good beach in SW Michigan? (Kalamazoo, Holland: houses, construction, vacation)

michigan83 · 05-21-2010, 06:21 AM

I want to show off Lake Michigan to a friend from the east coast this weekend. Sadly, I have never been to a Lake Michigan beach that is south of Holland!

We'll be starting from Kalamazoo and I want to do the least amount of driving possible, so I've narrowed it down to St. Joseph, South Haven, or somewhere in between. Any ideas?

beachmouse · 05-21-2010, 08:58 AM

If you want rustic and don't mind a hike from the parking lot, I really like Saugatuck Dunes a little south of Holland. And fun to walk around downtown Saugatuck/Douglas before or after the beach.

skyl4rk · 05-21-2010, 05:29 PM

Thats easy, South Haven is your best choice. Follow M-43 to the end, then take a left on Phoenix Street into the downtown. You can park downtown and walk along the river to the beach. There is construction so there is a detour if you drive to the beach, just go a couple of blocks south to Erie Street and then head west.

michigan83 · 05-23-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Thats easy, South Haven is your best choice. Follow M-43 to the end, then take a left on Phoenix Street into the downtown. You can park downtown and walk along the river to the beach. There is construction so there is a detour if you drive to the beach, just go a couple of blocks south to Erie Street and then head west.

Thanks for the great tip!! Went to South Haven last night and really liked it. Easy parking, beautiful little downtown, and couldn't ask for a nicer beach. And the weather was great to boot. All in all a great trip. Thanks again!!

Bydand · 05-23-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michigan83

Thanks for the great tip!! Went to South Haven last night and really liked it. Easy parking, beautiful little downtown, and couldn't ask for a nicer beach. And the weather was great to boot. All in all a great trip. Thanks again!!

Well... what was your friends reaction?

michigan83 · 05-24-2010, 03:36 AM

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Well... what was your friends reaction?

Oh, she liked it. I had to overcome a little bit of ocean snobbery, of course. She commented that it didn't have the "ocean smell", but was amazed at the size of it and that she couldn't see across. She also liked all of the nice beach houses along the shore and the channel. It was her first visit to one of the Great Lakes.

I will say that the "anti-midwest" attitude of some people from the northeast is not imaginary! Seemed like she had to overcome that first before she could let herself like it. It was a little bit of an uphill battle, but I think I made some major progress.

Bydand · 05-24-2010, 06:03 AM

Yeah the "ocean smell" is something that my wife still misses (She grew up in Mass, going to the shore all through the summers). Overall though she much prefers the Great Lakes. She can rattle off a LONG list of why the Lakes are better to swim in and to lay-out by.

I think the funnest thing about the ocean snobs are how they ALL comment "You can't see across it!" Like that is a major revelation. The moniker "Lake" draws up the image of a small inland lake that you would pop a 14' boat in to fish for bluegill and not something that 1000'+ ships ply for commerce. When my wife saw Lake Michigan she had the same comment and when I asked her if she could see from one side of Mass to the other, she (of course) replied "No." Then was amazed when I reminded her that Lake Michigan was twice the size of Mass and was still #3 when it comes to size of the Great Lakes.

MUTGR · 05-27-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michigan83

Thanks for the great tip!! Went to South Haven last night and really liked it. Easy parking, beautiful little downtown, and couldn't ask for a nicer beach. And the weather was great to boot. All in all a great trip. Thanks again!!

We've vacationed in South Haven several times now and really enjoy it.