Ocean View Beach Park | Norfolk

Ocean View Beach Park is a beloved public beachfront park located in the Ocean View neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia, along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. This 6.5-acre park serves as a community anchor, blending natural coastal beauty with a lively calendar of public events, family-friendly recreation, and essential amenities. It is not only a gathering place for locals but also a quiet destination for out-of-town visitors who want to enjoy a traditional beach experience without the crowds typical of commercialized seafronts.

🏖️ Location and Setting

Ocean View Beach Park sits on W. Ocean View Avenue, nestled between residential neighborhoods and Norfolk’s tranquil bayfront. Its shoreline offers panoramic views of the Chesapeake Bay, where visitors can watch ships and sailboats pass, admire the occasional dolphin sighting, or simply relax with a book and a sea breeze.

The park’s bayfront location offers calmer waters compared to ocean beaches, making it ideal for families with small children. The beach is not only wide and sandy but also bordered by grassy areas and shaded walkways, creating a comfortable and scenic transition from land to sea.

🌅 Key Amenities and Park Features

The park has been thoughtfully designed to cater to both passive and active recreation, offering a blend of convenience and accessibility.

▪️ Sandy Public Beach

The beach is open to the public and free to access year-round.

The bay-facing shoreline is suitable for swimming, sunbathing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing.

It has no lifeguards, so visitors swim at their own risk.

The sand is well-maintained, often cleaned by city crews before events.

▪️ Open Greenspace and Pavilion Area

A large grassy area adjacent to the beach is used for lounging, picnics, and community dances or yoga sessions.

At the heart of the park is a bandshell with a wide open plaza-this stage hosts concerts, dance nights, and civic events throughout the warmer months.

▪️ Boardwalk and Accessibility Ramps

A paved promenade and wooden boardwalks connect different parts of the park.

ADA-compliant beach access ramps allow individuals in wheelchairs or with strollers to reach the sand with ease.

▪️ Public Facilities

Clean and well-maintained public restrooms, outdoor showers, and foot wash stations.

Benches, picnic tables, and shaded areas for sitting or eating.

Approximately 70 on-site parking spaces, including designated handicapped spots.

Nearby streets offer overflow parking when the lot is full.

▪️ Ocean View Fishing Pier (Adjacent)

Just a short walk from the park lies the Ocean View Fishing Pier, which extends nearly 1,700 feet into the Chesapeake Bay.

It offers fishing and crabbing, a tackle shop, rod rentals, and a full-service seafood restaurant with bayfront views.

🎶 Events and Public Programming

Ocean View Beach Park transforms into a cultural venue during the spring and summer, offering free and festive events that attract locals from across Hampton Roads.

▪️ Big Bands on the Bay

Held every Sunday evening from Memorial Day through early July.

Features live performances by swing, jazz, and big band ensembles.

Families gather with folding chairs and blankets to enjoy the music as the sun sets over the bay.

Dancing on the promenade is encouraged and often spontaneous.

▪️ TGOV (Thank Goodness for Ocean View) Nights

Friday evening summer events that blend live music, food trucks, lawn games like cornhole, and interactive children’s activities.

Often features local craft vendors and food-and-beverage concessions, with beer and wine available for adults in designated zones.

▪️ Holiday and Seasonal Events

Includes Fourth of July celebrations, movie nights under the stars, fall festivals, and the occasional pop-up concert.

Alcohol is permitted only during permitted public events and must be confined to designated areas.

🧭 Nearby Attractions and Local Charm

Ocean View Beach Park is part of a vibrant, beach-oriented community that includes nearby parks, historical sites, and dining options.

Ocean View Station Museum: A small museum across from the park that showcases the area’s history, particularly the now-defunct Ocean View Amusement Park, which was a major draw in the mid-20th century.

Community Beach Park and East Beach: These sister beaches offer extended recreational space and additional beachfront access with lifeguards, playgrounds, and more parking.

Local Eateries: Within walking distance are several seafood restaurants, cafes, and ice cream parlors, with specialties like soft-shell crab, clam strips, fried fish sandwiches, and fresh oysters.

Biking and Walking Paths: The surrounding Ocean View area features sidewalks and bike-friendly paths that encourage exploration of the neighborhood.

🚗 Transportation and Access

Address: 100 W Ocean View Ave, Norfolk, VA 23503

By Car: Easily accessible via I-64 and I-564, the park has a surface lot with about 70 parking spots, though it fills quickly during events.

By Transit: Accessible via Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) bus routes, with a stop just a short walk from the park. The area is also bike-friendly.

Expansion in Progress (2024–2025): The City of Norfolk is investing approximately $2.5 million in improvements, including:

Expanded boardwalk and promenade

Renovated showers and restrooms

Additional food truck pods, picnic zones, and art installations

More parking, with eco-friendly stormwater features and lighting

✅ Visitor Tips

Plan early arrivals during weekends and holidays to secure parking and a good spot on the lawn or beach.

Bring your own shade gear-there are limited trees or umbrellas.

Observe beach rules: no open flames or grilling directly on the sand, no alcohol outside permitted events, and no amplified sound without a permit.

Watch for signage: The beach technically closes at sunset, and police occasionally monitor the area to enforce curfews and noise restrictions.

Bring bug spray for summer evenings when mosquitoes can be active near the grassy areas.

🎯 Summary

Ocean View Beach Park is a gem of coastal Norfolk, offering both relaxed and vibrant experiences depending on the time of day and season. Whether you’re coming for a quiet weekday sunrise or a festive summer concert, the park blends natural charm, community spirit, and public hospitality. Its role as both a neighborhood gathering place and a city-wide cultural venue makes it one of the most meaningful and accessible beach destinations in southeastern Virginia.