National Press Release

BALTIMORE, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Beach vacations no longer require traffic tie-ups and delays, increasing gasoline prices, and expensive parking. At many beaches throughout the United States, you can leave your car at home -- or a local park & ride lot, hotel or bed & breakfast -- and walk or take free or inexpensive local transportation to the beach.

In his Car Free at the Beach, Steve Atlas describes 20 beaches where a car is not needed. They're located along the Atlantic from Maine to Florida; the Great Lakes in New York, Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan; the Gulf of Mexico in Texas, and on the Pacific coast in southern California, Oregon and Washington.

Car free beaches from Maine to California

Several ocean beaches in Maine, New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and California are just a short walk from the train. U.S. 1 in Maine, for example, is known for traffic bottlenecks and expensive parking. Instead, take Amtrak's Downeaster to Old Orchard Beach or Wells. Old Orchard Beach is a short walk from the station. At Wells, take the trolley to the beach.

One popular Lake Michigan beach is served by a Ferry across Lake Michigan. This four-hour trip allows visitors to start their vacation before they even get to the beach.

Small town beaches can be enjoyed without driving. From Portland, Oregon, a daily bus takes visitors to Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Astoria on the north Oregon coast.

On rainy days, few beach visitors are aware of the many attractions and enjoyable outings that are easy to reach without a car. In Rochester, New York, the famous Erie Canal is just a $1 bus ride from downtown. From Jacksonville Beach, Florida, the popular family amusement park Adventure Landing is a short bus ride from the beach.

Breaking America's dependence on automobiles and imported fuels

"It's not enough to talk about driving less," says Atlas. "We need to show people where they can vacation without driving. If we want people to become less car-dependent, we need to empower people without cars and those who choose, or are forced, to not drive. Use the money you save by not driving to enjoy your vacation."

Each of the 20 beach communities profiled includes: what is special, how to get there without driving, getting around at the beach without driving, best locations for non-drivers to stay, and outings away from the beach for visitors without cars.

Car Free at the Beach costs $9.95 and is available (with 5 Free Worksheets to help plan a car-free vacation) at http://carfreeamerica.com. A sample free report and worksheet are also available.

Steve Atlas, a passionate supporter of public transportation and reducing car-dependency, is the founder of http://carfreeamerica.org. -

For information: http://carfreeamerica.com or

    Contact: steveatlas45@yahoo.com
    8121 Conduit Road
    Parkville, MD 21234
    Phone: (410) 663-0217

SOURCE CarFreeAmerica.com