When I was a kid growing up in Oakland, California, I had some of my best times just walking along the beach. My family never had a lot of money, but it did not matter. We were not far from some of the most spectacular beaches in the country! We would take beach holidays almost every weekend during the summer. Sometimes, we would even take winter trips to the beach. It was often cold and rainy, but we didn’t care. Nothing can set your mind at ease like just walking along and staring off at the water.
We never had the money for beach house rentals, but it did not matter. It felt like we had more opportunity to explore the California coast than all of the rich tourists. When people get a beach house rental, they tend to stay put. They think of that particular spot of beach as belonging to them, and sit around, soaking up rays and savoring the sense of ownership. Because we knew that all of the beaches belonged to everyone, however, we would not stay put. We ranged up and down the coast, from Point Reyes to Santa Cruz.
Unfortunately, it is hard to make something of yourself when you have to pay bay area rent. It was only a matter of time before I had to move away. Now, I have money and success, but I don’t have the beach. I am in the strange position of looking at beach house rentals myself.
I remember how I looked at beach house renters when I was a kid. They were rich and they seemed snobby to me, as if they were looking down on the locals who could not afford to actually live on the beach. Now that I have stayed in a beach house rental, I recognize the looks that I get from some of the passing locals. I felt the same way myself, and it is kind of eerie.
Nevertheless, beach house rentals are in some ways even better than living nearby. When you live in Oakland, you sort of take the ocean for granted. Because you can go out there anytime you want, it does not seem like such a big deal. Staying in beach house rentals, however, you feel like you have to make the most of your vacation. I never really knew how wonderful the ocean was until I had to move away from it.
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