Cherry Beach
Cherry Beach things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIDescription
Ratings
Plan your stay
&promo_pic=/one-page/coolest.jpg)
Posts
Sheltered warm water beach looking out on Leslie Spit - sandy pebbly, with benefit of shade from abundant shoreline poplar and willow. Beach gets rammed on weekends and I’m not kidding that if you want a parking spot arrive by 830. Abundant and enforced No Parking will cost you 100 bucks if you think you can take a chance. The TTC 172 bus from Union will get you there too or rent/ take a bike. Getting there is a bit hostile right now thru the dock lands Renos but there’s a dedicated bike lane and ample bike parking. Shaded picnic areas and bbq pits, as well as good access to the lakeshore bike lanes Washroom facilities and a food truck on site, lifeguards also present. Huge venue for paddle boarders, kayakers and windsurfers, interspersed with the occasional assh0le jet skier. Also popular with triathlon trainers as there’s a swimming course 50 metres off shore. Overall a great way to while away a few hours on an urban beach - bring a towel and sunscreen and a cooler of cold beverages! Edit: I should say that if you’re driving and want a parking spot on a warm summer Saturday then aim for no LATER than 8 am . I am not kidding. Edit 2: just a word of warning - there is a reason this beach sometimes gets nicknamed “Scary Beach” - usually after the Friday/ Saturday all night raves and you get in early the next morning ( see parking tip above) you are likely to run into stoned drunk half naked middle aged men stumbling around, possibly urinating freely - you’ll also be a bit astounded at the level of garbage and likely human feces toward the Far East of the beach. Stick to the west area by the dog park and you should be ok - provided some drunk doesn’t also try to drive onto the beach
Greg MillsGreg Mills
140
A really lovely beach and park. There’s a good amount of parking available and places to lock up a bicycle. It’s got a nice vibe on weekdays and gets packed on weekends. There are washrooms, it has a food good food truck and water sport rentals. There are lots of trees for shade and hammocks. There are some picnic tables, but these can sometimes have broken glass and beer bottle caps around them, so wear shoes and take a good look around at the ground first. There is a good long stretch of soft sand. The water is clean and a comfortable temperature. The water has a rocky bottom, and some parts of the beach have more aquatic plants than others, so walk the length before you decide to settle. It’s about waist deep for a fair bit, then neck deep for a nice while. It’s great for swimming or paddling about. Further out there’s lots of people in canoes, sail boats, kite surfing. There are two life guard stations but they may not both be occupied, so it’s worth noting where the lifeguard is during your visit. A road separates the beach from the park area and cycling trail. This park is wonderfully shady and is often filled with families bbqing and setting up tents. The food truck makes great skin-on french fries, and if you prefer your fries extra krispy, just ask! They also make good onion rings.
Culinary SlutCulinary Slut
60
I really like the feel at Cherry Beach. It's not hugely sandy like Woodbine Beach, but its waters are sheltered by Tommy Thompson Park (Leslie St Spit) so the water is calmer than at other city Beaches which are open to the lake. And given the way it's aligned, the late afternoon sunlight glints dazzlingly off the water as you look out to the Spit. It's cozy, pretty and calming here and generally less busy than Woodbine Beach. There's a stand of tall trees on the north side of the main parking lot and their shade and the way the wind rustles through their waving branches would make it a nice picnic spot. You can walk all the way to the west point for its views but its shaggier condition is kind of a remnant of when the city didn't care about Cherry Beach. You can walk or ride eastward on the trail that parallels Unwin and that will take you to the start of Tommy Thompson Park (check its schedule). This is a Blue Flag Beach (so it meets certain quality standards), there's a decent washroom, there's two lots of roomy parking, there's TTC access, there's paddleboard and kayak rentals, and there's a regular food truck too. Note that as at September 2024, direct access up Cherry St is not possible but the paths and road improvements will be fantastic once completed. Enjoy!
Jim KangJim Kang
00
Nice location, free parking, lots of space. This is a wonderful spot to relax on a hot summers day, have a BBQ with some friends, or bring the kids for some fun in the sun. The beach itself is fair sized, with it being split into two halves, as in the middle there are public washrooms/change rooms and a food truck. There are always lifeguards during regular business hours, and the beach itself never gets too busy (compared to others in Toronto) even in peak hours. One major upside is free parking, and there is lots of it! You will likely never need to wait for a spot. The reason I am giving this 4/5 is because on days that aren’t scorching hot, the beach tends to be wet, to the point you cannot lay on a towel without becoming damp. This seems to be due to the fact the beach is concave, so water lingers in a large portion of the beach (most dry spots will be taken on these days), just something to keep in mind. I truly do enjoy this beach, and there is a great bike path that travels through it as well, everyone in Toronto should visit this quiet little place at least once!
John MontanyJohn Montany
20
Cherry Beach contains a bike trail towards the lake, a dog area, a playground, public washrooms and sports fields. It is a beautiful spot outside of the city and has a large paid parking lot. Next to the parking lot are two sets of fields that host lots of sports matches including soccer and lacrosse. There is a playground behind a fence and public washrooms next to the fields. A bike path and hiking trail are also next to the field that lead through the forest down to the lake and marina. Cherry Beach is a wonderful spot for hiking playing, walking your dog, to take your kids to and camping out near the lake. It has some of the most scenic views of the Toronto skyline!
GeorgiaGeorgia
00
Nice spot for a lazy summer day. It's not that far from downtown although construction on Villiers Island has added a number of traffic lights which makes driving there a bit longer (and more dusty). The beach has two sections: the one to the left of the washrooms has a slimmer sandy beach. The one to the right of the washrooms has a wider sandy beach but part of it is reserved for water activities. There is public parking on both sides. I would caution against parking outside of the designated spots as cars get fined $100. There is a gated dog park/beach which leads to the toronto cruise ship dock.
Ahmad AyyubAhmad Ayyub
50
Nearby Attractions Of Cherry Beach
Cherry Beach Clarke Beach Park
Cherry Beach Off Leash Dog Park
The Docks Driving Range
Toronto SUP & Kayak
Cherry Beach Clarke Beach Park
4.4
(878)Click for details
Cherry Beach Off Leash Dog Park
4.6
(736)Click for details
The Docks Driving Range
3.8
(440)Click for details
Toronto SUP & Kayak
5.0
(129)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Cherry Beach
Rebel
Cabana Poolbar
Toronto Multihull Cruising Club
Water Rats Sailing Club
Mr J's
Rebel
3.8
(1.4K)Click for details
Cabana Poolbar
4.0
(1.1K)$$$$
Click for details
Toronto Multihull Cruising Club
4.4
(24)Click for details
Water Rats Sailing Club
4.7
(16)Click for details
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(522 reviews)
Website
toronto.ca
Visit
Deep Dive
A deep dive into Cherry Beach
- Unable to get your location