This is primarily directed at Postmac as I am confident that he will know the answer but there may some good tips from others too.  Can you recommend a good beach to go to with a tiny?  Ours is too small for slides and swings really but a stabilmento with good facilities and parking nearby that will allow us to pay for half a day perhaps.  Not too far from Pescara in either direction as we will be hitting the coast along the A25 from Sulmona.  Also, what's the best time of day to go?  We were thinking 4.00pm to 7.00pm.  Any advice appreciated.

hi francavilla is good there is parking right by the beach , we usaly go to one  called sumer time  there is a bar toilet shade ect and you can pay for 1/2 day  the time you sugest is good ,take the coast road from pescara head for francaviller its at the end furtherest from pescara . we always take our grandughter there as there is a exulant ice cream parler nearby  good luck

We keep trying different beaches just for variety. Overall though we've generally gone to two particular spots:-

1. Pescara itself. Parking can be a problem but if you go later in the day we've found there's usually a spot along the front or failing that we've used the public car park just beside the Esplanade Hotel right on the front - the parking isn't expensive and although there's sometimes a small queue it generally seems to move quickly. You can pay for a half day/full day etc. The advantage here is that you're right next to the beach and the stabilimenti are very good. We tend to end up going to La Sirena/Venere I think it's called just because their mini-pizzas are so good and there's a good playground attached. I don't know how they rate value wise.

2. Our kids also like Pineto to the north of Pescara. Parking never seems to be a problem there even in the height of summer and the beach is much smaller and quieter and parts are shaded by trees. Our kids like it because there's also a small playground there.

Also one very late evening we happened to be passing the public section of Montesilvano Beach and happened upon a free car space so we pulled in with the kids for a quick swim. That was nice too and perfect if all you wanted to do was have a swim and a sit on the sand.

Hope that's some help. I should say that we're very much still exploring and these are the two places that we've gotten used to going the most. I'm sure these hundreds of other suitable places that people could recommend.

And mind that roasting hot sand!! - Sandals/Crocks a necessity.

Tartuffa

WE like Francavilla Beach front/Mare. Good resturants, public facilities and play area for children and not so young children.

Good water , clean and blue and safe. Sand is also clean and maintained. No major waves or rips and no surfers to deal with.

Parking is also available and generally if you drive around you can find residential free spots.

Cheers

Romus

Are we doing something wrong, we always go to the south of Pescara, near the hotel regent excetera, and never pay for parking, we only stay a couple of hours, have a walk along the beach (in either direction now the new bridge is there) and then go home.

Most of the beach areas look pretty damn good for kids of all ages to me, well kept, with life guards and reasonable amenities. I really would not have thought it a problem with tiny little ones, but \i do speak from absolutley no experience in all things children.

Cheers

Andy

Thank you everybody!  First trip very soon.  We have flask, windbreak and knotted hankies at the ready!

Pineto is a great one, (superb ice cream place) and a little further north, Roseto with lots of beachfront bars with free toddler activities & free parking. Pineto is particularly good because you can retreat to the lovely tree lined area and keep little ones out of the sun. You might struggle buying a UV tent or suit though so best to take one with you if thats a consideration. To be fair to Abruzzo though, the whole coast is great from Vasto in the south to San Benedito on the Marche border to the north. If you do go to Pineto, take a look at Atri 10 mins inland, an old fortress town full of charm.      

Another good tip - thank you Wilf.  Thankfully we do have a UV suit ready but I bet she will HATE it  

Went to the beach yesterday evening for a quick swim in Pescara. Found another handy spot that we didn't know about - every time we visit we find something new.

Coming into Pescara from the Chieti/Rome side we followed the signs for the Porto. just at the port (under the fabulous footbridge) we found a handy free parking space - and there were a few others as well. We then walked over the footbridge - which gives great views of the coast - and the first section of beach you meet after the bridge is a free section with no lettini. This was ideal for us as the kids just wanted a quick swim and we didn't want the expense of paying into a stabilmento. We spent about an hour there and then headed home. There's a little kiosk there where you can buy water, ice cream etc.

It's a simply glorious region.

I'll remember that one - thank you.  Despite being pretty busy right now we are making the effort to go once a week and it has been absolutely wonderful.  I'm pretty certain we'll be going well into September.