are there hotels in Carnelian Bay?
Carnelian Bay is a small residential community, so most visitors stay in vacation homes. Tahoe City and Kings Beach, both a short drive away, have more lodging.
What is Carnelian Bay known for?
A quiet stretch of shoreline between Tahoe City and Kings Beach, wooded hillside homes, and a lakeside restaurant on the water.
Browse Carnelian Bay and beyond
Towns near Carnelian Bay
Guides for your stay
Own a home in Carnelian Bay? Vacation rental management in Carnelian Bay by the same local team.