Anonymous wrote:Fellow Californian here. I'd try to find a lake or riverfront town/park. Beaches here suck!

I don't know, beaches where you freeze your tail off when you go in the water suck to me. And yes, I'm referring to San Diego.

Anonymous wrote:Op here- I want a clean beach with some basic ammenities close by (restaurants etc). I am from California so my beach standards are high- not expecting much from beaches around here! Just looking for fun atmosphere within a 2 hr drive from dc. Sorry i was not more specific!

Um, the beaches on the east coast are warm enough to actually SWIM in. That's a higher standard than pretty much anything in California.

Honestly, as someone who grew up on Maui, I've given up on East Coast beaches. Embrace the mountains.

Another Californian here. Beaches here aren't the same. We like cape may.

Another vote for Fenwick. It's a smaller beach town, no high rises so far less crowded. There's the "busy" part of Fenwick which borders OC MD, and Fenwick State Park which is a bit further north. The area by OC is a bit more busy, however it has a lot within walking distance of the beach: food, restaurants, mini golf, shopping, water park, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fellow beach snob here. Myrtle beach, NJ beaches, NE beaches are all a great bet. Ocean City is too commercial and OBX is kind of dumpy (though people here are nuts about it).

"Beach snob" that likes Myrtle?

My thoughts exactly. I'm from California too. Unless you're referring to San Diego, most southern CA beaches aren't anything to write home about. I much prefer Hawaii or a quick flight to Carribean. To me, Rehoboth is equivalent to Myrtle Beach but way closer and is just fine.

The beach on Assateague/Chincoteague Island is beautiful. It is worth the four hour drive.

Anonymous wrote:I thought Assateague was nice.

Except for the insects....

How about St Michaels? You can find a place with a pool.

I thought Assateague was nice.

Good advice pp. Not from CA, but have been everywhere. You won't find a cool beach w/in driving distance, but Bethany and Fenwick Island are fine. I would look for airfare deals and at least fly to the Atlantic Ocean...South Beach. Whoever mentioned Myrtle Beach must be a hick. Southern beaches in southern states are horrible.

Another Californian here. The hustle and bustle of the east coast beaches is very different from what we are used to.

A nice quiet beach is Fenwick Island state park. There is a food take out place (state run), a bit jarring for those used to noncommercial beaches, and as I recall they rent umbrellas, but otherwise it has much more the feel of a California beach than Ocean City to the south or Rehobeth to the north. The waves of course are not as good, but I have been able to get some body surfing runs in and there are kids with boogie boards.

The bay beaches are hardly worth visiting.

Anonymous wrote:Every beach is going to be more than a 2-hour drive. Rehoboth is the closest.

this. but in all seriousness, aren't california beaches littered with doggy poop and isn't the pacific water freezing? I am just not buying how great your beaches are. Now, if you were from Miami, then ok, I would agree that no other beach compares.

Anonymous wrote:Fellow beach snob here. Myrtle beach, NJ beaches, NE beaches are all a great bet. Ocean City is too commercial and OBX is kind of dumpy (though people here are nuts about it).

"Beach snob" that likes Myrtle?