Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts – A Comeback Story
Three trips in 2020, a growing appreciation, and now I’m a believer.
Three trips were made to Salisbury Beach in 2020, plus one each in 2021 and 2022. None in 2023. I started off not liking this destination — it felt old and tired, its peak decades behind it. Look at the main photo for this page and you’ll get the picture.
But then something changed. I came to like it, and now I consider it one of the best destinations in The Summer of 100 Beaches. I’ll try to convince you of the same.
🏖️ Meet Salisbury Beach
Salisbury Beach is a coastal destination in Salisbury, Massachusetts, along the northeastern coast. It’s renowned for its scenic shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean — wide, sandy beach that stretches for miles, offering a place to relax, sunbathe, swim, and enjoy the soothing sounds of the ocean waves.
Salisbury Beach is on the rebound from its storied past as an amusement park destination. It hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including summer concerts, sandcastle‑building contests, and fireworks displays. Be sure to check out the Salisbury Beach website for scheduled events.
⛺ Camping – The Pines Camping Area
Salisbury Beach State Reservation is a big park, but take a look at the photo — see many trees? Nope. I avoid places like that in warmer months. Whatever the outdoor temperature is, you can add 10 degrees to get what it will be inside the tent. Fine for RVs with A/C, but rough for tent camping.
The Pines Camping Area is a family‑oriented campground located in Salisbury, situated in a secluded wooded area just 500 yards from Route 1A and 1.5 miles west of Salisbury Beach. The campground offers over 160 campsites with plenty of trees for shade. I like this campground and have camped here at least 6 times.
🚴 Bike Rides – Four Destinations from One Campsite
There are at least 4 good bike rides from this area, and they all start at the campsite. Within Salisbury itself, there are only a couple places to go, and they are both close by. The campground is a destination where once you park your vehicle, you can ride a bike everywhere — starting with breakfast at the Groundswell Cafe on the beach in Salisbury.
I don’t have GPS maps for Salisbury because they’re not needed. The two main destinations are the main area of Salisbury Beach and the Salisbury Beach State Reservation. (Plus Hampton Beach, NH and Newburyport, MA — which have their own pages.)
🍽️ Food – Beach Food Done Right
The food here is good, with a wide range. It has great “beach food.”
The Groundswell Cafe
The Ground Swell Cafe is as good a place for breakfast as anywhere else. What makes it good: it’s right on the beach, it’s a short bike ride to get to, and there’s plenty of places to relax and enjoy the start of the day.
Midway Eats & Joe’s Playland
Along the midway on the beach, there’s a wide variety of beach foods, plus good ice cream. Joe’s Playland is typical — arcade and beach food. On a weeknight, the parking lot attendant has little to do. It’s a sad place. If he’s not on his skateboard, he’s sitting in the chair.
🏖️ The Beaches – Resident‑Only Parking (But Bikes Are Welcome)
This is Salisbury Town Beach — one of many. The beach is open to all, but parking is restricted to residents. That’s where a bicycle comes in handy. If you’re on a bicycle, it’s easy.
Salisbury State Beach Reservation is just south of Salisbury Beach, with a separate entrance. They have a large campground here as well. All beaches get crowded in the afternoon. This is no exception.
📌 Why I Changed My Mind About Salisbury Beach
On paper, it’s easy to dismiss: an old amusement town past its prime, a crowded state beach, and a campground with no shade. But here’s what I found:
- The Pines Campground (shaded, quiet, good for tents) solves the heat problem.
- The bike riding is excellent, with four very different destinations from one base.
- Groundswell Cafe on the beach is a perfect start to any day.
- There’s a positive, low‑key energy — not the manic crowds of some other beaches.
- It’s a real working‑class beach town, not a polished tourist trap.
Give it a chance. Ride a bike. Stay at The Pines. Start your day at Groundswell. You might change your mind too.
📌 Tips for Salisbury Beach
- Don’t tent camp at the State Reservation – no shade, brutally hot. Go to The Pines instead.
- Resident beach parking – drive to the town beach? You’ll get turned away. Arrive by bike and you’re fine.
- Check the events calendar – summer concerts and fireworks make Salisbury lively.
- Groundswell Cafe is essential – breakfast on the beach is worth the short ride.
- The midway is small but has the classics – arcade games, beach food, ice cream.
- Use this as a base – you can bike to Hampton Beach, NH and Newburyport, MA easily.
Content from Summer of 100 Beaches trips in 2020, 2021, and 2022. New page created for Salisbury Beach.