I choose the second option
I’ve really enjoyed all of the days that I have spent at the beach, and look forward to getting there, but I don’t go very often. Last time I went was over 14 years ago. I wouldn’t want to go every day, but as a once in every several years treat, sign me up.
I voted it’s just okay. We live literally two blocks from the beach in Waikiki, and we almost never “go to the beach.” Sometimes we’ll stroll along the sidewalk at the edge, but it’s not a priority. I’ve found I generally don’t like sand.
I think my favorite beach is probably the one in Hua Hin, Thailand, where we’re thinking we’ll end up upon retirement. That beach is a pleasant one.
Sand all over everything, and that nasty hot sun…
Hate beaches. My travel agent once called with last-minute $99 air-only to Cancun. We headed straight into the jungle for bird-watching, never saw the ocean.
The beach is what you walk across to get to the boat. The only part I like about the beach is whole touristy boardwalk sort of thing.
I’m also one of the northwest coast people and I do love the rocks and driftwood and ocean (remember this commercial? I’ve been that guy and that girl).
I tend to like more stereotypical beaches while I’m there. It just rarely occurs to me to be there; I’m not for crowds, but lying out in the sun reading for hours is great. (Reading is great. Lying in the sun is great. combine them and it’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon).
I live 2 or 3 blocks from the beach, but I rarely “go” to the beach to hang out unless some friends have decided to hang out together. Some times if it’s insanely hot I’ll go and hang out at the beach as we have an odd sort of east facing beach on the Pacific Ocean where the cliff will actually provide a bit of shade.
I had a catamaran on the beach for about 15 years, but would only take it out like maybe 3 or 4 times a season. I’ve got a kayak and I take it out once or twice a year. I used to go out every opening night for lobster season on my kayak but you have to at night as lobsters are nocturnal and it’s pretty sketchy not to mention the best spot is kind of a long paddle especially if the surf is big.
I’ve recently inherited an ocean going fishing boat and I’m hoping to get better at backing that sucker up at the boat ramp and becoming comfortable with it. I’ve only taken it out once and that was on a Wednesday, the slowest day of the week. Trying to psyche up to take it out in the next week or two.
I love living near the beach and most of my walks and bike rides are along the beach. I can ride a bike path to downtown next to the beach and hardly encounter any car traffic at all.
Beaches are like caviar. the expectation far exceeds the experience.
The last great beach experience I had as a kid was in Key West. The sun made it uncomfortably hot so I went snorkeling. I got stung by a jelly fish and clawed by a crab. And a mouthful of salt water is… something you should warn people about. Bleah
I can see where it would be relaxing to sit under an umbrella and sip majitos while reading a book but If I have to throw money at it I’ll take a cruise first.
I’ve seen recent reviews & photos of Hua Hin and it looks like it has become a wonderful Beach Resort. I was there in 1976 when the only good thing about it was the fact in was close to Bangkok. The beach was not clean and the ocean was murky. I got back on the train the next day and headed for Surat Thani and on to Ko Samui. Now that was a beach (at least back in '76).
It’s much improved since then. From the mid-1990s we often went two or three times a year for quite a stretch there. The immediate beach that presents itself when you walk out onto it from the town is a beach-umbrella ghetto, but turn right and walk a quarter mile, and it’s a nice clean beach, nice water most of the year and no rocks to hurt your feet. We like the town too and know others who have settled there. It’s almost a certainty that’s where we’ll end up. Even has some nice, modern, Bangkok-based hospitals nowadays.
I like the beach every now & then so I picked option 2. However Mrs mallard & I much prefer a resort pool with all the corresponding amenities.
I am a man for all seasides.
Not even if you drive there in your Camero?
I voted “I enjoy it once in a while.” It’s strictly a social thing for me. I wouldn’t go alone but it’s fun to splash around in the waves with friends or family, especially with kids. I was in Playa del Carmen, MX a few years ago with some friends and played in the biggest waves I’ve ever seen. It’s cool to be all grown up and still get excited by something like ocean waves.
Here in Chicago, we have freshwater sand beaches which are awesome.
The beach has great people-watching, one of my favorite vacation pastimes.
I have never been a beach person, and island locales don’t particularly interest me. I’d rather hang out in overcast weather, 50s, and roam the streets of a big city and explore its museums, bars, diners, architecture, etc., than hang out on a beach. Or hike through the mountains and hills and forests. (The Pacific Northwest – which I’ve only visited once, really does suit me in this manner.)
But I’d still prefer the beach to a root canal.
Resort pools don’t have sharks, a big advantage.
Here in Hawaii, people are always saying we have to share the ocean, blah-de-blah-de-blah. I say fuck that, if it wants to eat me, and it can sneak up on me, then I want it dead.