Latest news with #PublicBeaches
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
One of California's Coolest Beaches Isn't on the Coast—It's in the Middle of the Forest
We're not speaking in hyperbole when we say California is home to some of the world's best beaches. With a coastline that stretches for more than 800 miles and more than 400 public beaches to explore, it's a seaside lover's paradise. And while, yes, spots like Huntington Beach, Venice Beach, Santa Monica State Beach, La Jolla, Newport Beach, and Butterfly Beach certainly make visiting California's coast a must, what if we told you that one of the state's coolest beaches actually sits a solid 14 miles inland? For anyone looking to spend a unique day at the beach in California, there's Johnson's Beach, a stretch of sand located along the banks of the Russian River in the town of Guerneville in Sonoma County. Sonoma County's tourism site explains that the beach has been a "Russian River tradition" for over 100 years. Originally owned by Gertie and Ernie Johnson in 1918, the riverside resort has beckoned travelers to come and stay for the adventure, the cooling water, and the great times. "Nothing feels more like summer than spending time with family and friends on a beautiful Russian River beach, lounging comfortably with a cold drink in hand or floating on the water soaking up the sunshine," Sonoma County added. "Johnson's Beach offers everything you need for a great day, including rentals of canoes, kayaks, inner tubes, beach chairs, and umbrellas, plus a kiddie pond and snack bar with beer and wine." Johnson's Beach is a popular river recreational area in Guernevill, here's the best part: you don't need to leave at the end of the day. Instead, you can book a stay in one of its bungalows, cabins, or canvas tents, or pop up your own tent for the weekend. Its historic bungalows, built in the 1920s, will transport you right back to its founding year, with local art and furniture reminiscent of the turn of the century. Each one also comes with a private deck and bathroom for the ultimate solitude. Meanwhile, the tiny cabins are the ideal spot for solo travelers or couples looking for a cute spot with no fuss. Each includes a king bed, a mini kitchen, a private bathroom, a fire pit, and a picnic table. The canvas tents are also a fantastic option for anyone who wants to feel a little more rugged without having to rough it. The tents, each erected on wooden slats, are made to withstand the elements and include a queen bed, a front porch, a fire pit, and a picnic table, along with access to shared bathrooms and showers. And, if you happen to be traveling with a crew, there's also the historic lodge, which includes four bedrooms and a full kitchen, so you can make yourself at home all summer long if you wish. No matter which accommodation you choose, you'll always be close to the water's edge.
Zawya
29-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: Public Beaches Development Project to boost tourism
Doha: The recently announced second phase of Public Beaches Development Project seeks to enhance both domestic and international tourism in Qatar, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Municipality. The initiative focuses on upgrading public beaches across the country with world-class facilities, cultural and sports activities, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure to attract visitors and improve the overall quality of life. Senior Quality Projects Engineer at the Ministry of Municipality Eng Issa Muqbil explained that the initiative is built on three strategic goals: improving public well-being, promoting local tourism through cultural and sports activities at the beaches, and attracting foreign tourists by providing world-class beach infrastructure in coordination with Qatar Tourism. Speaking to Qatar TV recently, he said that the project is being implemented in two phases. The first phase, which has been completed, involved the development of eight public beaches across various municipalities. This included the provision of essential services such as signage, walkways — designed to be accessible for people with disabilities — shaded seating, beach furniture, children's playgrounds in family areas, kiosks, sand levelling, and various other amenities to ensure a high-quality visitor experience. The second phase, currently underway, will see the development of an additional 18 beaches across the country. Muqbil emphasized that environmental sustainability is a top priority throughout the project. The Ministry collaborates closely with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change at all stages — from selecting suitable beaches and developing initial and detailed designs, to implementing eco-friendly construction practices. The project features solar-powered lighting systems to reduce environmental impact and a dual-bin waste management system — grey bins for organic waste and blue bins for recyclable materials — to support sustainable waste disposal practices. The selection of the eight beaches for phase one was based on several criteria. These included environmental sustainability, geographical distribution across municipalities to ensure easy public access, and existing infrastructure such as road connectivity and nearby utility networks. Looking ahead, the Ministry is working to incorporate smart technology into beach services. For example, an electronic booking system is being launched for 974 Beach, which has seen significant footfall — particularly on ladies-only days, with attendance reaching 2,800 visitors, and weekend averages of about 800 daily. The Ministry has implemented multiple channels to monitor visitor satisfaction and collect feedback. A dedicated team monitors social media comments and suggestions, while visitors can also submit their feedback via the unified Ministry contact number or the 'Oun' mobile app. Additionally, field teams regularly visit beaches to assess service quality and gather feedback directly from beachgoers. All feedback is carefully reviewed and acted upon promptly. Private sector involvement is central to the initiative. In the first phase, beach development was carried out by private companies, and 974 Beach is currently operated by a private company to ensure high-quality service delivery. Opportunities for private investment will expand further in the second phase, where 18 more beaches are slated for development. Muqbil confirmed that beach development will remain an ongoing effort, with plans to explore new beach locations not included in the current project phases. The findings of the final study for the upcoming development phase are expected to be announced soon. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
