Sandbridge Beach

Some may call it a beach, I call it home. Love the Sandbridge community. All the locals somehow know each other and it’s like we’re a big family.

Next best thing to the Outer Banks, for times when you can’t escape Chesapeake/​VA Beach. Visited second Saturday of October in mid-​morning, met by only about ten people on the beach. Water still warm enough to swim. I feel guilty even giving away this spot on Unilocal,but it’s not mine to begin with. Enjoy.

Beautiful and quiet. Great family beach vacation spot. Mainly residential. There are very few stores and restaurants, but there’s a great public city park. Several big wildlife parks are immediately south of Sandbridge that offer nice stretches for biking. If you want lots of noise, lights and crowds, all you have to do is drive a few miles north into Virginia Beach.

Il y a des lieux d’exception pour les vacances familliales, la plage de Sandbridge figure parmi ceux-​là. De belles demeures aux bords de l’Atlantique, du sable à perte de vue, des dauphins qui vous saluent au passage, de la tranquilité et des vagues qui vous lèchent les pieds, quoi de mieux? De plus, les gens sont accueillant et de commerce agréable. Un petit coin de paradis sur la Côte-​Est américaine…

I’m so glad I stumbled across this place. So nice and clean and quiet. I went with my family for a start to our end of the summer vacation and am so happy we came. The girls enjoyed playing in the very clean sand and water. We even saw dolphin! They were swimming not so far out from the beach. That was a pleasant surprise. Well once we realized the fins we were looking at were not from sharks. Than they began jumping out of the water and you could clearly see what they were.
I am anxious to come back and stay for a longer visit.
The parking was 5 for non residents.
There is a small store across from the parking lot which sells beach goods you may have left behind.

I absolutely love Sandbridge beach. What a gem!
I really don’t want to write how amazing it is because I don’t want too many people to know about it and come ruin it. But I suppose I’ll share a little of what I know… since I am a Unilocaler and all… share and share alike!
Sandbridge is beautiful — a local friend brought me many years ago when my ex-​husband and I first moved here. We enjoyed it but I was turned off by the fact there was very little parking so I didn’t come back for many many years (like 5).
Once I got more familiar with the Red Mill and surrounding area I came back. I easily found parking in the city lot right beside the convenience store and across from the two beach gift shops. There is also parking at the park further down the road for a small fee — $ 3.
Sandbridge is beautiful because it’s not commercial and it’s rarely really crowded (except for peak beach holiday times of course). Even when all the beach houses are booked up — the beach is still preferable to the VAB oceanfront.
Sandbridge doesn’t boast huge hotels or lots of stores and ice cream parlors and restaurants. Nope — it’s just plain old beach as far as the eye can see.
Locals love it — I take my poochie walking some nights around sunset. I also stop in a few times a week for a walk along the beach after a long day at work to relax and re-​energize. It’s usually cleared out by then and there are only a few people still outside fishing or walking like I am.
In the city lot there is a public bathroom with two outdoor showerheads to wash the sand off yourself before you get in your car. Convenient and well-​maintained.
It’s beautiful. Stop in and enjoy. But if you’re looking for commercial — you won’t find it here.

I’ve never had a good impression of Virginia Beach until I attended a wedding in the Sandbridge area.
Mostly residential, there is miles upon miles of uncrowded sand dunes, lapping waves, and even the occasional dolphin sighting or two! Nearby are several side BBQ pits, crab shacks and pick your own strawberry stands which in my opinion is the best way to spend a quiet weekend getaway in Virginia!
Who would have thought?!

Really nice beach. Good rates for parking and plenty of space on and around the beach. Clean, seems like good distribution of life guards. They have some play areas and showers further down the beach and seems to be less crowded. Nice beach all in all. We went at the end of May so it was considered «off season» but it was 90 and humid for us so good beach weather. Water was cold but I’m from New England so it was nice compared to what we are used to. We’ve been a few times now and will go back every time we come no matter what time of year, it’s just a really nice, accessible beach.

Three words: Simply Mar Velous. Five dollar parking, miles of white sand, minimal riff raff and only twenty minutes from the boardwalk.

Oh my God, what a hidden gem !!!
The folks in and around Sandbridge sure have a great place seashore get away.
Will add this to places to list of visit again…

I loved this beach. We were staying in Chesapeake, VA on vacation and this was the only beach we went to because we had no desire to try another. There is parking right across the street, if you aren’t a VA resident parking cost $ 5. There is lifeguards on duty, and they do pay attention. They warn you with a flag regarding water conditions and the person you pay when you drive in was nice enough to tell us it was very windy one day and it was at red flag so no boogie boards, etc. You can only go in up to your knees. It was quiet and not crowded, it wasn’t far from our chairs to the water so we can easily watch our children, and it was a 3 min walk from the car to the beach, literally right across the street. If we were to go back to VA I would go back here to this beach again.

We come from RVA at least a few times a month to sandbridge to hang out. We used to go to VB but it’s so crowded you can’t find a spot to just relax. Sandbridge is the place to be if you want to relax. Please keep this place a secret though! Clean beaches, warm water, little tourists, relaxing atmosphere.

«My only worry is if the tide is gonna reach my chair.»
As a resident of VA Beach you learn the different atmospheres/​vibe of the areas beaches. I live in the Ocean Lakes area so I have a choice of going to Sandbridge or Croatan. I personally love Sandbridge for its low key surroundings. Very clean. Families usually and no riff raff. Dogs are welcome year round as long as they play well with others and for heavens sake, scoop the poop!
I travel down a bit to get away from the crowd. Usually near Pike Ln. I like this spot particularly because there is a small board walk that helps in the summer when it’s 90+ degrees. Plenty of trash cans and a dog station with «poop» bags. Only complaint is that I wish it had a rinse off shower area… Plenty of free on street parking which is hit or miss. I love that I can come here with a book and just recharge my «batteries». Who can be unhappy @ the beach?!

Greatest beach houses, dolphin sightings, ample space, great state park close by.
The best beach in Virginia Beach. Avoid the shoobies and have fun in the sun! Sandbridge forever.

I don’t mind the oceanfront but being local you hear people praise it here. We came years ago and I didn’t like the large buildup waves that happen b/​c of the sharp slope into the water. But we tried it anyway. Parked at Little Island. CROWDED. Tons of large groups having picnics in the shelters. There are bathrooms here and changing rooms and a food truck was there as well. Sand was HOT and it’s a haul down to the water from the parking lot. There is a pier. However, it was so crowded with people just standing at the edge of the water. No one getting in b/​c it was COLD. It’s July, it’s hot, but the water actually hurt to stay in too long. Kids can’t bodysurf with that many people standing on the edge of the water. We didn’t stay too long. There weren’t any waves? And now my son has sand flea bites…
I actually think the main resort area is better. Water doesn’t feel as cold, there are real waves, bathrooms available, food available, and it’s not as crowded.

Wife and I were looking for a nice place to stay for our 1 anniversary and family vacation. Saw Sandbridge and all the nice pictures and decided to give it a shot. I lost my job the week after we booked, paid for the trip and had to cancel. Called to cancel and spoke with accounting and said no problem. Waited 30 days as per the rather long contract you have to sign and still no money back. Come to find out the place has to be rebooked before you get your money back. So I called and check to see if it rebooked and it did. Went to see when we would get our money back and they told me the people who booked had to pay in full before they would do paper work to return the money. Still yet to get our money back. Going on 3 months now to the tune of $ 660. Kicker in all this is we purchased a $ 55 travel insurance with it and still can get the money back. NOTHING BUT A SCAM ALL AROUND. DON’T GO HERE !

We were relieved to find out the beach house rented for the week through Sandbridge realty was left untouched my Super-​storm Sandy. We met up with 27 other folks of my husbands extended family, and I know what your thinking… omg are they crazy for staying in one house but I will say there was plenty of room. I never once felt crowded. The house had 10 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Overall the home was built for entertaining. The ocean view was very relaxing and the sound of the ocean throughout the day and night was just soothing. If your planning a family reunion or a large gathering of sorts, renting one of these many equipped beach houses is highly recommended.

A real beach, not like it’s not so distant neighbor… or shall I say blemish

This is the Locals beach far more than the VAB strip. That said the rentals are a much calmer crowd than you will find along Atlantic Ave… I enjoy Sandbridge and back bay for more of a Carolina beach experience than a «Party!!! and Kegger!!!» of the strip.
come for a walk or a week you will love it!

There’s something about this beach that compels young, well-​muscled men to rip off their shirts and engage in bro-​bonding beach games with each other. I think it’s lovely that it’s still socially acceptable for them to do so. I hope that one day, I should be so lucky as well.
Lots of happy dogs and families seem to enjoy the sand and the peaceful views. There was tons of space to spread out, it was clean, and I could have easily spent the rest of the day half buried in the sand, soaking up enough sun to make new tan lines… and quietly wishing that I could joyously bear my chest like the bros.

Like Chick’s Beach, Sandbridge beach is just that: A Beach. Although it’s a major tourist attraction in the area, it’s not over developed, over crowed or over done. It is simply a beach. With a few lovely beach houses close by, Sandbridge is a great place to have a quiet relaxing day with family and friends and not have to walk miles to the ocean, fight traffic and eek out a spot for your beach blanket amongst hoards of other beach-​goers. Parking is close and cheap and the best part is you can actually bring your surfboard, body board and other toys to the water (unlike the Oceanfront beach on which surfing, skin-​boarding and body boarding are only allowed in very limited areas). If I go to the beach and I just want to swim or layout (yes, I know I’m black but I still like to lay out – I need my B vitamins) I choose Sandbridge Beach.