Active Pursuits

Beaches

York Beach actually consists of two beaches, Long Sands Beach and Short Sands Beach, separated by a rocky headland. Both have plenty of room for sunning and Frisbees when the tide is out. When the tide is in, though, both become narrow and cramped. Short Sands fronts the honky-tonk town of York Beach, with its candlepin bowling, taffy-pulling machine, and video arcades. It's a better pick for families traveling with kids who have short attention spans. Long Sands runs along Route 1A, directly across from a line of motels, summer homes, and convenience stores. Parking at both beaches is metered in summer; pay heed, as enforcement is strict and you must pay until 9pm, 7 days a week. (At the end of summer, they decapitate the meters -- literally -- and parking is then free and plentiful until the next Memorial Day.)