Just Swimming, Surfing and Sunbathing

Virginia Beach is a resort city located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia’s southeastern corner. With 35 miles of beaches, the main focus to its visitors is swimming, surfing and sunbathing. During the summer season, daytime air temperatures range around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, frequently creeping well into the 90s or above in late July through August. Water temperatures average from the upper 60s through mid 70s. The most popular stretch of beach for tourists is the resort area, otherwise known as “The Strip” by locals, stemming from Rudee Inlet north for about three miles. A concrete boardwalk runs along the free public beach, a brief division from the hotels, restaurants and shops that fill the landscape along the water and two to three blocks west. Spring through autumn there are many activities and festivals on the boardwalk. The Cruisin’ Virginia Beach Car Show kicks things off in April, with everything from classic autos to tuners, trucks and motorcycles displayed from nose to tail for more than 20 blocks. Gospel and blues music, kites and artwork are some of the galas featured during the summer months, with the American Music Festival capping off the celebrations on Labor Day weekend in September. For the adventuresome, local businesses offer water ski and jet ski rentals, parasailing and deep sea fishing excursions. The Virginia Marine Science Museum also sponsors whale watching and dolphin cruises. Twenty minutes south of The Strip is Sandbridge Beach, a tranquil area that caters to families in vacation rentals and locals who can’t get enough sand between their toes. Nightlife in Virginia Beach generally centers around The Strip’s abundance of bars and restaurants, many of which have outdoor seating overlooking the beach or crowded streets. Free evening concerts also provide entertainment at park stages beside the boardwalk during June, July and August. But the City of Virginia Beach, covering nearly 500 square miles, is more than just surf and sand. While the city’s main focus is tourism, it also supports three military bases and has a large agriculturally-minded business zone. Off the oceanfront there is a bustling suburban city that caters to its population of more than 400,000. The Verizon Wireless Amphitheater is located approximately six miles inland and hosts a variety of musical artists, including Def Leppard, Coldplay, and Kenny Chesney, among others. For the athletic-minded, there are many hiking and biking trails throughout Virginia Beach. Golf courses and tennis courts are sprinkled throughout the city, with most attached to public parks and recreation centers. The Chesapeake Bay and its many tributaries are popular for pleasure boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and crabbing. Lynnhaven and Pembroke malls are a Mecca for shoppers, with a wide variety of stores and specialty shops to visit. A short drive to the rural southern tip of Virginia Beach brings you to Pungo, known for its one stoplight as well as numerous pick-your-own farms laden with vegetables, berries and Christmas trees, depending on the season. Whether you are looking for a fun vacation spot or a coastal suburb to live in, Virginia Beach has a little something for everyone. For more information on Virginia Beach, visit http://virginiabeachmicroblog.com and http://virginiamicroblog.com