willard beach

miss_faw

We couldn't have been more pleased to find this perfect little beach to visit with our dog. The beach has nice walking sand, beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding area, and friendly people. A great place to visit whether you have a beach-loving dog in tow or not.

EveofSoPo

Dog friendly during designated times. Always wonderful views and friendly folks, a wonderful gem in SoPo

Bearnecessite

BEST scenery of any beach I know. So beautiful with all the boats coming and going. Lovely to walk and enjoy Maine's beautiful coastline.

W1234QImarias

I love this beach, it's a family favorite, a lovely place to spend some time. Maine beaches are wonderful.

Gramcracker2013

Unlike many other beaches along the Maine coast, this one is sandy, so it was very nice for a stroll with the dogs. There were several freighters passing, and the view of a number of islands makes it very scenic.

MCBsopo

This is the best beach in every season. Summer picnics with kids. Fall walks at night (harvest moon is spectacular). Winter walks mid-day (no snow on the beach + lots of sun). Spring mornings walking from Scratch with a great cup of coffee. Love it!

Celtvistor

This is a great beach. Beautiful in summer and winter. Views of Casco bay. Fine sand. A fantastic place to spend a summer day or go for a winter walk.

sidd631

Located on picturesque Portland Harbor, this beach has fine white/gray sand. From the beach, you can see Spring Point Lighthouse, House Island, Southern Maine Community College, and Fort Gorges. You will find the water cool. There is a bathhouse and concession stand at the beach. Parking is limited. Use the Willow St parking lot. Within a quarter mile of the beach are eateries like Willard Scoops Ice Cream, Scratch Bakery. Just a little further away is South Portland House of Pizza, Red's Dairy Freeze, The Cookie Jar, Thai Taste, and the new Elsmere BBQ. How do I know. I live two block from Willard Beach!

KyleH568

Great uncrowded beach. It seems to be used primarily by the locals and not much by tourists like me. Nice beach to walk if you like to look for shells and beach glass.

Deturmend

Willard beach is a sandy expanse with rocky borders. It's a dog beach in early am and evening hours - so a perfect place to visit for anyone traveling and missing their pooch! During day time it's a local favorite. Friendly people.

write128

picture postcard perfect -- from the colorful small boats bobbing in the water, to the old fishing shack and views of a few of the Casco Bay Islands....a short beach but a great place to explore -- sea glass, drift wood, beautiful stones.....there is parking close by and a great bakery/food shop just up the block.

mainemountainbear

This was an excellent location for shots of the sunrise over Casco Bay! Beach parking was in a small lot on Willow Street; it had filled up by the time I got back to it on a weekend “good beach day”. A path led to a fairly narrow 4-acre beach, which curved in an arc along Simonton Cove. The mostly sand and pebble city beach was surprisingly clean. It offered fine scenic views across Casco Bay to nearby Cushing and Peaks islands. It also looked out upon Portland’s ship channel — and its varied traffic of lobster boats, sailboats, kayaks, tugs, barges, tankers, cargo ships, and more. Willard’s seasonal beach house and restrooms and its snack bar and showers were all closed during my morning visit — they’re summers only. If you want to explore the area, try walking or biking to Fort Preble, Spring Point Lighthouse, and Portland Breakwater Lighthouse along Willard’s adjacent 1.6-mile (2.6 km) Spring Point Shoreway. Except for its intensive use as a local dog latrine, I liked this little beach off the beaten path; it seemed ideal for visitors on a budget. Just don’t forget a camera, sunscreen, and towels in your beach bag!

KathleenH839

This is a great little beach that serves the Willard Beach area community. It's not private but there is not much parking at the beach itself. You have to find a side street parking place and be prepared to walk. If you are toting stuff, bring a buggy of some kind to get it to the beach... This little cove is home to many boats of local fishermen and pleasure boats on their moorings. It's a popular beach for walking the dogs as well. The rule is that you must clean up after your pets.. and they must be leashed.. When I was there yesterday I didn't see that rule being observed and I think that's sad. You do get great views of SMCC and Fort Gorgeous and Cushing's Island...

PaulP580

Right near Spring point light house. Older, rustic fish shacks up on the rocks from the old days. 2-3 acre lawn above the beach with small condos in a semi-circle. No sheds or garages. No trucks or noise. Just Gulls and sandpipers. Olde stone wall from clearing the field years ago to lean up against and have lunch. Keeps the wind off you if there is any. 45 minutes to LL Bean

mayngrl

.....from one of he local markets and head down to Willard Beach for 8am dog socializing, sand kicking, and people watching . It's like dog heaven over there, every day!