Spending Some Time on South Shore Drive in South Yarmouth

Yarmouth is one of the more desirable places to buy a home on Cape Cod because you'll have access to many of the things that make the Cape special in the first place.

If you live in Yarmouth Port, you'll be minutes from Cape Cod Bay, and could even end up living near The Captains' Mile, a section of town with an abundance of historic homes built by sea captains.

In West Yarmouth, there's a bustling downtown area on Main Street, which quickly integrates with downtown Hyannis and everything that it has to offer. 

South Yarmouth is known for a couple of different areas, as Route 28 is lined with shops and restaurants, while South Shore Drive is all about the beaches. 

When you buy property in South Yarmouth, the area between Route 28 and South Shore Drive is incredibly attractive because it's mostly residential, close to numerous beaches, and highly accessible.

Here's what you should know about living near South Shore Drive in South Yarmouth.

The Location

This section of South Yarmouth has water on three sides, making it somewhat unique. To the south, there's Nantucket Sound, which has some of the warmest water on the East Coast and is incredibly popular with vacationers. 

West of the community is Lewis Pond, not to be confused with Lewis Bay, which is a small body with a salt marsh and a jetty providing an entryway into the ocean. 

On the east side of the neighborhood is the famous Bass River, a highly popular recreational area that runs all the way to Follins Pond. The river also offers a route into Nantucket Sound, and features a few marinas, although you'll have to head to West Dennis to use them.

North of the neighborhood is Route 28, and from there, you can get on West Yarmouth Road or Station Avenue, both of which will take you directly to the Mid-Cape Highway.

The convenience and beauty of this area cannot be overstated, and once you have a look, we're sure you'll feel the same way.

South Yarmouth's Beaches

South Shore Drive in South Yarmouth is just over a mile long, so we're not talking about a vast area at all. As a result, you might think that the street would have a beach or two, and not much else.

You'd be wrong, however, as this small area has no less than four beaches to explore, each with varying levels of popularity.

The busiest of the four beaches is probably Smuggler's Beach, which is also known as Bass River Beach. This beach gets busy for several reasons, starting with its access to the Bass River and Nantucket Sound. There's a boat launch here where you can easily put your vessel in the water for a day in the ocean, and there's also a pier where you can do a bit of fishing.

As for the beach itself, it's large enough that you can spread out and find some room for yourself, and there's a lifeguard on duty during the high season. The beach also has a huge parking lot with space for boat trailers and some beach volleyball courts.

Another popular in South Yarmouth is Parker's River Beach, which also has a large parking lot, and features swings, washrooms, benches, and a small rock jetty. This beach is excellent for families because the parking lot is close to the water, and it doesn't get as busy as Smuggler's Beach.

West of Parker's River Beach is Thatcher Beach. You'll have to be careful about visiting this beach because a section of it is part of a resort in the area. There's a public section with a small parking lot and some benches, however, that is worth checking out, particularly if you're looking for a quiet place to hang out for a few hours.

Finally, there's South Middle Beach, which is somewhat hidden and doesn't have much of a parking lot but remains a popular place for locals nonetheless. All of the parking here is along the street and reserved for Yarmouth residents, so you'll have to arrive early if you want a space. There's a lifeguard on duty during the busy season, as well.

One of the Cape's Oldest Waterfront Restaurants

After hitting the beach, you might be in search of a solid meal and, luckily, South Shore Drive has just the place for you. 

Across the street from Parkers River Beach is The Skipper Restaurant and Chowder House, a seafood restaurant that has been a local institution since 1936. The eatery is one of the oldest oceanfront restaurants on the Cape and remains one of Cape Cod's favorite places to grab lunch or dinner.

The menu is much like you'd expect from a Cape Cod clam shack, as it features all kinds of seafood items, including lobster rolls, clam chowder, fried clam strips, and oysters. If you're not into seafood, they have burgers, chicken, and prime rib, too.

The Skipper has an attached ice cream shop, as well, where you can grab a sundae, soft serve, milkshake, or scoops of your favorite flavor.

After a long day at the beach, you really can't beat The Skipper. 

Living in South Yarmouth

Buying a home in South Yarmouth puts you in an area with a bustling atmosphere in the summer, while remaining far enough away from the Cape's busiest sections that you can relax. You're never far from the highway, making it easy to venture to other parts of Cape Cod, and you'll have at least one beach within walking distance of your home.

The South Shore Drive area might not be full of restaurants and shops, but enough is going on there to keep residents busy, particularly as the weather warms in the summer.