Off Duty....

IN AMERICA, LIFE'S A BEACH:

A FEW FAVORITES

Being stationed in America means going to the beach. Whether it's a weekend of sand, sun, and fun or some long-planned and well-earned leave, many military members have a favorite beach. The following gives details about a few of our choices for your next trip to the beach.

Choosing favorites is always tough and beaches are no exception. We've tried to provide lots of variety. There's a beach for everyone and if we haven't found one suitable or convenient for you just head toward some saltwater and find your own favorite beach.

A recent survey and study by geography professor Stephen Leatherman of the University of Maryland's Laboratory for Coastal Research reviewed more than 650 U.S. beaches to find the "best" overall. Some of the fifty factors considered included solitude, pollution, water temperature, quality of sand, size of breaking waves, beach width, and accessibility. Though a few of our favorites did make the list, we think just plain fun should have been another characteristic considered. It's certainly a characteristic of all our choices.

DESTINATION DAYTONA

Perhaps Florida defines this nation's beach scene. Most of the state line is actually coastline and tourism officials make sure you enjoy every mile of their sandy state border. If Florida defines America's beaches, then Daytona Beach needs no further definition.

Daytona Beach features 23 miles of white sand beaches, a mild climate throughout the year, and warm hospitality for their many visitors. "The World's Most Famous Beach" is managed as a giant seaside park by the Volusia County Beach Department. Beach rangers prominently assist visitors and residents.

Because of its convenient location, the Daytona Beach area is a perfect beach base for exploring many of Florida's attractions. Walt Disney World, historic St. Augustine, Spaceport USA, and Sea World are all within an hour's drive of Daytona Beach.

But a drive along a sandy stretch of Daytona Beach is an American experience no one should miss. Driving on the hard-packed sand is allowed on an 18-mile stretch of the beach during daytime hours ($3 charge per vehicle). The beach at low tide is 500 feet wide, making for a great scene of sunbathers, beach cruiser bicycles, motorbikes, beachfront venders, and, of course, lots of cars.

Although water sports abound, Daytona Beach is most famous for land sports. Early automobile pioneers like Louis Chevrolet and Henry Ford enjoyed their leisure time in the Florida sun and found that the hard-packed sand, gentle slope, and wide expanse of the beach were perfect conditions for early auto racing. Of course, Daytona International Speedway came much later.

Contact: Daytona Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, 126 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32115, (904) 255-0415.

THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE

Who says your favorite beach has to be on the Atlantic or Pacific? The Florida Panhandle offers some great beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and the Beaches of South Walton may be the best. In fact, one of the eighteen, Grayton Beach, was rated as "best" in the area by the University of Maryland beach study.

The Beaches of South Walton feature 26 miles of sugar-white beaches, along with tall sand dunes, waving sea oats, and brilliant blue-green gulf waters. It's a bit difficult to reach, though Pensacola is nearby and is the ideal starting point for visitors and the many soldiers stationed in the area. Once there, you'll find a beach area the way beaches used to be.

Along with the incredibly pretty and peaceful stretches of sand, the area offers accommodations possibilities unmatched by any other coastal area. The choices include a large variety of relatively inexpensive cottages, large resort properties, small hotels, and excellent camping facilities. The popular cottages along the beach have become annual outings for many families in the Armed Forces.

Contact: Beaches of South Walton, P.O. Box 1248, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, (800) 822-6877 or (904) 257-1216.

PUERTO RICO'S LUQUILLO BEACH

As an American Commonwealth, Puerto Rico qualifies with some great beaches and as an ideal destination for anyone stationed in the eastern part of the U.S.. This has been made easier in recent years, as it's capital city San Juan has become a hub for Caribbean flights and cruise ships. The entire island has also embraced tourism with open arms. It's an ideal introduction to the Caribbean and a great addition to the American beach scene.

Puerto Rico has twelve major beaches with government facilities, but Luquillo Beach is by far the best and most famous. Situated just thirty miles east of San Juan, it is simply one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

It's long and white and edged by a large coconut grove. You pay $1 to enter by car (many tours can take you there as well) and a bit more for a locker and shower facilities. The beach is generally open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm, but it can be incredibly crowded on the weekend.

If you do head to Puerto Rico and Luquillo Beach, make sure to head to the El Yunque National Forest (just five miles west of Luquillo). This park consists of 28,000 acres and is the only tropical forest in the U.S. National Forest system. There are more than 240 different tree species and lots of birds and beautiful wild orchids.

Contact: Puerto Rico Tourism Company, 575 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10017, (800) 223-6530 or (212) 599-6262.

VIRGINIA'S ASSATEAGUE AND CHINCOTEAGUE ISLANDS

The Atlantic coastline features lots of barrier islands and beaches and they all have their own special charm completely different from mainland beaches. Virginia's Assateague and Chincoteague Islands on the Eastern Shore offer one of America's unique beach experiences. The best part is that they're within an easy drive of much of the eastern U.S., including the Washington, D.C. and Norfolk military bases.

Visitors to the island of Chincoteague will discover decorative and antique wildfowl carvings; paintings and photography by local artists; dining options featuring fresh seafood harvested from local waters; and accommodations for every taste. It's a true ocean-loving community.

Shared with the state of Maryland, Assateague Island boasts more than 37 miles of the widest, wildest, and most beautiful stretches of beach in the world. The Assateague National Seashore features many wonderful opportunities for birding, guided walks, peaceful beach strolls, and much more. The Maryland side of the island offers one of the best beach campgrounds in the U.S.

Other than the beach, the islands offer two excellent tourism opportunities. Nearby Wallops Island includes the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, with a history of space exploration, a Moon rock from the Apollo 17 mission, full-scale aircraft and rockets, and displays of current and future NASA projects.

Visitors in the summer won't want to miss the annual Pony Penning, when the Virginia herd of wild ponies is rounded up and many of the foals are sold at auction to help support the local fire company. It's a legendary beach sight to be seen.

Contact: Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 258, Chincoteague, VA 23336, (804) 336-6161.

CAPE COD

That Yankee spirit is abundant in the New England area and it's even evident along the long stretches of sand. The Cape Cod area is a perfect destination for military members exploring the northeast beach scene. It's ideal for a long weekend, a long vacation, or as a base for other New England beach outings.

Since Pilgrims first made tracks in the sand at Provincetown, visitors have been attracted to Cape Cod. It is now an intriguing blend of contrasts: sun-drenched beaches fade to green pine forests; rose-covered cottages mix with luxury resorts; and quaint villages are interspersed with active resort towns. Somehow, it all blends together to make for a tranquil beach scene.

Perhaps the biggest draw is the Cape Cod National Seashore. This beautiful beach refuge was made a reality by President John F. Kennedy on August 7, 1961. The National Seashore offers about thirty miles of fine seashore and approximately 27,000 acres of uplands around six towns. The work of their great staff includes conservation and preservation of the natural surroundings, as well as the exploration of natural and historic sights for the enjoyment of visitors.

The nucleus of this activity is the Salt Pond Visitor Center, a great place to begin exploration. Options include the new historical museum, self-guided walking tours through the park, a great bike path, some breathtaking overlooks, and interesting historical possibilities.

The beach options are legendary. Favorites include Coastguard Beach and Nauset Light Beach, but it's also fun to find your own favorites for the beach experience of a lifetime.

Contact: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Junction Route 6 and 132, Hyannis, MA 02601, (508) 362-3225.

VENICE BEACH

Who says big city beaches can't be fun? The Pacific coastline of Los Angeles stretches for 72 miles, but Venice Beach must certainly be the best-known. It's the quintessential cornucopia of big city beach life.

Originally part of Abbot Kinney's 1905 dream of a new Venice in America (with canals), today's Venice Beach provides a continual fanfare of street performers along the city's Oceanfront Walk. It's the ultimate beach show.

Jugglers, roller-skaters, comedians, musicians, mimes, dancers, and other performers are all part of the entertainment scene along the strand. Over at Muscle Beach, strongmen (and women) flex their pecks for ogling bystanders.

Further afield, the Los Angeles area offers much more sandy solace. From Malibu in the north to Long Beach in the south, it's a beach-lovers paradise. Head for Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Pier; Marina del Rey and Fisherman's Village; the sandy beaches of Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo, and Torrance; or San Pedro and the L.A. Harbor.

Contact: Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau, 515 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071, (213) 624-7300.

MONTEREY

For those who want to get away from the big city, there are plenty of other beaches along the West Coast. The Monterey Peninsula is an ideal example. Located 340 miles north of Los Angeles and 120 miles south of San Francisco, the Monterey Peninsula is formed by Monterey Bay to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Carmel Bay to the south.

There are so many beautiful beaches along the peninsula that none of them ever seem to get crowded. Of course, the water isn't exactly warm, but the area is great for strolling and picknicking, as well as diving and surfing (in wet suits!).

The diving is particularly popular, thanks to one of the deepest underwater canyons in the world. The Monterey Bay harbors hundreds of species of sea life, many found no where else in the world. For a look at underwater life without getting wet, check out the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. There are lots of great displays about the area, as well as live broadcasts from researchers in the aquariums deep water submarine.

A great way to explore the area is along the Monterey Peninsula Recreation Trail that spans it's scenic and historic waterfront. The integrated cycling and pedestrian path winds its way from Lover's Point in Pacific Grove to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, through Cannery Row and Shoreline Park, past Fisherman's Wharf and Custom Plaza, and along Monterey's Window on the Bay waterfront park and Del Monte Beach.

Add the proximity of military installations like Fort Ord, the Defense Language Institute, and the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, and you have an ideal West Coast beach getaway. Go west!

Contact: Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Visitors & Convention Bureau, 380 Alvarado Street, P.O. Box 1770, Monterey, CA 93940, (408) 648-5354.

WAIKIKI

A review of some of America's best beaches wouldn't be complete without at least one choice from the islands of Hawaii. When you think of Hawaiian beaches, you think of Waikiki on Oahu. This gleaming ribbon of sand (golden in many ways) stretches two miles from the Ala Wai Boat Harbor at one end to condominium apartments at the other.

Hawaiian royalty favored Waikiki, making it their seaside resort in both ancient and Monarchy times. The surf is gentle and predictable, offering a tame surfboard or outrigger canoe ride to the expert and a challenge to the novice.

But the best reason to head to Waikiki Beach may not be the beach itself, but the Hale Koa Hotel. The hotel is a first-class resort situated right on Waikiki Beach at Fort DeRussy. It is probably one of the best beach resort deals in the world.

The Hale Koa is for the exclusive use of military personnel and their families. Guest room rates vary depending on pay grade and present status, as well as location in the building. The price range is currently an incredibly low $37 to $96 per night, double occupancy.

The resort features an great array of amenities, including exciting Polynesian shows, a luau on the beach, many restaurants, recreational facilities, and much more. It's the ideal beach getaway.

Because of strong usage by military families, the Hale Koa has an occupancy history of 98% occupancy. Reservations can be made up to 365 days in advance. A toll-free number is available from the Continental U.S. direct to the reservations office: (800) 367-6027. Their regular phone number is (808) 955-0555.

Take one of America's best beaches, add one of the best beach hotel deals, and you have Waikiki for the military member. It's an ideal combination.

Contact: Hawaii Visitors Bureau, Waikiki Business Plaza, 2270 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815, (808) 923-1811.

CONTACTS FOR OFF DUTY

Daytona Beach--Georgia Carter (PR, C&VB), (904) 255-0415

Beaches of South Walton--Suzanne McNeill or Sarah Robinson (Geiger & Assoc.), (904) 942-1057.

Puerto Rico's Luquillo Beach--Miriam Trokan (The Rowland Company), (212) 527-8800.

Chincoteague/Assateague--Jacklyn Russell (Chamber), (804) 336-6161 or Coni Regan (Virginia's Eastern Shore Tourism Commission), (804) 787-2460.

Cape Cod--Elaine S. Perry (Chamber), (508) 362-3225.

Venice Beach--Connie Eldridge (C&VB), (213) 624-7300.

Monterey--Tracey Vaughan (Chamber of Commerce), (408) 658-5354).

Waikiki--Lindy Boyes (Visitors Bureau), (808) 923-1811.