2022
Ahh, this is a refreshing post! Really feeling the seabreeze in this one.
I haven't been up to the northern beaches in probably 11 months! The last time I was there I probably strolled through all the way from Warringah Mall through to Freshwater and then down to Shelly Beach. The coastal walk is so amazing. I didn't take many pictures of those, except for this one I believe I took at Mckillop Park.
@HelloSamsonR @OSAMA, I have not been to much of these northern beaches, but by the summer I'll probably end up being here every weekend hehe! Happy to take ya'll around, but me no drive, yet.
Thank you @GillianC for sharing all these great pictures and excellent reviews plus fantastic stories of dolphins and community contributions too.
Image of Freshwater Beach from above the ocean pool
Image of the walk between Turimetta and Warriewood
Image of the trampoline at Newport Beach
Image of the view from Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Palm Beach
In answer to your question: Yes visited and live by the beaches. This is an awesome rundown of my home base beaches. Thank you @GillianC i know just a couple of extraordinary a treats in Cooks Terrace and the Basin beach at Mona Vale. That's to have a meet up here soon @Briggs
Thanks again Gillian For an excellent well written, interesting, descriptive coverage of every one Sydney's gorgeous glorious Northern Beaches.
Dee Why Beach from The Beach shed coffee shop and cafe.
The Dee Why Beach hut (originally a boat shed, now converted into a wonderful cafe with super views) is a delicious place to catch a quick flavourful coffee and scrumptious food too.
Really cool how Gillian talks of the amazing beauty and unique features of every one. Along with a wonderful review of all the delightful cafes and places to eat as well. Kudos.
Long Reef headland
There are so many wonderful unique features to every beach on Sydney's Northern beaches. The walk from Dee Why along the beach to Long Reef is a magical wonder in paradise. Long Reef beach is backed onto Long Reef Golf course that leads to a Nature reserve as the Long Reef headland that is a very popular kites activity area with outstanding views up and down the coast.
I grew up in a place originally known as D.Y. west, now called Cromer. With fun morning runs with my brothers and sisters and our Dad from Dee Why to Long Reef daily. 
We spent every Saturday in the ocean pool at D.Y. swimming club racing against wonderful swimmers like Australian Olympian Lisa Forest. (Lol..I beat her once, she was ill with a flu and I had like a 50 second headstart, and still only just touched the wall ahead of her, she is a great person, very kind and we laughed at the fact even when she was ill she still slices the water and was a pleasure to watch gliding in every stroke.)
Collaroy beach is another fabulous family beach with top quality children's play area fully fenced plus a huge Park area for ball games as well. As @GillianC said it leads on along a long beach that includes South Narrabeen beach , Narrabeen beach and ends at North Narrabeen beach (Where my family were raised in Surf Life saving. 
Most families lucky enough to live on the beaches North and South of Sydney we connected with many locals from all Sydney beach areas. I was a Nippers manager for over 15 years then age managers coordinator then assisting with the IRB (Inflatable rubber boats) too. My daughter did volunteer patrols and it is all also attributed with awards from Pittwater High School in her higher school certificate for extra curricular activities due to the surf life saving. We are very lucky to live here and be able to contribute too.
Turimetta
I agree with you *Turimetta" or as us locals call it 'Little Narrabeen" is a well hidden unpatrolled treasure that is a must visit for all to love. I adore Bungan and Bilgola too as gorgeous beaches I would recommend to all as every single beach on Sydney's Northern coast are all spectacular and have their own special magnificence to be discovered.
The Deck Dee Why Beach popular beach bar and dining, sensational for events.
Dee Why Beach is great for families as Gillian suggests with closed in play areas at each end and terrific B.B.Q access with tables. Also fresh fish ‘n chips plus many outstanding dining restaurants, food and alcohol bars like The Deck and cafes line the beach.
Cooks terrace beach is another unpatrolled beach on the southern end of Mona Vale beach and the little bay called Basin Beach that is part of the beach right beside Mona Vale beach at the northern end is another hidden delight.
As Gillian said Manly is a great beach area. South Steyne people often think of as Manly beach, however it is South, and North Steyne beaches with surfing excellence and history. Plus Queenscliff in all its previous pleasures at the end. The actual Manly beach is the beach that the ferries come into with a shark-net and magical views of the harbour plus a fun for all waterslide and Manly Marine Aquarium Sea Life Sanctuary at one end. A stroll past Manly Wharf along the Cabbage tree bay, past Manly theatre and 4 Pines bar to the Manly 16ft Skiff Club.
Every beach from Manly to Palm Beach (as Gillian very aptly described) are all so spectacular with golden sand and clear clean water. We are so lucky to live here and be able to share our experiences through Google Local Guides on Local Guides Connect and help with reviews pictures and mapping updates on Google Maps. Here are some pictures of some of the Northern beaches from an album I created on Google Photos on all shared on Google Maps.