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If you travel to Portland Maine in the summer and are looking for a quick trip to the beach during your stay, keep reading this blog.
Growing up in South Portland, Maine, my family rarely made trips to the beach. For whatever reason, my father preferred going to the Lake. Maybe it was his fear of undertows. In 1954 he and my mother purchased land on Little Sebago Lake and built a summer place in stages. We always referred to it as the camp. The only issue was we could only go there on the weekends and when my father had vacation.
Before I worked summer jobs, I had to look for different ways to have fun, beyond playing in the neighborhood. One day my older brother asked me if I wanted to have a few beers with him. I was a little shocked at his suggestion but then decided to go anyway. After walking for 15 minutes or so, we arrived at a small grocery store. We went in and my brother took two root beers out of the cooler and paid for them. That was the first time I ever had root beer. But that was not the only surprise that day. We left the store and walked down Willard Street and there in front of us was a beach, Willard Beach. It was not big, maybe a few acres. The sand was not exactly pristine, but okay. The important thing is we are at the beach. We could see out into Casco Bay. So, we took off our shoes and waded into the water. We did not swim in the ocean. That would have been a bridge too far.
If you are staying in or near to the Old Port district and want to make a quick trip to the beach, the driving time from there to Willard Beach is 15 minutes.
Willard Beach is managed by the South Portland Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront. See the link below for more information.
- Willard Beach & Waterfront | South Portland, ME
Traveling to Portland
If you are indeed traveling to Portland, then check out our Portland Budget Travel Guide.
Willard Beach Vacation Rentals
If you would like to be closer to Willard Beach, then check out these vacation rentals.