Preston Beach
Swampscott, MA
Preston Beach straddles the Swampscott and Marblehead line along Atlantic Avenue. It is a small, sandy, open ocean beach with no lot, where cars pull onto the shoulder. At high tide the water comes right up to the edge, so the beach shrinks fast.
A pretty little ocean beach that is easy to like, but sticker parking and a shrinking high tide beach limit it.
How we score beachesCheck the tide before you go, since high tide leaves almost no sand. A recreation sticker is needed to park on Atlantic Avenue.
Park on the northbound side of Atlantic Avenue up to the Marblehead line, with a Swampscott recreation sticker required.
The beach opens directly from the road, with no lot or ramp confirmed, so check on site.
Dogs are allowed October 1 to May 20 and must be leashed to the high water mark.
No lifeguard is on duty, so swim with care. Summer mornings and low tide give the most sand.
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