Summertime means beach time, and while there are lots of beaches near and even in NYC, some are more family-friendly than others. After packing up your gear and schlepping the kids by car, train, bus, or ferry, the last thing you want to find out is your chosen beach has no bathroom, or bathing suits are optional. Skip the guesswork with our roundup of eight easy-to-reach beaches for NYC families, including detailed info on attractions, food, bathrooms, and hidden costs. Most are within 2 hours of Manhattan by car and are easily accessible via public transportation as well, so you can plot a great daycation for your family.

Find more beach fun in our Beaches, Pools, and Water Playgrounds Guide, or check out these summer day trip ideas.

Despite its location so close to Los Angeles, Channel Islands National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the country. Accessible only by boat, the Channel Islands’ isolation makes them something of a well-kept Southern California secret, where visitors can enjoy a uniquely SoCal ecosystem on an unpopulated island. Make the trip at the right time of year, and you could even spot some whales along the way.

The islands are welcoming visitors again this spring, and boats are making trips to the islands several times a day. For intrepid campers, the campgrounds are also open. Read on to find out why a trip to the Channel Islands should be on every family's travel bucket list.