Grace Beach on Shelter Island

written by Sooyoung Kim, July 19, 2026

This is a short fiction story inspired by a daytime visit to Grace Beach.

Grace Beach is graceful and peaceful. Located on Shelter Island in California, it is one of my daughters’ second-favorite beach, after Buckroe Beach in Virginia.

On a sunny day in July, the beach is peaceful and almost tranquil. People move gracefully, and everything seems to follow a slow rhythm of waves.

Seagulls and pelicans occupy the light poles and buoys, resting peacefully. A woman in a small boat throws foods into the water, and seagulls gather around her. Suddenly two seagulls dive into the sea as if they have spotted something to eat.

Dogs run freely without leashes, splashing through the water like joyful children. Nearby, an old dog sleeps beside its elderly owner. Two young boys paddle their own small blue canoes. One boy ventures far beyond the buoys before turning back. Another small yellow canoe glides across the water with a father and his son, while the boy’s mother and little sister build sandcastles on the shore. From time to time, passing boats leave gentle ripples across the sea. 

A large family helps a boy with a disability reach the shoreline and gently lower him into the ocean. Every member of the family smiles, as though they have accomplished something deeply meaningful together. Far away, another young boy in a wheelchair makes soft humming sounds as he watches the blue ripples stretching across the sea. His father quietly listens to his song.

A park worker wearing a jacket lettered “Nature Scape” empties the overflowing trash bins and disappears down the path on his skateboard. A man plays beautiful music on his guitar, while another couple sings together half a mile away.

The fishing pier is crowded with men, women, and children. Their buckets hold only a few small fish. Nearby, others enjoy beer, sausages, and hamburgers. The smell of kimchi drifts through the air, adding an unexpected touch to the seaside atmosphere.  

Under the large trees, two or three people sit quietly on folding chairs, gazing at the sea. Men in blue-gray suits and women in pink dresses smile as they take wedding photographs with the bride and groom. 

As the day faded into night, a cool, almost chilly wind arrives. People without home gather along the beach like the sea’s night-time guests and build small fires. Volunteers bring them bottles of water and snacks. They spend the night peacefully with their dogs beside the ocean. Before dawn, they quietly disappear, as though promising to return another night.

This is a fictional story inspired by what I saw and imaged during my visit to Grace Beach on Shelter Island.