Eastern Shore - why so ugly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just returned from the Spring Break in Lewes Beach. OMG - what was I thinking?! First time there and this was miserable. Close to zero attractions. They have a massive road just outside the town with endless shopping malls. Is that how the beach towns feel like on the East Coast?! We drove to Bethany Beach, which was just so ugly. Zero charm and so much ugliness. Sorry - a recent transplant from France here and my disappointment is huge. Is OXC equally as ugly? Is Florida better?

. Atlantic ocean is mostly ugly. OBX is terrible for me. I like Ft Myers and St Pete beach area and nothing in the states equals San Tropez

+1

[Anonymous]

We prefer VA Beach. Water slide park, historic aviation museum, VA Marine Science Museum, and lots of oceanfront beach, both in the main tourist area and south at Sandbridge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try Cape May

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Midatlantic East Coast beaches suck.

Signed,
Californian

West coast US far superior.

I can’t imagine people visiting US for the first time, and seeing west before east. That might be the most disappointing itinerary decision .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Midatlantic East Coast beaches suck.

Signed,
Californian

California’s beaches are cold and sharky.

PS - Your state’s southernmost beaches are so overrun with toxic pollutants from Mexico (and perhaps your own state) that the stench permeates the area. What’s up with that? All over national news in recent weeks.

Signed,

Marylander

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Midatlantic East Coast beaches suck.

Signed,
Californian

West coast US far superior.

I can’t imagine people visiting US for the first time, and seeing west before east. That might be the most disappointing itinerary decision .

Cannon Beach and the entire northern pacific coast beaches are dark and gloomy. Plus, they lack amenities and activities. Think: OBX but with bad weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think OBX, especially farther south has gorgeous beaches- but it’s the natural beauty, not beautiful buildings or architecture.

What kind of beauty were you looking for, OP? We were just at the beach in France, and I didn’t find the actual beach to be that pretty, but the buildings and town around were absolutely gorgeous and charming.

Agree. Hatteras Island is beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Midatlantic East Coast beaches suck.

Signed,
Californian

West coast US far superior.

I can’t imagine people visiting US for the first time, and seeing west before east. That might be the most disappointing itinerary decision .

Cannon Beach and the entire northern pacific coast beaches are dark and gloomy. Plus, they lack amenities and activities. Think: OBX but with bad weather.

lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Midatlantic East Coast beaches suck.

Signed,
Californian

West coast US far superior.

I can’t imagine people visiting US for the first time, and seeing west before east. That might be the most disappointing itinerary decision .

Cannon Beach and the entire northern pacific coast beaches are dark and gloomy. Plus, they lack amenities and activities. Think: OBX but with bad weather.

Troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Midatlantic East Coast beaches suck.

Signed,
Californian

California’s beaches are cold and sharky.

PS - Your state’s southernmost beaches are so overrun with toxic pollutants from Mexico (and perhaps your own state) that the stench permeates the area. What’s up with that? All over national news in recent weeks.

Signed,

Marylander

This is an obvious attempt to embarrass Marylanders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Midatlantic East Coast beaches suck.

Signed,
Californian

West coast US far superior.

I can’t imagine people visiting US for the first time, and seeing west before east. That might be the most disappointing itinerary decision .

Cannon Beach and the entire northern pacific coast beaches are dark and gloomy. Plus, they lack amenities and activities. Think: OBX but with bad weather.

Troll.

Not trolling, just stating facts.

Even google confirms that Cannon Beach (known as the best OR beach) isn’t ideal for swimming given the cold water year round and dangerous currents. The weather is notoriously cloudy. Sand is dark and the overall vibe is gloomy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Commercial development tends to ruin the charm that popular beach destinations may have once had. The east end of Long Island retains it somewhat in places, especially on the north fork and out of season. The Atlantic beaches out there are mostly pristine and lovely.

I agree. 25 years ago, Lewes was charming, quiet and the only chain store or restaurant was Dairy Queen near the beach. Hardly any traffic, nice local shops and eateries. We took our kids 10 years ago and were shocked at the change. We will not go back. I used to turn my nose at OC, Md, but my teens convinced me to take them last summer. We had a blast. I embraced the tackiness and experienced it through my kids eyes. OC has long been overdeveloped and the sea is eroding it away. Assateague is a gem. Op should probably hop on a plane for the next vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Midatlantic East Coast beaches suck.

Signed,
Californian

West coast US far superior.

I can’t imagine people visiting US for the first time, and seeing west before east. That might be the most disappointing itinerary decision .

Cannon Beach and the entire northern pacific coast beaches are dark and gloomy. Plus, they lack amenities and activities. Think: OBX but with bad weather.

Troll.

Not trolling, just stating facts.

Even google confirms that Cannon Beach (known as the best OR beach) isn’t ideal for swimming given the cold water year round and dangerous currents. The weather is notoriously cloudy. Sand is dark and the overall vibe is gloomy.

Your experience with these beaches is google? That telling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Commercial development tends to ruin the charm that popular beach destinations may have once had. The east end of Long Island retains it somewhat in places, especially on the north fork and out of season. The Atlantic beaches out there are mostly pristine and lovely.

I agree. 25 years ago, Lewes was charming, quiet and the only chain store or restaurant was Dairy Queen near the beach. Hardly any traffic, nice local shops and eateries. We took our kids 10 years ago and were shocked at the change. We will not go back. I used to turn my nose at OC, Md, but my teens convinced me to take them last summer. We had a blast. I embraced the tackiness and experienced it through my kids eyes. OC has long been overdeveloped and the sea is eroding it away. Assateague is a gem. Op should probably hop on a plane for the next vacation.

Lewes is still charming. The complaints are about the Rt. 1 corridor which of course is hideous. Also, +1000 this is not the "Eastern Shore"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Midatlantic East Coast beaches suck.

Signed,
Californian

California’s beaches are cold and sharky.

PS - Your state’s southernmost beaches are so overrun with toxic pollutants from Mexico (and perhaps your own state) that the stench permeates the area. What’s up with that? All over national news in recent weeks.

Signed,

Marylander

This is an obvious attempt to embarrass Marylanders.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/04/05/imperial-beach-presses-forward-as-pollution-crisis-persists/

I guess the Californian doesn’t follow the news?

SoCal beaches have been impacted by pollutants from the Tijuana River (apparently raw sewage) for years, and the locals are struggling to get the Governor to enact a state of emergency. People are getting sick, and some have abandoned their oceanfront homes. The fumes/odor go far beyond the coast.

It’s a big problem.

I’m sure the state will eventually take action. Some legislation was introduced last week and the state is engaged in talks with Mexico.

Hey, I know it sucks. And we have our own issues on the east coast. But this is a really big problem…along with your whole shark situation. (But in fairness, we have a shark problem on the Cape.)