There’s More to Old Orchard Beach Than the Pier—Like 7 Miles of Sand

I guarantee you’ve all heard this one before: Maine has a longer coastline than California. It’s practically one of the first fun facts any Mainer shares with someone “from away.” It's great bragging rights material.

And, yes, it’s true. Maine boasts roughly 3,500 miles of coastline, with only three states having more. And here’s the kicker: California isn’t one of them.

How Rocky is Maine's Coastline?

As amazing as this stat is, what's equally amazing is the lack of coastline that's considered a beach.

Maine is known for having a beautiful but rocky coastline. There's no shame in that. But, it is nice have a sandy beach close by to enjoy.

According to Trip Savvy, Maine has just 70 miles of beaches. That means beach space takes up just 2% of the state's entire coastline. Fortunately for those who live in Southern Maine, the majority of it seems to be in Cumberland and York Counties. This includes Maine's longest beach, Old Orchard Beach.

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What is Maine's Largest Beach?

Located in Saco Bay, Old Orchard Beach is a vast space that curves beautifully along the cove. It spans three towns (Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach, and Saco) and, according to Trip Savvy, stretches over seven miles.]

While the beach itself can get overlooked due to all the other bells and whistles of the town, it's constantly being named on best beach lists, both locally and nationally. It can also be packed to the gills on a beautiful summer day, especially near the world-famous pier.

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READ NOW: Old Orchard Beach, Maine: Where Pro Baseball Once Called Home

Old Orchard is also one of Maine's best nostalgia destinations. Every time I drive into the town, I think of all the rounds of mini golf I've played, and all the orders of Pier French Fries I have devoured. Thankfully, there's a nice seven-mile beach to walk and work off those calories.

So, the next time you are hanging out on Old Orchard Beach, remember that it's the longest one we have in the state. Just watch out for all those banana hammocks.