Finding your beach in Virginia

For the better part of 30 years, when I've gone "down de oshun, hon" I've, of course, been going to Ocean City, and - for a period of time when I worked in "slower lower" Delaware - Bethany, Fenwick and Rehoboth.

However, when my brother-in-law got a job at a hotel in Virginia Beach earlier this year and could get my wife and I a dirt cheap rate, we decided to make the trip to Virginia's coast in late July to see how it compared to our more familiar beaches. We only spent four days there, and that was enough for me. The beach is comparable to what you will find on Maryland or Delaware's shore, although a bit less crowded.

Three things you'll need

Patience and a full tank of gas: Maybe I'm a little jaded because I'm still full of road rage from the 9-hour trek from our house in Baltimore to Virginia Beach. But wait, Google maps says it's only a

4- to 5-hour drive. Ha! Despite avoiding traffic on the Washington, D.C., Beltway completely, once we got into Virginia traffic kept coming to a standstill on dual-lane highways. Couple that with a cranky baby tired of being in the car and a torrential downpour we hit once we arrived in the Hampton Roads area and this trip definitely got off on the wrong foot. The trip back wasn't nearly as bad, but we also left around 10 a.m. on a Tuesday. Even so, the five-hour "normal" drive was a bit long for my take.

Ear plugs: One of the best things about the beach is laying around and listening to the serene sounds of the waves crashing, seagulls chirping and fighter jets flying overhead. Say what? That's right, there's a Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, and the planes routinely fly overhead breaking the sound barrier. The first time, it's actually kind of cool seeing them. After the sixth or seventh time in a couple hours, it's downright obnoxious.

Hotel with a parking space: Not that you would from Carroll County, but if for some reason you decide to make a day trip to Virginia Beach, don't plan on finding a parking spot. There is no street parking like there is in Ocean City, so unless you have a pass or a hotel with a parking garage, you're out of luck, buster.

Three travel tips

Take the kids: One thing I really liked about Virginia Beach is that it seemed very family friendly. There is an inclusive playground called Grommet's Island on 2nd Street near the inlet where we took our 1-year-old to play for a bit. While Molly was a little young to do everything there, it seems like a great spot for kids who are able to walk/run around that might get bored sitting on the beach all day.

Watch your mouth: Continuing on the family-friendly theme, you'll notice some interesting signs along Atlantic Avenue, known as "BeachStreet USA" (i.e.: the street with all the overpriced clothing and snack shops.) Basically, Virginia Beach has a law on the books prohibiting foul language there. I doubt you'll get locked up for muttering a naughty word under your breath, but if you usually swear like a sailor, curb your language here.

Stay alert when driving downtown: The aforementioned BeachStreet USA is a combination of the Boardwalk in Ocean City and Coastal Highway. While Virginia Beach's boardwalk is mainly just for walking (or riding your bike, roller blades, etc. on the designated portion) there are lots of people shopping on Atlantic Avenue, especially as it gets later in the day. And while cussing is strictly verboten, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of enforcement on jaywalking. And boy, will people walk out in the middle of the road right in front of you.

Three things to see or do

The Side Street Cantina: We tried quite a few restaurants while we were there, and this was by far our favorite. We went for a late lunch and drinks after a morning on the beach, and this place did not disappoint. I recommend the fish tacos and the classic margarita. Our server, Jesus, also gave us a couple of tequila shots on the house because, hey, vacation. I can't promise your server will be as generous, but the food is definitely delicious and inexpensive.

The She-Crab Soup: The Virginia Beach specialty is their take on Cream of Crab using the female crustaceans. There are plenty of seafood restaurants that have it, but I recommend the Lynnhaven Fish House, north of the resort area on U.S. 60 Shore Drive, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. I ordered a seafood platter the previous two nights at restaurants on the boardwalk, and none of them came close to the quality here. Word of warning - despite Virginia Beach being close to the Chesapeake, don't bother ordering crab cakes (at Lynnhaven or anywhere else). They are nothing like what you get in Baltimore and you'll be sorely disappointed.

The Aquarium: Non-food related, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is about two miles south of downtown Virginia Beach. I can't give an honest assessment here because we didn't go, and if you live near Baltimore and are reading this, you've probably been to the National Aquarium. Still, if you have children, this would be a good, educational stop - especially if you have a rainy day on your vacation.

One thing to skip

Shopping: I'm not a big shopper, but I usually hit up the outlets in Ocean City or Rehoboth when I go to the beach locally. There are no outlets in Virginia Beach. One spot we thought was a mall on 31st Street turned out to be a parking garage with a couple kitsch shops. Lame. Of course, there is a Sunsations every 50 feet as well.

Comparison

I really wanted to like Virginia Beach, but all things being equal, I'd pick Ocean City or one of the Delaware beaches every time. Unless you have family there like we do or some other specific reason, the beach and town itself isn't much different than the ones that can be found in Maryland or Delaware, and the extra drive time really doesn't make it worth your money.