Mississauga, Ontario's Top Three Beaches For A Fun Getaway

Mississauga, Ontario is one of Canada's largest and most populous cities, with a bustling commercial district and a wide array of entertainment options that make it a great destination for a city break. However, its location on the shores of Lake Ontario means it is also an unexpectedly good choice for a beach day, with the city boasting three official beaches. While they may not count among the most famous beaches in the world, Mississauga's sandy shorelines are ideal for making the most of the lake in the warmer months. Conveniently, Mississauga is a 30-minute drive west of Toronto, a bustling city where a secret hidden wilderness thrives. 

Each of these beaches — Jack Darling Memorial Park Beach, Richard's Memorial Park Beach, and Lakefront Promenade Park Beach — is, as their names suggest, located in one of Mississauga's waterfront parks. These parks are well-maintained and great for families, featuring all kinds amenities for a fun day on the shore. In addition to calm waters and golden sand, these parks also contain a wide range of other attractions to enjoy. If your time at the beach leaves you with an appetite for adventure, head another 30 minutes west to Hamilton, a city known as "the waterfall capital of the world."

The beach at Jack Darling Memorial Park is the arguably the most popular in Mississauga — a sandy stretch ideal for families that offers gorgeous views of the Toronto skyline. Like the other beaches in Mississauga, it is unsupervised and open daily from sunrise to 11 p.m., with shortened hours in the winter. Be sure to check for the latest water quality advisories prior to swimming — signs are typically posted at the beach when the water is unsafe for swimming. 

The beach is served by public washrooms and several picnic spots just a short walk to the water. If you prefer to avoid the hassle of packing a picnic, there are hot dog and ice cream vendors on site during the warmer months. Jack Darling is also home to one of the largest off-leash dog parks in all of Ontario, so be sure to bring your fur baby along for the fun.

While visitors to the beach often indulge in swimming or water sports — the beach is suitable for windsurfing, kayaking, and more — the park is home to other attractions including tennis courts and playgrounds. Like the other beaches on this list, Jack Darling Memorial Park Beach is on the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, making it ideal for hiking and cycling. Its native landscape consists of rare tallgrass prairie, perfect for scenic strolls in the spring, summer, and fall. 

Richard's Memorial Park Beach is also open daily, and features a small, sandy stretch popular with sunbathers. As with Jack Darling Memorial Park Beach, there are no lifeguards on duty, so you enter the water at your own risk. However, the beach is generally considered ideal for families and casual swimmers, and a quieter, more relaxing option when compared with the larger Jack Darling Memorial Park Beach.

Picnic areas, barbecue areas, and playgrounds make it a perfect destination for families. Plus, it is considered one of the more lush beach destinations on Lake Ontario. The wider park is home to a rock garden that's lovingly tended to by local horticulturalists, and various walking paths through the forest for leisurely strolls and birdwatching. The park and beach are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the warmer months, or until sunset in winter.

The third of Mississauga's beaches is found in Lakefront Promenade Park, which is an ideal destination for boating enthusiasts with Lakefront Promenade Marina, the Mississauga Sailing Club, and Port Credit Yacht Club all nearby. It's also a hot spot for paddling — local companies like Paddle On offer kayak rentals and guided excursions from Lakefront Promenade Park. Two boat launching ramps make it easy to bring your own craft for cruising on summer days. 

The water of Lakefront Promenade Park Beach is enclosed, and generally a little warmer and calmer than the rest of Lake Ontario, making it a great spot for swimming. The area is brimming with food vendors, picnic areas, a children's play area and other amenities, including four volleyball courts for a perfect day at the beach with friends. As with the other beach options in Mississauga, the park opens at dawn, and is accessible until 11 p.m. daily. As an added bonus, the beach is down the road from Mississauga's bustling Port Credit waterfront district, home to restaurants, bars, cafes, and boutiques.