Best beaches? New York City vs Chicago vs San Francisco vs Boston (rates, downtown)

[grapico]

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

And Chicago or NYC water isn't? Right...

It's generally cold and windy at *most* of the SF beaches. Now, going elsewhere in CA is another story. I'm talking about the ones in the city proper.

[portlanderinOC]

Originally Posted by grapico

It's generally cold and windy at *most* of the SF beaches. Now, going elsewhere in CA is another story. I'm talking about the ones in the city proper.

I rate beaches on scenery, not swim-ability. I love beaches that are cold and windy with dramatic scenery, so maybe it's just my bias.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

I rate beaches on scenery, not swim-ability. I love beaches that are cold and windy with dramatic scenery, so maybe it's just my bias.

You would love the beaches in Alaska then.

[NorCal Dude]

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

And Chicago or NYC water isn't? Right...

Not in the summer. Water in NYC and Chicago is fairly comparable to San Diego in the summer.

[rah]

Here's how I rank them:

swimming/sunbathing/typical beach activities, except for surfing:
Boston/NYC
Chicago
SF (SF shoots to the top of the list in winter though, of course, seeing as we get no snow)

Surfing:
SF
.
.
.
the others


Natural scenery:
SF
.
.
.
the others


Urban scenery:
Chicago
NYC
Boston/SF

This includes beaches on coastlines as well as beaches on bays.

[ChikidII]

In terms of a very urban city beach: Chicago.
Natural beauty: San Francisco

I think NYC and Chicago are more or less even in offerings, but Chicago beaches are more interestingly located, but other than that on par.

San Francisco beaches are beautiful, but too damn cool year round to really enjoy them.

Boston, eh, I have seen pics and not really impressed.

[ATUMRE75]

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

And Chicago or NYC water isn't? Right...

The Bay Area coastline is great to look at. However too cold for swimming in the summer. I will take all the other city beaches over the Bay Area beaches.

[ChikidII]

Originally Posted by ATUMRE75

The Bay Area coastline is great to look at. However too cold for swimming in the summer. I will take all the other city beaches over the Bay Area beaches.

Agreed. When I went to San Diego I jumped in the water and ran out! I had no idea it was that cold! This was in August. I can only imagine how cold SF's water is and put that with their lack of Hot weather prob makes it less enjoyable.

[NorCal Dude]

I don't know about that. San Diego County water is usually around 65-70 degrees in August -Sept. If you went last year or during another abnormally cold year than yea its like that but SD is not so cold you usually jump out. Even LA is not that bad -a little chilly at first but not bad.

Bad is Nor Cal. The only time I have ever been in the ocean and not been freezing is on rare days it is so hot it is 95 Degrees in SF 110 in Sac.

[portlanderinOC]

Originally Posted by ChikidII

Agreed. When I went to San Diego I jumped in the water and ran out! I had no idea it was that cold! This was in August. I can only imagine how cold SF's water is and put that with their lack of Hot weather prob makes it less enjoyable.

Yes because 65F is oh-so-cold...