Jinha Beach

One of the nicest beaches in the country from what I've seen. The combination of being rarely crowded, having a lot of sand, a gentle slope (good for wading), a lot of room, and a hiking trail leading to two more smaller beaches about 1km away, gentle surf, reasonable warm water in the summer/early fall, cheap lodging, camping, all together makes it perfect for a few days at the coast, if you can get there. The nearest city is Ulsan, but you wouldn't know it...there is no urban feel like the beaches around Busan..it is just far enough away. I've never seen it completely packed, even on a Saturday during high season...even then most people are there for a short time and leave at sunset.

Also beautiful scenery and a little island you can wallk to only at low tide, and a kind of bridge and tourist boardwalk away from the main beach but pretty at night. The main beach doesn't have anything to really spoil the view at all...has a very natural feel.

My general impression here is that this beach area was more popular maybe about 20 (if not 30) years ago when many of the older motels were built and just kind of fell off of people's radar for whatever reason. Most Koreans seem to want to go to places like Haeundae...I think, in fact, that Koreans actually enjoy packed, crowded scenes more than finding their own spot on to chill on for the day on a spacious beach like many people do in California. Well, I'm from California and Jinha Beach is perfect if you ask me.

Don't tell too many people, ok?

If you don't have a car, there are local busses from Ulsan (I haven't done this but it takes about an hour) or you can ride the mugunghwa train (2nd class train that goes to rural areas like this) to Namchang Station (roughly about one every hour) and then take a local bus or taxi, about 15-20 minutes. As I say, it's a little hard to get to, and that is what keeps it so idyllic and as close to pristine as you are likely to find in this country.