{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3197,"slug":"cedar-grove-beach-staten-island","name":"Cedar Grove Beach","country":"USA","state":"New York","city":"Staten Island","coords":{"lat":40.5548,"lng":-74.1053},"beachType":null,"tags":["famous","family","sunset","urban"],"article":{"hero":"Cedar Grove Beach unfolds along a half-mile stretch of shoreline where Staten Island's southwestern edge meets the Raritan Bay. Unlike the busier South Beach and Midland Beach boardwalks, this slender strand attracts locals pushing strollers, retirees carrying折lawn chairs, and photographers chasing the amber hour. The sand itself is coarse—more pebble than powder—but the placid water remains shallow for yards, making it the borough's safest swim for children.\n\nBehind the beach, the adjacent nature preserve hums with cordgrass and cattails. You'll spot horseshoe crabs along the tideline in spring, their prehistoric shells half-buried in wet sand. The concession stand sells soft-serve and hot dogs, but most regulars pack coolers and claim picnic tables beneath the pavilion. On weekday mornings, the beach feels almost deserted, save for the occasional jogger and the piping plovers skittering along the wrack line.\n\nAs the afternoon light shifts, families begin staking out spots for the main event: sunset. The western exposure transforms the sky into layered bands of coral, violet, and gold, silhouetting the Outerbridge Crossing's steel span. You'll watch container ships crawl across the horizon while the city's hum fades to the rhythmic shush of small breakers. It's the kind of evening that reminds you New York still holds pockets where the ocean wins.","teaser":"You'll find no carnival rides or fried-dough stands here—just a narrow ribbon of sand where gulls outnumber tourists and the Manhattan skyline shimmers like a mirage across the water. The gentle waves lap at your ankles while egrets stalk the nearby wetlands, offering a pocket of calm you didn't expect from New York City.","uniqueAngle":"The only NYC public beach flanked by a tidal salt marsh, offering birdwatching and swimming from the same blanket.","accessType":"Drive-up","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Wade the Shallows","subtitle":"Calm bay perfect for toddlers"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Sunset Composition","subtitle":"Bridge and container ships frame"},{"icon":"hike","title":"Marsh Trail Loop","subtitle":"Egrets among the spartina grass"},{"icon":"food","title":"Pavilion Picnic","subtitle":"Shaded tables with bay breeze"}],"audience":{"surfer":"The Raritan Bay doesn't deliver surf—this is protected water where waves top out at knee-high ripples even during nor'easters. If you're hunting breaks, you'll need to drive forty minutes south to Long Branch or Belmar on the Jersey Shore, where Atlantic swells hit sandbars properly. Cedar Grove works only as a flatwater cool-down after a session elsewhere or a stand-up paddleboard glide along the marsh edge at slack tide.","couples":"Spread your blanket near the pavilion's western end for unobstructed sunset views framing the Outerbridge Crossing in burnt orange light. The beach empties by seven on weeknights, leaving you the shoreline and the sound of lapping water. Pack wine and cheese from Enoteca Maria up in St. George, then walk the sand barefoot as container ships blink their running lights. For lodging, skip Staten Island entirely—book a room in Brooklyn Heights and make this a ferry-and-drive date, turning the journey into half the romance.","backpacker":"Beach access is free year-round, and the S78 bus from the Staten Island Ferry drops you a ten-minute walk away—total cost from Manhattan: $2.90 subway fare. No camping allowed, but if you're truly pinching pennies, crash with a Couchsurfing host in nearby Tottenville. Grab a $6 bacon-egg-and-cheese from Island Bagels before the beach, refill your water bottle at the bathhouse, and you've got a full beach day for under ten bucks including round-trip transit.","local":"Arrive before eight on summer weekday mornings when the lifeguards are setting up and you'll have the entire stretch to yourself except for the metal-detector hobbyists. The pavilion's north end, nearest the nature center parking lot, stays quieter even on weekends—most families cluster south near the main concession. Low tide exposes tidal pools worth exploring; locals know to bring mesh bags for the occasional blue crab wandering in from deeper water.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Cedar Grove Beach is generally calmer than Staten Island's main boardwalk beaches, making it popular with families. As with all NYC beaches, lifeguards are on duty during designated summer hours (typically late June through Labor Day). Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are present. The beach faces the Arthur Kill waterway rather than the open ocean, resulting in gentler waters. However, water quality can vary, so check NYC Parks' beach water quality reports before swimming, especially after heavy rain.","q":"Is Cedar Grove Beach safe for swimming?"},{"a":"The official beach season runs from late June through early September when lifeguards are on duty and swimming is permitted. Summer weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends. For sunset viewing, late spring through early fall offers excellent opportunities, as the beach's western exposure provides scenic views over the Arthur Kill. The beach remains accessible year-round for walking and relaxation, though swimming is prohibited outside the guarded season and amenities operate on limited schedules.","q":"When is the best time to visit Cedar Grove Beach?"},{"a":"Cedar Grove Beach is located off Sharrotts Road in the Charleston neighborhood of Staten Island. If driving, free parking is available in the beach lot, accessible via Sharrotts Road. From Manhattan, take the Staten Island Ferry (free) to St. George Terminal, then the S74 or S78 bus toward the Charleston area. The beach is less accessible by public transit than some Staten Island beaches, so driving is generally more convenient for most visitors from outside the borough.","q":"How do I get to Cedar Grove Beach and is there parking?"},{"a":"Cedar Grove Beach has basic amenities including restrooms and changing facilities that operate during the summer season. The beach itself has limited food vendors compared to larger boardwalk beaches. You'll find restaurants and convenience stores along nearby Amboy Road and in the Charleston neighborhood, though it's advisable to bring snacks or meals. The beach has picnic areas where you can eat your own food. This is primarily a neighborhood beach with a quieter, more residential feel.","q":"Are there food options and amenities at Cedar Grove Beach?"},{"a":"Unlike Midland, South, and Cedar Grove's busier neighbors, this beach offers a distinctly calmer, more local atmosphere. It faces the Arthur Kill waterway rather than the Lower New York Bay, providing unique views of New Jersey's shoreline. The beach attracts fewer crowds than the main boardwalk beaches at Midland or South Beach, making it ideal for families seeking a quieter experience. Its western exposure also makes it one of Staten Island's best spots for sunset viewing over the water.","q":"What makes Cedar Grove Beach different from other Staten Island beaches?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Cedar Grove Beach: Staten Island's Hidden Shoreline Escape","description":"Away from the boardwalk crowds, this quiet Staten Island beach offers families calm waters, golden-hour views over the Narrows, and sand between your toes.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5524/10114376835_26ec951456_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"530314","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4486/37670943951_c5de57e9cf_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4486/37670943951_c5de57e9cf.jpg","alt":"Chateau de Miromesnil and its Walled Kitchen Garden, Normandy - September, 2017"},{"id":"530316","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52205343269_8bccd365d6_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52205343269_8bccd365d6.jpg","alt":"SC 334910 - Some of New Jersey's contribution to the war."},{"id":"530319","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7125/7058892335_9f2025362c_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7125/7058892335_9f2025362c.jpg","alt":"Beach House"},{"id":"530321","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5319/6921236732_7d8c96108c_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5319/6921236732_7d8c96108c.jpg","alt":"Beach Closed"},{"id":"530323","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4487/23816743328_ba2c46cdba_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4487/23816743328_ba2c46cdba.jpg","alt":"Chateau de Miromesnil and its Walled Kitchen Garden, Normandy - September, 2017"},{"id":"530326","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5328/6912811784_5f99d1d4f8_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5328/6912811784_5f99d1d4f8.jpg","alt":"Beach Houses"}]}}