Hi all,
Are there any beaches close to the city that are accessible by train/bus/cab? I don't have a car here, but am missing the beach right about now! When I go to the beach, I like to sunbathe and get IN the water, so nice sand and clean water would be a plus....
Thanks!

Lots of beaches. The Rockaways in Queens (go to the Beach 116th Street station on the A train and walk with the numbers going up) are great for plain beach but I don't know many people who go in the water there. To go -in- the water, I'd recommend Fire Island, but other people have recommended Jones Beach, which is a little closer. I think Jones Beach is more crowded and less charming.

LIRR beach packages: [www.lirr.org]

You can also go to the Jersey Shore, of course.

NJ Transit beach packages and beach notes:

[www.njtransit.com]

Hi there,

you can check out the replies I received to a similar question. I also liked Fire Island.
[www.askanewyorker.com]

Very easy - take B express or Q and go to Brighton Beach. The best time to go is during the week where there are not too many people on the beach and you can relax. During weekends, there are lots of people on the beach but it is still fun. You can buy all the cheap beach gear at a store on the corner of Brighton 7th Street and Brighton Beach Avenye called "Value Depot" - everything from slippers to towels to beach umbrellas.

Brighton Beach rules!!!!

Now there I have to agree with you "Sara Counter Non English Shopper Michael...."

I had a great time there, and the pierogi's at Tatiana's are great for lunch!

Tatiana is overpriced and not all food there is good. It's the most expensive one because it's on a Boardwalk. You can go to Oceanview cafe on the corner of Brighton 3rd St and Brighton Beach Ave (5 min walk) and get the same food for 50% of the cost and better quality. There's also Glechek on Coney Island Ave - 100 yards north of Brighton Beach avenue. It has nice Ukrainian food at good prices.

It was worth the expense to have a lovely lunch while still enjoying the beach. And actually I don't think it was expensive at all. Same as any other nice place to eat. It was less than $10 each with tip as I recall.

I have been to Tatyana many times. The last was last week. It is definitely much more expensive than any cafe/restaurant that is not on Boardwalk. It will depend on the dish. But for some dishes the price is double of what you will find at a modertely priced russian restaurant.

For those looking for good and inexpensive russian food, the 2 restaurants mentioned above are great picks.

If you are driving in Brooklyn, go to "Stolovaya" cafe on the corner of Avenue U and East 8th Street. The food is great there and prices are very moderate.

I know it's more expensive, but there is something special about al fresco pierogies on the boardwalk (with friends, of course!). Yay Tatiana's!

If you want to make a full day out of going to the beach, I'd get my ass on the LIRR and go to Babylon and ROBERT MOSES STATE PARK (The is a specific bus that goes there...not a big deal stress-wise.) A lot more people have heard of Jones Beach (even my mom in Germany before coming to BKLYN), it's world famous; however, if you want a more relaxing seen, go to Robert Moses. There are a lot less people and you can really feel like you got away. The entire trip to the beach if you are leaving from Penn Station is about 1.5 hrs.

If you don't mind the crowds Jones beach is a little closer with the entire trip taking about an hour. Take the LIRR to Freeport and then the bus thing again.

Eating on the boardwalk in Brighton beach is a lot different that really going to the beach...meaning getting the sand between your toes. Brooklyn beaches are a lot different...more crowded, more ghetto, a lot of dirty diapers and garbage not my idea of relaxing............OUCH! was that a hyperdermic needle?

Thanks, all for your responses!! Unfortunately, the beach/rail packages all end this weekend, and I am heading to beach next week. So I am starting a new post because I am so confused about the PATH/NJTransit trains...their website is very confusing and not user friendly at all!! Thanks again for your responses!!