Do Pennsylvanians vacation to the Jersey Shore often (Pittsburgh, York: beach, parking)

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

You get more bang for your buck (and less people) if you go to the Southern States beaches in North or South Carolina but that's not going to work for a short visit.

Less people on the southern beaches? I've been to Myrtle Beach and found it to be extremely crowded....the 6 lane highway that runs through there is almost constant gridlock....and it seems all the businesses are mainly big chains that you can find anywhere. That's why I like the Jersey shore....its less crowded and its more locally owned mom-and-pop businesses...its relaxing and like taking a step back in time to when people weren't so rushed and didn't do all their shopping and dining at big box chains.

[toobusytoday]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. Just like "Jersey Shore" is not one place, neither are the beaches in North and South Carolina. I was referring to the outer banks, Duck, Corolla, etc. or the small towns like Holden Beach in North Carolina.

Each beach in NJ has it's own feel too. Wildwood pier is wild and tacky but their beach is HUGE, so different then the narrow beach and tiny boardwalk at Sea Isle City. I can't think of a bad time at any beach, but it sure is easier to get to one in New Jersey. I personally love Delaware Beaches because I grew up near them but traveling through the whole state to get to a nice one is no fun.

[delcogrl]

Anywhere south of Atlantic City, keeping in mind it's coastal, eg, LBI, LongPort, Ocean City, Avalon,StoneHarbor,SeaIsle, all are amazing, family resides in Ocean City, it's a dry town but filled with great things to do. You will love it's ambiance, lot's of r/r here, not a whole lot of commercialism at all....Make it a Jerzzee Shore Summer

[greentown]

We used to go to Wildwood and Cape May and camp with friends for the weekend (this was before we had kids). We did go to Ocean City, MD, two years ago and took the kids, and it was an OK trip. We enjoyed Assateague more than the boardwalk area.

For what it's worth, though, we would rather drive the ten hours to NC and rent a beach house for the week. The beaches are deserted compared to NJ or MD, and it's a much more relaxing vacation.

[Orion17]

My wifes family goes to LBI. It is a very expensive vacation. The area is nice but pricey. $2000 for one week at a three bedroom bay'near' prop. It is in Ship Bottom, which is not the most expensive but not the least.

You do not have to drive through philly to get there. You can go South East and pick up 95 outside wilmington and then head east across Jerz.

My family has a place in Bethany Beach Del. More specifically Sea Colony which is a private sector. Very family friendly. Also more expensive than OCMD.

OCMD is a thin penninsula with a light at every second street (it is 146 streets long). Many bars and night life. So we travel from BB Del to OCMD when we want that.

NC is desolate, almost nothing to do. They were never meant as resort towns.

[toobusytoday]

North Carolina is a state, not a small town. I don't think you can paint the whole states coastline as desolate. Frankly, I like relaxing on vacation...
NC Beaches and North Carolina's Coast, Outer Banks, Crystal Coast, Topsail, Cape Fear, Brunswick Islands (http://www.visitnc.com/where_to_go_coast.asp - broken link)

BTW, I grew up in lower Delaware and have vactioned at Sea Colony, and worked in Bethany Beach and Rehoboth as a teenager. As an adult, I'd rather vacation in a place with less people.

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

North Carolina is a state, not a small town. I don't think you can paint the whole states coastline as desolate. Frankly, I like relaxing on vacation...
NC Beaches and North Carolina's Coast, Outer Banks, Crystal Coast, Topsail, Cape Fear, Brunswick Islands (http://www.visitnc.com/where_to_go_coast.asp - broken link)

BTW, I grew up in lower Delaware and have vactioned at Sea Colony, and worked in Bethany Beach and Rehoboth as a teenager. As an adult, I'd rather vacation in a place with less people.

Nothing beats going to a beach where there are only 3 americans inlcuding yourself, sibling, and friend. On top of that, everyone else is either German, Albanian, or Greek. Especially when the Albanian at the night club picks up your tab of 100+ euros.

Good times.

[Summering]

Originally Posted by MrKrabs

Less people on the southern beaches? I've been to Myrtle Beach and found it to be extremely crowded....the 6 lane highway that runs through there is almost constant gridlock....and it seems all the businesses are mainly big chains that you can find anywhere. That's why I like the Jersey shore....its less crowded and its more locally owned mom-and-pop businesses...its relaxing and like taking a step back in time to when people weren't so rushed and didn't do all their shopping and dining at big box chains.

Sure MrK.......but, you have to know where to go......and its not in the heart of Myrtle Beach. Because, you are right gridlock can happen there. Although a new bridge will go near the new Hard Rock Theme Park.....and that will help with flow.
We stay in the most southern area......and the beach is private to the community. As far as for parking, and access ........
Other then that going to the Huntington State Park is peaceful, quiet, and has nice picnic areas.....with the most wonderful beach and wildlife areas.
Also, the Myrtle Beach State Park is good.
Whats nice is we park for free.........and don't have to pay the $15 Seaside was starting to charge and admission onto the beach. Here......all free.
( I should put at most locations......and the majority)
There is a charge to go into the State Park but, per car......and not costly.
Unless you have a yearly pass, which is worth it.
I love all the Jersey beaches, and DE/Maryland beaches too..........Ah........the ocean is just great anywhere.
Traffic.........drat........just can't get away from all of it.

[Orion17]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

North Carolina is a state, not a small town. I don't think you can paint the whole states coastline as desolate. Frankly, I like relaxing on vacation...
NC Beaches and North Carolina's Coast, Outer Banks, Crystal Coast, Topsail, Cape Fear, Brunswick Islands (http://www.visitnc.com/where_to_go_coast.asp - broken link)

BTW, I grew up in lower Delaware and have vactioned at Sea Colony, and worked in Bethany Beach and Rehoboth as a teenager. As an adult, I'd rather vacation in a place with less people.

Thanks, I know it is an entire state. We were speaking of the shore.

Comparatively, to OCMD and NJ beaches they are desolate. But I didnt mean for that to sound so negative. I like relaxing too. So I retract they are desolate. Maybe just slower, less crowded but less to do.

I guess it all depends on what you go to the shore for.

[toobusytoday]

Yeah, desolate might have been a poor word choice:

des·o·late /adj. ˈdɛsəlɪt; v. ˈdɛsəˌleɪt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[adj. des-uh-lit; v. des-uh-leyt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation adjective, verb, -lat·ed, -lat·ing.
–adjective 1. barren or laid waste; devastated: a treeless, desolate landscape.
2. deprived or destitute of inhabitants; deserted; uninhabited.
3. solitary; lonely: a desolate place.
4. having the feeling of being abandoned by friends or by hope; forlorn.
5. dreary; dismal; gloomy: desolate prospects.
–verb (used with object) 6. to lay waste; devastate.
7. to deprive of inhabitants; depopulate.
8. to make disconsolate.
9. to forsake or abandon

Relaxing, quiet, laid back? Much nicer. We've have the "what do we want out of a vacation" discussion every year. Always a hard one to decide!