• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

SUMMER SANDS: ESSENTIAL GREATER BOSTON BEACH DEETS

Written by MIGUEL HERNANDEZ MERCADO Posted June 15, 2019 Filed Under: GTFO, LIFESTYLE

PHOTO BY BY MIGUEL HERNÁNDEZ MERCADO

 

How to do the whole sun and fun thing, whether you head north or south of downtown

 

Greater Boston’s not exactly known for its beaches, but maybe it should be. We’re not exactly Orange County in Cali, but from options to unique attractions and accessibility, we’re looking pretty good (other than that whole global warming thing, of course). If you wake up and your bedroom is a toaster oven, you can head in almost any direction other than west and hit sand. You don’t even have to travel to Cape Cod or Maine; as we’ve written on several occasions, there are lots of places on the T to cool off, grab a bite, and pet all sorts of dogs. Last year we focused on Quincy, where the beaches go for miles upon miles. This time, we stayed even closer to downtown, breaking down your day and way around Castle Island in Southie and Revere Beach in that city.

 

REVERE BEACH

  • Transportation: Yes, people who never ride the Blue Line, Revere Beach is absolutely accessible by the T. Simply hop on at Government Center and exit at either of the last two stops (Revere Beach or Wonderland). Both are prime spots to set up. Or you can drive your new drop-top; in that case, there’s free four-hour parking on Revere Beach Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, while Ocean Avenue has some paid lots as well if all else fails.

 

  • Navigation: This whole area is rich in life, delightful, and ambient, so you’ll want to roam about. Seagulls will flock around you, all while kites dance in the sky and street musicians fill the background.

 

  • Flotation: The water’s notably clean, too—or at least it looks and smells all right—and is still getting warmer, so wear your suit (or don’t, for all we care).

 

  • Temptation: There’s plenty of sand along Revere Beach Boulevard to sunbathe on, but don’t go too far north of Wonderland, as you will reach a fenced-off area where threatened common terns and piping plovers are nesting. Also note: dogs are not allowed at Revere Beach during the summer, and neither is smoking.

 

  • Creation: Revere Beach hosts a lot of events (see: our outdoor movies roundup), but the one that everybody seems to anticipate is the annual International Sand Sculpting Festival, which falls on the weekend of July 26 this summer. Sculptors from around the world will compete using nothing but the sand and water on the shore.

 

  • Libation: We obviously have to recommend Kelly’s Roast Beef, where the public tables overlook the beach. It’s worth it. Its menu packs a whole lot more than meat, but if you really want something delicious and different, try the slices at Bianchi’s down the street. Have more of a sweet tooth? Go to Kell’s Kreme for the cold stuff. And if you need a drink, aim for either Bill Ash’s Lounge or Sammy’s Patio, both of which are cash-only.

 

 

CARSON BEACH / CASTLE ISLAND

  • Transportation: Take the Red Line to Andrews or the Orange Line to Tufts Medical Center, then catch any number of buses that will bring you directly to Castle Island. Or you can just walk from Andrew (or JFK/UMass). Driving? There’s metered parking all along the beach.

 

  • Navigation: Walk down Preble Street and cut through the park at the roundabout to get to Carson Beach. Continue walking north and you will pass the Curley Community Center, which houses bathrooms for those hanging out at M Street Beach. This is basically the best place to spread out your towel and take a dip, as the sand is cleaner and it’s generally less busy than Castle Island proper.

 

  • Crustacean: Now you’re hungry. Continue north along the boardwalk until you’re at Pleasure Beach. Here, at the roundabout, you can make your way down East Broadway for brunch at one of Southie’s bougie haunts. Or you can keep walking all the way to Castle Island, where the line at Sullivan’s will probably be too long unless you are super lucky or there at an odd time.

 

  • Elation: Continue to the end of the Castle Island peninsula and past Fort Independence, which dates back to 1634. Walk along the jetty that encircles Pleasure Bay, and if everything works out according to plan, you’ll be deposited back on Pleasure Beach, where there’s normally an ice cream truck parked waiting for you.
MIGUEL HERNANDEZ MERCADO
More from author
  • MIGUEL HERNANDEZ MERCADO
    https://digboston.com/author/miguel-hernandez-mercado/
    DR IN JP: CHICHARRÓN AT ALEX'S CHIMIS
  • MIGUEL HERNANDEZ MERCADO
    https://digboston.com/author/miguel-hernandez-mercado/
    SPLIT FAMILY: WITH A BORDER BETWEEN A HUSBAND AND A WIFE, A FAMILY CONSIDERS MOVING BACK TO MEXICO
  • MIGUEL HERNANDEZ MERCADO
    https://digboston.com/author/miguel-hernandez-mercado/
    FREEDOM TO REPORT: IMMIGRANT ABUSE SURVIVORS ADVOCATE FOR SAFE COMMUNITIES ACT
  • MIGUEL HERNANDEZ MERCADO
    https://digboston.com/author/miguel-hernandez-mercado/
    THE KID FROM HAVERHILL

Filed Under: GTFO, LIFESTYLE Tagged With: Boston, Castle Island, Revere, Southie, summer. Revere Beach

WHAT’S NEW

2021 Biden inauguration Boston

PHOTOS & RECAP: “NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN” RALLY IN BOSTON

2020 Indian farmers' protest - On a truck. Photo CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain by Randeep Maddoke, randeepphotoartist@gmail.com.

OPINION: IS DISSENT ANTI-NATIONALISM OR PATRIOTISM?

WU ASSERTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN HER CAMPAIGN

WU ASSERTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN HER CAMPAIGN

STREET MEDICS BOLSTER PROTESTS IN MORE WAYS THAN YOU MAY REALIZE

STREET MEDICS BOLSTER PROTESTS IN MORE WAYS THAN YOU MAY REALIZE

HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO APPEASE A CONTROVERSIAL COP

HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO APPEASE A CONTROVERSIAL COP

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HONORED, SPEAKERS ADDRESS RACISM

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HONORED, SPEAKERS ADDRESS RACISM

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • APPOINTED SOMERVILLE OFFICIAL SPURS OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC MOB SCENE by MARC LEVY
  • Aerial View Parkman Bandstand at Boston Common. CC BY-SA 4.0 2017 by AbhiSuryawanshi. NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM by MATTHEW ANDREWS
  • VIDEO: COP WHO BRAGGED THAT HE HIT PROTESTERS SHOWS HOW BAD APPLES THRIVE IN BOSTON by CHRIS FARAONE
  • PRISON HORRORS BY THE NUMBERS by SARAH BETANCOURT
  • IT’S HARDER THAN EVER TO FIND A BATHROOM IN BOSTON. WHAT’S THE CITY DOING ABOUT IT? by ZACK HUFFMAN

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

Footer

digbos

“Trump was voted out. However, this is not a man “Trump was voted out. However, this is not a mandate for #Biden and #Harris.” https://digboston.com/photos-recap-no-honeymoon-for-biden-rally-in-boston/ #photo #rally #march #left #protest #inauguration #Boston #Massachusetts
OPINION: IS DISSENT ANTI-NATIONALISM OR PATRIOTISM OPINION: IS DISSENT ANTI-NATIONALISM OR PATRIOTISM? #Boston #protest for Indian farmers, Saturday 1/23/21, 12-1 pm at the #Massachusetts State House https://digboston.com/opinion-is-dissent-anti-nationalism-or-patriotism/ #India #politics #food #farmer #protest #justice #solidarity @monica_gill1
HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO A HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO APPEASE A CONTROVERSIAL COP https://digboston.com/no-justice-how-officials-in-one-mass-town-took-extraordinary-measures-to-appease-a-controversial-cop/ #ArlingtonMA #police #reform #cop #racism #controversy #BlackLivesMatter #Massachusetts
Ghost kitchens simply don’t have a need for host Ghost kitchens simply don’t have a need for hosts, servers, bartenders, bussers … What happens to those #jobs if virtual kitchens continue to flourish? https://digboston.com/ghost-story-virtual-kitchens-appear-to-be-the-next-big-thing-but-at-what-cost/ #restaurant #labor #work #Boston #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
“I don’t think we’re going to wake up on Jan “I don’t think we’re going to wake up on Jan. 7 in the same country we went to bed in on the 6th.” https://digboston.com/former-mass-gubernatorial-candidate-predicted-violence-before-assault-on-capitol/ #politics #Massachusetts #national #Capitol #WashingtonDC #MAGA
RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL http RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL https://digboston.com/radical-and-relevant-the-life-of-harry-brill/ #obituary #organizer #radical #sociologist #democracy #politics @UMassBoston @BklynCollege411 @UCBerkeley #Boston #Massachusetts #NewYorkCity #Berkeley #California
NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 #PROTEST ON BOSTON CO NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 #PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM https://digboston.com/no-honeymoon-for-biden-1-20-protest-on-boston-common-4-pm/ #opinion #progressive #left #action #inauguration #Boston #Massachusetts
Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this lat Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this latest incarnation of a #beer that’s been in the making for months. https://digboston.com/video-jacks-abby-x-boston-celtics-pride-and-parquet-hoppy-lager-unboxing-tasting/ #fun #video #review #Boston #Massachusetts
Jostling for position and influence are the disadv Jostling for position and influence are the disadvantaged candidates, existing industry participants, and municipalities … https://digboston.com/the-road-to-home-delivery-pt-5-dogs-in-the-fight-identifying-the-players/ #cannabis #politics #analysis #Massachusetts
The candidates will be interviewed about the upcom The candidates will be interviewed about the upcoming race. https://digboston.com/wu-and-campbell-to-speak-at-mayoral-candidate-webinar/ #politics #mayor #campaign #Boston #Massachusetts
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]