Is Highland Beach safe?
Edgewater, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Highland Beach as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Highland Beach
“Go. Highland Beach is a historic, peaceful, and exceptionally safe Chesapeake Bay enclave. Visitors can explore its rich African American cultural history and quiet waterfront streets with virtually no safety concerns, provided they respect local parking and residential privacy.”
About the area
Established in 1893 by Charles Douglass as a haven and summer resort for Black Americans, Highland Beach is a small, incorporated waterfront town on the Chesapeake Bay. Today, it remains an affluent, tight-knit residential community renowned for its quiet charm and historic landmark, Twin Oaks.
- Historic / Waterfront
- Quiet & Residential
- Scenic / Coastal
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Highland Beach
Walk score: 15/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There is no bike-share program or dedicated bike lanes in Highland Beach, though local low-speed residential streets are safe for cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Negligible violent and property crime rates well below state and national benchmarks
- Affluent economic profile with high homeownership rates and meticulously maintained properties
- Quiet, close-knit residential environment with profound historic significance
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with zero commercial amenities within town borders
- Strict residential parking restrictions making spontaneous visitor parking difficult
- Narrow residential roads without dedicated sidewalks or bike infrastructure
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is nonexistent in Highland Beach. There are no encampments, panhandling, or related issues in this strictly residential enclave.
What Highland Beach is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp and peaceful with virtually no traffic, making it a safe and scenic time for a walk by the water.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and sleepy, with the occasional neighbor out gardening or walking dogs in complete safety.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Serene and relaxing with gorgeous sunset views over the water and empty residential lanes.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and tranquil; while street lighting is sparse, violent crime is practically nonexistent.
Transit, parking and getting around
Highland Beach has no direct transit service; Anne Arundel County Transit (Gold Route) and Annapolis Transit serve the wider Edgewater/Annapolis corridors several miles away, making a car necessary.
Street parking in Highland Beach is strictly permit-only for residents and invited guests; visitors to the museum must coordinate parking in advance or park in public lots in neighboring areas.
Things to do in Highland Beach
- Tour the Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center at Twin Oaks (by appointment)
- Stroll along the historic waterfront lanes to admire early 20th-century coastal architecture
- Visit adjacent Thomas Point Park nearby for Chesapeake Bay views and fishing
Local favorites
- Yellowfin Steak & Fish House · Seafood Restaurant · 4.3★ (1650)Upscale waterfront dining offering fresh Chesapeake seafood, sushi, and steak with scenic South River views.
- Old Stein Inn · German Restaurant · 4.6★ (1280)Longstanding neighborhood institution serving authentic German dishes, draft beers, and outdoor biergarten seating.
- The Pier Restaurant · American Restaurant · 4.2★ (890)Casual waterfront spot serving classic Maryland crab cakes, sandwiches, and cocktails right on the marina.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.