Huge beach, a diverse crowd, and a glorious curve of lakefront. Best of all, if you forego the sand for the park adjacent to the path, you can barbecue to your heart's content. Really, that view combined with good friends and a grill? SUMMER PERFECTION. And best of all, the lack of parking really keeps this place a nice neighborhood-oriented jewel! read more

Highest smooth shaved skin to mini-speedo trunks ratio in the city. Nuff said.

The great thing about this beach is it is a hike far away from any parking lot. It's clean and quiet and beautiful. I usually ride my bike up there, but if you do drive you have to park at Foster -- NOTE they have installed pay-to-park That is not marked with signage. It's a $50.00 ticket. read more

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Its been so hot lately, just about the only thing I want to do is jump into Lake Michigan! Kathy Osterman beach is the place to go. Its not as crowded as some of the other beaches, but its not so empty as to be described as desolate or shady - it seemed like a nice family beach with lots of people of all ages; families, couples, daycare groups, college students, etc. Theres even a concession building with all kinds of (relativly low priced) drinks and snacks, as well as tables and chairs to eat at. read more

Most folks refer to this as the Hollywood beach. A nice beach for those on the north side who don't want to deal with the non-parking and crowded Oak Street or North avenue beach scenes. Lots of families, mellow, easy going vibe here. Echo other comments about the boardwalk that helps easy access to the beach, especially for disabled/seniors. Not far from the red line and one block walk from Sheridan bus. read more

Love love love this beach!!! I can't believe I've lived in Chicago for eight years and just started going to it last summer. It's seriously one of the nicest beaches in the city. The sand looks like white sand, it's super clean and the water is great! I do wish it was a little deeper in the perimeters allowed by lifeguards, but it's a great beach and I can't wait to go next summer!! It's a little hard to get into besides the lakepath, but I go through the large driveway off Thorndale. Love it!! read more

So, I use to live just down the road from Hollywood Beach and really enjoyed just sitting back in the sand to read and watch the people going by. I'm not really a big beach person as it is as I sun burn reasonable easy, however, from time to time it is great to go to Hollywood Beach to watch the volleyball and guys. I am a people watcher and Hollywood Beach is a great place to watch people. So.if you want to play in the water or just relax on the beach or maybe even find that perfect guy ~for you gay men out threre~ come over to Hollywood Beach and Have fun! read more

As a southern gal from the foothills of North Carolina, we don't have a lot of beaches nearby. I went up to the Chicago area to visit some family and my cousin told me that I MUST go to Hollywood Beach if I need my fix of sun and sand. We went last week and I seriously had the best time. My cousin told me it had a gay community, but I was surprised to see so many gays in one place. It was FANTASTIC! I've been reading the other reviews that said there was a family beach and a gay beach, but I took no notice of that. I saw gay families, which were so adorable, I had to just sit there and smile. The water was freezing, but it just may be because I'm used to southern weather. I was told it was one of the cleaner beaches in the Chicago area, and I believe that. The bathrooms, on the other hand....could use a little maintenance (but that is the beach's only flaw) The entire beach was just so beautiful and warm and it gave off a very welcome feeling. If I ever make it to Chicago again, I am definitly coming back to Hollywood Beach. The only thing I wish I could have done was join in on one of those volleyball games. I don't have very many skills, but volleyball is somewhat of a forte of mine. Peace read more

Great beach! I just moved to the great city of Chicago this summer, and made it up here a few times to get some sun. Its great to find a 'mo beach right in this wonderful city. Even San Francisco didn't have the luxury. Plus its on a corner nook, so its rather private. On the debit the local cruise types seem to hang out around the restroom, so I definitely will be peeing in the lake if I must. While most of the guys here are fit, its good to see the bigger boys are out and comfortably enjoying themselves. I think its good to see all types, not just the stereotyped eye candy that infests Miami's south beach. But really, who wouldve expected such a great little spot in Chicago? Makes me very happy! read more

Funny there's a review section for a beach. I guess the beach should read the 1 star reviews and find out ways it can better itself. Why am I giving it a 5 star? Thats because I dont get along with the north avenue beach, it refuses to come up north, while the hollywood beach lays here less than a block from where I live. read more

I love this beach. The water is fairly clear (under Chicago standards), the beach is very, very clean, and it's never really crowded. I've gone during the weekends and the weekdays, and while on the weekends there is a good amount of people, it's never anything like Montrose or North Ave. It's very good if you like to have your own space without being far away from the water. read more

They have a new snack bar building! I don't know what the snacks are like but I did get some delicious lemonade after cycling here this morning when it was so humid and overcast that the fog was still hanging around on the beach at 11 am. They also have eco- toilets that use rain water to flush! They tell you that the water in the toilet is not potable either which I thought was useful if I decided that it looked delicious enough to drink. I've never been to this beach before and my friend told me the snack bar is new. The beach doesn't have any obvious parking nearby so I guess that's maybe why so many people don't visit.. I hope it stays uncrowded, sorry snack bar owner. read more

The guide book tabbed this the quiet beach for adults, and that's exactly what it was for the most part. Went on a Friday afternoon to just lay around like a beached whale and ceremoniously dip myself into the waters of Lake Michigan to say I did it. Love me a beach with amenities, you got your bathroom and showers (I think) and a snack stand. Life guards galore. It was pretty and almost devoid of people and populated by sea gulls. Except of course the people who chose right next to us as a wonderful spot to have a loud obnoxious conversation/ Frisbee tournament and the grandparents who chose to park their rambunctious grandkiddies a few yards off. I must be getting old. read more

It's days as cold as this that I really miss going to parks like Hollywood Beach. This is the best beach in the city; the sand and the water are kept super clean and the beach itself doesn't get crowded all that often. It is located right off the Lakeshore path so getting there makes for a beautiful bike ride. All I can say is that it is very relaxing at Hollywood Beach aka the gay beach aka Kathy Osterman Beach. Not to mention, quite a bit to look at... read more

This is our neighborhood beach and it is awesome. It is clean, large, not crowded and has a lot of amenities (concessions, wi-fi, paddle board and umbrella rentals). It's also fantastic for little ones as it is quite shallow in the water for quite a ways. There is only street parking so it's probably not ideal for people driving, but if you are taking public transport of walking, it's as good as it gets for Chicago beaches. read more

Red Line Bryn Mawr stop - walk east some blocks and you will bump into the beach! We had BBQ catered for a pre-wedding bbq on July 4th. Although there were a lot of people it was spacious. Clean sand, decent bathrooms with typical long lines, and a pier with city views. People at the beach were pretty mellow and friendly. read more

God. What a great stretch of beach. Lots of wonderful people, clean, amazing beach and water. This is the beach to check out in Chicago.

Great beach. Nice sand, clear water and not really crowded. Nice to not have to go to North Beach. Like everyone said the beach is divided between a gay area and family area. Be prepared for a lot of man-thong etc. dress is not conservative. read more

Don't get me wrong, this beach is nice. There is a beach house for bathroom of both genders, which is really nice. The cleanliness could be worked on, but I don't suppose most bathrooms by the beach are that clean. The sand here is immaculate, as many reviewers have pointed out. The water also seems clearer than the beaches further down south. I also appreciate that it wasn't jam packed, though we came here on the first weekend of September. There was even a boardwalk that leads you straight to the water. The one huge negative is the lifeguard patrols that sits on a kayak are super annoying, telling you that you cannot swim past their boat, which is only water level to my waist. Seriously, this is really lame. I even see kids playing and they even find the limit to be shallow. Other than this, you oversee some nice apartments behind you, and you also can expect to be greeted by a friendly seagull or two, so make sure not to leave any food out if you don't want them to be eaten. Parking here is $2 an hour, which doesn't break the bank of anything, but would be nice if it was free because you can definitely find free parking at other beaches. read more

Lovely beach! Not very crowded and the sand was very fine and nice to lay down on. It took me like 45 minutes to bus up from downtown, so I think the red line L would have been better. This beach is very shallow. There is a pier here and a concession stand with drinks (for like $10.) read more

Hotties in speedos playing volleyball and frisbee and just lovin life. Hollywood beach is simply lovely--great sand, gentle water, and hot guys aplenty. Viva la vida! read more

I lived in Daytona before I moved to Chicago. I am used to having a beach within walking distance. Sure, I miss the white sands and the Atlantic Ocean, but at least good ole Osterman Beach doesn't have sharks in it! Seriously, I live a few blocks down, and I can't wait for the weather to warm back up so I can spend some lazy weekends lounging in the sand. It's clean and not crowded. The family side and the gay side coexist peacefully! The only gripe I have? Some of these guys look way better in their skimpy swimwear than I do, what's up with that?!? read more

On my bike ride today I ended here at this beautiful beach. There is a bike rack, concessions and restrooms (which were clean!). The beach was not at all crowded and I really enjoyed the chill, laid-back atmosphere. A win in my book! read more

new favorite beach! i will continue to call it hollywood beach even if that's not the real name, it just sounds more glamorous (no offense to Kathy Osterman). family friendly, clean, it has two accessible paths that lead right down to the shore line and the water is very shallow. it's partially shaded in the later afternoon which is awesome if you or your children are nearly transparent and get sunburned even after slathering on SPF 10000 sunblock. they say there's a bath room, but you may need to send out a search party to track it down. we usually enter via the entrance at the end of thorndale. i'm going to go again and again. just try to stop me. read more

Clean beach, clear water, grown ups! Best beach I've been to in the city! Leave it to the Gays!

amazing beach. lots and lots of sand, nice bar/ameneties and the water is nice and shallow. The sand is wavy under the water which is pretty unique. read more

Went here today to see the difference between here and Foster Beach....and quite the difference. Some men should be advised that a g string is NOT a good idea on any man. Its definitely an eye candy/cruise beach...be warned. If you can get a spot away from the typical queens....it makes it a much better experience. read more

Nice beach its really huge. Alot of hotttt gay guys ;D I like how the water is clear here and its so clean. Its a bit of a distance from were I live in Bridgeport but its worth the trip to see all the hot azz walking around here ;D lolZ read more

Loooooove this beach. Clean, calm (without being boring), and the restaurant on premise is actually really good! I'm so happy we live nearby. read more

The one place you'll find me from dawn 'till dusk in the summer. Its amazingly clean, unlike Foster, and spacious, unlike North Ave. Any spot you choose you won't mind. Love the no parking thing, less people can be there. I like to have my space and not have people consistently walking around me. The life guards are always super friendly and surely make sure you follow their rules for safety. The new shack they built is pretty pricey, but can't blame them, its worth it if you need it. read more

This beach is usually pretty laid back and not insanely crowded like North Ave beach and some of the others south of here. Watch out for the usual Lake Michigan e-coli and that guy with the beer gut wearing a white thong. Nice beach though... read more

Went out for a power walk today and accidentally discovered the beach, concession and sitting area. I decided to stop and have lunch and look at the surrounding area; it was so pretty and peaceful, I took pictures. I didn't realize the gay connection until I read some reviews on the net...I did see a couple walking, and I did notice the pretty rainbow chairs and immediately thought 'gay friendly'? but didn't nurse the thought any further. I saw families, singles such as myself, runners/walkers...I felt like I was on vacation and I had only crossed the street. I'm not telling a soul about this place. lol read more

Kathy Osterman Beach - This shot I took mimics Wakiki beach minus the volcano. I can't believe I live across the street from this! - Beaches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This beach is right behind my building. It's one of the main reasons I moved there. But believe it or not, it took me a long time to figure out that it has a reputation as a "gay" beach. I do tend to stick to the north side of the beach -- near the playground -- so maybe that's why I didn't notice. But that's what is so great about it. One side is about as family-friendly as a Chicago beach can get and the other side is the place to see and be seen for gay men. And the two can co-exist in perfect harmony. As others have said, the fact that there is no parking is probably a big reason why this beach isn't as crowded as other nearby beaches (and I like it that way). read more

Best beach in Chicago! No problem with parking, not crowded like other beaches, free wifi, clean facility, also family friendly. What else would you want from a lake Michigan beach? read more

Kathy Osterman Beach is great. It is clean, peaceful and often not real crowded. There is a concession stand that serves food and drinks and is perfect for chilling either by yourself or with friends. read more

UMM i noticed a problem! the address is 5800 N. lakeshore andthey have the neighborhoods as streeterville and near north. The neighborhood is actually edgewater (no where near streeterville). Get it right out of towners!!! BUT besides that it's a great beach read more

Beautiful beach, skirted by highrises that remind you of a resort area. Great view of the skyline, the closer to the pier you situate yourself. I especially like the fact that I always make a lot of new friends, as it seems to be the only place I can safely wear my thong. read more

It's one of the best kept secrets out of all the beaches in the city. It's one of the cleanest beaches (both water and sand) which wins it's first 5 stars. They have a nice concession stand that serves alcohol and various snacks. I wouldn't order the guacamole, mixed with fillers like to many chopped raw onion. The chips are freshly fried with a side order of melted american cheese. read more