Suggestions please on nice beach towns for summer vacation (Columbia: for rent, condos)

[pcity]

True, it's mostly a Jersey thing.

The Jersey beaches need the revenue to buy sand. If they were left to nature, there would be no beach left, thanks to erosion.

[SiestaBay]

I agree, head to Cape May! Charming area that's close to Wildwood and Atlantic City if you get the bug to have a little more action. Wildwood is great if you have kids, or just a kid at heart!

NC is just a whole lot of nothing. I guess if you like nothing it's a good fit, but personally I like to be able to drive a couple minutes and have other activities besides the beach to fill my day. Check out Cape May, you'll be pleasantly surprised with the quaintness yet distance to more activities.

[nwlv]

Nothing quite as entertaining as Cronulla.

[MattVA]

Virginia Beach is always a good option. Stay in the North End (less touristy) at the VA Beach Resort Hotel. Quiet, clean and safe.

[claremarie]

You won't need beach tags anywhere in the Outer Banks, and you'll have plenty of room to spread out without bumping into the folks next to you. That will not be the case on any of the Jersey beaches, especially if you go after school gets out.
And if you want to escape commercialization, forget about Wildwood and (especially) Atlantic City.
Cape May Point is very nice, but having to drive to the beach every day with children in tow is a drag.

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by pcity

True, it's mostly a Jersey thing.

The Jersey beaches need the revenue to buy sand. If they were left to nature, there would be no beach left, thanks to erosion.

It's also because instead of taxing just the residents they figure they'll charge the people who are actually using the beach for cleaning and maintaining it.

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by claremarie

You won't need beach tags anywhere in the Outer Banks, and you'll have plenty of room to spread out without bumping into the folks next to you. That will not be the case on any of the Jersey beaches, especially if you go after school gets out.
And if you want to escape commercialization, forget about Wildwood and (especially) Atlantic City.
Cape May Point is very nice, but having to drive to the beach every day with children in tow is a drag.

A big bathroom always trumped walking for my mother, so we ended up at the Point. As far as crowds, at this particular beach if you walk the extra 20 feet to the other side of the bunker then it's usually empty (my father hates being around people). Everyone tends to crowd around the first entrance and the convent, so it's not a big deal to avoid it all. One reason I really liked it as a kid was that it was easy to do something else and get out of the sun if I wanted to (took a few nature walks, climbed the lighthouse, and hung out in the air conditioned museum). The daily dolphin "show" was always cool, too.

And I agree about Wildwood & Atlantic City. It's fun for an evening, and kids love the rides, but I wouldn't stay there. If you want a boardwalk I like Ocean City a lot better.

[Skapov]

Originally Posted by Melbourne Family

Thank-you all for your suggestions. I've started to google all of the towns mentioned to see what I can find. Have found that some of the areas have huge vacation homes (ie sleep 20 people etc) but we only need something for the 4 of us so I will keep searching.


Thanks again for all of your suggestions.

My boss goes to Outer Banks each September, renting a large home to accomodate 3 families (about 20 people), but I also have your dilemmna in that I only need accomodations for 3 (including a baby who will turn 1 this summer).

Can anybody recommend the BEST BEACH for a Couple + Baby? Is Cape May, NJ stroller friendly? Thanks!

[Caladium]

If you go to Cape May off season, stay at the Congress Hall. It's called that because it actually served as a Congressional meeting place back in the 1770's. It gets crowded uin the summer and you won't get the best rooms--but in early spring and late fall it's just a wonderful place.

[Melbourne Family]

Thanks again everyone for all the info. Have been busy googling, Cape May looks like such a cute town, the Outer Banks beaches also look very appealing so now it's just a matter of finding accomodation that suits our family of 4 so that we can make a final decision.