Spring Point, South Portland

Willard Beach.  Only dog friendly in the early morning and evening, but a great spot nonetheless.

A few years ago, I attended a workshop at Southern Maine Community College.  It was a good workshop, but what I really liked was the campus.  It was hard to concentrate on the subject matter (RNA and gene annotation) surrounded by such beauty.  Plus it was foggy, so every minute or so we'd hear the boom of a fog horn -- like a siren's call to me.  SMCC's campus rivals any college's, anywhere, for beauty.  It's right on Portland Harbor, has a friendly neighborhood beach next door, and looks out on Spring Point Lighthouse. Can it get much better?

The Spring Point Shoreway, preserved by the South Portland Land Trust, borders the SMCC campus, and is a great way to enjoy the sights.  You can walk from Willard Beach, with its gentle surf and family-friendly vibe, to Bug Light, all the while enjoying wonderful views of Portland Harbor, lighthouses, and the lovely SMCC grounds.  A nice long walk out the breakwater to Spring Point Light (over very rough rocks, be careful!) puts you right out in the harbor.   This is a popular walk in fine weather, with families, couples strolling hand in hand, and plenty of dogs (including this one).

For a quick escape from the city, this is a good bet!  See you on the Shoreway!

The old fort at Spring Point, the lighthouse, and a sailboat race in the background.

Spring Point Light.

So beautiful!

Providian, one of the countless boats Spring Point Light has guided in over the years.

Downwind leg of the sailboat race.  Spinnakers flying.

GETTING THERE:  From US1 in Portland, take Rt 77 south, across the Casco Bay Bridge.  Once you cross the bridge, go straight on Broadway (77 will turn right; do not follow it) 1 1/3 miles, until you can't go straight any further without going into the parking lot for Joe's Boathouse restaurant.  Turn right onto Benjamin Pickett St, then left onto Fort Rd; park in one of the many student lots.