I’ve lived in the Upper Beaches for three years. I rent a stacked townhouse near Kingston Road and Main. I walk to Glen Stewart Ravine almost every morning. On foggy days, I swear I can smell the lake. Not a bad way to start the day.
I’ve written a much longer love-letter to the neighbourhood that you can dig into here if you’re craving even more details.
So… where is it, really?
It sits between Kingston Road and the Danforth, east of Coxwell and west of Victoria Park. Folks call it “Beach Hill” too. It’s not right on the sand, but it’s close enough that my hair frizzes like I swam there.
And if you’re still wondering whether Toronto really counts as a beach city, I tried to settle that debate over here.
For a detailed neighborhood map and a deeper dive into the shoreline communities, take a peek at Beaches Toronto before you set out.
Getting around is easy (most days)
- Main Street station on Line 2 is my home base. Union is about 25 minutes if trains behave.
- Danforth GO is a short walk. I’ve timed it: 12 minutes to Union when I’m lucky with the schedule.
- The 506 Carlton streetcar on Gerrard is steady. The 12 bus runs along Kingston. The 503 comes and goes, but when it runs, it’s handy.
- I bike down Woodbine to the lake. It’s fast going south. The ride back? My quads complain.
One warning: streetcar track work on Gerrard is loud. When crews grind steel at 6 a.m., even my cat sits up.
Food I keep going back to
I cook a lot, but this area keeps pulling me out.
- Grinder Coffee on Main: I grab an oat latte and a cheddar scone. The barista knows my weird half-hot order. Bless them.
- Beach Hill Smokehouse: I share the brisket because I always overdo it. The pickles cut the fat just right.
- The Feathers Pub on Kingston: Cozy, proper pies, and a whisky list that sneaks up on you.
- Courage Foods: Rotisserie chicken on a busy weeknight. Their salads help me pretend it’s balanced.
- Cool Runnings on Main: Jerk chicken that warms you from the inside out. I keep extra napkins in the glove box now.
On weekends, I ride the 506 west to Little India. Fresh samosas, then home before the bag splits.
Parks and tiny joys
Glen Stewart Ravine has a wooden boardwalk and birds that don’t scare easy. In fall, the leaves feel like a movie set. In winter, the steps get icy, so I wear Yaktrax. I learned that the hard way.
- Norwood Park: Tennis in the morning, sledding in winter, dogs saying hi all year.
- Cassels Park: The splash pad saves parents in July. I’ve pulled auntie duty here more than once.
- Kew and the beach: A short bus or a longer walk. Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay on long weekends. Crowds, sure, but fun.
If you’re beach-hopping across the city, I rounded up my picks for the very best stretches of sand in this guide.
I’ll say this: coyotes wander the ravines now and then. Keep dogs leashed. I’ve seen two at dusk, both calm, both not shy.
Schools I’ve dealt with
My nephew goes to Bowmore Road Junior and Senior Public School. Good arts nights, warm teachers. Crossing guards actually smile. Malvern Collegiate is close too, with loud Friday games you can hear from Kingston. St. John Catholic School sits right on the ridge. Morning drop-off is a mini parade of strollers and coffee cups.
Homes and street vibes
Most houses are brick semis with skinny driveways and wide porches. Some streets have new townhomes with sleek windows. Beach Hill Residences on Kingston looks modern and a bit showy, but the views? Not bad at all. If you’re curious about prices or listings, this Upper Beaches neighbourhood guide breaks it down.
Is it cheap? No. But it still feels quieter than Queen Street. You get porch chats, not patio shouts. I like that trade.
The nice stuff I didn’t expect
- Neighbours shovel each other’s steps without a fuss.
- The Danforth has a Thursday market at East Lynn Park in summer. I go for berries and come back with plants I don’t need.
- The Beaches Jazz Festival brings music to Queen. We walk down, listen, then avoid the big crowds on the way back up the hill.
Also, raccoons. They’re bold. Keep your green bin latched or lose a banana peel war at 2 a.m.
What bugs me (still worth knowing)
- Parking on some streets needs a permit. Guests circle like planes.
- TTC delays hit in waves. If the GO is down too, you’ll wish you packed snacks.
- Spring construction is loud. Streetcar squeal, saws, the whole set.
- After huge storms, some low spots collect water. My basement stayed dry, but my neighbor used a shop vac twice last year. I bought a door draft stopper just in case.
Work life, coffee life
I work hybrid. The Wi-Fi at Grinder is steady. Feathers is better for a late, cozy note-edit session. When the sun hits, I set up on my porch with a MEC rain jacket nearby because the wind shifts fast. Little habits keep you dry around here.
Friends who come to stay often crash at the Days Inn on Kingston Road—my no-punches-pulled review lives right here if you’re scouting hotels nearby.
Who will love it
- Families who want parks and real schools, but still want the subway.
- People who like a calm street, with the beach close enough for a morning swim.
- Food folks who don’t need fancy, just good.
Who might not: Night owls who want 2 a.m. action. This area sleeps early. Except raccoons. They keep late hours.
For those shoppers of after-dark thrills who are happier staying in, you can always cue up a live cum show on this interactive chat platform where real performers stream late into the night, giving you a private, 24/7 dose of adult entertainment without ever leaving the couch. If your night-out plans shift to California and you’re near the west-side bustle of Brentwood, you might appreciate this straightforward guide to casual sex in Brentwood—it walks you through the easiest ways to meet open-minded singles quickly and discreetly.
My quick favorites
- Morning: Glen Stewart walk, oat latte at Grinder.
- Weeknight: Rotisserie chicken from Courage Foods; a slow sunset on Kingston ridge.
- Weekend: Brisket at Beach Hill, then a windy stroll at Kew.
- Rainy day: Feathers, a pie, and a book I swear I’ll finish.
Final word
I came for the quiet and the trees. I stayed because it feels like a small town with a real train. It’s not perfect. It’s lived-in. It’s friendly. And you know what? When the ravine smells like pine after rain, the city fades, just a little. I can’t fake that.