I didn't think I was going to make it to the beach on this trip, but there I was looking at the water from the Hamburg Fish Market and later I even dipped my feet in sand. Central Park in Altona-St. Pauli is a resto/bar/event hall/meeting place/"beach resort". I saw the sand from the street and had to check it out. If I had had more time, I would have stayed longer. Their website --> http://centralpark-hamburg.net/

Sternschanze has an awesome evening/nightlife! When I walked by, every resto/bar/biergarten was full. Take the S11, S21, or S31 to HolstenstraBe, walk toward Max-Brauer-Allee Street, and turn right on Schulterblatt. Plenty of ATMs in the area. Enjoy the beer and cheap food!