{"ok":true,"data":{"id":2679,"slug":"28th-street-beach-ocean-city","name":"28th Street Beach","country":"USA","state":"Maryland","city":"Ocean City","coords":{"lat":38.3478,"lng":-75.079},"beachType":null,"tags":["hidden"],"article":{"hero":"Twenty-eighth Street marks the threshold where Ocean City's neon boardwalk energy dissolves into something quieter and more deliberate. You'll walk past clapboard rentals with sandy footprints on the porches, beach toys drying on railings, and the occasional yellow Lab shaking off saltwater. The dune line sits lower here, giving you a clear sightline to the breakers before you've even left the wooden crossover.\n\nThe beach itself stretches generous and flat when the tide pulls back, leaving tide pools that mirror the sky and give toddlers their own private laboratories for hermit crabs and coquina clams. Families stake claim early with striped umbrellas and playpens, and by midmorning the shallows fill with boogie boarders testing their nerve against waist-high rollers. The lifeguards here tend to know the regulars by sight.\n\nYou won't find arcades or funnel cake within immediate reach, but that's the appeal. A block west, the bayside shops sell kites and sunscreen at prices that won't make you wince. The rhythm here follows tides and nap schedules rather than amusement park hours, and by late afternoon the beach empties enough that you can walk the wrack line undisturbed, counting moon snail shells and the occasional sand dollar still intact.","teaser":"You'll park along a residential street where beach tags dangle from rearview mirrors and coolers outnumber cocktails. The sand here runs wider at low tide, the lifeguard stands feel less crowded, and the Atlantic rolls in with the same muscular consistency that built this barrier island.","uniqueAngle":"It delivers Ocean City's reliable surf and sand without the sensory overload of the boardwalk, making it the rare beach where a three-year-old's meltdown won't disturb a hundred strangers.","accessType":"Street parking, boardwalk access","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Wade the Shallows","subtitle":"Gentle slope, ideal for toddlers"},{"icon":"surf","title":"Boogie Board Waves","subtitle":"Consistent waist-high summer rollers"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Tide Pool Hunts","subtitle":"Low tide reveals hermit crabs"},{"icon":"food","title":"Bayside Seafood Runs","subtitle":"Walk two blocks for crabs"}],"audience":{"surfer":"Summer swells arrive from the southeast, offering waist- to chest-high waves with enough push for longboarders and soft-tops but rarely the punch that draws shortboard crowds. The sandbars shift after nor'easters, occasionally forming rideable peaks near the 27th Street jetty. Wax tropical in July and August when the water hits seventy-four degrees. The lineup stays mellow and the vibe tilts family-friendly, so hooting and aggression read poorly here. Early mornings before the lifeguards post their flags give you the cleanest faces.","couples":"Arrive an hour before sunset and walk north toward the inlet, where the beach narrows and the crowd thins to a few shell collectors and evening joggers. The horizon opens wide without boardwalk lights bleeding into your sightline. For dinner, drive ten minutes south to Ropewalk on the bay side—order the rockfish and sit on the dock where ospreys hunt at dusk. Lodging clusters along Coastal Highway; the smaller motels between 20th and 40th Streets offer balconies with ocean views and rates that drop midweek outside summer. Skip the big resorts.","backpacker":"Beach access stays free year-round outside of Memorial Day through Labor Day, when you'll need a ten-dollar daily tag or thirty-dollar seasonal pass. Sleep cheap at the hostel-style rooms above Shenanigans Pub on 4th Street or pitch farther north at Assateague State Park for twenty-five a night with showers. Fractured Prune doughnuts and 7-Eleven coffee cover breakfast under five bucks. The Coastal Highway bus runs a dollar fifty and stops every few blocks. Rent bikes at Dandy Don's to skip parking headaches entirely.","local":"Hit the sand before seven a.m. in summer when you'll have the beach to yourself except for the occasional surf fisherman working cut bait for blues. September and October bring the best conditions—warm water, smaller crowds, and rideable waves after tropical systems spin offshore. Park along side streets rather than metered Coastal Highway spots. The wrack line after a strong east wind yields intact whelk shells and the odd piece of cobalt sea glass. Low tide two hours before sunset gives you firm sand for running the hard-pack all the way to 44th Street without dodging umbrellas.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"28th Street Beach is generally considered one of Ocean City's calmer, family-friendly beaches. The area typically has gentler waves compared to more central locations, making it suitable for children. Lifeguards are on duty during summer months (typically late May through early September). Always check daily beach conditions and flag warnings before entering the water. The beach slopes gradually, providing a safer wading area for younger swimmers. Arrive early during peak season as lifeguarded sections can get crowded. Always supervise children near the water regardless of conditions.","q":"Is 28th Street Beach safe for swimming with kids?"},{"a":"Summer (June through August) offers the warmest weather with temperatures in the 80s°F, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. However, this is peak season with larger crowds. Late May and September provide pleasant weather with fewer visitors and lower accommodation rates. The beach is accessible year-round, and fall/winter months attract those seeking peaceful walks and off-season tranquility, though swimming isn't practical. Weekdays are notably less crowded than weekends throughout the year. Early mornings offer the most serene experience regardless of season.","q":"When is the best time to visit 28th Street Beach?"},{"a":"Street parking is available along 28th Street and nearby side streets, though spaces fill quickly during summer. Ocean City offers metered parking throughout the town (rates vary seasonally). A public parking lot is located at 27th Street and the bay, about two blocks from the beach. Parking is typically free from October through April. During peak season, arrive before 9am for better availability. Many visitors staying at nearby hotels and rentals can walk to the beach. Consider using the Boardwalk Tram or local bus service to avoid parking challenges.","q":"Where can I park at 28th Street Beach in Ocean City?"},{"a":"28th Street Beach is in a primarily residential area, so dining options require a short walk or drive. The Ocean City Boardwalk, about a mile south, offers numerous restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Coastal Highway (Route 1), just blocks west, has various dining options including seafood restaurants, casual eateries, and convenience stores. No boardwalk amenities exist at this beach location. Public restrooms and showers are available at nearby beach access points during summer. Numerous hotels, condos, and vacation rentals surround the area, offering convenient lodging within walking distance.","q":"What restaurants and amenities are near 28th Street Beach?"},{"a":"28th Street Beach sits north of the main Boardwalk district, which ends at 27th Street, making it less accessible to day-trippers focused on boardwalk attractions. This residential beach area lacks the amusement parks, arcades, and commercial development that draw crowds to central Ocean City. Most visitors here are families staying in nearby rentals seeking a quieter beach experience. The absence of a boardwalk means fewer amenities but also more space and tranquility. Local residents often prefer this hidden gem for its relaxed atmosphere while still being close to Ocean City's attractions.","q":"Why is 28th Street Beach less crowded than other Ocean City beaches?"}]},"seo":{"title":"28th Street Beach: Ocean City's Quiet Family Retreat","description":"Tucked between Ocean City's bustling boardwalk blocks, 28th Street Beach offers calm waves, soft sand, and elbow room for castle-building families seeking seaside solitude.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54562221448_08537514cd_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"521477","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/80/258358854_7373797e2d_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/80/258358854_7373797e2d.jpg","alt":"let me tell you about the Marco Polo"},{"id":"521483","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7131/14011498161_3b069276aa_c.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7131/14011498161_3b069276aa.jpg","alt":"Northeast, Virginia, Virginia Beach, VA"},{"id":"521484","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7159/14011496801_64ca28435a_c.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7159/14011496801_64ca28435a.jpg","alt":"Northeast, Virginia, Virginia Beach, VA"}]}}