What is the best beach in the greater Boston area? Hotels along that beach?

We often don't have hotels right on the beach; it's kind of a different situation than it is elsewhere. Often our beaches are nature reservations or they're all rental/privately owned cottages.

In general, Cape Cod has good beaches; I just don't know them as well, except for the ones I mentioned.

Water here is cold until August, when it's slightly less cold. You can still enjoy the beach, but you won't always want to swim!

I listed some beaches and then a Google Maps link to local hotels. I don't know them cause obviously I just go home after the beach!

Best beaches are:

One right in Boston - Carson Beach in South Boston. Not really a nature place, but you can get there quickly, unlike the others. I don't think there are hotels though, it's a city beach!
http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=nav...

Crane's Beach
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Plum+Islan...

Plum Island
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Plum+Islan...

Martha's Vineyard
http://www.mvol.com/

Provincetown (though in case this is an issue for you, it's a gay area. Lots of drag queens. I love it but if it's against your morals then you might not like it! Straight folks go there too though.)

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Truro,+MA,...

Also there's a quick ferry from Boston to Provincetown. Google "Provincetown Ferry."

Good luck!

north of boston - gloucester - there is a beach called Good Harbor Beach which is beautiful.

I've heard nantasket beach is quite nice, but its a few towns south of Boston, over near Hingham. Something closer and still nice would be something like Wollaston Beach in Quincy.

Good old home beaches - Wollaston & Carlson - there is no place like home, and where you can still buy your clam chawda, fried clams & ice cream.

There are many great beach in Boston and Hotels. The following two websites list many of nice hotels, attractions, and things to do in Boston. They are http://www.123world.com/boston/
and http://www.boston-vacation-hotels.com
I am sure you will find what you are looking for.

Do you really want to head to a beach in the greater Boston area? Ummm....I'd go further away, to Newport, Rhode Island or Cape Cod to find a nice beach. No question about it. The south side of Cape Cod has the warmer water and the north side of the Cape has bigger waves, but the water is cold. NH and Maine (not far away from Boston either) has some nice beaches, but they're cold too. If you want to head to Boston, then see the sights in town and enjoy the city, not the beaches. Well just my two cents worth. Have fun though! Try iBtraveling.com for some good deals. That's where I usually find something. Good luck!

its to cold to go to the beach this time of year!