Forget the crowded beaches and long commute out to the Hamptons and spend summer in the Rockaways instead. Take the A or S subway line or the New York Beach Ferry from Manhattan, and venture a world away from the stresses of city living.
1. Learn how to surf from Far Rockaway natives Michael Reinhardt and Michael Kololyan. Their surf school, Locals, is open year round and offers lessons ($120/semi-private) throughout the day for both children and adults. The school is located right on the beach at 67th Street.
2. For a healthy frozen treat, visit Justin Harter at CITYSTICKS. Justin has a background in bartending and humbly started selling his inventive frozen concoctions walking on the beach. You can now find the CITYSTICKS Parlor at 97th street. Whether you get raspberry cucumber minty lemonade or one of the alcoholic varieties like mango mimosa or peach pomegranate bellini, the pops are all made with love and without preservatives and artificial flavors.
3. Just off the main drag, Paige Crabill and Joana Leite are serving up delicious fish tacos, lobster taquitos, and quiet ocean views at the Fisherman’s Dog.
4. Grab a beer and support the work of local artists and musicians who seek to “inspire the community and its residents through surfing” at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club.
5. As the sun sets, head to Sayra’s Wine Bar to enjoy a glass of wine in the beautiful backyard bar while tucking into house mixed olives and the local favorite turkey burger. With a simple, delicious food menu and endless selection of drinks, you may find yourself staying long into the night.
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Photos: Emily Frances
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Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft