Vacation Barkers in Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Luie Boone
- Jul 8
- 6 min read
This vacation destination is a part of our second series of blog posts titled K9 Kind.
Sand. Glorious, diggable, roll-worthy sand. Doesn't that sound like the stuff of doggy dreams? Luie Boone sure thinks so, and he highly suggests you check out Virginia Beach, Virginia for your next sandy vacation. With paw-friendly beaches, plenty of outdoor spaces, and a laid-back vibe, it's the perfect spot for two-legged and four-legged travelers to soak up the sun and make some sandy memories.
Virginia Beach doesn't just welcome dogs. No, it practically begs you to bring your furry friend along. It's basically one giant sand playground. In fact, it's home to the longest pleasure beach in the world, which stretches an approximate 35 tail-wagging miles along the Atlantic coast. That's miles of sand for digging, waves for splashing, and endless space for sniffing.
Among the gems of Virginia Beach is Sandbridge. At first, Luie Boone thought that was literally a gigantic sand bridge. Naturally, he was all in to zoom across it. But, turns out, Sandbridge is a quiet, laid-back beach community. It is just south of the main resort of Virginia Beach, and is the perfect place to escape the crowds and soak in some coastal serenity.
If you are considering visiting Virginia Beach in the summertime, there is something very important that Luie Boone needs to let you know: Pups are only allowed on the beach during the early morning and later evening hours. Sounds unfair, but it actually makes a lot of doggone sense. The midday heat, big crowds, and hot sand aren't great for paws or furry bellies. Early mornings and evenings mean cooler temps, softer sand, and plenty of room for zoomies without accidentally crashing through a kid's sandcastle or knocking over a sun chair. And, hey, if you visit in the off-season? Dogs are welcome on the beaches and boardwalks all day long. Luie Boone reckons that's a fair trade.
Virginia Beach isn't just about sand and surf. It's also packed with outdoor spaces that go way beyond the shoreline. We're talking about wooded trails, wide-open parks, and peaceful paths that are paw-fect for a midday stroll, a good sniff session, or even a lazy afternoon picnic.
Some local outfitters even let pups hop aboard for paddleboarding or calm-water kayaking. Luie Boone says it'll be like being the captain of your own doggy pirate ship, just without the loyal parrot companion. The local boardwalk is another tail-wagging favorite. It's perfect for a scenic stroll with plenty of new smells and people-watching/sniffing.
And when it's time to refuel? Virginia Beach offers numerous pet-friendly restaurants, where hoomans and pups can grab a bite. One of Luie Boone's top picks is Pups and Pints, which is Coastal Virginia's first-ever dog park, restaurant, and bar all rolled into one! After an afternoon of zoomies and sniffing new friends, your pup can refuel with a pup-cake or woofle! Play hard, snack harder, is what Luie Boone always says. There's also Citrus, which Luie Boone will bark more about later. But, here's a teaser: Your pup's meal comes served on a frisbee! That's right! A frisbee, and you can keep it! Five-paw service, right?
Concluding woof? Virginia Beach is a tail-wagging, frisbee-fetching, sand-digging good time for pups and their people. Luie Boone says if there’s sunshine, snacks, and the chance to zoom without judgment, he’s in.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Check it out below!
Rental Name: A Summer Night’s Dream
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 7 beds and 3.5 baths.
Photos courtesy of Siebert Realty
It features the following amenities:
Back deck overlooks the backyard and the canal
Hot tub on the deck
Private pool with poolside lounge chairs
Pool bar
Private dock
Outside shower
Large fenced yard (Luie Boone reckons it has more than enough room to zoom!)
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
This rental is called "A Summer Night's Dream," but honestly it sounds more like "A Summer Night's Dream Come True!" From what I've gathered (I'm an excellent listener when snacks and vacations are involved), this place is a total treat. It's been recently remodeled, which apparently means coastal vibes and dreamy decor. There's also a gourmet kitchen, a giant sectional sofa, and plenty of sunny spots for professional-level napping. But wait, there's more! Outside, there's a private pool for splashing, a big backyard for maximum zoomies, and a dock on the canal where I plan to show off my cannonball skills. There's even a hot tub! Plus, my hoomans keep going on about magical sunsets. I'll believe it when I sniff it. All I know is this is shaping up to be everything I could ever want—space to run, spots to snooze, and most importantly… I get to be there with my humans. Now that’s what I call a pawsome vacation.
Paws Venture Here
Stumpy Lake Natural Area
At Stumpy Lake Natural Area, your pup is welcome to explore 1,422 acres by your side. The area consists of 970 plus acres of undeveloped, forested land surrounding the lake, as well as 1.65 miles of soft shared-use trails.
First Landing State Park
First Landing State Park is one of the most visited parks in Virginia Beach. Fido will have a blast running in the water and exploring along the 20 miles of trails. Luie Boone hopes he can look as cool as those two stylish pups over there, rocking their sunglasses, bandanas, and pineapple bev.
Virginia Beach
This beach welcomes your loyal buddy year-round. Luie Boone will be sure to bring his tennis ball with him, just like that happy pooch!
Pleasure House Point Natural Area
At this natural area, you can enjoy the 118 acres of water, tidal marsh, sandy shores, and maritime forest—all located on the Lynnhaven River, which is just south of the Chesapeake Bay.
West Neck Creek Natural Area
At this natural area, there is 217-acres for you to explore with your pooch. You can enjoy fishing, hiking, and bird-watching,
Munden Point Park
This 100-acre park is located on the North Landing River. The river has the largest great blue heron rookery in Virginia, numbering over 300 birds. You and your canine companion may see them as you walk out on the narrow fingers of land, which project into the Intercoastal Waterway. Luie Boone can't wait till his kitty brother, Tobi, all about the birds he sees!
The Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area
This 42-acre preserve has more than 12,000 feet of shoreline to walk along with your pal.
Citrus
This restaurant specializes in made-fresh daily breakfast and lunch dishes. Fido is welcome to join you at an umbrella-covered table on the patio, where they can order a meal off their dog menu. Remember, the food comes out on a frisbee, which you can keep!
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Virginia Beach, Virginia
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
Virginia Beach is a real beach, with sand, waves, and seagulls that I can bark at! But, there's one thing that's got me a little unsure. My hoomans keep talking about something called a jellyfish. At first, I was pumped, because anything with the word "jelly" has to be delicious, right? Like it is peanut butter's best friend. Wrong. Turns out, jellyfish are weird, wobbly sea creatures that float around in the water and—get this—if you touch one, it zaps you! Rude. Some even wash up on the beach like they own the place, just waiting for an innocent pup like me to step on them. And apparently, there's not just one or two. In the summer, especially July or August, thousand of these jiggly stingers can show up because the water gets super warm. I'm going to practice my don't-touch-the-squishies beach walk, and my hoomans are packing vinegar just in case as vinegar can help if we get stung. Anyways, I'm still excited. I'll just have to sniff, splash, and keep my paws far, far away from any jellyfishies! Bring on the beach!
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