Any ideas? We're looking for the best beach on Long Island. My husband and I are from NY and just looking for input as we'd like to spend the day at the beach this weekend. Thanks!! *By "Best Beach" I mean easy access, clean beach/sand, showers/bathrooms on premises, good waves, great restaurants nearby, etc. **Don't get me wrong about "Easy Access", either - we KNOW about the weekend traffic!!

top, please!

Time Out NY recently had an issue on nearby beaches:
http://www.timeoutny.com/features/299/299.ft.beach.html

hope this helps. You may also want to do a search on Citysearch NY.

Marlena

I can't speak to beaches, but if you are looking for a restaurant with the best view of Long Island Sound, it's the Pine Island Grille in Bayville. Sit out on the deck and enjoy lunch or even better (and more expensive) dinner at dusk.

Jones Beach is always a populare spot. If you want to go someplace without cars, drive to Mastic and take the Ferry to Fire Island.
In the Hamptons, Westhampton has a nice beach as long as you don't go to the "Beach Bars." Westhampton Town, while not as nice as Southhampton, has a few decnt restaurants and nice shops.