Water taxi returns to Lake Tahoe’s South Shore
The 42-foot water taxi is based at Lakeside Marina and will be taking passengers to three other marinas on Lake Tahoe this summer.” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.carsonnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/water-taxi.jpg.webp?fit=300%2C178&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.carsonnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/water-taxi.jpg.webp?fit=760%2C450&ssl=1″ />
The Fun Runner is back on Lake Tahoe after a hiatus during COVID and some time spent on shore. The 42-foot water taxi is based at Lakeside Marina and will be taking passengers to three other marinas on Lake Tahoe this summer.
The 49-passenger boat has both inside and outside seating and gets people around the South Shore on the water, eliminating time in traffic and on the road.
The Fun Runner runs from Wednesday to Monday, and passengers can board at Lakeside Marina or Timber Cove Marina. It also makes stops at Camp Richardson and Round Hill Pines.
The taxi departs schedule through Labor Day 2025 (weather permitting):
Lakeside Marina at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Timber Cove Marina at 10:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. Round Hill Pines Marina at 11:30 a,m, 1:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
The cost, according to the Action WaterSports Website, is (subject to change):
- Adults (One-Way): $35
- Children (One-Way): $25
- Adults (Round-Trip): $45
- Children (Round-Trip): $30
With a round-trip ticket, passengers can get off and each spot and catch a later taxi.
Each stop is unique.
The historic Lakeside Marina is a stop on the Lake Tahoe Historical Society’s walking tour of the Lakeside Park neighborhood. There are 10 markers (found here) in the neighborhood that date back to the 1800s and include the original state line which is where Applebee’s Restaurant is.
The Timber Cove Marina and Conolley Beach are also part of South Lake Tahoe’s history. These are located near the original Taylor’s Landing, established in 1864 by Almon M. Taylor. The name changed to Bijou in 1888 with the arrival of a post office. The Young Brothers Lodge, built between 1907 and 1914, and the area was known for its lakefront location and attractions like the Bal Bijou dance hall. The Young Brothers Lodge is now the location of the CVS drug store near the Timber Cove dock. In the 1920s, Conolley’s Bijou included tent cabins before becoming a resort.
The history of Camp Richardson is long, and a walk in the area takes one to a bygone time at the Tallac Historic Site. Camp Richardson was established in 1924 by Alonzo Richardson, a Civil War veteran who recognized the area’s beauty and potential for a tranquil retreat.
Initially a rustic summer camp, it evolved into a resort known for its lakefront cabins, hotels, and other amenities. The cabins still carry the names of historic cars that Alonzo drove and collected. Prior to Camp Richardson, the area was owned by M.C. Gardner in 1888. He had bought the land for 25 cents an acre and built a sawmill and railroad for logging in the area. Lucky Baldwin bought the property from Gardner and built a grand hotel to the north of the Camp Richardson Hotel.
The first recorded owner of what is now Round Hill Pines was John Marley, who owned the property in 1864 and grew and sold vegetables to all of the travelers heading to Virginia City after silver was discovered. A later owner was automaker Norman DeVaux, who bought the land in 1919 and later sold it off in pieces.
In 1931, Singer Sewing Machine heir Arthur Bourne bought the land and developed it into a resort. Round Hill Pines Resort opened for the first time in 1951, and its amenities included a beach terrace, a heated pool, a professional tennis court, badminton, tetherball, volleyball, fishing in Bourne Lake, a driving range, a private beach and dock, and a boat slip rental. Motel units were constructed in 1956.
By the summer of 1963, the resort had increased to 30 units, including housekeeping cottages. Sewer improvements forced it to close in 1969. In 1984, USFS purchased the property, and the motel and cabins are no longer operating.
— This story first appeared at SouthTahoeNow.com.
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