A couple sits on the shores of Seattle’s Alki Beach on a summer afternoon.
Looking to hit the water and escape the heat sink that is the city in the summer? You might not need -- and might not be able to afford -- a trip to the rocky shores of Bar Harbor, Maine or an overpriced summer house in the Hamptons in New York or in Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. Battling horrendous traffic to California's Malibu or the Jersey Shore just isn't worth it. By the time you're there, everybody else is too. And what about Florida and the Gulf Coast? Wait -- you want to escape the heat.
The Mediterranean climes of South Florida and Southern California, of course, suffer from an embarrassment of riches. But urban beaches, and sandy shores close to city cores, aren't exclusive to the beautiful people of Miami and Los Angeles. Across the country, in nooks and public parks, or a short (and cheap) mass transit ride away, you can find great beach experiences with little hassle. It helps to live in a waterfront city, but sometimes, if you're lucky, your city will bring the beach to you.
In the city
Redeveloping waterfronts has been a voguish idea for a while now, which should be no surprise. Who doesn't want to have access to their lakes, rivers and oceans, if they're just down the road? But some cities have maintained their connections to the water, and their beaches are an integral part of urban life.
San Francisco's weather isn't always the best for sunbathing, but its residents have no shortage of opportunities. Sure, they can head west to Ocean Beach, but the city's true urban beach is the Aquatic Park Beach. Across from Ghiardelli Square, this cute pocket beach is tucked into the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. Just over a mile from downtown, it's perfect for a quick stop after work. For residents of the Marina District or North Beach, it's just another neighborhood spot. And for five dollars, you can get a taste of maritime history by visiting the seven ships moored at the adjacent Hyde Street Pier.
