Itineraries

A Fall Day in Sandbridge

Erin Gifford

Aerial view of a long sandy beach with a pier extending into the ocean. Coastal vegetation and a parking area are visible alongside the shoreline.

While the windswept sand dunes and seaside bungalows of Virginia Beach’s Sandbridge Beach elicit memories of long summer days spent sun worshiping by the water, fall might actually be our favorite time to spend a day exploring the beauty of the coastal community. With mild temperatures and smaller, if any, crowds, the relaxing destination becomes somehow even more so as the temperatures begin to cool. Here is how we would spend an autumn day living the life in Sandbridge.

Morning:

Three people stand on a beach watching the sunset over the ocean, with clouds in the sky and reflections on the water.

@jwillyagaze, Instagram

Go for a morning walk on the beach and take in the stunning colors of an autumn sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and keep an eye out for that perfect seashell.

Enjoy a Back Bay Benedict and a cup of coffee from Margie & Ray’s Seafood, Crab & Raw Bar.

Afternoon:

Three people are kayaking on a calm river surrounded by trees under a blue sky with clouds.

@surf_adventure_co, Instagram

Rent some fat-tire bikes or kayaks from Surf and Adventure Company to explore the beaches and waterways of Sandbridge in local fashion. You might even find yourself in the company of some our favorite regular visitors – dolphins! In the fall, the water holds its heat from the warm summer months well into the season, making it the perfect time for a kayaking adventure.

Explore the 8,000-acre Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to over 300 species of migratory birds, as well as river otters, white-tailed deer, mink, red and grey foxes and turtles.

Head back for a relaxing day at the beach. Pack a picnic, build a sandcastle, enjoy the warmth of the sun, and dive into a good book. Beach days are not exclusive to the summer!

Evening:

A plate of creamy fettuccine pasta topped with grilled chicken and lemon slices, a slice of bread, and a glass of water with a lemon wedge, set on an outdoor table with a grassy view.

@bajasandbridge, Instagram

Grab some dinner and a BajaRita at Baja Restaurant on the south side of Sandbridge. Fall marks the beginning of Rockfish season in Virginia Beach, as well as many other local favorites, so you can’t go wrong with the Fresh Fish of the Day.

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Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Sandbridge
Things to Do

Written by Erin Gifford

Erin Gifford is a Virginia-based travel and outdoors writer. She especially enjoys writing about road trips, outdoor recreation and national parks. Her credits include Parents, The Washington Post, Thrillist, TIME and AFAR.com. She has written three hiking guidebooks for Falcon Guides and has created a hiking website, GoHikeVirginia.com. She also runs half marathons and is working toward completing one in all 50 states (so far, she has checked off 36 states).