Jones Beach - beating the crowds and which field?
 

It's been 30 years since I've been to Jones Beach. I can only get out there on the weekends. About what time does the traffic start building up on the weekends (while it's still warm)? Is before 10am early enough to beat the crowds on a Saturday morning?

Also, which field to park at? As a kid we'd take the bus to field 4, but it was always mobbed. As a teenager we drove to the west end but that seemed to be a predominantly teen crowd. Which field has a good beach and decent parking that would be nice for 2 adults (and possibly our kids who are teens)?

To beat the crowds you can't go wrong at West End 2, although you will hike about 5-10 minutes through the dunes to get to the water but it is worth it. I think the walk scares a lot of people off so it never gets too crowded.
Field 4 is insane and you couldn't pay me to go there. If you don't want to do West End I'd say Field 6 but I haven't been there in years so maybe someone else can help with that. Last year we started buying the NY State fishing permit which allows you to drive a 4x4 directly on the beach down off Ocean Parkway which is amazing!! But other than that :) I recommend West End 2.
As far as traffic, of course the earlier the better but it really starts jamming up around 9:30-10 in my experience.

It's been quite a while since I did the Jones Beach run, but I think you really have to leave the city by 8 to avoid bad traffic.

I used to go to one of the West End lots but they are now closed. Field 6 is very popular b/c it's close to the beach and has a concession stand. Right on the website, it says you have to be there by 9 to get a parking spot. On a weekend at this time of year, I'd forget it.

Here's a map.
http://jonesbeach.org/map.htm

I guess I misunderstood what it said about the West End area here
http://jonesbeach.org/west_end.htm
If it's open, that's where I'd go too.

Was just @ Field 2 on Wednesday. There was no crowds at all but the majority seemed to show up after lunch. Can't speak to weekend though. Not a lot of people in the water as it is not very warm (low/mid 70's, I'd guess) at least by my NC standards.

To follow up to my first post, I meant that traffic jams up right around the beach at that time (9:30-10) like on the Meadowbrook/Wantagh Parkways...but coming from the city i would also advise leaving no later than 8:30 to avoid the traffic.

Thanks.

I have another question - do all the beach areas have food concessions (nothing fancy, just maybe a quick bite for lunch) and restrooms?

They all have something, but the more facilities/options, typically the bigger the crowds. At #2, it was mainly hamburgers & hot dogs.

On weekends the Meadowbrook to Jones Beach is mobbed by 9:30 at the latest - earlier if it's a holiday or especially hot.

The smaller parking fields with closer access to the water fill up first - so West End 2 is probably a good idea if you're coming later - and don;t mind the walk. (Otherwise it can be very frustrtating driving round parking lots hoping to find that last space.)

(You'll knowif the other fields are full - since Park enplyees block them off - and won't even let you in. If you start seeing this go to West End immediately - since it;s the one field that rarely fills up.

It all sounds more or less the way I remember it from years ago. I guess, weather permitting, we'll leave the city at around 8am, and avoid field 4.