Anonymous
Post 04/23/2026 12:43     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
If you're willing to venture further, Isle of Palms, Kiawah, Sullivan's Island in South Carolina area also really charming. Also close to Charleston for great restaurants.
Anonymous
Post 04/23/2026 12:41     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
Ocracoke in NC is really cute.
Chincoteague in VA eastern shore charming and small.

Anonymous
Post 04/23/2026 12:17     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
Anonymous wrote:Florida has the best beaches, if you want to actually swim in addition to just be in the sun on the beach. And I could not even pick one because there are so many gorgeous ones both on west and east coast and panhandle. The water is like taking the most comfortable bath, and stunning shades of blue. There are beautiful, rugged beaches on the West coast but that is very different and more for fresh air, walks by the seaside. If you love Brittany beaches, then Maine or northern Cal will be your speed.


Are we only counting states and not US territories?

Caribbean is 3.5 hour flight from DMV with world class swim/snorkel/surf/etc beaches. If states only, we very much prefer Hawaii beaches to Florida. If I'm in DMV area, the distance to Hawaii isn't great, but again the Caribbean is right there. I get it if you need something driving distance for a long weekend with kids. Absent those constraints, Florida or anywhere in the east coast is a distant option from what else is available.

Anonymous
Post 04/23/2026 11:43     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
Florida has the best beaches, if you want to actually swim in addition to just be in the sun on the beach. And I could not even pick one because there are so many gorgeous ones both on west and east coast and panhandle. The water is like taking the most comfortable bath, and stunning shades of blue. There are beautiful, rugged beaches on the West coast but that is very different and more for fresh air, walks by the seaside. If you love Brittany beaches, then Maine or northern Cal will be your speed.
Anonymous
Post 04/23/2026 11:38     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
Anonymous wrote:
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.



Haha, anyone claiming some beach in Oregon has any recreational value compared to a mid Atlantic beach is just trolling.


Do you consider hiking a recreational activity? Do you agree that scenery adds value to a hike?



Anonymous
Post 04/23/2026 09:08     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP … Brit here who childhood summers in France on various coasts. America is just not as beautiful as Europe. I still miss it every day. The only place that’s anything close is Southern California (where I spent most of my 20 years in America and just moved back to from DC). The East coast is especially underwhelming to Europeans in my experience. We are spoilt for choice with so many amazing places in close proximity in Europe, so we have high expectations.


What exactly in Southern California is close to Europe? I honestly want to know what it is.


Not SoCal, but Big Sur, Eastern Sierra, Yosemite, Death Valley, Tahoe, Sequoia NP, Joshua Tree NP, San Francisco…etc, are all beautiful and can rival/equal anything in Europe. Europe is great, but one thing we have are much better wide-open spaces. If you appreciate nature and wild places, the U.S. has Europe beat.
Anonymous
Post 04/23/2026 08:21     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
Chestertown
Easton
Kent Island
Oxford
Smith Island
St. Michael’s
Tilghman Island

^^^
That’s what comes to mind when you say the Eastern Shore…at least for Marylanders.

Find a nice sunny day and visit St. Michael’s. Get on a boat, eat crabs. 🦀
Anonymous
Post 04/23/2026 07:46     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
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.


You do not need to go all the way out to the East end for undeveloped Atlantic beaches on Long Island. Almost the entire Atlantic shore is either protected state or federal land once you leave Queens in New York City. You are going to have to share it with other people but there is little commercial development.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2026 23:37     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
Anonymous wrote:OP … Brit here who childhood summers in France on various coasts. America is just not as beautiful as Europe. I still miss it every day. The only place that’s anything close is Southern California (where I spent most of my 20 years in America and just moved back to from DC). The East coast is especially underwhelming to Europeans in my experience. We are spoilt for choice with so many amazing places in close proximity in Europe, so we have high expectations.


What exactly in Southern California is close to Europe? I honestly want to know what it is.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2026 23:34     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
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.



Haha, anyone claiming some beach in Oregon has any recreational value compared to a mid Atlantic beach is just trolling.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 07:17     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
I've been all over and Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Florida beaches are the best. Hawaii is beautiful but far. Cali beaches I find are too cold. So many better options than Ocean s8itty.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 07:14     Subject: Re:Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Maryland (MoCo) and live in Northern Virginia now. I spent many summer vacations in Bethany, OBX etc. Fewer in Florida admittedly. I married someone whose family lives in sourthern CA roughly 18 years ago. There are 4 beach resort towns (and amazig resorts) from San Diego north to Pismo Beach that we visit regularly - and have returned to many times over the years before and after having kids. Sadly, I have never found their equal on the east coast, despite REALLY wanting to. Yes, east coast beach towns have some charm, but you just don't get the level of well kept 4-5 star luxury resorts with amazing pools, beaches, golf and amenities (like being a short drive from wine regions). I get the coastlines are just different, but wish we had similar resorts (especially in the mid-atlantic)


I think Long Island beaches are the prettiest on the East coast, the towns are a mixed bag. I also love the beaches of Northern California, for their beauty but not as somewhere I’d want to spend a day in a bathing suit swimming. SoCal beaches do nothing for me.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 06:41     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
Anonymous wrote:If there is one thing we can fix on this thread can we all agree "Eastern Shore" is the Chesapeake Bay. I've never once heard anyone who lived in the DMV area refer to the actual Ocean as the "Eastern Shore".

https://www.visitmaryland.org/regions-cities/eastern-shore


+1
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 21:18     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
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?


Yes. MD, VA, NJ etc beaches are ugly. Zero charm and zero scenery. Ugly and cold ocean water. Only people who like them are those who grew up here and it’s all nostalgia.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 14:09     Subject: Eastern Shore - why so ugly?
St. Michael's is charming.