The Travelin’ Grampa Touring the U.S.A. without an automobile

Focus on safe, fast, convenient, comfortable, cheap travel, via public transit.

Vol. 8, No. 6, June 2015 Photo credit: © Chicago Park District, City of Chicago.

No, this is not Atlantic City or Santa Monica. It’s a beach on the city of Chicago’s lakefront.

Urban beaches readily reachable via public transportation Many Americans need not drive a car to enjoy a trip to a nice beach. On both Atlantic and Pacific coasts and numerous places in-between, nifty beaches are handy via public transit. Chicago, for instance, has several excellent lakefront breaches. Through Labor Day weekend, Chicago Transit Authority provides extended bus service during hours beaches are open. For more info: www.cpdbeaches.com/pages/cta

Photo credits: King County Dept. of Transportation; David Hutchinson, Alki News, Alki Community Council.

King County Water Taxi sails half-hourly between downtown Seattle and West Seattle, where free shuttle buses go to Seacrest Park and Alki Beach. 12-minute cruise is $4.75 for riders age 6 to 64, but only $2 for seniors ages 65 and above. See story on page 9.

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Chicago’s 23 beaches each have a particular vibe Summer weekends and holidays, Chicago Transit Authority runs buses 9 am to 9:30 pm to/from several popular sandy beaches, most within view of the city’s towering skyscrapers. Each beach possesses “a unique vibe," says a CTA authority on lakefront beaches. Its 23 beaches are free and open daily to the public between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Herewith are a few and their particular vibes: Oak Street Beach near 1000 N. Lake Shore Drive on the Gold Coast has a “chic see-and-be- seen” vibe, “perfect for a lady to show off her new swimsuit,” says the CTA beach expert. Here you can do deep water swimming or just sit around sunbathing, play volleyball, or/and run, bike, skate, or stroll along the lake’s legendary North Ledge trail. The beach is within easy walking distance of the Clark/Davidson station of CTA's Red el train line. North Avenue Beach in the Lincoln Park neighborhood near 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive is a “high-energy and busy” vibe place, perfect for a “pickup game” at one of its volleyball nets. Castaways Bar & Grill is here, as is a concession stand and bike path. You get here via CTA Brown el line train to Sedgwick station or Red el line to Clark/Division station. Montrose Beach near 4400 N. Lake Shore Drive, Uptown, has a “casual and fun” vibe, “perfect for family frolic, cooking on a portable grill, and bringing along your pet doggie.” You get there via CTA Red el line to Wilson station. CTA allows a small dog aboard, if in a carrier, and service animals assisting a rider who has a disability, i.e., a seeing-eye dog. Ohio Street Beach near 400 N. Lake Shore Drive's vibe is “quiet and laid-back.” nice for “soaking up the sun with a good book.” Good for open water lap swimming. It has food vendors and a nearby bike path. You can get there on CTA: Red el line to Grand station. 31st Street Beach near 3100 S. Lake Shore Drive in the Burnham Park section displays a “playful and peaceful” vibe and affords a great view of the city's skyline. You can get there on CTA's Route 3 bus to 31st Street. For more info on the city's 23 beaches, including daily weather advisories and lifeguard hours, visit the Chicago Park District online or phone (312) 742-7529. Those last four digits spell PLAY.

Dr. Beach’s list of top Great Lakes beaches Coastal authorities around the globe refer to Stephen Leatherman as “Dr. Beach.” He’s the director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University in Miami, Fla. Here’s Dr. Beach’s scientific selection of North America’s top Great Lakes beaches: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Mich., on Lake Michigan. Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa., on Lake Erie. Sand Point Beach, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Mich., on Lake Superior. Bayfield Main Beach, Ontario, Canada on Lake Huron. Oak Street Beach, Chicago, Ill., on Lake Michigan. North Beach, Racine, Wis., on Lake Michigan. Grand Haven State Park, Mich., on Lake Michigan. To choose the best lakeshores, Dr. Beach surveyed authorities in coastal communities. Each filled-out a questionnaire and submitted a requested sand sample for scientific evaluation. From this information, Leatherman evaluated the beaches with about 60 factors, including clean sand and water, safety, environmental quality, and management and services. All but Bayfield Main Beach are reachable by public transportation.

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Photo by George D. McDowell, photographer, Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, from Temple University Libraries' special collections.

When Grampa was a boy in South Philadelphia, this is where he sometimes went to splash around and try to learn how to swim. Back then, we called this place “The Lakes.” Its actual name was Meadow Lake in League Island Park, later being renamed Franklin D. Roosevelt Park. It is within walking distance of a SEPTA subway train station. No swimming has been allowed there since 1958. This photo was taken in July 1938.

Some cities have the best of both worlds “Shall we go to the city or to the beach?” is a question someone might ask a summertime traveling companion. As this month’s issue of The Travelin’ Grampa illustrates, the answer needn’t be one or the other. Surprisingly, perhaps, a number of non-oceanside cities possess nice clean comfortable sandy beaches, alongside enjoyable, safe, and lifeguarded swimming areas. Beachy snack shops, scenic waterfronts, boating, fishing, biking, hiking, kite flying, strolling along the shore, or just plain loafing around beneath a beach umbrella – all minutes away. As our 10 pages show, you needn’t fly to the Bahamas, Cancun, or Bermuda to enjoy a restful or active – take your pick – morning, afternoon, all-day, weekend or longer “stay at the beach.” Best of all, they are reachable via public transportation.

You needn’t be at the seashore to enjoy seashore fun Bet you didn’t know Chicago has 23 beaches. See p.2. Or a cab can get you from Boston’s Logan airport to a nice beach within 6 minutes. p.12. Or a nifty sandy beach is just minutes away from a busy Colorado shopping mall via Denver RTD bus. p.10. Or you can ride a bus from Baltimore to Miami Beach in one hour’s time? Round-trip fare: $1.20. p.7. And what city beach is on the world’s longest sandbar? Well, it ain’t oceanside. It’s in Minnesota. p.6.

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Detroit beach goers ride downtown to the beach Detroit area beach lovers can hop a DDOT or SMART bus to downtown and walk across MacArthur Bridge to Belle Isle, site of the world’s largest city-owned island park and the city’s only public swimming beach. It’s a half-mile sandy stretch, with a waterslide adjacent. Lifeguards are on duty here mid-June thru Labor Day. Belle Isle has: biking and hiking trails, a running track, paddle boats, a baseball diamond, and basketball, tennis and racquetball courts.

Like Chicago, Detroit has city and suburban systems DOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) runs buses in the city. SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) operates buses in many parts of surrounding Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties. About 50 suburban communities do not financially support SMART, thus lack regular public mass transit bus service. SMART buses are nonstop weekdays to/from downtown or midtown Detroit. They don't compete with DDOT buses. Some SMART and DDOT routes connect. DDOT adult base fare is $1.50, and a transfer 25¢. DDOT base fare for a senior ages 65&+ is 50¢ and transfer 10¢. SMART adult base fare is $2, but only 50¢ for riders 65&+. SMART transfer for a regular adult is 25¢. But seniors 65&+ can transfer free. SMART day pass is $2.50 adult, $1 senior.

Some suburban beaches reachable by bus, some not Just north of Detroit, on Lake St. Clair, in Harrison Township, Macomb County is Metro Beach Park. It has a nice 1,000-foot-long sandy beach, an Olympic-size swimming pool, water slides and a splash facility. SMART 635 bus from downtown Detroit stops at Crocker Blvd. & Metro Pkwy. The latter dead-ends at Metro Beach. Not far from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, in Wayne County, southwest of Detroit, is Van Buren Park, on Belleville Lake. It has a nice sandy swim beach, volleyball and basketball courts, hiking trails, etc. Sadly, there is no SMART bus service to this park.

Photo credit: The Beach Waterpark. Photo credit: Metro Beaches.

The Beach waterpark near Cincinnati, Ohio. Sandy beach at Belle Isle in Detroit, Mich.

Cincinnati area’s ‘The Beach” is a waterpark Cincinnati on the Ohio River lacks a city beach. In nearby Mason is The Beach Waterpark, however, 45 minutes from downtown Cincinnati via Metro, aka Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, bus routes 71 and 71X. Senior one-way fare: $2.10. For more: www.go-metro.com/

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Photo credits: Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board; Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Transit.

Minneapolis’ popular North Beach, aka Calhoun Beach, is a 5-minute walk from Uptown Transit Center, right.

Minneapolis’ Lake Calhoun: swim in summer; skate in winter Minnesota’s reputation as “the Land of 10,000 Lakes” is no exaggeration. Experts count within its borders 11,842 lakes of more than 10 acres in size. While all don’t have nice sandy beaches, many do, including some really nifty ones in or near cities and towns – and reachable via public transportation. Among its best are three on 400-acre Lake Calhoun in the city of Minneapolis, especially North Beach, aka Calhoun Beach, on its north shore. The others are 32nd Street Beach on its east shore, and Thomas Beach on its south shore. Both also are nice. Typical rave is this one on Facebook by Melissa Rosch: “Always a great place to go with or without kids. To jump in the lake, run, bike, rollerblade, or just hang out with a friend & walk and talk. Great restaurants around and lots of things to do!” And to ice-skate on in wintertime. Metro Transit local bus routes 4, 6, 12, 21, 23, 53 serve the Lake Calhoun area. North Beach is a 5-minute walk from Uptown Transit Center on Hennepin Ave. Metro #6 bus meets METRO Blue Light Rail line at Hennepin Station. For more: www.metrotransit.org/bus

Photos credit: Minnesota Streetcar Museum.

Minnesota Trolley Museum’s 1900s and 1950s eras streetcars pass Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun.

Antique trolleys provide magnificent ride along Lake Calhoun Minnesota Streetcar Museum's 115-year-old Como-Harriet streetcar line runs from Linden Hills station at 42nd St.., near Lake Harriett, to a 36th St. terminus. Its antique trolley cars pass Lake Calhoun after speeding through a heavily wooded area. Metro Transit #6 bus that connects with Blue and Green lines of Hiawatha Light Rail meets the trolley cars at their Richfield Road trolley stop. Or board at Linden Hills Station, two blocks from where Metro buses stop.

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Cleveland’s near-downtown beach is a major city attraction About 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland via RTA bus route 26 is Edgewater Beach in Edgewater Park, great for: swimming, sunbathing, boating, dog walking, fishing, and taking pictures of city skyline with Like Erie in the foreground. This “oasis in the middle of a city” includes a 900-foot-wide stretch of sandy beach, picnic pavilions, a playground, and an Eats & Treats snack stand famous for its Honey Hut ice cream. Greater Cleveland RTA bus adult cash fare is $2.25, but senior pays only $1, when showing an RTA Senior ID pass or Medicare Card and valid government-issued photo ID. All-day adult pass is$5, senior $2.50.

Beach at suburban Bay Village nice but crowded weekends Huntington Beach at Bay Village, reached weekdays via RTA 55B bus, is to be avoided on hot summer weekends, when it gets overcrowded. Typical online “Yelp!” evaluation: “Great beach. Lots of room to lay out. Umbrellas available along the beach. If you get here early enough, you won't have to bring yours. Places to cook out. Picnic tables. Places where you can grab some food and ice cream. My only complaint is they need to drag the beach more.”

Buses, train, trolleys accessible; free beach wheelchairs Cleveland area park public beaches have a few special beach wheelchairs available free, on first come first served basis. Their balloon rear wheels and 360 degree front casters let them glide across sandy beaches, unlike a regular wheelchair. They are offered when lifeguards are on duty, i.e., 11 am - 9 pm daily, from the first Saturday in June to the second Sunday in August, and weekends through Labor Day. Users must provide name, address and phone number. All RTA buses, trains and trolley cars are ADA compliant. Its rail stations “are either ADA compliant or on a multi-year construction schedule for upgrades,” says the RTA.

Photos credit: ThisIsCleveland.com

Edgewater Park Beach, Cleveland, Ohio. This is one of five Cleveland area beaches.

Duluth’s popular beach is on the world’s longest sandbar Point Park on Lake Superior, east of the city of Duluth, Minnesota, is on the world’s largest sandbar. Duluth Transit Authority #15 bus goes there Memorial Day thru Labor Day. Trip from downtown takes about 15 minutes. Despite sometimes chilly water, many swimmers frolic near the shore while beach sitters gaze at comings and goings of attractive swimsuit wearers and massive 1,000-foot ore boats. For more: www.duluthtransit.com and www.visitduluth.com

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Photo credits: WJZ-TV, CBS Baltimore, Channel 13; ETLamborghini, Wikipedia..

Miami Beach, left, is reached via MTA Maryland #24 bus, right, to Bowleys Quarters, Md.

Baltimore to Miami Beach senior fare $1.20 round-trip A senior can ride an MTA bus from Baltimore to Miami Beach in an hour and pay $1.20 round-trip fare. Sound impossible? It’s true. Except the beach is in Maryland, 20 miles northeast of downtown Baltimore. It’s in Miami Beach Park, on the Chesapeake Bay. This is the only Baltimore area park with a sandy beach relatively close to public transportation. Miami Beach Park, pictured above, is 60 acres. Its 400-foot beach has a bathhouse, grills and a picnic pavilion. Presently, there is no swimming here, due to a restoration project. Swimming usually is allowed with lifeguards on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day. To reach Miami Beach Park from Baltimore, at Liberty St. & Lexington Ave., board a Maryland Transit Administration #23 bus marked “Fox Ridge.” About 45 minutes later, transfer at Eastern & Willis, in Diamond Point, to an MTA #24 bus marked “Whispering Woods.” About 15 minutes later, get off at Carroll Island Rd. & Bowleys Quarters Rd. At this intersection are: a Methodist Church, Carroll Island Auto Care and a 7-11 store. From here, ride a taxi or bicycle, or walk about 3 miles along Bowleys Quarters Road to Bay Drive and the park entrance. Baltimore area MTA regular adult bus fare is $1.60, but 55¢ for seniors ages 65&+. One-day pass is $3.20 adults and $1.10 seniors. Many locals don't pay with cash. They use a Charm Card, a permanent personal “smart” farecard. Seniors have a reduced fare version. MTA #24 also connects several other MTA bus routes, including: 4, 5, 33, 35 and 40.

Photo credit: Maryland Dept. of the Environment.

Grampa’s favorite Baltimore area beach is Sandy Point State Park, near Annapolis, pictured above. Sadly, nearest MTA bus stop is at Gov. Ritchie Hwy. & Baltimore Annapolis Rd., 5.6 miles away.

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Photo credit: New Orleans Public Library.

During the 1940s, Ponchartrain Beach was New Orleans’ version of New York’s Coney Island.

Once-popular New Orleans Beach may reopen soon A once-popular New Orleans beach might open to the public by next year. Owned by a government agency, the long-neglected beach property was recently leased by Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, which bills itself as “the public's independent voice dedicated to restoring and preserving” the watershed in 16 Louisiana parishes. The beach was part of Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park that closed in 1983, after 55 years as a popular tourist attraction. Park and beach attendance declined during the 1970s as lake pollution increased. Water quality has greatly improved in recent years, however. Located behind the University of New Orleans research and technology park, where Elysian Fields Avenue ends, the beachfront property leased by the LPBF is expected to be divided into a swimming and sunbathing beach, flanked by separate non-motor and a motor boating areas. Although the amusement park opened in the 1920s, the beach portion didn’t become wildly attractive until the 1930s, after the federal Works Progress Administration built a large adjacent bathhouse and other facilities, and imported tons of sand there from Horn Island, Mississippi. In 2003, the beach reopened to the public, but closed again in May 2012 after two separate drownings by teenage male swimmers during a period when no swimming was allowed. To donate or volunteer to restore the beach call LPBF at (504) 836-2215. New Orleans RTA bus routes 51. 52, 55 and 60 stop at the university. Senior fare: 40¢ by showing bus driver state-issued photo-ID or passport. For more info: www.norta.com

Lake Ponchartrain water quality safe 90% of the time At last check, water quality in Lake Pontchartrain was okay for wading, swimming, boating, even perhaps fishing. Before going into its water, however, it’s wise to check with the Lake Ponchartrain Basin Foundation, which keeps constant watch on its quality. Following a heavy rain, unhealthy bacteria can get into the lake. “A safe rule of thumb is not to swim if it has rained in the last three days,” the LPBF advises. For more info: www.saveourlake.org

Man swam across Lake Pontchartrain last year; no ill effects In June 2014, a 47-year-old man swam from the south shore 26 miles across the lake to the north shore to celebrate LPBF's 25th anniversary. It took him 15 hours. He reported no ill effects.

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Photos credit: Clipper Vacations.

Alki Beach in West Seattle, its Statue of Liberty, and Water Taxi arriving at Seacrest Park slip.

Where is the Statue of Liberty? How about Seattle? Most folks seem to think the Statue of Liberty is in New York City. Or, maybe New York State. They are wrong. Liberty Island, where sits that famous sculpture, is in the state of New Jersey. But if someone answers, “Seattle,” don’t laugh. A 6-ft. tall copy of it is at Alki Beach, in western Seattle, minutes from downtown. It’s been there since September 2007, when it replaced a weather-beaten and vandalized replica given to the city in 1952 by the Boy Scouts of America to celebrate their 40th birthday. Alki Beach is easily reached via Seacrest Park, where the Water Taxi arrives from pier 50 in downtown Seattle. One-way adult cash fare is $4.75. Senior pays $2 with regional reduced fare permit. A free DART shuttle bus, King County Metro #775, connects with the Water Taxi and travels along Alki Beach. Alki is where, on Nov. 13, 1851, the city’s founders landed and set up camp. A few months later, they paddled across Elliott Bay to establish a town that grew into the city of Seattle. Its name Alki isn't because the founders overly enjoyed alcoholic beverages. It is an old Chinook Indian word meaning “eventually” or “by and by.” Photo credit: Lauren “le bergs” B at Yelp.

Austin, Texas is 165 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, yet has a nice beach near. Barton Springs Pool has three acres of clear water, deep as 18 feet in places. Admission fee for Austin residents is $3 adults, $2 ages 12-17, $1 ages 1-11 and ages 62 and above. Non-residents pay an additional $1 per person. MetroBus Route #30 can get there from downtown in 10 minutes. Adult fare: $1.25. Senior: 60¢ with a Capitol Metro-issued reduced fare ID card, which costs $3. Adult day pass: $2.50. Senior with ID card: $1.25. Fares higher on Premium, Metro Rapid bus and Airport Flyer, and Commuter Express and MetroRail regional trains. See capmetro.org/fares for complete information.

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Denver folks ride bus to mall, transfer to reach beach Cherry Creek State Park in nearby Aurora has a nice sandy beach, with a designated swimming area, bathhouse and showers, but no lifeguards. Summer weekends it can get quite crowded. Weekdays are best. Besides swimming, the park's water activities include: boating, fishing, sailboarding, and jet skiing. Cherry Creek is one of the Denver area’s busiest bus destinations. Denver Regional Transportation District, aka RTD, bus routes serving Cherry Creek Shopping Center include: 1, 3, 3L, 24, 46, 79L and 83L.No matter which way, trip takes about an hour and a half from downtown. NOTE: Route 66 bus stops at Arapahoe Rd & South Jordan Rd. This is about a 15 minute walk from the southside of Cherry Creek State Park Other favorite area beaches are not near: Chatfield State Park in Littlefield, about 2 hours from downtown on the RTD 402L bus – and Boulder Reservoir, near Boulder, about 2½ hours on RTD BX bus and BOLT bus via Boulder Transit Center. For more: www.rtd-denver.com

Photo credit: CBS Denver. Photo credit: Historic Water Tower Neighborhood.

Chatfield State Park reservoir beach. Bradford Beach, Milwaukee, Wis.

Bradford Beach is just north of Milwaukee’s downtown Typical out-of-towners remark about this 30-acre expanse along Lake Michigan: “Amazing beach on the edge of downtown Milwaukee. A huge soft sandy area with volleyball courts and two snack shops and a public restroom.” It’s likely America’s cleanest city beach. One of its snack stands is known for its delicious Wisconsin white cheddar cheese curds, and its soft-serve frozen custard flavored with Madagascar vanilla beans. MCTS (Milwaukee County Transit System) bus routes 21 and 23 stop nearby. Senior fare: $1.10. For more: www.ridemcts.com

Racine, Wisconsin: North Beach is amazingly clean North Beach is a mile-plus-long stretch of clean sand on Lake Michigan. USA Today has called it one of America’s greatest beaches. Adjacent is a nice 50-acre park, a zoo featuring the area’s native animals, a yacht marina, volleyball courts, etc. Racine’s bus system, called BUS (official name Belle Urban System) has two routes, #2 and #5, that stop at North Beach. Senior ages 65&+ fare is $1, half the usual adult fare. BUS #27 bus stops at Amtrak RR station.

USA’s best beaches within city limits named Huffington Post has named the following best beaches within city limits: (1) Oak Street Beach, Chicago, (2) South Beach, Miami, (3) Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, (4) Zuma Beach, Malibu, Calif., (5) Madison Park Beach, Seattle, (6) Revere Beach, Boston, (7) Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, (8) Ocean Beach, San Francisco, (9) Fort Tildon, Queens Boro, New York City.

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Beaches disappear as mammoth Lake Mead shrinks About 20 miles from Las Vegas is Lake Mead. Until lately, it had some very nice beaches. Created in the 1930s, when Boulder Dam, now renamed Hoover Dam, was built on the Colorado River, this big freshwater lake’s surface now is 150-feet below where it was a few years ago. As it shrunk, boating piers, ramps and marinas have been relocated farther toward the middle of the lake. What had been its most popular sandy beach, Boulder Beach, now is mostly rocky and pebbly shoreline, and not especially user friendly. There is no public transit to Lake Mead national park beaches. Private tour operators, however, sometimes provide transport to them from various Las Vegas locations. “Be Aware: the swim beaches are NOT good; the public areas are not very accessible!” reported a TripAdvisor reviewer recently. A National Park Service “advisory” says swimming in the lake’s “areas of algae” can cause “rashes, skin irritations and gastrointestinal illnesses.”

Photo credit: U.S. National Park Service. Photo credit: Jay Paul, www.rvariverfront.com

Boulder Beach at Lake Mead in Nevada. Richmond, Va., Riverfront Walk sunbathing.

Sunbathers squeeze onto tiny Richmond, Va., beaches Aside the Riverfront Canal Walk in Richmond, Va., that runs from 5th to 17th streets along the James River is “the most unique urban beach in the country,” says RVA Riverfront, a civic promoter. Along this walk are numerous swimming, sunbathing and floating spots. “But be forewarned,” it advises. “The mighty James River is just that – mighty strong.” While there are “several calm swimming holes along the river,” there are “a number of roaring rapids, as it flows past downtown.” There are “similar extremes when it comes to sunbathing: hundreds of rocks to lounge on – and soft, sandy beaches.” Also: “While floating in the river, it's a good idea to have your feet headed downstream, to protect you from the rocks.”

Philly pop-up beach named one of world’s best Spruce Street Harbor Park in Philadelphia has been named among the world's top 10 urban beaches by travel website Jetsetter.com, sharing this honor with famous beaches in Paris, London, Berlin and, of course, Chicago. “The highlight is a traditional wooden boardwalk lined with street food stalls and arcade games in old shipping containers,” said Jetsetter. Last year it also featured: a beer garden, Italian bocce ball games, a floating restaurant, and restful hammocks to lie in. On the Delaware River, facing Camden – New Jersey, not London – Spruce Street Harbor Park is a summer-only “pop-up” park and beach, open Memorial Day thru Labor Day. SEPTA 21, 25, 33 and 42 buses stop nearby. Seniors with proper ID ride free.

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Photo credit: Michael Philip Manheim, Flick, National Archives.

Constitution Beach, aka Shays Beach, in East Boston, across a waterway from Logan Airport, can be noisy, thanks to passing planes, trains and buses. It has lifeguards, public bathhouse, kids playground, tennis and basketball courts, and a kiddie playground. Reach it from Boston via MBTA Blue Line train to Orient Heights station. Or ride a Route 120 bus to Bennington & Trident streets, then walk across a pedestrian overpass.

Boston’s best bay beaches reachable via T trains Boston's most popular bayside beaches, L Street, M Street and Carson beaches, are adjacent, creating a nice 3-mile-long sandy stretch. To reach L St. or M St. beaches, ride an MBTA Red Line train to Broadway station. Transfer to a #9 bus to City Point. Walk to the beach from there within minutes. To get to Carson Beach, ride a Red Line train to JFK/UMass station. Beach is a 15 minute walk from there. Or exit at Broadway station. Or ride a Route 9 bus from Back Bay station. MBTA senior (ages 65&+) local bus fare is 80¢. Senior subway fare is $1.05. Senior pays half the regular adult fare to ride an MBTA commuter rail train or ferry boat.

Where is Malibu Beach? In Massachusetts, of course! Easily reachable via MBTA Red Line train from Boston are two popular Dorchester Bay beaches: Malibu Beach and Savin Hill Beach. Get off at Savin Hill station and walk on Savin Hill Avenue to Denny Street. Entrance to both beaches is at the end of Denny Street.

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