This beach is pretty awesome if you want to get in some sun and have some space for activities on the beach. The beach is really long and has a lot of space. There's sand, there's grass and there's a few pavilions nearby that serve food. When the time is right the beach can look crowded but is never too crowded with the length of this place. I love coming here to play some beach volleyball. If you're ever short people you can always find some people wanting to jump in for a game. We've found some pretty awesome, friendly and somewhat decent players sitting along the beach looking for a game to jump into. Everyone's pretty respectful when they jump into a game trying to determine what they shouldn't do. I've never gone swimming in the water but then again I wouldn't really going swimming in either of the lakes in the Niagara region. If you're looking to play some soccer or football you can spread out around the beach and you're guaranteed space. There are a lot of families around so be on some decent behavior. Now to some of the bad in the area. I've never had to park here but it looks like it could be a nightmare. If you don't absolutely have to park here I sure park here, otherwise you might want to park elsewhere as trying to get in and out of here can be a pain. I was dropped off on numerous occasions on a busy summer and it looked like rush hour traffic trying to get out. Depending on the breeze the area stinks but I guess that's what happens when you're close to the sewage plant. I haven't tried any of the restaurants nearby but you should definitely stock up on supplies and sunscreen if you plan an afternoon here. I'll be back for another game of pickup soon! PS - To some of you guys, the speedo was never a good look :) read more

This review is for the restaurant, Boardwalk Pub. We came here because it was recommended to us by our hotel concierge since we wanted to see what Canadian "beaches" had to offer. We entered through the front doors facing the parking lot which was misleading because it looked like a poorly kept McDonald's. We made our way towards the Pub itself and were seated right away outside on the patio. They were undergoing some construction (as the rest of Toronto City) and had to sit through some noise and dust. The owner/manager apologized for it though. What he SHOULD have apologized for was the waiter's SLOW SLOW SLOW service!!! it was around 2 p.m. when we arrived and there were some people there just lounging around and hanging out. We didn't expect lightening fast service since we too were hanging out, but it became unreasonable when we had to wait about 15 minutes for our beverages (including water) and then had to wait another 45 minutes for our food to arrive! Our waiter paid more attention to his buddy patrons than us and took him extra long to finally get our check to us. The food was pretty good. the nachos are presented on a flat baking sheet (which is a little off putting to the eye, but completely functional for toppings). The pizza was good and our friend who had the halibut sandwich also said that was good. The location is great and the patio is the perfect atmosphere on a lazy weekend. I just wish the service was better. read more

The best beach in Toronto. Made from the eroded sands of the Scarborough bluff, Ashbridges Bay has the largest white sand beach you can find in the city. On warm sunny days the beach is packed with thousands of people but there's still plenty of room to setup a volleyball net and your towels/beach chairs. The beach is really nice but I wouldn't recommend swimming in the water. Even if it looks inviting, the currents tends to wash up the sludge of the lake right on this beach. After a long day on the beach, it's only a 5 minute walk to Queen St. E and it's multitude of restaurants and patio bars. read more

Ashbridges Bay Park - Beaches Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Ahhh..well this beach has water (but I wouldn't step foot into it) and sand (but not that gorgeous smooth sand we all dream of) and some great shady picnic areas. It's a great place to come and setup a net and play volleyball or just sit back and bbq (bring your own grill) and take in the views. If you live close by (ie can walk over or take a quick bus ride over) this is a great place to keep on your regular summer rotation. When I think of a beach I think of that gorgeous sand and that beautiful fresh air smell...neither of which you get here...but then again you don't have to drive 1.5 hrs east or north of the city to get that beach idea. So in a pinch this will do. The park is large enough that you will find a spot, but if you are driving the parking can be a nightmare if you don't get there early. The lots are $7 for the day and there is street parking as well, but that fills up fast. There is a bathing station to clean up, and a few restaurants and food trucks around to grab a bite. There is also a playground for the kiddies at the end of the beaches to keep them entertained. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer :) read more

I have a mixed response towards, ahem, *The Beaches' Ashbridges Bay Park .* You see, too me, a beach is a place that is generally sandy, looks like a beach, smells like a beach and that you can swim in it. The beaches do not smell like a beach, specially on warm days when the filtration plants or the algae work overtime and thanks to Lake Ontario's water quality, most people hesitate to do any actual swimming. EVER. So two out of four does not make a real beach to me. More like a large patch of sand. For you see, I was raised near the ocean --and if you have been too, then you will agree that like the man with one eye in the land of the blind, I see "The Beaches" as escapist, anticlimactic false advertising. With an overpriced real state market, specifically the cookie-cutter houses on Woodbine which in my humble opinion, with their Bahamas styled painting scheme actually take away from the area of the park. Having said that the board-walk is very nice, good to do some people watching and just to stroll, catch some fitness here and there. But that is the board-walk, not the beach. I do like the trail that goes along the lake but the is the Goodman trail, not the beach. See what I did there? All in all, the park part is not bad just avoid the beaches' pub as their prices are, as expected, set to stunt... and highway robbery. Great to see large groups of people playing 'sand volleyball' and many a time you can catch some good photography and it is interesting to read about the history of the area\park. It is fascinating! But if you really want a beach, you might be better served driving up north to a healthier lake and actually catch some sun and then take a refreshing dip or even better yet a fun swim. Like all people do in real beaches all around the world. read more

See all

Ashbridges Bay is one of the places in Toronto that makes you truly appreciate this great city. With more than 90 beach volleyball courts available to the public the bay is a great place to spend a day (you have to bring your own net, ball and lines if you want to play volleyball). And be forewarned, on weeknights from 6:30-8 a lot of the courts are used by OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association) for their league. There are also often tournaments going on on the weekends but you should be able to find a court none the less. There are certainly enough of them. There is also a big sandy beach where you can find lifeguards, sunbathers and swimmers. There are bike paths and walking paths, picnic benches, play structures, water fountains, washroom and change room facilities. Parking is a nightmare if you arrive around 6pm on a week night. Finding a spot isn't the problem, it's the 15-30 minute wait to pay the $3 for your ticket that drives me crazy. It's free before 5pm and after 9pm. There's a nice pub in the park too, perfect for grabbing a bite or beverage, but if you're really smart you'll bring a cooler and pack a picnic. Check Ashbridges Bay out if you haven't been, especially around sunset, it's beautiful. read more

Ashbridges Bay Park - Sunset in July - Beaches Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

As the other reviewers have said, this is as close as you can get to a real beach in Toronto. It has great places for volleyball, a nice boardwalk, and-- this is key-- it's great for people watching. Hello, extremely large man! I am sorry for staring, but your belly just jiggles so much! However, I do have to say that, in Vancouver, water is *blue*. Not green. Your algae level was a bit excessive-- I didn't feel like going into the water. And admittedly, it is a bit crowded, and the washrooms are nasty, but that's true at most beaches I've visited in my life. But at most beaches, I don't have to wonder whether the lake is cleaner than the bathroom. I ask for too much out of Lake Ontario. Sorry, nature. read more

Beaches are amazing. Walk the dog, rollerblade, bike, play some vball (assuming the gang that is Warren & Co. have not taken over every single court :P ), sit on the rocks, make out in the bushes - don't step on needles - it's all good fun! They say it's safe to swim in lake Ontario now? Give it a try. let me know if you develop a funny rash. If you're more of pool kinda person, try the Olympic pool. I went a couple times and loved it - they have a kiddie area, diving and a massive pool (Olympic size, like you probably guessed). In the summer it gets packed. Wear slippers in the showers and on deck, or warts. HAVE FUN!!! Enjoy your city, Toronto is amazing so make the best of it. I love coming here to play with the doggies. read more

Ashbridges Bay is the closest thing we're going to get to The O.C. And even this doesn't compare to the beautiful sandy beaches on the West coast. But we must make do with what we have. The beaches, in all accounts are a nice place to spend the day or weekend in the summer. It is always packed in the summer, and lots of beach volleyball and beach bums there. Bring your dog and walk along the boardwalk, or rollerblades in tow, blade West along the nicely paved sidewalk for a good workout. There is also a park and some green space right across the street (North side) from Ashbridges Bay. Again, a nice place to blade. Parking at the beach can be a bitch, so if you can get there early if you want to have your pick at spaces. The parking there is paid (and monitored), so bring change. read more

Love this beach, I just wish it was on my side of town rather than all that way away as I dislike catching the tube and then the 92 bus which during the really busy weekends can be packed. I love how vibrant this beach can be and most of all I have it to thank for introducing me to the sport of volleyball which I did not think of a serious sport until I started playing. The board walk is an awesome place to just people watch and see some of the more serious league games. The pub is a total rip off and I wish there was during the summer months a cocktail bar set up serving mojitos as that is the only thing missing for me. Oh that and water I would like to go in. So many times I have ventured towards the lake and let the cold water soak my feet but I am still way to hesitant to want to go swimming in the lake. Have not yet been to the Olympic pool which I was told is a free public swimming pool but maybe one day. For now some of my best weekends have been spending all day at this beach, doing bbqs, totally non-alcoholic drinking, and playing vball. Actually played my first league game here this week and the beach was deserted due to the wet sand and overcast skies therefore revealing a more peaceful side. Like Blackpool but without the chavs! read more

I went there with friends to see the Victoria day fire works... very good place to rex enjoy the water and sand. The view of the fire works were great and enjoyable. read more

I like this beach. Mostly because the water isn't too too dirty on a clear day if it hasn't rained recently. I like the ride there and the bike paths. But WHAT is WITH the people on the recreation trail thinking that it's a place to stop and hang out with their kids? With cyclists and fruit booters galore, it's not the place to lollygag unless you want to be taken out! If you're a pedestrian, use the boardwalk, please, and don't shake your fist at me for ringing my bell to let you know I'm coming. I'm doing you a favour by not running over you and your children. Although the sand is nice, there is never a shortage of d-bags here. Beatless Night at the Roxbury music, coupled with bad tats and loose tatas make me ill. As if this 'music' on the beach wasn't painful enough, a boat anchored on the shore in front of us blasting more of this douchey music. Come on, who listens to this stuff for pleasure? It's just to get looked at: Look at me: I'm super short and have a small penis so I bought a boat and spend 3 hours at the gym every day. Oh, and I listen to terrible tunes... but at least you're looking at me... Next time, I will bring earplugs and an airhorn-- oh, and a blindfold! read more

This review is for the woodbine beach that's right here at this park. I liked it because there's sand and the beach itself is clean enough, no garbage laying around or nothing like that. But I don't like it at the same time because the water is always so cold, smelly and dirty. They have a hotline number that you can call if you want to find out if the water is swim able or not, I didn't even bother. Of course I don't really want to swim here anyways so it doesn't really matter. It's Lake Ontario, so what else can I expect right? Therefore I came here to basically lay in the sand, get a tan, and look pretty. Then after I headed straight to the pool, and started to have a better time over there, but I did manage to have some fun in the sand;) read more

We are so lucky to have this beach accessible to us. It's not the cleanest beach I've been to but it will do unless you want to travel 1.5 + hrs up north. Check the water levels via toronto.ca before going in case you'd like to go for a dip. We like to come here once a year. Lots of vball court space (bring your own net & lines. Come early to pick your spot). You can bring your bbq grill & have a bbq party! Great place for your furry friends as well! :) Parking is a bitch if you want the closest lots by the beach. However, we've never had problems parking at Coxwell/Eastern Ave. $10 all day. read more

There is always something going on at Ashbridges bay. There really isn't much to complain about other than the food options located close by. They have an Olympic side pool with no entrance fee. Since it's closer than than wasaga it tends to be extremely busy but there lots of space for everyone to enjoy this beach/park read more

Great park- lots of green space, and right next to woodbine beach with beach volleyball! Parking cost isn't too bad on weekends. Close to a bunch of local shops. Has a great trail that goes along between the park and beach, so you get a taste of both :) read more

Was here today for the first time, to watch the Canada Day fireworks. First of all, it took a damn long time to get there. Caught the 501 Neville Park streetcar at Queen and Parliament, only to be told a few minutes later that the streetcars weren't going any further and a bus would pick us up. Of course, I didn't have a transfer, and I was at the very back of the streetcar, so I was totally out of luck when the jerk bus drivers came around. So....cab ride it was. The actually beach was quite nice. The fireworks display was great. But again, when we went to leave, getting home was quite difficult. I guess I go back when they finish the track work on Queen. Until then, doesn't seem worth the schlep if you don't have car. read more

Too many yuppies. If you like yuppies, and women with Bugaboo Frog strollers going to post natal yoga classes this is the place for you. If you don't like these types of folk avoid avoid avoid. These are the kind of people who would flag down a cop if you were hooting on a spliff in the bushes and tattle on you. If you need a beach in Toronto go to Sunnyside. People there are way more chill and have less large objects shoved up their rear ends. read more

I'm going to be a Debbie-Downer and say that I don't really like this place. While I understand that Toronto lacks real "beachy" spots - and this place provides lots of sand and sun for volleyball, that is really all it offers, in my opinion. I get bored here. I wish I could enjoy it more, but I find it crowded, lacking any good spots for food, and the parking is ridiculous on a nice day. The grassy areas are very dirty - I remember hosting a BBQ here one year and 5 of us spent about 30 minutes picking up firework casing, candy wrappers and some unmentionables just because we were worried about what the little ones might get their hands on. I can't imagine what this place was like during the garbage strike. I do have a good story from this place though. A couple of years ago at a barbeque, in the middle of the day, a guy came running past us wearing only running shoes. A few minutes later the cops came and wrestled him down, in all of his naked glory. The cops struggled to wrap some garbage bags around him, the children were screaming, the adults didn't know what to do. It was amazing. read more

Ashbridges Bay is truly a staple of the Toronto summer! Even if you don't live in the area, you just gotta find a way to get here a few times during the heat of the summer. Even when i'm on my way to work in the middle of the day on a weekday the beach is packed with people. So if you're looking for something a little less busy, then stroll east a bit towards the Vic Park end of the Beaches. The beach is HUGE! Ashbridges Bay is the place to come if you wanna play a little volleyball or horseshoes in the sand, or if you just wanna lay out on your beach chair and people watch. In fact that's my fave activity, people watching. You get ALL KINDS here. The ladies, the men, the puppies!! It's all entertaining. The park extends further out with some trails and nice picnic areas. It seems there are more vendors this year for food and snacks than there used to be. There is also a big parking area. The lots nearest to the Lakeshore are often full. But if you drive in the park a little deeper there is a couple more lots. So try there as well. If you are taking the TTC, then the 92 Woodbine bus goes from Woodbine Stn. right down to the lakeshore. But it's usually PACKED. So you may have to wait for a few buses to fit on during peak times. I recommend walking up to Queen St and taking the streetie across as a back up. read more

My parents condo is right across this park so we love it. Summers are busy and Sundays can be a zoo here. During the winter though the boardwalk is nice and empty. I came here walking with my boyfriend and it took us an hour back and forth. Come here for some fresh air! read more

I was hoping that I could see Toronto's skyline from the park but I was wrong. Nevertheless, it's a pretty decent beach area for families and pretty much everyone else. What I like about it is the private spots by the bay, west of the beach. I've seen people making out there. Regardless, it's perfect for people who want some quite moment away from the beach crowd. read more

there is much to see and do in ashbridges bay park but most exciting about it (i suppose only in the daytime) is being able to get lost inside it. maybe lost isnt quite the word, but shielded might be better...good for a little makeout session perhaps....not that ive ever done that...i mean its public after all. ewww, as it were. also as an avid bicyclist, (id say cyclist, but then id feel like id have to be a guy who wears those tight shorts and that dinky cap and be part of a racing team or something, and drink coffee at jet fuel cafe on parliament) its a hoot. there is a paved track that weaves in and out of the landscape past girls playing volleyball on the beach (surely there are no guys...), pit stops for popscicles, loungers on the sand, and gabbing mother pairs, lattes in tow swishing their fat bottoms to and fro on the bike track with their strollers instead of the boardwalk provided a hop skip and a jump away. (hey, if it works for freddie mercury then it works for everyone.) if you feel like stopping and lounging yourself, there are plenty of benches to stare dreamily at the ocean (i did say dreamily) or check out peeps on the boardwalk. it really feels like this place is not only part of the beach of course, but of the community as it seems quite intertwined with the local houses, at the very least rhythmically if that makes any sense. if you keep on that path going westward youll get into more secluded areas that pass by marinas and eventually take you across town. read more

Not known for our beaches here in the great white north, well we should be. A great place for everyone with beautiful sand and oodles of V-ball courts and wonderful bodies. Though it is apparently safe to swim there I remember the days when dead salmon lined the banks. The funky smell of rotting something wofts from the treatment plant just to the west. Thought this is park land there is a need for more vendors here. Those that are there charge waaay to much. read more

Ashbrigde's Bay is the start of the eastern Beaches--which are far superior, at least as beaches for swimming, volleyball, etc., to the western beaches. The park runs along the beach areas, as does a boardwalk. The easternmost kilometres of the Martin Goodman bike trail run through the park, and it's the most pleasant part of the trail to ride through in the entire east end. At the west end of Ashbridge's Bay is huge water treatment plant, which can really put the whiff of sewage in the air if the wind picks it up. Something to keep in mind if you're thinking of joining the Ashbridge's Bay yacht club. read more

This is our regular go-to place for taking a stroll and relaxing. We are dog lovers so enjoy watching dogs playing around as well. Another plus until now was the free parking area next to the boats- unfortunately the city has now installed parking meters there. grr... read more

Best beach in the city. Great beach volleyball scene, walking trails, playgrounds for kids. Beware the washrooms are filthy and there are huge lines to get in them on busy days. The area needs more food and beverage too. read more

Fun beach. Great sand and park. Plus, tonnes of restaurants near by!

I live in the neighbourhood and we use the park a lot. It's not perfect, but it is an awesome place with acres of sand for sunning, flying a kite, or Beach Volleyball. And the beach is rated as a Blue Flag beach for cleanliness. It's one of the cleanest in all of Toronto! It used to be impossible to find sports equipment anywhere nearby, but last year Beach Toyz opened up at Queen and Woodbine. You can rent paddleboards, bikes and Volleyball nets there. Further down Queen at Coxwell there's Shop/Task - a funny name for a place that rents Rollerblades. All in all, we think that Ashbridges is a great place and the feedback we get from visitors supports that. read more

Water water everywhere but not a drop to drink. What is is with all the dysfunctional fountains. Me thinks someone is getting paid to not fix the fountains. The services on the beach make a lot of money selling water. read more