The Beaches Guide

The Beaches, sometimes called The Beach by locals, began as a summer cottage community east of downtown, and the low-rise houses, leafy streets and sand still carry some of that holiday feel. It is a short ride from the core by streetcar, and a very different Toronto from the towers and the harbour. Many houses here still have the gabled cottage look of that earlier era, now tucked between large trees and tidy front gardens. Allow most of a day, and pick a calm weekday if you dislike crowds.

The simplest plan is to walk from west to east along the water, then loop back along Queen Street East.

1. Ashbridges Bay Park. Start on the western edge, where the lake path begins and the water opens up. It is a quiet start, and a handy place to get your bearings.
2. Woodbine Beach. The main beach, long and sandy, with volleyball nets and a lively summer crowd. It is the busiest stretch in warm weather.
3. The boardwalk. A wooden promenade of a few kilometres runs along the shore. Walk east at an easy pace, and look back for a view toward the downtown skyline.
4. Leuty Lifeguard Station. A small, handsome building that has become a neighbourhood landmark. Stop for a photograph.
5. Kew Gardens. A shaded park just inland, with lawns, tennis courts and old trees. A calm place to sit if the beach is crowded.
6. Balmy Beach. The quieter eastern stretch, with a long-established private club beside it. Look from the path, the club is for members.
7. Queen Street East. Turn inland for the village high street, with bakeries, cafés, ice cream stands, independent shops and relaxed restaurants.
8. The streetcar home. The Queen line carries you back toward downtown, or onward to Leslieville if you want to keep exploring.

Seasonal advice for The Beaches

Summer is the obvious season, and the beach is at its liveliest then, with swimming allowed when conditions permit. Check the City of Toronto notices for water quality before you swim. Early autumn is our favourite time, with clear days, warm sand, empty benches and no crowds. Spring is pleasant but windy, and winter gives you a raw, grey lakeshore that is dramatic for photography and unpleasant for a picnic. In July the neighbourhood has a well-known jazz festival, though dates change, so check the official calendar.

The wind off the lake can drop the temperature suddenly, even on a sunny day. Bring a light jacket in any month except the hottest. Cyclists share the boardwalk with walkers, so keep to the right and give joggers space. In summer, start early to find a seat and a patch of sand before the afternoon crowds arrive, and bring water, since the beach has few shaded places to sit.

Planning your visit and neighbourhood alternatives

The Beaches suits families, couples and anyone who wants a slow, residential day away from sightseeing queues. There are no headline attractions here, and that is the point. If you are short of time, skip it and take the ferry to the Toronto Islands, which offer beaches and skyline views closer to the centre. We would also skip the Queen Street ride on a day when you have a tight schedule, since the streetcar is slower than the subway.

The R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant nearby, a grand Art Deco complex from the early twentieth century, appeals to architecture fans. For a similar mood in a different part of the east, the Danforth adds Greek restaurants, and the Scarborough Bluffs offer wilder lakeshore scenery further out. Our Harbourfront guide covers the central waterfront for contrast. You can find more information on saving money in our budget guide.