Episode 006:
Connecticut Shoreline /
Clinton Town Beach
Clinton, CT
For our sixth episode, we return to Connecticut and take a quick tour of the shoreline between New Haven and Old Saybrook, with a focus on the Clinton Town Beach.
Where is this place...
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The Clinton Town Beach is on located on Long Island Sound in the Town of Clinton, CT. Take Exit 63 off I-95 to Route 81 South. Follow Route 81 to U.S. Route 1 and take a left. At the crosswalk, turn right onto Waterside Lane and continue straight until you reach the beach parking lot. Please be observant of local parking restrictions. Play safe!
The Basics...
Beach Hours:
Sunrise to Sunset
Beach Cost:
Beach parking may include a daily cost during the summer season.
The Details...
A lot of the beach spots along the Connecticut Shoreline between New Haven and Old Saybrook are Private and Local Beaches, owned by individual homeowners, or owned by the particular town and restricted to residents or owned by a yacht club and restricted to members. Many of the beaches that are open to the public cost a fee, either for parking or beach access, and do not offer much privacy from the street, surrounding homes or other beach residents. The remainder of the coastline is either too rocky or too marshy for use as a beach.
As we mentioned, it is a nice place to drive through. Consider driving Route 146 between Branford and Guilford. The Long Island Sound marshes are a beautiful sight to take in, especially at sunset.
There are some exceptions to the rule, of course. Hammonasset Beach State Park, located off I-95 at Exit 62, is one of the most popular beaches in the state. Located in Madison, CT, the park has campsites, picnic sites, walking trails and a nature center. The beach itself is also very nice, with gentle water and decent sand. The water is usually cold, so summer is the best time to come if you plan to take a dip. Park entrance fees range from $9 to $22 based on day of the week and residency. Although Hammonasset is a nice beach, there are a lot of other lower cost or free beaches out there. However, if you are willing to shell out the cash, you will probably have a very enjoyable day at the beach.
Old Saybrook Point is located at the mouth of the Connecticut River in the Town of Old Saybrook. Take I-95 to Exit 67 or 68 and follow U.S. Route 1 South to Route 154. Follow Route 154 until you reach Bridge St. and turn left into the parking lot. There are a number of things in the area for you to explore. First, there's the Dock and Dine Restaurant (scheduled to reopen Summer 2014) and the Saybrook Point Miniature Golf Course. Across the street is the Saybrook Point Inn and Spa, as well as a park with a monument commemorating historic Fort Saybrook. The whole scene is very much like something you would find in Cape Cod.
We opted to walk through the little park next to the Dock and Dine. After making our way through the miniature rose bushes, we walked out onto the rocky beach to find a whole bunch of people fishing in the river estuary. As we sat down on one of the large stones along the shore, we took in the beautiful scenery of the Connecticut River. Ships sailed past us in and out of the river, adding to the charm of the scene. As much as this spot might be a great romantic area for couples, be mindful of the fishermen in the area who are likely not the most gay-friendly bunch, especially if all of your "romance" is scaring away the fish!
We then proceeded to the Clinton Town Beach. The beach is located across a small bridge on a sandy point at the mouth of the Hammonasset River. The beach is small and intimate, with one main sandy beach section roughly 500 feet long. The beach overlooks the river estuary, several marinas and the beach houses located on Cedar Island in the center of the estuary. The waves are calm and gentle and the sand is extremely clean and fine.
The beach is geared towards town residents and their families. There is a playground right on the beach, as well as restrooms, volleyball courts and a concession stand, which is open during the Summer. During the peak summer season, parking passes are required and can be purchased at the beach parking lot entrance. The general beach crowd we observed when we visited was comprised of local residents and their families.
In the back of the beach is a beautiful garden path leading through a partially shaded area lined with rose bushes. At the end of the path is a wooden pavilion overlooking the estuary and marsh. When we were there, the pavilion was closed for repairs. The path and pavilion are perfect areas for a picnic lunch or a just to lay down on the soft grass.
Beyond the pavilion is a partial path through the marsh bushes to a neighborhood of beach houses on the other side. This is the area we observed several people walking around among the tall marsh plants, most likely cruising.
On the Low
You don't want to be loud here or put on a show, but you know there are some spots around the back... Playing it straight will help to avoid trouble from watchful eyes.
Recommended for: Gay Date, Gay Families
That's all for now. Thanks for watching and reading! Don't forget to like us, leave a comment and share us with your friends if you enjoy the video!
Peace and Love,
Jon and David
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