OC TR 8/26-9/2 (almost)

We (wife, two kids (3 1/2 and 1 1/2) and I) just returned from OC. We stayed at the Sea Watch on 115th Street. I have stayed here years ago. We got a fantastic deal on a three bedroom, 2 1/2 bath condo with an eighty foot terrace with a direct ocean view. I like to stay up North as it is generally quieter and we can always driver down to the boardwalk, etc if we need to. While the weather wasn%26#39;t great this week -- in fact, we left today instead of tomorrow because of Ernesto -- we had a great time. OC was virtually empty this week as Maryland schools are back and the weather wasn%26#39;t great.

Meals:

We ate one dinner and one breakfast at Dumser%26#39;s Dairyland at 124th Street. I worked here for two summers in the 90%26#39;s and it still has good food at reasonable prices.

We went to Phillips All-You-Can-Eat (131st?) one night. The food wasn%26#39;t bad. The crabs, while small, were tasty. There was a variety of food and the cornbread was quite possibly the best I have ever had. I could have spent several hours there but the kids have limited ';sitting still'; time.

My wife had heard about a new restaurant (new to me, at least) called Fish Tales on 22 Street. This is a great place to bring the kids. It is essentially an open air restaurant. The food was alright (I had a shrimp salad sandwich that was meaty but needed some spice) but the best part is the sand playground for the kids. You can eat under cover or outside and have a drink while the kids run around

We ate dinner at the Boardwalk one night.

Finally, we ate at Croc%26#39;s Steakhouse in the Gold Coast Mall at 115 Street. The food was good and relatively inexpensive. Each restaurant was chosen for its quick service and/or child friendly atmosphere. We also tend to eat early since, as noted above, the kids can%26#39;t last too long, especially if there is a wait.

We also got a half bushel of crabs one night after the kids went to bed from the CrabShack(?) on 130 Street. I like to eat in bulk and don%26#39;t mind smaller crabs (rather than get a dozen large, I prefer several dozen smaller ones).

Entertainment:

We took advantage of the afternoon ';all you can ride'; pass at Jolly Rogers. It was $14 for rides between 2-6. We got there at 315 and stayed until nearly 6. That was more than enough time for our kids to ride most rides several times. I do note that Jolly Roger has not changed since I was seven -- the rides are old and need to be updated, but for kids my age it was fine.

We went to the boardwalk rides and I would recommend using there deal ($20 for 12-6) for rides. There are alot more rides, including some more updated rides (especially for older kids). The boardwalk is not as seedy as I remember it but, again, we were there earlier in the evening and not during senior week, etc. The funniest thing I saw was a T-shirt store that had a sign out front that said ';Yes, we have size 6 XL!'; I never knew they were in demand.

We didnt hit any bars or clubs (our attempt to bring my cousin to babysit a few nights failed miserably). The beach was great as usual.

We decided to leave today, instead of tomorrow, as the weather was really bad and wouldnt be any better until Sunday. There is only so much you can do with two young kids inside.

By the way, there is a great park at 127 Street. If parents need a break from the beach with the kids, the playground is awesome and there is plenty of room for the kids to run.

Overall, a great vacation and we will be back next year.

OC TR 8/26-9/2 (almost)

stuck:

Thanks for taking the time to share the details of your trip.

Glad to hear you all had a good time no way to control the weather you have to make the best of it.

Sorry your plans to have your cousin watch your kids didn%26#39;t work out might have been a good time out for a few drinks and some night life maybe next year.

Thanks for the suggestions I am sure some might use them.

Looks like the labor Day weekend might be a bit rough down there.

Lots of rain and some power problems.

Enjoy what%26#39;s left of your Summer.

OC TR 8/26-9/2 (almost)

Hello -

I%26#39;m planning to go to Sea Watch this fall - can you tell me more about parking and if there was any free parking near? [We will be taking several cars with youngsters as well...]

Thanks,

Andy

andyschink

At the Seawatch you can park more than one car, but for a fee of either $30 or $35 for the week.

Thanks for the reply E-double! If possible, can you tell me anything more that I should know?

Thanks again!

Andy