Just back from a week in Rehoboth…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read this entire thread and am shocked that no one remembers that Reboboth was the gay beach before being openly gay was a thing. At night there were couples out a little more openly but it was sort of scandalous and definitely took it down a level or two as being a family beach. It wasn’t the status beach. OC was fun beach. Bethany was boring beach. Rehobeth was gay beach. I’m a DC native about 50 years old and that is how it was. And some of the status Rehobeth later acquired was due to the amazing houses built by some of gay couples. I recall a house with an amazing blue tile roof. Anyway, clearly none of you are natives because that is how it was.

This.

The gays made Rehoboth a nicer beach town.

I’m 50 and I remember seeing preppy people on the boardwalk. Those days are done. The rehoboth boardwalk attracts the same people as OC…anyone who claims different is delusional.

Anyway, overdevelopment ruined Rehoboth and Bethany. Fenwick and North OC are the best local beaches these days. And ICYMI: Lewes is on the bay…it’s not a real beach.

[Anonymous]

It may be the "closest" beach by driving distance. But getting there is hardly "easy" especially just for a weekend. I'd much rather put in slightly more effort to go somewhere less crowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read this entire thread and am shocked that no one remembers that Reboboth was the gay beach before being openly gay was a thing. At night there were couples out a little more openly but it was sort of scandalous and definitely took it down a level or two as being a family beach. It wasn’t the status beach. OC was fun beach. Bethany was boring beach. Rehobeth was gay beach. I’m a DC native about 50 years old and that is how it was. And some of the status Rehobeth later acquired was due to the amazing houses built by some of gay couples. I recall a house with an amazing blue tile roof. Anyway, clearly none of you are natives because that is how it was.

Things have changed so, so much. "The gays," starting with the Blue Moon, were largely responsible for bringing upscale dining to Rehoboth. But boy, was it controversial, as this 1985 article demonstrates (not sure how it got through with Rehoboth spelled wrong, but I digress):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/08/13/rehobeth/7206ac72-cc6f-4bbc-a65a-3827e9eb2829/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read this entire thread and am shocked that no one remembers that Reboboth was the gay beach before being openly gay was a thing. At night there were couples out a little more openly but it was sort of scandalous and definitely took it down a level or two as being a family beach. It wasn’t the status beach. OC was fun beach. Bethany was boring beach. Rehobeth was gay beach. I’m a DC native about 50 years old and that is how it was. And some of the status Rehobeth later acquired was due to the amazing houses built by some of gay couples. I recall a house with an amazing blue tile roof. Anyway, clearly none of you are natives because that is how it was.

I'm 51 and of course remember that it was the gay beach. I think that's part of why I still like it there, it feels more chill and accepting than some other places. Of course, like anywhere, it's not going to be everyone's favorite place, and that's fine. I find it to be a place where I can go and relax and not have to think too much for a week. I like that we rent a house with a screened porch, and we rent during a week where the temps are usually pretty moderate and I can sit outside and read a book. I can walk down to the beach and enjoy the sound of the waves. I can go to Browseabout and do my book shopping for the year. Most importantly, the whole family can be together and just relax, and as I get older, that's probably the greatest thing of all.