The 10 Best Beaches in and Around Chicago
Is this… sunshine outside? Is summer truly around the corner? When the answer is “Yep, seems like it,” there’s only one question left to ask: Which beach should I visit first? We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite sandy shores, some of which are in the city proper, with other winners a short drive away in Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. So get your sunnies and read on for the best beaches in and near Chicago. Spoiler alert: It turns out all the lakes around here are pretty great.
Editor’s note: Please remember to follow all social distancing guidelines and to check that beaches are currently open before visiting.
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Scott Olson/Getty Images
1. Osterman Beach on Hollywood Ave and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
If you like the hustle and bustle of a busy beach day, you probably already know that Oak Street Beach and North Avenue Beach are the places for you—no judgment here! But if you’re looking for a beach that’s still a place to see and be seen, yet with a more peaceful vibe, check out Edgewater’s Kathy Osterman Beach (also referred to Hollywood Beach). There, you’ll find both a festive sense of community and plenty of room to recline on the sand.
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Image credit: yooperann/Flickr
2. Margaret T. Burroughs Beach on 3100 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago
Your beach selfies can’t get a better backdrop than Margaret T. Burroughs Beach, where you can take your pick of skyline views, the blue waves of Lake Michigan, or—if your selfie game is really strong—both at once. Named for the founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History (among her many other accomplishments), this beach is a leisurely stroll away from other picturesque places, such as the McCormick Place Bird Sanctuary (about a 20-minute walk to the north) and the sculptural La Ronda Parakata Gathering Space about 15 minutes to the south.
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Image credit: Anthony Dezenzio / EyeEm/Getty Images
3. Indiana Dunes in Porter, IN (50 minutes from Chicago)
Ready for a different slice of Lake Michigan? Scoot over to the east to Indiana Dunes National Park, where the water may be the same, but the surroundings are decidedly different than what we get in the city: the park’s namesake dunes bring dramatic height to the shoreline. (See if you can handle the 3 Dunes Hiking Challenge, featuring the tallest peaks.) More in the mood to lounge in a sunbeam? There’s plenty of room to do that on the beach, whether you’re sunbathing or fishing for smelt.
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Image credit: ERIC WATSON/500px/Getty Images
4. Oval Beach in Saugatuck, MI (2.25 hours from Chicago)
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1. Drakes Beach (90 minutes from SF)
When most of us think of Point Reyes, we think of oysters, Tomales Bay and the charming main street lined with cute shops and cafes. But that’s not all there is to this stunning stretch of national seashore, and the long trip out to Drakes Beach is worth the drive. There you’ll find breathtaking bluffs and a wide sandy beach perfect for long walks. Because this area is sheltered by the point at Chimney Rock, the surf is even mellow enough to go in the water. (We hear it’s great for standup paddle boarding.) And for wildlife fans, this is one of the best spots to see elephant seals year-round.
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2. Stinson Beach (60 minutes from SF)
Stinson is no secret among locals and visitors alike, and it’s one of Marin County’s most popular beaches for good reason. The sandy stretch (technically a small spit of land separating the Pacific Ocean from Bolinas Lagoon) is the place to be for families on sunny weekends—with bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, barbecues and even an on-duty lifeguard. People tend to park there all day, so always plan to go on the early side (note: the drive is all narrow, winding roads and takes about an hour from SF). And don’t forget your wallet, because there are lots of cute shops and cafes on the main drag across from the beach.
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3. Bolinas (70 minutes from SF)
There’s not much going on in the quiet town of Bolinas, but that’s part of what adds to its charm. It’s such a gem, in fact, that locals have been known to take down the town signs to make it harder for visitors to find! There are two beaches here: Bolinas Beach at the mouth of Bolinas Lagoon and Agate Beach on Bolinas Bay. Bolinas Beach is popular with surfers, especially beginners, because of its sheltered location and gently rolling waves. Agate Beach, tucked away on the backroads of Bolinas, is known for the vast tide pools of Duxbury Reef and is better for exploring than lying out on the sand. Be sure to check the tides before you go—at high tide, there might not be any sand at all.
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4. Tennessee Cove (45 minutes from SF)
There’s no driving out to the beach here—you’ll have to hike the two miles out on the Tennessee Valley trail to get to this not-so-secret but still secluded cove. The small sandy beach is surrounded by towering greenstone rock walls that add to the dramatic beauty of this spot. At high tide, the cove fills with water, and at low tide, you might catch a glimpse of a rusting ship engine from a shipwreck in 1853. Locals might remember the signature rock arch at the north end of the beach, but sadly, it collapsed into the ocean back in 2012.
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5. Rodeo Beach (30 minutes from SF)
Nestled between Rodeo Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean in the stunning Marin Headlands, Rodeo Beach is a popular spot for locals, visitors, dog owners and surfers. And it’s not hard to see why. You can spend an entire day here and check off multiple activities without moving your car. Walk over to the lagoon and look for birds, frogs and fish in the brackish waters. Then take in the sweeping views and stroll the nearly-black pebbly beach. At dusk, hop from the beach over to the network of hiking trails leading to old military batteries in the Headlands and watch the sunset from up high.
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6. Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach (25 minutes from SF)
When we think of beaches, we automatically think of the Pacific coast, but for this pick we’re going to head east to the bay instead. Alameda island’s Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach is a special gem that reminds us a little of the East Coast. The wide, fine-sand beach seems to stretch for miles, backed by dunes on one side and calm waters on the other. It’s ideal for families (which there’s no shortage of in Alameda) or a relaxing day of sunbathing…and it’s a heck of a lot warmer than SF’s chilly coastline. Did we mention the unbeatable views of the city skyline?
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7. Montara State Beach (25 minutes from SF)
If you love the drama of the Pacific’s rugged coastal bluffs but don’t want to drive the two-and-a-half hours down to Big Sur, we recommend the short trip south of the city to Montara in San Mateo County. It’s beloved among locals (and our personal favorite) for its sculpted sandstone cliffs and wide, mile-long beach. Once you’ve had your fill of sun and sand, take the stairs back up to the top of the bluffs and set out on one of the many trails that parallel the ocean for an epic sunset hike.
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8. Pillar Point Harbor Beach (30 minutes from SF)
One of our absolute favorite ways to spend a weekend afternoon is taking a trip down to Half Moon Bay for lunch at Sam’s Chowder House followed by some beach time at Pillar Point Harbor. The restaurant’s primo location overlooks the calm, protected cove. Get a seat outside on the patio, order some oysters and a glass of wine and soak up the spectacular views and salty sea air. Once you’ve had your fill of seafood, take the path right outside the restaurant down to the beach and go for a barefoot stroll through the fine sand. Here you’ll find kids playing, pups frolicking and the occasional beachgoer digging for clams at low tide.
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9. San Gregorio State Beach (50 minutes from SF)
Yet another stunning beach with rugged sandstone cliffs, San Gregorio State Beach is a local hotspot about 10 miles south of Half Moon Bay that’s divided by San Gregorio Creek (which flows down to the beach, creating a lagoon popular among birds). The beach stretches about a mile south of the creek below the breathtaking cliffs. North of the creek you’ll find caves and fossils in the cliffs to explore. We recommend a stop at the famous San Gregorio General Store (which just kicked off a calendar of outdoor live music again) to pick up provisions for a picnic atop the bluff before you venture down to the beach.
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10. Pescadero State Beach (55 minutes from SF)
Picturesque bluffs, large dunes, rocky coves, a rock arch and a wide stretch of sand north of the Highway 1 bridge—there’s nothing Pescadero State Beach doesn’t have. South of the bridge you’ll find a series of small, circular coves that are only accessible at low tide (so be sure to know tide timing before you wander out), and at the mouth of Pescadero Creek, there’s a natural rock arch that you can walk through at low tides. Make sure you stop off at Arcangeli Grocery in the town of Pescadero on the way to pick up a loaf of the market’s famous garlic herb & artichoke bread for a perfect day at the beach.
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We’re not here to argue with Conde Nast Traveler, which named Saugatuck, Michigan’s Oval Beach one of the 25 best beaches in the world in 2015. Here, you’ll find there’s still plenty of dune buggy-riding action to be had, if that’s your thing, as well as ample soft sand to toss your beach blanket upon. Want to travel across the water and back in time all at once? Treat yourself to a ride on the Saugatuck Chain Ferry, which glides riders over the waves with help from a chain-and-pulley system—the last of its kind in America.
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Image credit: chuddlesworth/Flickr
5. Delavan Lake in Delavan, WI (1.75 hours from Chicago)
We’ve already sung the praises of Delavan, a charming small town in Wisconsin with a surprising circus history—but we’d be remiss not to mention its lake of the same name. Get your fill of sunning and swimming at Lake Lawn Beach (or see if you can score entry to one of the private beaches scattered around the shore). While you’re in the area, swing by the lakeside Johnson House and Fred Jones House, because let’s face it: you can leave Chicago anytime you like, but you can never leave Frank Lloyd Wright structures behind.
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Image credit: Cavan Images/Getty Images
6. Bradford Beach in Milwaukee, WI (1.5 hours from Chicago)
Fans of bustling urban beaches, this one’s for you. Bring your volleyball to this favorite Milwaukee spot, but be careful with your serve—you don’t want to knock anybody’s drink over at the beach’s open-air tiki bar. If you’re in the mood for something more unexpected, pack your wetsuit: Bradford Beach is also a popular surfing spot. (Surfing on Lake Michigan? We were surprised, too.)
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Image credit: atramos/Flickr
7. Lake Geneva in Lake Geneva, WI (1.5 hours from Chicago)
Whether you’re in Lake Geneva, WI for the first or the fortieth time, it can be difficult to tear your eyes away from the palatial lakeshore homes and remember that oh, yeah, there’s a lake there. Our favorite spot to enjoy the waves (and a little bit of forest while we’re at it): Big Foot Beach State Park, which boasts sandy beaches, wooded walking trails, and campsites for rent, just in case you’re that outdoorsy.
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Stake out a sandy spot in Culver Park on the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee, the second-largest natural lake in Indiana. Rent a kayak and paddle along the shore to the east, where the stately buildings of Culver Academy loom over the lake, and then return to your beach blanket to enjoy a frosty root beer float from The Original Root Beer Stand, whose charming neon signage shines from just across the street.
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© Anthony Dezenzio / EyeEm/Getty Images
Image credit: Anthony Dezenzio / EyeEm/Getty Images
9. Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, IL (1 hour from Chicago)
Pop on up to the Wisconsin border to enjoy Illinois Beach State Park, where the beaches themselves may be on the rockier side in spots, but the views are well worth the short trip from Chicago: imagine wildflowers galore, prickly pear cactus in the wild, and more opportunities for Lake Michigan fishing. Just as important: Don’t forget that the Mars Cheese Castle on I-94 is just a 25-minute drive to the north, and well worth the extra time to stock up on fresh, squeaky cheese curds, not to mention the precious suds of New Glarus beer, sold in Wisconsin only.
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Image credit: Marc Buehler/Flickr
10. Devil’s Lake in Baraboo, WI (3 hours from Chicago)
Devil’s Lake State Park is Wisconsin’s most popular state park—and, you guessed it, there’s a lake there. Take your pick between the north and south beaches (or the smaller, pet-friendly beach at the southwest side), and prepare to be gobsmacked by the scenery everywhere you turn. Part of the Ice Age Trail, Devil’s Lake State Park is home to towering rock formations and lush, diverse plant life. Everywhere you look is a stunner.
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