North End Beach

North End is a great option if you are looking to rent a house near the family-friendly resort area of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront or if you are a local looking for a beach day and want to avoid the Oceanfront's crowds and parking costs and don't mind the lack of facilities!-- What it Is --North End Beach is a beachfront residential area that stretches from 42nd Street (near the Cavalier Hotel) to 80th Street (by Shore Drive). It has a spacious sand area, clean water, and moderate waves. It can still be busy but not as packed as the Oceanfront and is less crowded after July 4th. The city maintains lots of trash cans to make maintaining the beach easy. -- Pets --It's more dog friendly than the Oceanfront: from Memorial Day (in May) through Labor Day (in September), leashed pets or off-leash and under the control of the owner are allowed on the beach before 10am and after 6pm. Outside of that season, there are no time limits. This is a great beach to walk dogs as there is plenty of space on the sand/shoreline.-- Less Restrictions --There are less restrictions for playing sports on the sand, etc. at North End compared to the Oceanfront. (Check out www.vabeach.com/virginia-beach-basic-rules.)-- Lack of Amenities --There are no amenities (showers, restrooms). This isn't a problem if you're renting nearby or if you're just visiting for part of the day as it's just a few minute drive from the rest of the city. -- Lifeguards --There are no lifeguard stations excep the lifeguard crew does have patrols that go down the beach on ATVs from Labor Day through Memorial Day from 11am-6pm, and they will po the lifeguard crew does have patrols that go down the beach on ATVs from Labor Day through Memorial Day from 11am-6pm, and they will post the red flag warning of unsafe water conditions at the beach access points. -- What it's Not --I am more of a OBX, beach specific type of vacationer. It's important to note that this North End Beach is still close to the Oceanfront beach/specific resort area is not that quiet, private type of destination. (You can find that elsewhere in the City of Virginia Beach.) It is has some jet noise from the nearby naval base. Also, the seashells have been pretty picked over for years. -- Parking --Street parking is free and there are small parking lots with limited parking spots located along Pacific Ave (runs parallel to Atlantic Ave and to the ocean). These lots are located across from or within a block of the beach access points (which are about every block). Read street parking signs carefully as tow trucks readily enforce violations. -- Takeaway --As a Coastal Virginia native and VA Beach resident of over a decade, I love living in VA Beach and being able to visit here often. The gentle slope of the sand into the ocean is great for children and wading in, and we used to walk our dog here for years without issue. It's my preferred local beach for a partial day trip and my favorite one in VA Beach for bringing a dog.

This might have turned out to be 5 stars if I didn't go on one of the first weekends after COVID19 restrictions ended, but I have to say 4 stars because gahhh it was crowded! All the reviews (during normal (pre-covid19) life, of course) were positive about parking and it being quiet, but we drove all the way to the end near the Ft Story gate before we even saw the first parking spot. It was insane how many people were there! We had to kind of squeeze into a spot on the beach with people to our right and left, crazy! But, honestly, it didn't matter! Other than being inconvenient, the whole experience was great. There were waves, unlike in the bay, and a gentle slope of sand into the water, so it was more safe for my son. The sand was nice, the people were nice, it was just great all around. Also, one of my favorite parts of this area is how close it is to the channel that goes by... so you get to see tons of ships and boats go by. It was like watching a water highway, loved it!

This is the more residential strip of beach just north of the Oceanfront strip. I believe that the last lifeguard stand is at 56th street, but this strip of beach still follows the rules of the resort beaches. Since parking is limited this part of the beach tends to be less crowded vs the resort area, but don't let that fool you. If it's a beautiful summer day, you'll still want to get there early so a big tent or umbrella doesn't block your view of the water. Parking is free, but again- I want to stress that it is extremely limited. Double check that you aren't blocking someone's driveway or entrance to their house. You will be towed - as you should be. Unless I get there super early I usually have to park across the street. There are several traffic lights with pedestrian signals to help you get to the beach safely.

What can I say? I'm such a beach girl. I have lived near the oceanfront my whole life. As we drive down pacific we see the sign for north end. We know to start looking out for street parking. Normally around the 60's streets we find luck. What I love about this beach is it's very reserved and never rowdy. The thing with this beach that makes us hesitant to go at times is the long stretch of sand leaving to the water. It's a small hike and with three kids and many things in tow it can be a little discouraging. Yet it still brings us out because it really is beautiful seeing so much sand. Makes for great photos. The water here is more choppy than at Chick's beach. So we really warn the children to be alert and stay close to the shore line. Great beach if you are visiting the area.

What a great beach! This is the quiet end of VA Beach away from where most of the tourist congregate. My wife and I were able to take long walks along the beach and even saw a school of dolphins. What an awesome chill spot in VA Beach!

I love northend. It's a more spacious and relaxing side of Virginia beach. It's not as crowded as the main beach next to the boardwalk. You can go there with your family or friends and lounge out while staring at the ocean blue catching some rays. Very nice and relaxing.As far as dogs go, I bring my dog there all the time for walks and I see other people do too. I'm not sure the specific policy here, so might want to look up the litigation to this to avoid legal trouble. But I'm sure it's fine. I know it changes with seasons, but if allowed they have convenient dog poop bags at some entrances with trash cans readily available on the beach.Va beach doesn't have that many good waves, compared to obx. But sometimes this beach can work up to some nice waves to go surfing on. I go here or croatian usually for surfing.Also, there's nice fishing spots directly off the coast of these beaches. My favorite time to fish here is when it gets around sunset and the sun dies down a bit.Parking might be a bit of an issue in mid summer with tourists and beachgoers. But just traveling around the streets your bound to find an open spot someplace, I always do.Great beach, would recommend 10/10

There are so many reasons why Virginia Beach residents feel as though they live in paradise. Our beaches point blank rock and few would dispute that the city knows how to take excellent care of them for our tourist and locals alike. The North End Beach is not a touristy beach, but a locals beach. Residents along Atlantic Ave. from 89th street to around 43rd street where Atlantic splits (Cavalier Hotel) off and becomes the Oceanfront consider NEB their home.Every street along this stretch has beach access and most trash cans and bags to keep dog litter off the sand as this is a dog friendly beach. At the North End 89th street where this beach begins is Fort Story and access is restricted beside the base. Very large signs are up and it is impossible not to know when the "no pun intended" the line in the sand is drawn. This seven block stretch from Fort Story to Shore is my favorite area to recreate with family. It is even more quiet, if you can imagine that than South toward the Oceanfront. I almost never see a soul in the morning. Also trash is at a minimum as those that use it care too much to see it littered. Keep in mind if you are not a local parking is always an issue, signs are up and you should pay close attention to them. Residents will drop a dime on you and call the police and your car will be towed away as tickets are not written.I am in love with our beautiful beaches in Virginia Beach. As the weather becomes warm enough to take advantage get out and enjoy all there is to offer. However, as someone who often volunteers with beach clean up please pick up after yourself and recreate responsibly. The city has made it so easy with trash cans every where use them!

Ahhh North End...this area is my favorite part of VA Beach. It's a lot quieter than the oceanfront and there's almost always street parking. I love coming here to relax and sun bathe. If you're tired of the loud, rowdy oceanfront atmosphere, I recommend coming out to the North End to enjoy the beach. Also, the houses around the area are so nice! #goals

My family and I live near 84th street on the North End and we love going to the beach! It's always clean and while it gets a little busy sometimes, it's never overwhelming and you definitely have more space here than in the boardwalk end of the beach. We see dolphins, crabs, and pelicans every time we head out and this time of year, the water's really nice! If you come here, be sure to be courteous and pick up after yourself to keep the beach clean!!

If you don't have the time to go south of Sandbridge, this is the best beach in Virginia Beach. I used to drive to the North End and look for a parking spot, which really wasn't that bad. You could almost always find a spot right across Atlantic. Then for a while I had a friend who lived close to the water and I would use their driveway. But now, like the Jeffersons, I have moved on up and live close enough to the water to walk. Life is good.