Sands Point
Quick Facts
County: Nassau County
Zip Code: 11050
Approximate Population: 2,712 (2020 Census)
Incorporated: 1910 (Village)
Distance to Manhattan: ~25 miles
LIRR Station: Port Washington (terminus of the Port Washington Branch), approximately 5 minutes by car
Nearest Major Roadways: Middle Neck Road, Port Washington Boulevard (NY-101), Long Island Expressway (I-495)
Minimum Lot Size: 1 to 2 acres (village zoning)
Community Overview
Sands Point is an incorporated village at the tip of the Cow Neck Peninsula, surrounded by Long Island Sound to the north, Manhasset Bay to the west, and Hempstead Harbor to the east. It is entirely residential — there is no commercial zoning anywhere within village limits. No stores, no restaurants, no office buildings. That's by design, and it's the single most defining characteristic of the community.
The village covers nearly 3,000 acres and is home to approximately 900 households. Streets are lined with mature trees, stone walls, and long driveways that often obscure the homes behind them. Lot sizes are large — the village's zoning requires a minimum of one to two acres per parcel, depending on the section. The result is a landscape that feels more like a private nature preserve than a suburb.
Sands Point is part of the Greater Port Washington area. Residents share the 11050 zip code with Port Washington and rely on Port Washington's downtown for daily commerce — groceries at North Shore Farms, dining along Main Street, the public library, and the LIRR station. The village has its own police department, its own village hall (at 26 Tibbits Lane), and its own governance, but the day-to-day rhythm of life is tied to Port Washington.
Sands Point is one of Long Island's original Gold Coast communities. The Guggenheim, Gould, Vanderbilt, and Hearst families all maintained estates here in the early 20th century. Literary historians widely consider Sands Point and the surrounding peninsula to be the inspiration for "East Egg" in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Several of those estates still stand, and the Sands Point Preserve — the former Guggenheim property — is now a 216-acre county park open to the public.
Things to Do / Lifestyle & Amenities
Because Sands Point has no commercial zoning, there are no shops, restaurants, or retail businesses within the village. Daily life revolves around the nearby downtowns of Port Washington and Manhasset.
Port Washington's Main Street, a short drive south, offers over 50 restaurants, independent shops, the Dolphin Bookshop & Cafe, and the Landmark on Main Street performing arts center. North Shore Farms on Port Washington Boulevard is the primary grocery option. The Port Washington Public Library — which serves Sands Point residents — provides extensive programming and community resources.
The Americana Manhasset, located on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset, is one of the most recognized luxury retail destinations on Long Island, with tenants including Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès.
The Sands Point Preserve is the village's cultural anchor. The 216-acre property hosts concerts, chamber music series, art exhibitions, guided mansion tours of Hempstead House and Falaise, ecotherapy walks, watercolor workshops, and seasonal events including the annual Gala Blanca. The Four Seasons in Music chamber series, held inside Hempstead House, is now in its eighth season.
Several private clubs operate in or near Sands Point, offering golf, tennis, swimming, and social programming for members.
Outdoor Recreation
Sands Point's geography — a peninsula tip surrounded by water on three sides — makes outdoor access one of the village's defining features.
Sands Point Preserve
The former Guggenheim estate covers 216 acres of wooded trails, gardens, shoreline, and historic buildings. The preserve includes Hempstead House (a 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion), Falaise (the Harry Guggenheim estate overlooking Long Island Sound), Castle Gould, a woodland playground, a dog run, and a pond. Trails loop through the property with views of Long Island Sound. The preserve is open Wednesday through Sunday, with admission of $15 per car or free for Conservancy members. Guided tours of Hempstead House and Falaise run on scheduled dates throughout the year.
Village Beaches & Waterfront
Sands Point has private beach access along the Sound. The village's waterfront stretches along the northern and western edges of the peninsula, offering views across Long Island Sound toward Connecticut and west across Manhasset Bay.
Nearby Parks
Manorhaven Beach Park, North Hempstead Beach Park, Bar Beach Park, and Bay Walk Park in Port Washington are all within a short drive. Christopher Morley Park, a 98-acre Nassau County facility with a pool, ice rink, tennis courts, and dog park, is located just south of Port Washington.
Boating & Water Access
Marinas along Manhasset Bay provide slip access, and the Town Dock in Port Washington offers public waterfront access. Boat rental and charter services are available at Inspiration Wharf on Main Street. Yacht clubs in the surrounding area offer sailing programs and waterfront amenities.
Nearby Communities
Sands Point sits at the northern tip of the Cow Neck Peninsula, with Port Washington directly to the south serving as the commercial and commuter hub for the area. Manhasset, further south along Plandome Road, offers its own LIRR station, a walkable downtown, and the Americana Manhasset shopping district. Plandome, a small incorporated village between Port Washington and Manhasset, shares the same LIRR branch and school district. To the east along the North Shore, Roslyn offers a historic village center, and Sea Cliff provides its own waterfront character.
For a broader look at all the communities we cover, visit our communities hub.
Commute to Manhattan
Sands Point does not have its own train station. Residents commute via the Port Washington LIRR station, located approximately five minutes south by car. The Port Washington Branch is the only LIRR line that runs directly to both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison without requiring a transfer at Jamaica.
Nearest LIRR Station: Port Washington (terminus of the Port Washington Branch) Distance to Station: ~5 minutes by car from most parts of the village Branch: Port Washington Branch Typical Travel Time to Penn Station: ~35 to 48 minutes depending on express vs. local Service to Grand Central Madison: Direct, approximately hourly Train Frequency: Every 15 to 30 minutes during peak hours; approximately every 30 minutes off-peak
Driving to Midtown Manhattan: Approximately 22 to 25 miles. Without traffic, the drive takes roughly 35 to 40 minutes via Middle Neck Road south to the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, or via Northern Boulevard through Queens to the Queensboro (59th Street) Bridge. During peak commute hours, expect 55 to 80 minutes depending on tunnel and bridge conditions.
Primary Driving Routes: Middle Neck Road south to Port Washington Boulevard, then to I-495 (LIE) westbound toward the Queens-Midtown Tunnel; or Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) west through Flushing to the Queensboro Bridge.
Bus: There are no public bus routes within Sands Point. The nearest bus service is the n23 (NICE bus), which runs through Port Washington to the Mineola Intermodal Center.
History
The land that is now Sands Point was originally inhabited by the Matinecock people. In 1644, European settlers — Dutch and English colonists — purchased the territory comprising the Cow Neck Peninsula and its vicinity from the Matinecock. Among the earliest European landholding families were the Sands, Mott, and Cornwell families, whose names remain on streets and landmarks throughout the area.
The Village of Sands Point was incorporated in 1910, formed primarily from land belonging to the Cornwell, Sands, and Vanderbilt families. In 1912, the village absorbed the adjacent incorporated villages of Barker's Point and Mott's Point. In 1932, the Harbor Acres community — located between Sands Point and the Beacon Hill section of unincorporated Port Washington — was annexed into the village.
During the Gold Coast era of the early 20th century, Sands Point became home to some of the wealthiest families in America. Daniel Guggenheim purchased the 216-acre Hempstead House estate in 1917. His son Harry Guggenheim, founder of Newsday, built the Falaise estate nearby in 1923. William Randolph Hearst, the Astor family, and Alva Vanderbilt Belmont all maintained properties in the village. The Sands Point Preserve, now a county park, occupies the former Guggenheim estate and is one of the best-preserved Gold Coast properties on Long Island.
The village has also served as a filming location for major productions, including The Godfather, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Gilded Age, and Game of Thrones. Notable former residents include composer John Philip Sousa, comedian Jackie Gleason, and singer Perry Como.
Real Estate Overview
Sands Point's real estate market is defined by large lots, estate-scale properties, and limited inventory. The village is entirely residential with no commercial zoning, and the minimum lot size ranges from one to two acres depending on the section. That zoning has preserved the low-density, private character of the community.
Architectural styles vary widely. The inventory includes original Gold Coast estates, Georgian and Tudor-style mansions from the 1920s and 1930s, mid-century moderns, colonials, ranches, shingle-style homes, and newer construction. Waterfront properties along Long Island Sound and Manhasset Bay command the highest prices. Inland estates on multi-acre lots offer a different kind of privacy — set back from the road behind mature landscaping and long driveways.
The median home price in Sands Point generally tracks between $2.5 million and $3.5 million, though waterfront and estate-scale properties frequently list in the $4 million to $10 million range and above. Entry-level pricing — typically for older homes on smaller lots or those requiring renovation — starts around $1.5 million to $2 million. The market moves at a deliberate pace, with average days on market ranging from 90 to 200+ days depending on price point and condition.
Inventory is consistently limited. In any given month, there are typically 15 to 25 active listings across the entire village. Turnover is low — many homeowners hold properties for decades.
Search homes for sale in Sands Point | Get a free home valuation
Schools
Sands Point is served by the Port Washington Union Free School District (UFSD), which operates seven schools serving students in grades PK through 12. The district includes five elementary schools — Guggenheim Elementary (located within Sands Point), John J. Daly Elementary, John Philip Sousa Elementary, Manorhaven Elementary, and South Salem Elementary — along with Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School and Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School.
As of the 2024–2025 school year, the district enrolls approximately 5,200 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1.
For additional details, visit the Port Washington UFSD website or review district information on GreatSchools.org.
Who Considers Sands Point?
Buyers consider Sands Point for privacy, land, and proximity to water — on a scale that's difficult to find this close to Manhattan.
The village's zoning (one- to two-acre minimums) and lack of commercial development create a level of seclusion that is uncommon on Long Island's North Shore. Buyers looking for estate-scale living — multi-acre lots, long driveways, mature landscaping — often focus on Sands Point early in their search.
Waterfront access is another primary draw. Sands Point has shoreline along Long Island Sound and Manhasset Bay, and waterfront properties with deep-water access, private docks, and Sound views are among the most sought-after listings on the North Shore.
The Sands Point Preserve, the Port Washington school district, and the direct LIRR service from Port Washington to both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison are additional factors. Buyers relocating from Manhattan, Brooklyn, or other North Shore communities like Manhasset and Port Washington frequently consider Sands Point as a move up in terms of land, privacy, and waterfront access.
The village also has its own police department, which is a detail buyers in this price range often note.
Buying or Selling in Sands Point?
Eric Berman and The Eric Berman Team at Compass operate from the North Shore, with direct knowledge of Sands Point and the broader Port Washington peninsula. The team works with buyers and sellers across the village — from waterfront estates on the Sound to inland properties in Harriman Estates and Harbor Acres. Market insight is grounded in real transaction experience, not general commentary.
Search homes for sale in Sands Point
Why list with The Eric Berman Team
Call Eric Berman directly: 917-225-8596
Frequently Asked Questions About Sands Point
Q: How far is Sands Point from Manhattan?
A: Sands Point is approximately 25 miles from Midtown Manhattan. Residents commute via the Port Washington LIRR station, about five minutes south by car, which provides direct service to Penn Station in roughly 35 minutes on express trains and to Grand Central Madison in approximately 45 to 50 minutes. By car, the drive takes 35 to 40 minutes without traffic and 55 to 80 minutes during peak hours.
Q: Is there a train station in Sands Point?
A: There is no train station within the Village of Sands Point. The nearest station is Port Washington, the terminus of the LIRR's Port Washington Branch, located approximately five minutes south by car. The Port Washington Branch provides direct service to both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison without a transfer at Jamaica.
Q: What types of homes are available in Sands Point?
A: Sands Point is entirely single-family residential with minimum lot sizes of one to two acres. Homes range from original Gold Coast estates and Tudor mansions to mid-century moderns, colonials, and new construction. Prices generally range from approximately $1.5 million for older homes requiring renovation up through $10 million and above for waterfront estates.
Q: What school district serves Sands Point?
A: Sands Point is served by the Port Washington Union Free School District, which operates five elementary schools (including Guggenheim Elementary in Sands Point), one middle school, and one high school (Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School). The district enrolls approximately 5,200 students. Details are available at portnet.org and on GreatSchools.org.
Q: What is the Sands Point Preserve?
A: The Sands Point Preserve is a 216-acre county park on the former Guggenheim estate. It includes wooded trails, gardens, shoreline, a woodland playground, a dog run, and three historic buildings: Hempstead House, Falaise, and Castle Gould. The preserve hosts cultural events, guided mansion tours, a chamber music series, art workshops, and seasonal events. It is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Q: Are there shops or restaurants in Sands Point?
A: No. Sands Point has no commercial zoning. There are no shops, restaurants, or businesses within the village. Residents use nearby Port Washington for daily commerce — groceries, dining, and services are all located along Main Street and Port Washington Boulevard, approximately five minutes south.
Q: What is the Greater Port Washington area?
A: Sands Point is part of the Greater Port Washington area, which includes the hamlet of Port Washington and the incorporated villages of Sands Point, Baxter Estates, Manorhaven, Port Washington North, and parts of Flower Hill and Plandome Manor. The area shares the Port Washington UFSD, the Port Washington LIRR station, and the 11050 zip code, with a combined population of approximately 33,000.
