Picnic on the beach with the fam to end summer. This is only the 3rd time I've been here and each…read moretime I'm like, why haven't I been here more. It's literally the perfect beach for kids with great food options, a killer playground area and a bar for the adults. Would I wade in this water? Absolutely not. But let Bubs and my nieces run around here and eat pizza and sandwiches was the perfect way to end the season.

Loved it here. This…read moreis a great beach with chairs, showers and plenty of space. There is a beach restaurant right on the beach too. This was such a great spot.

I've passed this hidden gem THOUSANDS of times, and while back in NY for a long weekend finally…read moredecided to check it out. Though I grew up less than 15-20 min. away, this beach was not in my township (Huntington) so we stuck to our own local N. Shore Long Island Sound beaches (rather than pay a craaazy entry fee). Off season, everyone's a resident of everywhere/anywhere, so a beautiful, sunny February afternoon was a PERFECT opportunity to check out Callahans. We had the whole place to ourselves, and my sister and I checked out the upper picnic area, the new/improved playground, and the wonderful views around the perimeter of the parking lot. Rumor has it there are other trails, but we did not see them, so we ventured down to the entrance to the beach to get a closer look at the BEAUTIFUL views... NOTE: I don't believe you can park in the little circle near the stairs leading down to the beach, though strangely enough, there are handicapped parking spaces there. This beach is many things: scenic, secluded, convenient if you live in the area, great for families, picnics, and golf fans, but it is definitely NOT handicapped friendly, unless you just plan to enjoy the view from above. There are MANY steps to get down to that beautiful beach, and you'd better be in reasonably good shape AND not forget anything in your car, because it's a TRIP up and down those stairs. While my sister and I didn't find the hiking trails that are supposedly there, we did hike the full length of the beach, a WONDERFUL walk all the way to neighboring Sunken Meadow State Park beach and back. BEAUTIFUL, invigorating, and very do-able, nearly 3 miles back and forth. Well worth the "ride!!" Some of the best things/places on Long Island are still free, especially if you go off season... Check this place out!!

Nothing good to say about this beach.Parking is far from beach area the. After walking to beach…read morearea you have to tackle the stairs going down then after a few heart attacks the beach area is dirty and water dirty with floating it looks like used condoms. Where did my tax dollars go besides the steps and the asphalt area above where lifeguard station is. My last time there!

I like Pike's because the sand is white and clean. The people are friendly and when it's crowded it…read moreis still NOTHING like a crowded public beach. You've gotta be a local resident to use the beach, so that helps keep the crowds down. Bonus for having a lifeguard on duty, bathrooms, showers and a safe vibe where you leave your shoes at the end of the pier. Even waves for surfing!

One of the local beaches. Family friendly. No dog poop on the beach. Would recommend on a weekday…read morebecause it is not too crowded. Love this beach though because who doesn't love a day on the beach!

A true 5 star beach. I grew up not far away and almost lived here in the summertime. Lifeguards on…read moreduty from about 9-5:30 from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I've been to east coast beaches, west coast and Hawaii. The only ones that compete are Hawaii, particularly one near barking sands. But overall this is my favorite to return to.

This beach is extremely clean , everyone is friendly , there's a beach hut restaurant on the beach…read morewhich makes the beach #1 to go to . Its a plus to have everything right there for anyone . The waves are perfect you can go our in the water and not get hit and smacked around and rolled over everywhere . The water is gorgeous its clear and you can see your feet when your in the water . You can see lots of fish , there's crabs , seaweed . The salt water isn't strong at all . Seashells there's so many seashells that you can take a bucket and have lots of fun shell shopping . There small to big shells . There is also sea glass which I was surprised . The sea glass there is really cool small and big pieces all different colors . There is changing rooms , bathrooms , and showers . Everything is clean and everyone is polite . I didn't even see any garbage laying around . This is the first beach I've gone to which was actually really clean and people are really nice . The parking fee is only 15$ which is not bad at all then you can park anywhere and just go onto the beach . The sand is perfect its so soft and some shells but its easy to walk on . Its great for anyone family , couples , groups etc . The west Hamptons beach is a must to go to .

Awesome local beach/ park right on the Great South Bay. There is a boat ramp as well as plenty of…read moreball fields and tennis courts. The beach hut also serves food and drinks in the summer months and often has a great live music scene every night.

A really nice family-friendly place. My son loves the splash park here. Fortunately it isn't ever…read moretoo crowded here which is great. There are plenty of lounge chairs and regular chairs to watch the kiddos splash and play - or you can join in the fun as well! An hour or so of playing here and my toddler is wiped out. Be mindful of your own children here - obviously surfaces can get slippery with the water so running is not a great idea. The lifeguards are teenagers usually looking at their phones or chatting with one another. Hours for the splash park at 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and last day of the season is Sept. 2nd. There are also fun lawn games when you first enter like giant connect four and corn hole. If the sand and beach is more your thing, Venetian has you covered. There is a small section roped off in the water designated for swimming. The food section is fast-food esque - think burgers, dogs, that sort of thing. Last time we got a soft pretzel which, at $6.50 was a bit outrageous. And it was underwhelming. We sat at one of the picnic tables - no food allowed in the splash park area. They do have concerts here at night which is fun, and a great (free) family summertime activity. In the off-season, the playground here is awesome. Great for the 3-8/9 year old range. It is also completely closed in via gate, which always makes me feel more comfortable.

So hard to find a good dog friendly beach. My dog really enjoyed it here. Lots of space to play…read morewith her doggy friends in the sand and water.

If you are leaving this less than three stars I'd have to wonder why other than the fact that maybe…read moreyou want shade in the summer or it to be less breezy in the colder months... but then I'd have to wonder what or why you'd expect something so absurd. I walked the entire ground the other day and found a little glass closer to the water side of the park... that's pretty typical of beaches in general and due mostly to careless people; If it bothers you and your pup, might I suggest doing your part and picking a couple pieces up? This place is a hidden magical gem that I hope stays exactly the way it is.

Little known park on Dune Road. It's easy to miss and the parking lot only holds 10 to 12 vehicles…read more It's usually full. I imagine if you get there early, you'd have a chance to park here. There aren't any facilities but you do get beach access via walkway. Due to its limited access, you basically get your own private beach for the day. And that my friends is the whole point. So get out of bed early and get there before the crowds. Cheers!!

Down the street from Lashley & Pikes, this unassuming, tiny lot is the go-to spot if it's empty…read morewhen you pass by. The crowd is low-key and necessarily small, and beach access is clutch; not sure what happens post-MDW, but on MDW (Monday, aka Memorial Day itself) no one checked and we scooted out gratis. Sure, there are no amenities, and I'm not really even sure Atlantic Beach is the correct name, but if you don't know, now ya know.

I love to go off roading at Gilgo. They recently reopened the outer beach. There are a lot of…read moresurfers here. The beach is always empty. You do need a permit to get on and they do usually check.

Limited access beach…read more Beaches - we all love them except for the crowds. I am not a huge fan of any crowd situation - ever. Because of this, I tend to limit my trips to the south shore beaches since they are almost always mobbed. There are exceptions however. Gilgo State Park is located on the south shore of Nassau county but there is no road nor parking lot- in fact you would miss it if you do not know where to look for the entrance. Even better is that you can walk in (not advisable) or drive in with a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Even this is limited though as you need a state issued fishing permit to gain access. I have to admit I've never actually used the official name of this place, it is known as the sore thumb locally. What does this mean? Well- if you are lucky enough to have the wheels and the pass, you can drive out and park on the waters edge and enjoy the entire day with hardly another soul around. There are some catches - you are supposed to be "fishing" and you have to take everything out with you that you brought in. There are many off limit areas due to nesting birds and sometimes the flies can really make you miserable (if there is no breeze). To obtain the pass is not easy - you have to have an assortment of items available for inspection, but it is worth the hassle. The park is undeveloped- there are no restrooms or concessions nor first aid stations- so you have to be a boy scout and sew up that gash on your own. The area is well maintained and great pains are taken to ensure it remains in pristine condition; even with the 4-wheel vehicles, there is little in the way of damage done to the environment. So- you have a summer day fishing, you are on the beach and the double bonus is that you are almost always completely alone there - and yes, you can sun the nether parts there so long as you keep an eye open for the odd wandering soul... Bliss!