Beaches in and near Toronto, Ontario: What do you need to know?

My favorite part of the city is the east end. The eastern end of Queen St. in the beaches has a small-town feel. While the restaurant scene could use a bit of an update, the boutique stores and cafes provide a nice atmosphere. A great restaurant scene is not far away, with lots of options slightly toward the west in Leslieville. For practical life, lots of larger format retail and grocery options are close by car toward Birchcliffe and Scarborough, slightly farther east.

Toronto is an expansive city with an excellent public transit system. It is on the coast of Lake Michigan, with a beautiful lakeshore area featuring beaches, parks, and walkways. The CN Tower is Toronto’s best known icon, and can be ascended to view the majestic cityscape from all sides, through its glass viewing deck. The Beltline, a public trail converted from an old railway line, cuts through midtown Toronto and is popularly used for hiking, biking and running.