The Beaches is a lakeside neighbourhood in the city's east end that genuinely does have beaches — four of them (Kew Beach, Woodbine Beach, Balmy Beach, and Eastern Beaches), connected by a boardwalk that runs 3 kilometres along the water. In summer, the stretch from Kew Gardens east to Balmy Beach has a real seaside feel that is unusual for an inland city of Toronto's size.
The main commercial strip runs along Queen Street East, a few blocks north of the water. It is dominated by independent shops, cafés, and restaurants rather than chains, giving it a neighbourhood scale that is different from most of Toronto's commercial corridors. The Balmy Beach Club and the Kew Gardens park provide focal points for the community.
The neighbourhood is primarily residential and family-oriented. It is busiest in summer and can be very quiet from October through April. The boardwalk is still pleasant in cold months if you are dressed for it; the lake views do not change.