As long as you avoid weekends and holidays, the following beaches are conveniently located in the city and offer plenty of free parking.
Constitution Beach (East Boston) >
Constitution (also known as Orient Heights Beach) is a quiet family-friendly spot with a large parking lot. We love that it also has a playground with a sandy floor, and bathrooms are onsite. It's super close to the airport, so if you love seeing and hearing low-flying planes -- this is a beach to visit. Since it's man-made the waves are pretty calm.
Castle Island (South Boston) >
Castle Island is part of a 4-beach strip along William J Day Boulevard. It starts with Carson Beach, transitions to M Street Beach, then Pleasure Bay, and finally Castle Island. The four different beaches offer different vibes. For example, we love watching the volleyball games at Carson Beach and kitesurfers in wetsuits at Pleasure Bay. M Street Beach feels super peaceful and is perfect for walks along the shore. Castle Island has the playground and runners, joggers, and cyclists from all walks of life. Free parking can be found on the street or in one of the lots.
Tenean Beach (Dorchester) >
Tenean Beach is a small beach on the Neponset River. It's kind of hidden and frequently empty. While the beach is open for swimming, the sand is a bit rocky. Overall it's a quiet space by the water.
Malibu Beach (Dorchester) >
Malibu Beach (also known as Savin Hill Beach) is another quiet beach with a decent size parking lot. It's perfect for sunbathing and open for swimming, although there are no lifeguards on site. The beach also has a playground and a fairly new boardwalk wide enough for a double stroller.
If we had to pick one for our summer bucket list, we'd choose Constitution Beach. Castle Island is a close second, but it can get very busy in the summer. Tenean and Malibu are super small and best for staycations or quiet getaways.
Suggested Products
Beach Dump Truck (made with recycled plastic)
Our Fave Water Bottle (For Kids)
Tankini (2-piece swimsuit for last minute bathroom runs)