Summer vacation. No other words are needed to evoke idyllic scenes of relaxation (except perhaps for incoming freshmen) and a lack of mandated education, times we will remember as both students and teachers settle back into school life. And what better and trademark way exists to spend your two months of leisure than to go visit a beach? From both coasts of the United States to different countries, people have gone far to visit these locations in their prime—and are ready to talk about them.
Lake Constance: Liz Rosen
This summer, I, as well as 23 other IHS students, went to Tuttlingen, Germany on the German-American Partnership Program exchange. While we were there, almost all of us went to the Bodensee at some point. Located just an hour away from Tuttlingen, the Bodensee is one of Europe’s largest lakes and forms the borders of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The area is famed for its beauty, as well as the historic towns that dot its shores. One such town, Konstanz, recently celebrated the 600th anniversary of the Council of Constance, where thinkers from all over Europe came together to deliberate for four years on which of the three popes at the time was the real pope.
With that in mind, the Bodensee receives high marks for culture and history. Although its beaches are hidden among vineyard-encrusted hills and rustic pastel buildings dating back to the 1500s, there is an undeniably international and worldly air about it. Beaches are small and scattered about, but they’re fairly sandy and there are plenty of sailboats out at all times if you want something to watch. One warning though: because it’s Europe, there’s a bit of nudity. It’s restricted mostly to young children, but when you see a butt-naked child running across the beach, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Santa Cruz: Chloe Wray
Situated in central California, the city of Santa Cruz is nestled in the northern corner of the Monterey Bay just over an hour south of San Francisco. The city houses a population of almost 63,000 and is home to the popular UC Santa Cruz. The beach at Santa Cruz has earned its name as a destination spot for many of the residents of California’s northern half, who crave a beach but wish to avoid a long trek down south. One thing that we on the East Coast don’t realize is that the drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles is almost 6 hours. So for the inhabitants of the Bay Area, having Santa Cruz so much closer makes it a prime option. Practically smack-dab in the center of California, it is literally a middle ground between the frigid waters that northern surfers brave and the virtually year-round beaches of southern California.
Santa Cruz provides its visitors and residents with almost any beach-going experience you could want. With a boardwalk that has been named the best seaside amusement park in the world, part of Santa Cruz’s appeal is the family-friendly atmosphere that the boardwalk and main stretch of beach provide. The main beach is generally filled with tourists, and although on most summer days parking will be difficult, the beach itself has never seemed extremely crowded. Nevertheless, if you were to continue west along the rim of the bay, you would pass rocky bluffs and crashing waves before reaching Natural Bridges State Park, a lesser-known but favorite spot of many locals. With a much smaller beachfront and a secluded location, it offers a gorgeous view of the bay and a more low-key vibe. Neither of these beaches seemed preferable for surfing, but Santa Cruz definitely does deliver for the surfing enthusiasts. If you look a little harder and put in a little more effort to lug your board down a cliff (there’s a path, no worries), the best surfing spots are close by the Natural Bridges State Park and are not heavily frequented. From lively fun and amusement great for families to more secluded beaches and the perfect surf spots, Santa Cruz’s beach options are endles
Nantucket: Annika Browning
Located 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts in the Atlantic Ocean, the island town of Nantucket was founded in 1795 and has a population of 10,172. Nantucket was formerly famous for its whaling industry, but is now a very busy tourist location in New England. It takes about an hour to get to the island by ferry from Cape Cod. Information on the most visited locations at Nantucket is easily available.
Since the island encompasses 45 square miles, the most common way around for non-locals is by bike. There are many bike trails throughout the island that lead to several beaches. The beaches on Nantucket are famous for their tall, strong surfing waves and even their sharks. In fact, sharks are one of the island’s biggest attractions, and many people, experienced or not, go in search of them diving or in cages.
The food on the island is incredibly diverse. From French to Mexican to fusion, each restaurant has a central theme of seafood but with its own twist. Although some of the food may be pricey, a good meal that is worth its cost can easily be found.
When I visited Nantucket over the summer, it was, as I expected, a very nice island full of fun summer activities. The many beaches and views bring great attraction and adventure to the island, making Nantucket a great summer getaway.