The Beaches, or the Beach if you want to be politically correct, is the city’s best known Lakeside community. Just 15 minutes from downtown Toronto, the Beach runs along Queen St. east between Coxwell and Victoria Park. If you are planning to visit by TTC, go to the Queen St. station and take the streetcar eastbound. By car from downtown Toronto, take the Gardiner Expressway east and exit on Coxwell or Woodbine. Once you reach Queen Street, turn east. If you are coming from North Toronto, take the Don Valley Parkway, exit on Richmond Street, go north to Queen, then go east.

The style of living in the Beaches is laid back and outdoorsy, although very upscale. Young upwardly mobile professionals share this community with growing families and those who are drawn to outdoor activities. The Beaches are famous for tennis, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, beach volleyball, rollerblading, bicycling, swimming, lawn bowling, kite flying, skating, cross-country skiing, and hiking. And Queen St. itself reflects the diversity of the community with an eclectic mix of antique and curiosity shops, and trendy bars and restaurants. The Beaches’ most famous landmark is The Boardwalk. The social centre of the Beaches neighbourhood is Kew Gardens which hosts many annual events including the fabulous Beaches International Jazz Festival. The line-up for the 2007 Jazz Fest looks better than ever. Check it out here. http://www.beachesjazz.com/home.html