between Memorial Day and Labor Day. With 600 miles of coastline and 150 fresh and saltwater beaches, the

Cape is a great place to get away from the heat. However, locals believe that fall is truly the best time to visit.

MoreBeach.com, a website that provides detailed information about Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket,

recently completed a survey of Cape Cod locals on when they tell friends to visit and why. Fall was the universal

choice for time of year. Following are the most popular reasons:

* Crowds are gone - There are no more miles-long backups getting onto and off of the Cape. Waiting at

restaurants is over. Beach parking lots have plenty of spaces, bike trails are wide open and getting a tee time for

golf is a snap. It's even possible for a car to make left-hand turn again!

* The weather is perfect - It's comfortably warm during the day and nicely cool at night. The sky is a brilliant

blue and the lower angle of the sun creates stronger shadows that inspire artists. Sunrises and sunsets are fantastic.

* No more bugs. Bites from greenhead flies and the tiny flying pinheads that locals call "noseeums" are fees, like

beach parking, paid only from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

* Free access to all beaches - During summer you need to have a town beach sticker to visit many of the Cape’s

best beaches – beaches which are truly for “locals only.” There is no reciprocity between towns so a sticker from

Sandwich, for example, will not be helpful in Wellfleet. In the summertime the beaches that are available to the

public often charge parking fees of $15 per day. After Labor Day all of the beaches are open and the parking fees

are gone. In early fall the water is still warm enough to enjoy.

* Prime time for bird watching - Cape Cod is a rest stop for birds migrating south for the winter. The marshes

and ponds are great for viewing.

* Off season lodging rates and great shopping - Ten years ago much of the Cape closed up after Labor Day. Not

anymore. Today all of the best shops remain open through Christmas. Season activities are plentiful.

* Friendlier locals - Cape Codders smile again when the tourist deluge becomes a drizzle. Just stop and ask one

where you can get the best "chowdah."

* Fall foliage late in the season - When the leaves have peaked in New Hampshire and Vermont they’re just

getting started on the Cape - until then, flowers of all shapes and colors are still in bloom.

* Great surfing - Hurricanes following the Gulf Stream often send clean overhead waves to Cape Cod’s Atlantic

beaches. Join in or just watch the fun.