Welcome to Bijou
Since the early 2000’s, Bijou has enjoyed a renewed level of popularity as the number of second home purchases steadily increased. This new status in home values is related to second home owners, as well as many primary residents, seeking a home with close proximity to Tahoe recreation as well as the area’s fairly level topography. If one does not particularly enjoy snow shoveling and winter driving, the area provides a bonus.
One of South Lake Tahoe’s oldest neighborhoods, Bijou is a great opportunity for those seeking to be near the amenities found with in-town living. The homes found throughout the area represent a wide range of styles, ages and sizes. Here one can find approximately 1,200 properties including early (by Lake Tahoe standards) historical cabins (primarily in the Bijou 2 area), to meadow-front homes worth over a million dollars. There are multi-family units starting with duplexes on upward to apartment buildings. A variety of condo styles can be found throughout the area as well as brand new construction. The average home in the area is a three bedroom, two bath home with approximately 1,300 square feet of living space. Many of the homes throughout Bijou feature mountain and/or meadow views.
Bijou Real Estate
Bijou is one of South Lake Tahoe's oldest and most established neighborhoods, centrally located between Pioneer Trail and Regan Beach, just west of Ski Run Boulevard. The neighborhood divides into two sections — Bijou 1 on the east side near Ski Run and Pioneer Trail, and Bijou 2, a smaller pocket toward Johnson Boulevard on the west side of Highway 50 — both offering residents proximity to the lake, national forest land, and open meadow views.
The neighborhood's roots trace to 1929, when William Bliss, son of D.L. Bliss of Tahoe's lumber industry, developed Bijou Pines, selling 50-by-100-foot lots for $250 with deferred-interest payments as low as $25 a year. Nearly a century later, Bijou remains one of South Lake's most versatile and sought-after areas — its central location, relatively flat topography, and proximity to Heavenly Mountain Resort, the Stateline casinos, and downtown South Lake Tahoe making it appealing for full-time residents, second-home buyers, and vacation rental owners alike.
Types of Homes Available
Bijou has approximately 1,200 properties, giving it one of South Lake Tahoe's broadest and most varied housing stocks — everything from entry-level cabins to newer construction and remodeled luxury homes.
Historic Cabins:
Early Tahoe-style cabins and chalets, primarily concentrated in the Bijou Pines sub-neighborhood within Bijou 2, remain highly sought-after for their vintage character and mature tree-lined settings.
Remodeled & Newer Homes:
A significant share of Bijou's inventory consists of extensively remodeled mid-century homes and newer construction, offering buyers updated systems and finishes within the neighborhood's established footprint.
Multi-Family & Duplex Properties:
Duplexes and small apartment buildings are found throughout select areas of Bijou, making the neighborhood attractive to investors alongside owner-occupants.
Meadow, Mountains & Forest-View Homes:
Many Bijou properties sit on relatively flat lots — a genuine rarity in South Lake Tahoe — with a number offering mountain, meadow, or forest views, and some capturing Heavenly Ski Area vistas from the neighborhood's namesake golf course corridor.
Luxury & High-End Homes:
Since the early 2000s, Bijou has seen renewed popularity driven by second-home buyers, pushing the top end of the market to meadow-front and fully remodeled properties well over $1 million.
Pricing spans a wide range — the current median sales price sits around $650,000, with the average home a three-bedroom, two-bath residence of roughly 1,300 square feet — making Bijou one of the more accessible and broadly appealing entry points into South Lake Tahoe real estate.
Buying and Renting Tips
For Buyers
- Because Bijou's inventory spans classic 1920s-era cabins to newer remodels, condition varies significantly — have older homes inspected for roofing, foundation, insulation, and heating system age.
- Bijou's relatively flat topography is a genuine advantage in winter, reducing snow-shoveling and driving challenges compared to hillside Tahoe neighborhoods — a meaningful factor for full-time residents.
- Homes near the meadow or golf course should be checked for flood zone designation and drainage, as with much of the flatter South Shore terrain.
- As with the entire Tahoe Basin, wildfire risk should factor into insurance research early in the buying process.
For Renters
Bijou's mix of duplexes and small apartment buildings gives renters more long-term options here than in many South Shore neighborhoods. Given the mix of full-time residents, second homes, and vacation rentals, renters should confirm lease terms and whether a specific property is subject to short-term rental restrictions.
Factors to Consider When Buying
Central, Walkable Location:
Bijou's biggest advantage is proximity — to Regan Beach, El Dorado Beach, the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex, downtown shopping and dining, and Highway 50 — all without the premium pricing of true lakefront communities.
Bijou Municipal Golf Course & Community Park:
The historic 9-hole Bijou Municipal Golf Course, set in a meadow with views of Heavenly Ski Area and Freel Peak, doubles as a cross-country skiing and nature-walking destination in the off-season. Bijou Community Park adds basketball, volleyball, a BMX and skate park, disc golf, and a dog park just off Al Tahoe Boulevard.
Diverse Housing Stock:
Because Bijou includes everything from historic cabins to newer construction to multi-family properties, buyers have more flexibility on price point than in many single-character South Shore neighborhoods.
Investment Potential
The presence of duplexes and small apartment buildings makes Bijou a consistent target for investors, alongside primary and second-home buyers.
Fire Risk Insurance:
As with the rest of the Tahoe Basin, buyers should research defensible space requirements and insurance availability before closing.
Year-Round Access:
Bijou's flat, central location means easy winter access to Heavenly and summer access to the lake, without the elevation or road challenges of more remote hillside neighborhoods.
Factors to Consider When Selling
Highlight Walkability:
Proximity to El Dorado Beach, the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex, Bijou Community Park, and downtown shopping and dining is one of Bijou's strongest selling points — emphasize walk and bike times in listings and marketing.
Lean Into History:
Bijou's 1929 origins as one of the Bliss family's original Tahoe developments, along with its concentration of historic Bijou Pines cabins, appeal to buyers looking for authentic Tahoe character rather than newer resort-style development.
Show the Meadow, Golf Course, or Mountain View:
For homes near the Bijou Municipal Golf Course or backing meadow and forest land, professional photography should capture the meadow, mountain, or Heavenly Ski Area views specific to that lot.
Price to Micro-Location:
Value varies between Bijou 1 and Bijou 2, and block by block depending on flatness, view, and proximity to the golf course or beaches — pricing should reflect the specific street and lot position, not a neighborhood-wide average.
Seasonal Timing:
Late spring through early fall showcases the golf course, beaches, and meadow at their best; winter listings can appeal to buyers prioritizing Heavenly's proximity and the neighborhood's easy, flat winter access.
FAQ’s About Bijou (Lake Tahoe)
Where is Bijou located?
Bijou is a centrally located South Lake Tahoe neighborhood situated between Pioneer Trail and Regan Beach, just west of Ski Run Boulevard, and divided into two sections — Bijou 1 to the east near Ski Run and Pioneer Trail, and Bijou 2 to the west near Johnson Boulevard.
What types of homes are available in Bijou?
Housing ranges from historic 1920s-era cabins in the Bijou Pines sub-neighborhood to remodeled mid-century homes, newer construction, duplexes and small apartment buildings, and meadow-front properties worth well over $1 million.
What is the price range for homes in Bijou?
The current median sales price is approximately $650,000, spanning from more affordable cabins and multi-family properties to fully remodeled luxury homes on meadow-adjacent lots.
Is Bijou within walking distance of the beach?
Yes. Bijou is within walking or biking distance of El Dorado Beach and its picnic area and boat ramp, as well as Regan Beach nearby, both popular lakefront destinations with beach access and summer recreation.
Why is it called Bijou?
The neighborhood takes its name from Bijou Pines, developed in 1929 by William Bliss, son of D.L. Bliss of Tahoe's lumber industry, who sold the area's original lots for $250 with deferred-interest payment plans.
How far is Bijou from Heavenly Mountain Resort?
Heavenly is just minutes away, making Bijou a convenient home base for winter skiing and snowboarding as well as summer lake and golf activities.
