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Kings Beach, California
Downtown Kings Beach, 2011
Downtown Kings Beach, 2011
Location in Placer County and the state of California
Location in Placer County and the state of California
Kings Beach, California is located in the United States
Kings Beach, California
Kings Beach, California
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  California
County Placer
Area
 • Total 3.439 sq mi (8.908 km2)
 • Land 3.439 sq mi (8.908 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation
6,444 ft (1,964 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 3,563
 • Density 1,036.06/sq mi (399.98/km2)
Time zone UTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
96143
Area code(s) 530
FIPS code 06-38548
GNIS feature ID 2408481
Bears at Kings Beach, CA
Bears at Kings Beach, August 2010
Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe, 1945
Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe, around 1945

Kings Beach is a community located in Placer County, California, right on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes, but it doesn't have its own official city government. In 2020, about 3,563 people lived in Kings Beach. The town's post office was built in 1937. The area is named after its first postmaster, Joe King.

Exploring Kings Beach's Location

Kings Beach is situated on the northern edge of Lake Tahoe. This beautiful lake is famous for its clear blue waters. The community is also right on the border with Nevada. It shares a boundary with Crystal Bay, Nevada, to the east.

Roads and Travel in Kings Beach

Two important roads meet in Kings Beach. California State Route 28 starts here, continuing from where Nevada State Route 28 ends in Crystal Bay. Route 28 runs along the shore of Lake Tahoe through Kings Beach.

Another road, California State Route 267, connects Kings Beach to other nearby places. These include Northstar, a popular ski resort, and the town of Truckee. Route 267 also links to Interstate 80, a major highway.

Kings Beach Population and Community Life

Kings Beach is a popular spot for vacations in Northern California. Many of the homes here are used as vacation rentals. This makes the population change a lot between different times of the year.

Population Changes Over Time

Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
2000 4,037 —    
2010 3,796 −6.0%
2020 3,563 −6.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

The population of Kings Beach has changed over the years. In 2000, there were 4,037 people. By 2010, the population was 3,796. The most recent census in 2020 counted 3,563 residents.

Who Lives in Kings Beach?

At the 2020 census, Kings Beach had a population of 3,563 people. The community is diverse. Many residents identify as White or Hispanic/Latino. There are also people from other racial backgrounds living in Kings Beach.

Because many visitors like to light campfires, fire officials have called Kings Beach a "very high fire hazard severity zone." This means there is a high risk of wildfires. For example, an illegal campfire caused the Angora Fire in 2007, which was a large fire nearby.

Historic Stateline Fire Lookout

In Kings Beach, on a hill above the downtown area, you can find the historic Stateline fire lookout. This spot is very close to the California–Nevada state line. It's also known as the Crystal Bay scenic overlook. You can reach it by taking an easy hiking trail from Crystal Bay, Nevada. From here, you can enjoy amazing panoramic views of Lake Tahoe.

Panoramic view of Lake Tahoe from historic Stateline fire lookout
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