Rockaway Beach/ Belle Harbor, Breezy, etc. JFK

How have your experiences been there? I did a search in the system and there wasn't all that much on it. I know the other official spotting locales offer closer shots but some approaches to the 4s on Saturday I think it was looked like they could be fruitful. I shot some photos this morning of some departures from the 22s, and from the combination of my lame lense/ camera combo (Nikon D40, which would have been fine, but I only have the 18/55 lens); they were taken from the McDonald's parking lot at the beach end of the Cross Bay Bridge. The planes came straight on before turning south at the handoff to NY Departure control. Unfortunately that turn happened DIRECTLY under the sun; between the short lense and the lighting...it was ugly. I live a bit farther West just off Rockaway Beach and was thinking of shooting from the beach now that beach season has officially arrived. So, what have your experiences been like from the Rockaways if you've gone?