West End:
Unless you’re a karate guy, a wild city guy, or a crazy from Long Beach, you’d better not bother with West End. Insanely fickle since the jetty reconstruction, it offers occasional Sebastian Inlet-like right wedges for those in the know. The spot will turn off for several years, then reemerge for one shining season. So . . . good luck catching it.
On land, there is a one-day parking permit that is, last we checked, $10, and that still won’t help you out with the fact that it’s a long walk to the beach. Also, as in most small Long Island surf towns, the locals are very protective and have the place wired, so getting the better waves can be difficult. Better yet, forget about it. It’s best to go elsewhere, especially if you like your car.