Travel

Office blues? Escape to the area’s 7 best beaches

Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook, NJ

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Beach-goers enjoy the sun at Sandy Hook State Park, NJ.
Beach-goers enjoy the sun at Sandy Hook State Park, NJ. Zandy Mangold
The view from Sandy Hook State Park, NJ.
The view from Sandy Hook State Park, NJ.Zandy Mangold
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Sandy Hook State Park, NJ.
Sandy Hook State Park, NJ.Zandy Mangold
A day at the beach at Sandy Hook State Park, NJ.
A day at the beach at Sandy Hook State Park, NJ.Zandy Mangold
The "Freezy Freeze" liquid nitrogen truck at Sandy Hook State Park, NJ.
The "Freezy Freeze" liquid nitrogen truck at Sandy Hook State Park, NJ. Zandy Mangold
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Andy Deming serves up freshly made ice cream at his truck in Sandy Hook.
Andy Deming serves up freshly made ice cream at his truck in Sandy Hook. Zandy Mangold
Zandy Mangold
Zandy Mangold
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Deming's Cotton Candy Sundae.
Deming's Cotton Candy Sundae. Zandy Mangold
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The vibe: As close as you’ll get to Cape Cod within 30 miles of NYC. The ghostly remains of Fort Hancock, a defunct US Army installation, linger at Sandy Hook’s northern end.

Suzy Mulvihill and Henry Codes rode Sea Streak ferry with their bikes to Sandy Hook State Park, NJ.Zandy Mangold

The turf: Overseen by the National Park Service, Sandy Hook is a six-mile barrier peninsula that juts into the Atlantic. On the ocean side are several beaches: North Beach toward the tip, the busier South Beach (actually the collective name for several different beach areas) and, in between, Gunnison Beach, the largest clothing-optional beach in the Northeast. It’s hugely popular, though perhaps not a great place for a family outing.

Getting there: With Seastreak’s 35-minute ferry ride from Pier 11 at Wall Street (and a stop at East 35th Street), getting there is half the fun ($45, round trip). “It’s perfect if you don’t have a car — it’s like a miniature vacation,” says Carolyn Atkinson of Manhattan, who makes the trip several times a month with a friend. From the ferry dock, it’s a 10-minute walk to North Beach, or take a bus to any of the beaches. Better still, bring a bike: There’s a pleasant, winding path and plenty to explore; you can bring one on the ferry for $5 or rent a cruiser by the landing.

Beach bites: Food trucks at North and Gunnison Beaches sell burgers and hot dogs; at South Beach, you’ll find all that, plus pizza, barbecue and cheesesteaks.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Pier 4 at Furman Street, Brooklyn

Enjoy the view from the new Brooklyn Bridge Park beach.Julienne Schaer

The vibe: Family-friendly playground meets inspired urban design

The beach at Brooklyn Bridge’s Pier 4.Julienne Schaer

The turf: The new sandy beach at Pier 4 features a kayak and paddle-boat launch point and a bird habitat, but no swimming. A bit farther north, a second sandy beach is set up next to a pop-up pool with chairs and a snack bar. “It’s better than driving in traffic, trying to get to the beach,” says Denise Griffith, 49, of Brooklyn Heights, as she lounged in the sun, taking in the unbeatable view of the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan.

Getting there: The beach is a few minutes’ walk from the subway stops at High, York and Clark streets.

Beach bites: The poolside cafe offers artisanal lemonade, light fare and, after 6 p.m., sangria, beer and wine. Nearby is Fornino pizza, serving wood-fired pies and cocktails on a roof overlooking the river.

Long Beach

Long Beach, Long Island (access points from Nevada Avenue to Pacific Boulevard)

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Long Beach at Pacific Boulevard.
Long Beach at Pacific Boulevard.Rahav Segev
Casey Greco is about to hang ten at Long Beach.
Casey Greco is about to hang ten at Long Beach.Rahav Segev
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Long Beach at Pacific Boulevard
Long Beach at Pacific Boulevard.Rahav Segev
Emily Theobald and Davey Jones sunbathe on Long Beach's Pacific Boulevard public entrance on July 2.
Emily Theobald and Davey Jones sunbathe on Long Beach's Pacific Boulevard public entrance on July 2. Rahav Segev
Surfing is big at Long Beach.
Surfing is big at Long Beach. Victor Alcorn
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The vibe: A small-town beach with a solid surf-town influence

The turf: The island off the south shore of Long Island shares a few traits with its same-name cousin in California. They’re both havens for local surfers and both are often overshadowed by their urban neighbors.

Long Beach got walloped by Hurricane Sandy, but the wrecked boardwalk was rebuilt last year, and beachgoers are flocking back. Surfers love the break here, and the surfing spots aren’t as cramped as they are in Rockaway. “It can handle a decent-sized swell, and the jetties are a nice thing,” says Luke Hamlet, owner of the 32-year-old Long Beach Surf Shop. “It kind of creates a point break on every block. It separates the crowds, it just gives a lot of nice different spots to surf.”

Getting there: Take the Long Island Rail Road to the Long Beach stop; you can walk to the beach. You’ll need to buy a beach badge: Season passes for nonresidents cost $80 for the year, daily badges $12.

Beach bites: Shoregasboard, a food truck festival, features eats from local places such as Swingbellys BBQ and Lido Kosher Deli daily, at the beach and Riverside Boulevard.

South Beach

Father Capodanno Boulevard, Staten Island

Get “Saturday Afternoon Fever” at Staten Island’s South Beach, in the shadow of the Verrazano Bridge.

The vibe: No, it’s not THAT South Beach, the Miami destination spot of art deco hotels, hip clubs and LeBron James, but a lively strip favored by Staten Island families. “It’s 100 percent locals,” says Nancy Badagliacca, selling flip-flops on the boardwalk, alongside vendors hawking jewelry, bags and sunglasses.

A summer afternoon at South Beach.

The turf: A long, narrow beach with a boardwalk running its 1.7-mile length, with the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge looming large in the near distance. Tankers pass by on their way to or from New York Harbor; also in sight is the rocky, uninhabited Hoffman Island, once a quarantine station for immigrants.

Getting there: Staten Island Ferry to the S51 bus. There’s free parking, but at the well-populated northern end you’ll be fighting for a space.

Beach bites: The Boardwalk Cafe offers standard beach fare: hot dogs, fries, nachos, ice cream. If you’re in the market for $35 Chilean sea bass at day’s end (and you clean up nice), there’s the upscale South Fin Grill.

Cedar Grove Beach

Ebbitts Street and Cedar Grove Avenue, Staten Island

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Beach bums soak up the sun at Ceder Grove Beach, Staten Island.
Beach bums soak up the sun at Ceder Grove Beach, Staten Island.Zandy Mangold
The DiSara Restaurant in Staten Island.
The DiSara Restaurant in Staten Island.Zandy Mangold
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A sampler platter of fried calamari, mozzarella sticks, rice balls and wings at the DiSara Restaurant.
A sampler platter of fried calamari, mozzarella sticks, rice balls and wings at the DiSara Restaurant. Zandy Mangold
DiSara's signature pizza.
DiSara's signature pizza. Zandy Mangold
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The vibe: Retro beach bungalow colony

Barbara (pictured) and Mike Nejeidi own DiSara’s Restaurant. 121 Roma Ave, Staten Island.Zandy Mangold

The turf: Cedar Grove has been open for more than a century as a beach colony, but only opened as a full public beach in 2011. It’s the island’s fourth public beach, now featuring lifeguards and comfort stations. The beach, with its old bungalows still intact, was used for some “Boardwalk Empire” scenes in 2010. Beachgoers here look out over the water toward Sea Gate and Coney Island. “It’s kind of like being down the shore,” says Nancy Blomquist, 39, who visited the beach there for years even before it was a public park. “[Kids] would always watch the cruise ships and stuff.”

Getting there: Parking is free, but public transit is tricky. The S76 and S86 buses go by the beach.

Beach bites: DiSara’s Restaurant, nearby at 121 Roma Ave., sells pitchers of beer and meatball parmigiana sandwiches. It also has a full bar and dinner menu.

Fort Tilden

169 State Road, Rockaway, Queens

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The scene at Fort Tilden Beach.
The scene at Fort Tilden Beach.Christian Johnston
From left: Joan Costello, Emma Leighton, Talia Robinson and Miranda Neri of Brooklyn cool off at Fort Tilden.
From left: Joan Costello, Emma Leighton, Talia Robinson and Miranda Neri of Brooklyn cool off at Fort Tilden.Christian Johnston
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Maria Binder and her son Jonathan Vilar in their food truck, "Home of the Breezy Dog" outside Fort Tilden Beach.
Maria Binder and her son Jonathan Vilar in their food truck, "Home of the Breezy Dog" outside Fort Tilden Beach. Rahav Segev
Famous Fort Tildon beach food truck "Home of the Breezy Dog" serves up its "Breezy Burger."
Famous Fort Tildon food truck "Home of the Breezy Dog" serves up its "Breezy Burger." Rahav Segev
Sam Rega and his sister enjoy "Breezy Dogs" after a day at Fort Tilden
Sam Rega and his sister enjoy "Breezy Dogs" after a day at Fort TildenZandy Mangold
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The "Breezy Dog."
The "Breezy Dog." Zandy Mangold
The "Breezy Dog" food truck's Chicken Gyro and strawberry shake.
The "Breezy Dog" food truck's Chicken Gyro and strawberry shake. Rahav Segev
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The vibe: Secluded retreat from the city that draws a hip crowd — and frequent toplessness.

The turf: Fort Tilden opened in 1917 as a military outpost, named for former New York Gov. Samuel J. Tilden. During the Cold War era, missiles were added to the site. It became a park in 1974, but many of the old military structures are still standing.

A fab foursome cools off at Fort Tilden.Christian Johnston

The beach finally reopened this summer after taking a major hit from Hurricane Sandy. To celebrate, Rockaway resident Patti Smith and MoMA PS1 helped organize a summer-long art exhibit in Tilden’s former military chapel.

Since Fort Tilden is harder to get to, the crowds are lighter than on Rockaway or Jacob Riis beaches: Signs are few, cellphone reception spotty. For Gui Machado, a 29-year-old Williamsburger, the best part is the lack of lifeguards and their shrill whistles. “There’s a beach in Rio that’s also not populated so it reminds me a lot of that,” the Brazil native says. “It feels like a free beach, not so full of rules.”

Getting there: Take the Q35 bus down Beach Channel Drive and get off right before it turns left to go up the peninsula. Several van lines run shuttles there from the Brooklyn College 2/5 stop, too.

Beach bites: The amenities are few (there is a bathroom), but you can usually catch the Breezy Dog truck, serving up knishes, fries, shakes and its signature Breezy Dog — with chili and cheddar.

Dead Horse Bay

Across Flatbush Avenue from Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn

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Dead Horse Bay, Brooklyn.
Dead Horse Bay, Brooklyn. Zandy Mangold
Dead Horse Bay is known for its trash-strewn grounds.
Dead Horse Bay is known for its trash-strewn grounds.Zandy Mangold
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The beach at Dead Horse Bay, Brooklyn.
The beach at Dead Horse Bay, Brooklyn.Zandy Mangold
Amateur archaeologists will enjoy combing Dead Horse Bay for relics.
Amateur archaeologists will enjoy combing Dead Horse Bay for relics. Zandy Mangold
The view at Dead Horse Bay, located just southwest of Floyd Bennett Field.
The view at Dead Horse Bay, located just southwest of Floyd Bennett Field. Zandy Mangold
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Crabs with old bay, french fries and corn at Clemente's.
Crabs with old bay, french fries and corn at Clemente's.Zandy Mangold
The view from Clemente's Crab House on Emmons Ave. in Brooklyn.
The view from Clemente's Crab House on Emmons Ave. in Brooklyn.Zandy Mangold
Shrimp are served at Clemente's.
Shrimp are served at Clemente's.Zandy Mangold
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The vibe: Creepy graveyard of the detritus of old New York

A selection from Clemente’s Crab House.Zandy Mangold

The turf: Not the place to spread a blanket and sunbathe, but amateur archaeologists will enjoy exploring through a collection of relics. Strewn around the sand are old bottles, porcelain dolls and other things that have washed ashore from a nearby trash landfill that burst open in the 1950s — and horse bones, remnants from the rendering plants that turned horses to glue. Dig around long enough and you might find some among the horseshoe crabs.

“It’s a certain gritty beauty,” explains Dylan Thuras, 31, CEO of the blog Atlas Obscura, which explores offbeat places. Hit the beach at low tide to find the most relics, he says. “And swimming is a no-no.”

Getting there: Take the Q35 to the last stop before the Marine Parkway Bridge. Follow the path to the bay from there.

Beach bites: Some three miles away is Clemente’s Maryland Crab House, at 3939 Emmons Ave. The bayfront restaurant offers up seafood, pasta and an outdoor raw bar.