York, Maine is one of my favorite places in the world! I’ve been lucky enough to live about 15 minutes from this beach town my entire life – so this is a true locals guide to York Beach, Maine. I’m excited to share all my recommendations with you to help make your trip to York as fun and enjoyable as possible!! 

Many out of staters flock to York in the summertime. It’s a quiet beach town in the off season then summer hits and everyone comes to enjoy all of York’s beauty and fun! 

I have spent countless days on the beach, evenings riding around town on my longboard, early mornings watching the sunrise, hours on the beach searching for sea glass, nights dancing with friends and continuously exploring everything York Beach has to offer! 

In this guide I am going to share with you my full list of recommendations! Hotels, cafes, best beaches, restaurants, and everything you want to know before you visit! 

Where is York Beach Located?

York Beach is located in the Southern Part of Maine (almost the southern most part!)

Right near the boarder of New Hampshire.

Is York Beach worth visiting in the summer?

100% Yes! Tourists and visitors come back summer after summer! York Beach is an amazing summertime destination. 

A great beach summer vacay location. This beach town is full of cool restaurants and bars, cute shops, beautiful beaches and lots to explore! 

Once you visit, you will see why it’s so popular!

The best time to visit York Beach, ME?

The best weather is May through September, specifically late June, July and August for the warmest months. This also means these are the busiest times to visit! We have mostly sunny days in the summertime but it does rain occasionally.

The Spring and Fall are also great times to visit York Beach! You can still find warm, enjoyable days to get on the beach. It’s much quieter during these seasons, if you don’t like crowds I recommend coming in the Spring or Fall! You can find better deals on hotels and Airbnbs during these times of the year as well!

Winter time in York Beach is very different from the rest of the year. The ocean can be harsh and the weather is very cold! It does snow in York, so it’s a great place for a quiet, cozy getaway. Pretty much the entire beach area restaurants and bars are closed but you can find a few that stay open year-round.

2023 Ultimate York Beach, Maine Guide (by a local!)

How to get to York Beach, Maine?

From Boston Logan Airport: 66 miles – 1 hour 16 minutes

From Portland International Jetport: 44 miles – 49 minutes

Is there surfing at York Beach?

Yes!

Long Sands Beach is where you want to surf. It’s a great place to surf, especially for beginners. Try and go before 9am or after 5pm. Between 9-5 you can only surf in the designated surfing area but before and/or after, go wherever on the beach!

Longboards are popular here but you will always see a few people with short boards. Winter time is when the bigger swells roll in and the wind direction is more favorable.

The best places to stay in York Beach, Maine

Top things to do in York Beach, Maine

Watch the sunrise over the ocean

Wake up early and watch the sunrise over Long Sands Beach….You will be so happy you did! There is no better way to start your day. Check the weather the night before to make sure it will be a clear, sunny morning and set your alarm!

Visit Nubble Lighthouse

While at York Beach make it a point to take drive (or walk) to Nubble Lighthouse!

You cannot actually go inside but you can view it from land, very picturesque! A York Beach staple.

@nubblelighthouse

Have a beach day

Surf York

Head over to Liquid Dreams Surf Shop and rent a board! They have boards and wetsuits for all sizes and if you are interested in getting a lesson, they are great!

Surfing in York is almost always great for beginners. Not too intimidating and very friendly locals!

Bike/Longboard/Rollerblade

York beach is the perfect place for these activities!! Bike all over- start off at Long Sands and head down to Short Sands then over to the Wiggly Bridge.

Longboard or rollerblade up and down Long Sands Beach (the perfect place for this!) or head over to the quiet residential roads near the ocean over at Short Sands Beach.

The roads during the early mornings and evenings are much quieter if you are worried about traffic, though all day long you will see people riding all over!

Visit the Wiggly Bridge

The Wiggly Bridge is a free to the public suspension bridge along York Harbor that leads you to a small 10 minute walk in a wooded area. A very picturesque spot in York, I like to go at high tide on a sunny day!

The walk is very easy and not long at all! Do it while in the area if you have nice weather.

The Fisherman’s Walk Trail is another beautiful, scenic walk right next to the Wiggly Bridge you should check out! Another easy trail.

Search for sea glass and shells

Hike Mount Agamenticus

Mt. A is a great hike that offers beautiful views of the ocean and more! We love this hike and do it often in the summertime. There are a few ways you can hike up Mt. A – this route is our favorite.

Only 1.7 miles with amazing views! A great way to get a workout in the outdoors. I recommend only doing this hike April- October.

@mtagamenticus

Go antiquing!

York’s US Route 1 has lots of antique stores…the perfect rainy day activity.

Start off at Hidden Treasures and start driving back towards York and so on. Keep an eye out for more stores all along Route 1 until you get your fix, there are lots!

York’s historic walk

If you love history you are going to really enjoy what York, Maine has to offer! Check out one of York’s Historic Walking Tours on a nice day during your visit.

Get your tickets in advance to assure you get a spot! They do a great job with the tours.

@oldyorkhistorical

York Harbor cliff walk

The York Harbor cliff walk is a nice and quick walk along the ocean. The walk takes only about 20 minutes and it’s out and back style with multiple lookout points.

The trail is fairly narrow but very easy. We usually do it in flip flops then take a swim at the York Harbor Beach afterwards.

Walk around Short Sands

Short Sands Beach has a downtown area right next to the beach! You will find shopping, restaurants and bars. Head to Sweet Josie’s for candy and ice cream, Bill & Bob’s for jewelry and the Life is Good store that carries unique beach attire!

Go fishing

York, Maine has some great fishing! I’ve seen people catch good size striper right from the beach on Long Sands. The mornings and evenings are great times to head out on Long Sands Beach depending on tide. The Wiggly Bridge is another good area to go.

Spend a day in Ogunquit

Ogunquit is the next beach town over! A very short drive from York. Ogunquit is a great place to spend a day exploring. You will find beautiful beaches with sandy dunes, a fun and vibrant downtown with shopping, restaurants, live music and great nightlife, a cliff walk and more. I highly recommend taking one day and spending it in Ogunquit! Parking fills up quick so get there early!!

Paddle around York Harbor

With either a kayak or paddle board head on over to the Wiggly Bridge and walk over to the easily accessible community dock! The perfect place to enter in. The Harbor is often calm and a fun place to paddle. You will see many fishermen and lobstermen, especially in the morning. This area is very picturesque, most beautiful on a sunny day at high tide… the water turns an amazing blue/green color and you can see to the bottom.

Have a picnic

Best restaurants at York Beach

There are so many options for dining in York and the surrounding area, especially in the summertime everything is open and busy! Here are my recommendations for breakfast, lunch, dinner, pizza and ice cream!

Where to get breakfast at York Beach (& coffee!)

• St. Joes Coffee – coffeeshop and breakfast sandwiches
• The Bagel Basket– bagels and coffeeshop
• Molly-O’s– sit down style, traditional breakfast
• York Beach Surf Club– coffeeshop, sit down, baked goods + breakfast sandwiches
• Bald Head Coffee Co. + Market– coffeeshop, breakfast sandwiches, grab & go
• Lovebird Donuts– amazing donuts…go early!
• Long Sands General Store– coffee, baked good + breakfast sandwiches
• The Strand Cafe– coffeeshop
• Anthony’s– bakery + cafe

Where to get lunch at York Beach

• Stones Throw– trendy seafood restaurant right on the water
• Oceanside Store–  fast food + ice cream
• The York Beach Bucket–  pizza, subs, smoothie bowls, grab + go
• Guac N Roll– Mexican
• Deck at Dockside– tiki bar + food truck
• Flo’s Hot Dogs– famous steamed hotdog stand
• Anthony’s– pizza, deli, salads

Where to get pizza at York Beach

• York 54– fresh ingredient
• Woodys– New York style thin crust
• When Pig’s Fly– wood fired pizzas
• Anthony’s– fresh dough + ingredients

Where to get dinner at York Beach

• Stones Throw– upscale, delicious salads + seafood right on the water
• The Central– upscale great menu, new American style
• The Sundrop– popular with locals, all farm to table  
• The Sand Dollar– bar + grill style
• Inn on the Blues– lively seafood restaurant
• When Pigs Fly– awesome pizza, salads + sandwiches
• Nick’s Steakhouse– upscale steakhouse

Where to get ice cream at York Beach

• York Beach Dairy Bar– soft serve
• Dunne’s Ice Cream– huge variety soft + hard serve
• Sweet Josie’s– candy + ice cream shop
• Oceanside Store– lots of flavors both soft + hard serve
• The York Beach Bucket– gelato

Nightlife in York Beach, ME

If you’re coming to York Beach to party, in the summertime you are in the right place! All summer long you can find live music, dancing, bars with amazing views and more.

Try and get dropped off or walk to the bars, unfortunately parking overnight will most likely get you a ticket. Uber is possible to find but can take a while in York, I wouldn’t rely on it. Have a DD, ask a friend for a ride or walk!

Here is a list of my favorite bar at York Beach!

Best bars at York Beach

• York Beach Beer Co.– local brewery, often have live music, not open late
• SoMe Brewing– local brewery, lesser known about, live music, not open late
• Wiggly Bridge Distillery– Local father + son distillery with great cocktails  
• Stones Throw– fun, trendy bar try their coupe-o-joe cocktail it’s delicious! (pictured above)
• Lobster in the Rough– Live music all summer, fun vibe, outdoors, games
• York Beach Surf Club– Beer garden with live music on weekends
• Inn on the Blues– Live music, dancing, open late  
• Tiki Bar– day drinking spot, beautiful views, frozen drinks!
• The Sand Dollar– piano bar, high energy, fun, open late
• Ogunquit (next beach town over)- live music, lots of bars, dancing, fun, open late

More…

Beer + liquor stores in York Beach, ME

• York Hannaford– in town
• NH Liquor & Wine Outlet– Portsmouth, NH (closest full size liquor store)
• The York Beach Bucket– Short Sands
• Long Sands General Store– Long Sands

Grocery stores + markets in York Beach, ME

• York Hannaford– largest grocery store in town
• Grateful Gardens at Rocky Acres– fresh food market
• Maine Lobster Outlet– lobster
• Cumberland Farms– convenience store
• York Corner Gardens– farmer’s market

York Beach travel tips

• If you need parking, get to the beach early! There is lots of parking for both Long and Short Sands but in the summer time they fill up by 9am
• Unless you have a friend who lives at the beach and lets you park in there driveway, or you are staying at a hotel- you will have to pay for parking
• All the meters take cards and there are many small lots where locals take cash
• Busy season is Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend
• Beach fires are not allowed
• The local grocery store is the Hannaford in town
• No dogs on any beach between the hours of 8am and 6pm daily from May 20th- September 20th
• Always check parking signs, there are areas with “permit parking only” and you will get a ticket if you park in one of those spots
• There are no trash cans along the beach, please carry out whatever you carry in
• Lifeguards are on duty daily from 9am-4:30pm June through Labor Day
• The wait for dinner can get crazy peak summer, go early or make reservations to avoid lines
• Fun towns to explore nearby- Kittery, Oqunquit, Kennebunkport, Portsmouth, Portland (check out my Portland Weekend Guide!)

Enjoy your time visiting York Beach, Maine! I really hope this guide has been helpful for you. I absolutely love York and spend lots of my time here. If there is anything I missed, something you have further questions on, or if you have visited York Beach before please ask/comment in the comments below! I would love to hear from you!!

Follow along with me on Instagram where I am most active, especially with my sea glass finds from York Beach!