{"ok":true,"data":{"id":2856,"slug":"cherry-webb-beach-westport","name":"Cherry & Webb Beach","country":"USA","state":"Massachusetts","city":"Westport","coords":{"lat":41.5302,"lng":-71.0501},"beachType":null,"tags":["scenic"],"article":{"hero":"You'll recognize Cherry & Webb by the line of cars angled into the sand itself, bumpers facing Buzzards Bay like spectators at a drive-in. The beach takes its name from the department store that once owned this stretch, and though the retailer shuttered decades ago, the families who've been coming here since childhood haven't budged. Grandmothers still arrive at eight in the morning to stake out the same weathered picnic benches their daughters once climbed on.\n\nThe water is the main event: shallow and calm, protected from ocean swells, ideal for toddlers who teeter in knee-deep pools while older siblings hunt for hermit crabs near the rocks at low tide. Bring water shoes—the bottom shifts from soft sand to patches of smooth stone. Kite-flyers claim the grassy area behind the beach on breezy afternoons, their nylon tails snapping against a sky that turns peach and lavender by seven-thirty in summer.\n\nThe beach operates without pretense. No snack shacks, no chair rentals, no lifeguard towers. You bring what you need, you leave with what you brought, and if you're lucky, you leave with a sunburn that smells faintly of Coppertone and low tide.","teaser":"Cherry & Webb Beach sprawls along Westport's southern coast with the kind of shallow water that warms by mid-morning and stays bathtub-warm until dusk. Bring your own shade, pack sandwiches in the cooler, and settle onto sand that's more gray than gold—this is New England, after all.","uniqueAngle":"One of the few Massachusetts beaches where you can park your car directly in the sand and tailgate from your trunk all day.","accessType":"Drive-up, park on sand","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Wade the Shallows","subtitle":"Warm water, gentle for toddlers"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Golden Hour Kites","subtitle":"Evening light over Buzzards Bay"},{"icon":"food","title":"Tailgate Picnic","subtitle":"Coolers and folding chairs mandatory"},{"icon":"sun","title":"All-Day Lounging","subtitle":"Bring your own umbrella setup"}],"audience":{"surfer":"Buzzards Bay doesn't deliver surf—this is protected water, flat as a pond most days. Southerly storms occasionally push small wind chop, but you're looking at ankle-slappers at best. If you're desperate for waves, drive forty minutes to Horseneck Beach on the open Atlantic side. Cherry & Webb is where surfers come on off days to let their shoulders rest and watch their nieces build sandcastles without worrying about rip currents.","couples":"Arrive an hour before sunset and spread a blanket near the rocks on the eastern edge, where the beach curves and you're slightly removed from family clusters. The water glows copper as the sun drops behind Westport's farmland. For dinner, drive ten minutes to Back Eddy in Westport Harbor for striped bass and a deck overlooking fishing boats. Lodging skews practical here—consider Harbor View Inn in nearby Fairhaven for water views without resort pricing.","backpacker":"Parking is free if you're a Westport resident; non-residents pay a modest daily fee in summer (under ten dollars). No camping within town limits, but you can pitch a tent at Horseneck Beach State Campground twenty minutes south for around twenty dollars a night. Pack all your food—nearest budget eats are gas station sandwiches or Cafe Arpeggio in Westport center for breakfast under eight dollars. The SRTA bus doesn't run here; you'll need wheels or a very generous local.","local":"Hit the beach after four on weekday afternoons in July when day-trippers have packed up but the light still has three hours left. Low tide exposes a network of tidal pools on the eastern rocks—kids miss them entirely, but you'll find green crabs and the occasional moon snail. In October, the beach empties but the water holds September's warmth for another few weeks. Park near the boat ramp and you'll have the whole crescent to yourself.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Cherry & Webb Beach is generally calm and family-friendly, making it suitable for children. The beach sits along Buzzards Bay with relatively gentle waves compared to ocean-facing beaches. However, always supervise children closely as conditions can vary with tides and weather. There are no lifeguards on duty, so swimming is at your own risk. Check local tide charts and weather forecasts before visiting. The shallow waters near shore are typically safe for wading, but be aware of currents and rocky areas.","q":"Is Cherry & Webb Beach safe for swimming with children?"},{"a":"Summer months (June through August) offer the warmest water temperatures and best swimming conditions at Cherry & Webb Beach. However, this beach is accessible year-round and offers scenic beauty in every season. Fall provides colorful foliage views and fewer crowds, while spring and winter are ideal for peaceful beach walks and wildlife observation. Water temperatures peak in July and August, reaching the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends during peak summer season.","q":"What is the best time to visit Cherry & Webb Beach?"},{"a":"Cherry & Webb Beach is located off East Beach Road in Westport, Massachusetts. Parking is available in a small lot near the beach, but it's limited and requires a Westport beach sticker during summer months (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Non-resident parking permits may be available for purchase at the Westport Town Hall. The beach is accessible by car from Route 88. Arrive early during summer weekends as the lot fills quickly. Street parking regulations should be observed.","q":"Where can I park at Cherry & Webb Beach and how do I get there?"},{"a":"Cherry & Webb Beach has minimal on-site amenities—no restrooms, concessions, or facilities. Visitors should bring their own food, water, and beach supplies. The nearby town of Westport has restaurants, convenience stores, and markets within a few miles' drive. For more dining and lodging options, the historic whaling city of New Bedford is approximately 20 minutes away, and the popular tourist destination of Newport, Rhode Island, is about 30 minutes east. Plan accordingly and pack everything you'll need for your beach visit.","q":"Are there restaurants or amenities near Cherry & Webb Beach?"},{"a":"Cherry & Webb Beach remains relatively quiet because it's primarily a residential beach with limited parking and minimal amenities. Unlike larger public beaches like Horseneck Beach nearby, it lacks facilities, lifeguards, and commercial development that draw bigger crowds. The beach sticker requirement for parking during summer also limits access primarily to Westport residents and those who purchase permits. This makes it ideal for families seeking a peaceful, scenic beach experience away from tourist crowds, though you must be self-sufficient with supplies.","q":"Why is Cherry & Webb Beach less crowded than other Westport beaches?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Cherry & Webb Beach: Westport's Family Shoreline Escape","description":"Gentle waves and tide pools frame this Westport peninsula beach where children wade in calm waters and osprey nest overhead. Your family's coastal sanctuary awaits.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/27/36344339_90ed8959c8_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"524623","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/27/36344339_90ed8959c8_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/27/36344339_90ed8959c8.jpg","alt":"greg and beach"},{"id":"524624","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/27/37251935_05a0d702a6_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/27/37251935_05a0d702a6.jpg","alt":"evening on the beach"},{"id":"524625","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/119/267019423_5bfbd026a3_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/119/267019423_5bfbd026a3.jpg","alt":"Joy"}]}}