Crane Beach

“For me, the magic is not on the Cape; it’s on the powdery white sand of this five-mile, dune-saturated North Shore beach. You can ride horses, walk your dog (at select times), and body surf with piping plovers. Gnarly!” raves Lisa Pierpont of Crane Beach, which is conveniently located less than 40 miles north of Boston. Fellow fan Hadley Douglas says, “This is our late summer escape. There is plenty of parking, showers, concessions, a gorgeous beach, and a long sand bar that encourages endless play and exploration. On the way home, it’s imperative to stop at Russell Orchards and get a hot cider donut, or a dozen!”