What's so great about the beach?

[Anonymous]

I realize this can be a controversial thread and I don't mean to stir up too many bad emotions, but what is so great about going to the beach? Why does going to a Delmarva beach seem to be *the* preferred vacation every summer? Someone please enlighten me. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I've always wondered the same thing. I'm not a nature person or a small-town person, so more than an afternoon sounds a bit dull to me.

[Anonymous]

Do either of you have kids? For a family, the beach is instant entertainment with the sand and surf.

[Anonymous]

Being outside, getting a suntan, playing in the sand, playing in the ocean, playing at the house pool, evenings 'round the table/deck eating good food with friends, playing games, relaxing, sitting in the beach chair in the surf with a corona or marg, etc. etc.

I realize it is not everyone's cup of tea, but it is ours. We have an amazing, relaxing time every year. We usually go to the Outer Banks, though I also like the Delmarva beaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do either of you have kids? For a family, the beach is instant entertainment with the sand and surf.

Of course... and the family would be enchanted for... an afternoon. We find more satisfying entertainment visiting cultural sites or other city centers, post-toddler child included.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do either of you have kids? For a family, the beach is instant entertainment with the sand and surf.

Of course... and the family would be enchanted for... an afternoon. We find more satisfying entertainment visiting cultural sites or other city centers, post-toddler child included.

So do a weekend in Rohobath...you don't have to do a full week in the Outer Banks.

[Anonymous]

I don't go to the beach for entertainment, I go so that my kids can play and swim and run around in the sand. We adults get to do that too, but if we feel like doing nothing, or just keeping an eye on the kids, we get a fabulous view of the ocean which is a nice change from our back yard.

I'm all for cultural sites and city centers, too, but the beach provides for a different sort of pace, without as much of an agenda. That's what makes it relaxing for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do either of you have kids? For a family, the beach is instant entertainment with the sand and surf.

Of course... and the family would be enchanted for... an afternoon. We find more satisfying entertainment visiting cultural sites or other city centers, post-toddler child included.

I think there is satisfying entertainment at both the beach and in a city center. Just different types of entertainment. No reason why your post-toddler child can't enjoy both. When I was a kid, we did a beach vacation one year, then an international trip the next year (London/Dubai... we had family overseas), then back to the beach the next year. Essentially alternating yearly. I have good memories of both types of trips, and hope to do the same for my kids.

[Anonymous]

we go because our kids (5, 5, 2) LOVE it. They talk about it all year long until the next trip.

Growing up my family took all sorts of "exotic" vacations but most of my fondest memories are of the beach (not Paris, not Yellowstone, just the sun, sand, and endless lazy days).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do either of you have kids? For a family, the beach is instant entertainment with the sand and surf.

Of course... and the family would be enchanted for... an afternoon. We find more satisfying entertainment visiting cultural sites or other city centers, post-toddler child included.

Ew. Get out in nature once in awhile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do either of you have kids? For a family, the beach is instant entertainment with the sand and surf.

Yep have kids and my kids do like the beach. But they also loved our trip to Disney this year. If we went to Disney every single year so many people would most likely look at us like we were crazy and ask why we go to Disney so much but wouldn't get that same question by going to the beach every year.

I find the mountains to be relaxing as well and my kids enjoy it too. So why aren't the mountains the *preferred* vacation spot among a large number of people instead of the beach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do either of you have kids? For a family, the beach is instant entertainment with the sand and surf.

Yep have kids and my kids do like the beach. But they also loved our trip to Disney this year. If we went to Disney every single year so many people would most likely look at us like we were crazy and ask why we go to Disney so much but wouldn't get that same question by going to the beach every year.

I find the mountains to be relaxing as well and my kids enjoy it too. So why aren't the mountains the *preferred* vacation spot among a large number of people instead of the beach?

Because there is something about being right next to the ocean that is more relaxing than anything else in the world.

For me this is the case, anyway. I grew up near the ocean and find it unsettling not to have it close by.

[Anonymous]

going to the beach for me is primal; it rejuvenates me...it's a return to the womb, it's immersing myself in the waves our ancestors crawled out of many years ago, it's a fun reliving of my childhood on a coast....though frankly, the green water in this area is a bit scary
My kids enjoy boogie-boarding, burying me in sand, building sandcastles...colelcting shells or sighting dolphins

[Anonymous]

I wish I could enjoy being at a beach! I'm one of those lucky ones who burns easily. I would have to slather on the sunscreen, and would end up just feeling too hot.

[Anonymous]

The PP that said sun, sand and endless lazy days nailed it for me. I don't really want to do anything on my vacation except relax which the beach is perfect for. Coming from DC, I am really not interested in cultural sites or museums etc...unless it's raining at the beach of course but even then I'd be more likely to get out a board game and start the margaritas early. I am stimulated enough by DC that I just want to decompress. Make sense? Thanks!