Parking, Safety & Emergency Info Every Visitor Should Know

Whether it's your first trip to Virginia Beach or your fifteenth, a few practical questions always come up — where do I park, when are lifeguards on duty, what do I do in an emergency. We get these inquiries year-round, so we put together one go-to guide with everything you need before you hit the sand.

Parking at the Oceanfront

Parking in the Resort Area runs on a paid system from April through October. Here's what to expect in 2026:

  • On-street metered parking: $1 for the first hour, $2 for the second, $3 for the third, increasing to $6–8/hour for longer stays

  • Municipal garages & lots (9th, 25th, and 31st Street garages; 2nd Street, 4th Street, and Rudee Loop lots): same progressive rate, capped at a $24 daily max

  • Free early-bird parking: metered spots between 5th Street and Rudee Loop are free from 5–10 a.m.

  • Off-season parking: free at on-street meters and most lots from November 1 through March 31

  • Accessible parking: free for the first four hours at any metered spot with a visible disabled parking placard or plate

  • Most meters and garages accept credit/debit cards, text-to-pay, and apps like ParkMobile and PassportParking

💡 Local tip: If you're staying for more than a few hours, a garage is almost always cheaper than feeding a meter all day. The 31st Street and 25th Street garages are both a short walk from the boardwalk's busiest blocks.

Getting Around Without a Car

From mid-May through Labor Day, the VB Wave Trolley and Bayfront Shuttle run regularly between the Oceanfront, Rudee Inlet, and First Landing State Park — a convenient (and parking-free) way to get around once you've settled in.

Beach Safety: What to Know Before You Swim

Lifeguards staff the Resort Beach, Croatan Beach, and 57th Street Beach from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The North End is patrolled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Outside those hours or that season, beaches are unguarded — swim with extra caution, or skip it and enjoy the shoreline instead.

A few rules that matter every single day:

  • Red flag flying = water is dangerous. Even calm, sunny days can hide strong rip currents, so always check conditions with a lifeguard before swimming.

  • If you're caught in a rip current, don't fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until the pull eases, then angle back to the beach.

  • Never swim alone, and avoid swimming near jetties, piers, or rock structures, where rip currents are strongest.

  • If you see someone struggling, don't swim out yourself — call 911 or alert a lifeguard, and throw a flotation device if one's nearby.

Emergency & Important Numbers

  • Emergency (police, fire, medical): 911

  • Virginia Beach Police non-emergency: (757) 385-5000

  • Virginia Beach Visitor Center: (757) 437-4400

  • Poison Control: (800) 222-1222

Save these in your phone before you arrive — it's one less thing to think about once you're in vacation mode.

Beach Rules Worth Knowing

  • No glass containers or public alcohol consumption on the beach or boardwalk
  • Pets are restricted on Resort Area beaches during peak summer (see our pet-friendly guide for the full breakdown)
  • Permanent public restrooms are located at 2nd, 17th, 20th, 24th, 30th, and 31st Streets, plus Croatan and Sandbridge


We're Always Here to Help~

Questions about your specific rental, neighborhood, or what's nearby? That's what we're here for. Our team fields these exact questions every day, so don't hesitate to reach out before or during your stay — we're happy to point you in the right direction.

👉 Contact us with any questions before your trip, or browse our rentals to find your home base.