View from the sea – a state coastal guide of Marblehead

An idyllic view of Fort Sewall. Photo by MARIA HANLON

Ever wonder how people who don’t live in town view and describe Marblehead? Here’s a list of notable local seaside sites listed in the Marblehead Coast Guide Site Descriptions from the Massachusetts Coast Guide to Boston & the North Shore published by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM).

A word  of warning: CZM last updated the list in 2000 and the agency takes pains on its website to stress “private and public ownership” of sites should be verified through the Essex Registry of Deeds.

Castle Rock Park – Park with rocky shore, scenic vista, and benches. Street parking.
Chandler Hovey Park – Park overlooking Salem Sound with rocky beach, lighthouse, restrooms, and benches. Parking lot.

Children’s (Cat) Island – Swampscott-Marblehead YMCA runs a summer day camp program and offers overnight opportunities for groups and families.

Cliff Street boatyard – Pier on rocky shore with boat landing and boat storage area. Free parking.

Cove Lane – Grassy right-of-way with benches and stairs leading to sandy beach. Street parking.

Crocker Park – Park overlooking Marblehead Harbor with benches and picnic tables. Limited street parking.

Crowninshield Island – A small island with rocky shore, sandy beach, meadow, and salt marsh. Access across mud flats at low tide.

Desmoulin Lane – Right-of-way to rocky shore at the end of lane. Limited street parking.

Devereux Beach – Sandy beach framed with rocky shore. Restrooms, picnic tables, and food concession. Free resident parking. Paid public parking.

Fort Beach – Rocky shore. Limited street parking.

For Sewall – Historic park at the mouth of Marblehead Harbor with restrooms and views of Salem Sound. Limited street parking.

Gashouse Beach – Sand and pebble beach along rocky shore with small-boat landing area. Access via Gashouse Lane. Street parking on Orne Street.

Goldthwait Reservation – Saltmarsh with walkways to Devereux Beach. Access via Goldthwait Road. Resident only parking lot. Street parking except weekends and holidays.

Grace Oliver’s Beach – Sand and pebble beach along rocky shore. Street parking.

Harvard Street – Right-of-way to pebble beach. Street parking.

Nahant Street – Right-of-way to pebble beach with benches. Street parking.

Parker Lane – Grassy right-of-way with stairs to cobble beach and benches. No parking.

Parkers  Boatyard – Pier and boatyard on rocky shore with boat landing and launching areas on Redstone Lane. Free parking.

Peabody Avenue – Grassy right-of-way with stairs to cobble beach. Street parking on Harbor Avenue.

Point O’ Rocks Landing – Grassy scenic right-of-way to rocky shore. Street parking.

Riverhead  Beach – Pebble beach and mud flats with boat ramp. Paid and residents parking at adjacent Devereux Beach.

Seaside Park – Harborfront park with wooded area and trails to rocky shore, benches, and sports fields. Free parking.

State Street Landing – Public pier and docks on Marblehead Harbor with restrooms. Small parking lot.

Ticker Island – Accessible by water only.