BEACHES: Former Long Islander.... (Oceanside, Bay Shore: hotel, work, assessment)

[chconnol]

I live in NJ now. I grew up in LI and have some nice memories of the beaches.

NJ beaches are different that LI's. Bottom line is the water is much rougher and I don't want to take my kids there.

I've heard some not so nice things about Jones Beach lately. To be honest, the "talk" is that there's an element there on the weekends that makes things not so nice. I've actually been told to simply not go there on weekends.

Ok...so that leaves a couple of beach options that I've heard are OK:

1. Gilgo: can non residents go there? I've heard yes and that the cost is $20. Is that per person or just to park?

2. Robert Moses: how crowded does it get on a Sunday? To get in how early should we arrive?

If anyone can answer these, I'd appreciate it.

[ShouldIMoveOrStayPut...?]

Can't comment on Jones Beach situation, haven't been there in years....

Cedar, Gilgo, and Overlook are very expensive on weekends for non-residents, it was $20 a while back....I think it may be up to $30 to $35 by now....

Get to any of the Moses lots 8:00 A.M. or prior....the earlier the better, even if you have to wait in line for them to "drop the rope" so to speak with regards to opening the parking lots.

[Roland Deschain]

I live in Oceanside and go to Lido Beach every weekend. There's a lot of room there and you don't need to be close to anyone else if you choose not to. The only thing is they do charge a hefty fee for non residents. around $20, I think.

[ClarkStreetKid]

Originally Posted by ShouldIMoveOrStayPut...?

Get to any of the Moses lots 8:00 A.M. or prior....the earlier the better, even if you have to wait in line for them to "drop the rope" so to speak with regards to opening the parking lots.

Just wondering, can you still get into the parking lot before they open?

[fyrisle]

The Fire Island beaches that you can only access by ferry are much less crowded. Ocean Beach is towards the western end of Fire Isle and it has a nice village. The ferry leaves from Bay Shore which is not much further than the Robert Moses Causeway.

The ferry schedule can be found at: Fire Island Ferries

[Tymel]

I was just at Jones Beach today. Its fine, the water was rough tho. But the beach is fine, there are a lot of spanish people but honestly they are very nice. Most people keep to themselves anyway. I think thats what you were referencing when you heard the bad things about Jones.

[VillageOfWestbury]

Originally Posted by Tymel

I was just at Jones Beach today. Its fine, the water was rough tho. But the beach is fine, there are a lot of spanish people but honestly they are very nice. Most people keep to themselves anyway. I think thats what you were referencing when you heard the bad things about Jones.

I was there today as well...and your assessment was spot on. The water was rough but that made it interesting. There were alot of spanish-speaking people.

I've only been to Lido once...how much farther is it than Jones?

[Tymel]

Yeah it makes the water very interesting. I love being knocked down, and body surfing.

[ShouldIMoveOrStayPut...?]

Originally Posted by ClarkStreetKid

Just wondering, can you still get into the parking lot before they open?

I don't think so, the toll booths are at the entrances to the parking lots and they lift one or more of the wooden barricades depending on anticipated volume for the day (or time of day)....

[ClarkStreetKid]

Too bad. It was a great way to save a few bucks even though it meant getting there when the morning was still cool (7-7:30 am) and the only people there were the workers.

FWIW I just got back from a few days at Virginia Beach. Real nice hotel on the beach, the beach itself was great & impeccably maintained, and the life guards were excellent (watched them train), but a big difference from hanging at Robert Moses as Virginia Beach is very touristy. LI beaches definitely have a much different vibe which I missed.