One great thing about living in Williamsburg is having beaches so close and an abundance of neighborhood pools. The convenience of this is not to be forgotten or underappreciated! Residents from Williamsburg and James City County enjoy many local beaches such as Jamestown Beach, Yorktown Beach, and beaches along the Colonial Parkway. Pools are very popular too, but people have different preferences and abilities to access them.

The striking hot sun attracts many different people to enjoy the UV rays and cool off in the water. Families and friends join and have cookouts or simply bring towels, sunglasses, and sunscreen to lay out and tan. Whether the beach down the street, the neighborhood pool, or a pool in your backyard, there are numerous locations and ways to enjoy the sun in Williamsburg.

College Creek is a wonderful beach that families and teenagers can enjoy year round, but especially during the warmer months. College Creek is broken up into many beaches along the Colonial Parkway. You can park in various lots alongside the road and walk to any sandy spot that suits you.

The beaches have great tree coverage for people wanting to be in the cooler shade. Although, there is still open space with plenty of sun for tan seekers. You can even skip rocks or hang hammocks and chill out all day. Although these beaches are a great place to relax and hang out, the waters are not very safe. The current at College Creek has a strong rip tide that has been deadly. Multiple people have drowned while swimming there. So if you want to pay one of these spots a visit this summer, be aware of the waters and have fun safely.

Imagine a sunny, hot morning, with the fresh fragrance of blooming summer flowers and the melody of chirping birds as you wake up and step outside to see your in-ground pool in the backyard. The luxurious feeling of having a personal pool and relaxation area is exhilarating and peaceful all at once. Kayla Knotts, a Junior at Jamestown High School, has a salt water in-ground pool right behind her home that is surrounded by a beautiful garden. A sense of peace is important, along with spending quality time with the family, but throwing pool parties is a huge plus for Kayla and her friends. Pool parties can take place at public and neighborhood pools, but the private venue and family atmosphere of a backyard pool seems to be more intimate and comfortable. Pools in the backyard are typically deemed cleaner due to the care taking of the owner, and there isn’t the issue of sharing the water with strangers. Kayla says, “I love having a pool in my backyard because it gives my friends and family a relaxing and calming place to be in the summer. It is a great feeling to only have a few steps to walk to cool off in the private and homey setting of my backyard.” Kayla feels fortunate to have such an enjoyable and fun summer activity so close to home, literally.

Neighborhood swimming pools are always a huge hit over the summer. They usually open on Memorial Day and are open till Labor Day Weekend. A well-known pool is in the Kingswood neighborhood. Off of Jamestown Road, Kingswood is popular for its high diving board, something most pools lack. This high dive is accompanied by a normal size diving board. If you are interested in a swim team, Kingswood is the place. They are usually ranked one of the best in Williamsburg. To attend the pool there is a daily fee, unless you pay for a membership, but that can be pricy. The pool also has a basketball court, a swing set, a slide, and a Tether Ball set up. If you’re looking for fun this summer, think about Kingswood pool.

The James River is a complex ecosystem as well as a popular recreation site for people. Jamestown Beach has been a popular spot for many years and has undergone numerous renovations to make the beach more hospitable to visitors. These renovations include fences, designated parking, the installation of a pier, and a small building with bathrooms and employees able to assist with issues or questions. Kayaking is now available for individuals who are 16 and older with a parent or guardian’s signature as well. These accommodations draw in many tourists. Many people say they prefer Virginia Beach over Jamestown due to the cloudy, green, polluted water. Virginia Beach attracts tourists from all over the country, including Williamsburg residents, because of the short hour and a half trip. Jamestown Beach is the cheaper and closer option that many people prefer over the cost of gas for the trip to Virginia Beach.Lafayette Juniors Lucas Elder, Jacquelyn Boesler, and Jamestown Senior JJ Younes all agree the water at Jamestown beach is very brown and sometimes dirty. Most of them prefer going to the pool rather than the beach. When asked to choose the beach or pool, Kayla Knotts chooses the beach due to her admiration of the ocean and sand. On a more negative note, Younes, states, “Jamestown Beach can easily be labeled as trash. I prefer the pool over the beach any and every day, I hate the feeling of having sand everywhere. If my girlfriend didn’t make me g o to the beach, I probably would not go at all.” There are various opinions about the beach in our backyard, but most are thankful for such scenic beauty of being so close to home.