This post is gonna be a little different than the others… Normally we’d list out our five favorite places to eat, drink or things to do in a city. But Sandbridge, VA is a little different. Different in that it’s really tiny. As in, there aren’t five restaurants on the island, much less five places to have a nice drink or three.
So instead, I’m going to write up a condensed review of what my family and I did for the week here. hopefully you’ll find it informative!
Where is Sandbridge, VA?
I’ll be honest, I had no idea this little town even existed.
We stayed in Sandbridge last summer, and this was our first time visiting. When explaining to friends where we were going, I had to say “Virginia Beach” so they could get their bearings.
With that said, Sandbridge is about a 10-15 minute drive south from Virginia Beach.
It’s an oceanfront community that’s roughly 4.5 miles long, and there’s really only one main road that leads you in and out of Sandbridge – appropriately named Sandbridge Road.
So What Did We Think of Sandbridge, VA?
Upon arrival, we noticed that it’s only beach rentals (with one condo unit as the exception), and a very small commercial area located in the north of town where you enter from Sandbridge Road that consists of a small market, a local restaurant, a fire station, and a few souvenir and ice cream shops.
Needless to say, it was fairly quiet.
But you know what? We thought it was perfect for our family!
There was no hustle and bustle of your typical busy beach town, and we operated at our own pace.
The walk to the beach was manageable. There are several public beach access points that run between the houses so you don’t have to walk very far. This is especially useful if you’re lugging chairs, tents and coolers like we had to.
We all agreed that Sandbridge had an Outer Banks vibe to it, which is perfect because we love vacationing there… but the drive was much shorter for us (a 3 hour drive vs. a 5+ hour drive).
That’s a huge advantage if you’re traveling with children!
I think we would like to go back again, but we would look for a house that’s on the ocean next time. The lugging of the beach stuff while trying to coax your children to walk instead of carrying them got to be a little too much for me, as any parent can imagine.
Where Did We Stay In Sandbridge, VA?
The cool thing about Sandbridge is that it’s only two roads that stretch north to south, and the rental homes which are furthest from the beach are only one street away – roughly a 5 min walk to the ocean.
We stayed off the furthest road from the beach (Sandpiper Road) about half a mile from the main road.
You’re not going to find any hotels or resorts here. It’s only rental homes, and one large condo unit right off of Sandbridge Road.
The main rental agency is Seibert Realty, and they manage the majority of the properties in Sandbridge. That’s who we booked our house through as well.
The rental process is very seamless and they even gave us an early check-in! (This is huge if you have children). If you decide to vacation here, I recommend you find a property with them. They have options for all kinds of family sizes, and pet-friendly rentals.
What Did We Do In Sandbridge?
We spent the majority of our time at the beach, or hanging out at our pool. The kids were content to spend time in either place!
We also went on several walks in the morning while it was still cool where we could enjoy the sun without getting totally roasted.
Plus, we were close enough to walk to a few nearby places to do some exploring…
We came across a little ice cream parlor called the Sandbridge Sugar Shack. It’s almost impossible to walk past here with the kids and NOT stop in for a few scoops.
The kids had a rainbow “superman” scoop, and I had the Graham Central Station flavored scoop. Man oh man, that was DELICIOUS.
And I guess the kids enjoyed their ice cream too… I was too busy shoving mine into my mouth to notice (kidding, mostly).
On the way to the market, we passed a fire station, and the firefighters invited us in so the kids could explore the trucks!
Those guys were so nice and welcoming, I couldn’t thank them enough. The kids were a little shy at first, but they finally warmed up and by the end, they wanted to live at the station.
We also stopped into the local market every now and then to pick up a few things we needed. The Sandbridge Seaside Market might be small, but they have everything.
For example, one trip consisted of a propane tank, some fruit, beer, a t-shirt, detergent, and some OJ.
Not bad for a little beach market!
Where Did We Eat In Sandbridge, VA?
We mostly cooked our own meals, so we didn’t really eat out much. Harris Teeter and the Sandbridge Seaside Market were our go-tos. Besides, the dining options here are limited.
There’s a small store called Belanga’s Seafood on the side of Sandbridge Road where you can find fresh seafood. It may not look like much, but their selection is fresh caught (except for the scallops) by local fishermen.
I got some fresh swordfish which I cooked for the house, and it was delicious. The clerk even gave my son a little toy sailboat, on the house!
A local family member of ours recommended Baja, but we never made it out there. She says it’s legit, and I kind of regret not getting out there. But they open at 4pm, and we had a 6-month old baby in our party, so his bedtime was the priority. Maybe next time!
The only time we all went out for a meal was brunch at Blue Pete’s. It’s about a 15 minute drive inland, tucked away in the woods. It’s right on the water, and the kids can go outside and explore the docks and bridges. They’re even able to feed the turtles!
I had the brunch burger, which was essentially a cheeseburger with a fried egg on it. I’m a sucker for eggs on burgers, and this one did not disappoint!
Three Tips for Sandbridge, VA
No Sidewalks
As I mentioned, the whole island is just two roads that stretch north to south. And there aren’t any sidewalks if you decide to go running or for a walk. Sandpiper Road is the busiest road where cars travel much faster than Sandfiddler Road – which is the road closest to the ocean. In fact, Sandfiddler is used by pedestrians and cyclists much more than cars and trucks. Automobiles give way to pedestrians on this road, so it’s much safer to walk on.
Out of gas?
If your propane tank kicks the bucket, don’t run to the mainland to replace it! We found out that you can swap tanks at the Sandbridge Seaside Market for free if you bring either your lease agreement, or a pair of house keys.
Beach time
The beach here is not crowded at all, which is very nice when you have several people in your party. Even on a perfect day, you can walk right up to the tide and set up your tent and not be completely shoulder to shoulder with other beachgoers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed on the beach?
Yes and no. While some rentals allow you to bring your furry pals on vacation with your family, they’re not allowed on the beach from 10am – 6pm during the peak summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Off-season they’re welcome on the beach anytime.
Are there hotels in Sandbridge, VA?
Like I mentioned above, it’s only rental homes and condos. There are no hotels in Sandbridge.
Is Sandbridge, VA part of Virginia Beach?
Technically, it is. But it’s about a 15 minute drive south from Virginia Beach proper and all the traffic and noise. That’s why Sandbridge feels like you’re staying on an island!
Is fishing allowed in Sandbridge, VA?
Yes, but you need a Virginia Saltwater License if you want to surf fish. For fishing in the fresh waters on the other side of the island, you’ll need a Freshwater License. You can purchase a 1-day, 5-day, or a 10-day license if you’re visiting, and you can purchase them online or at most bait & tackle shops.
