Ocean City: 'America's Greatest Family Resort'

Ocean City takes pride in its "Three Bs": the beach, bay and boardwalk.

The barrier island features eight miles of beaches and a 2.5-mile boardwalk with amusement rides, shops, restaurants and food vendors. Ocean City's bayfront features marinas providing fishing charters, parasailing, personal watercraft rentals and pirate cruises for kids.

The resort has no bars or liquor stores and promotes its reputation as "America's Greatest Family Resort."

Beach tags: Discounted seasonal beach tags are on sale now — online and at four locations in Ocean City. The 2012 seasonal tags cost $20 if purchased by May 31. On June 1, the price goes up to $25.

Online orders include a $5 shipping cost. Beachgoers can save that fee by purchasing tags at the following locations (which include expanded hours this spring): 

• , 861 Asbury Avenue, and the Henry S. Knight Building, 115 12th Street. (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily)
• The , Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays)
• , 16 E. Ninth St. (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday)
• , 1735 Simpson Avenue. (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Fridays; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays)

Beach tags are required for children ages 12 and older and will be required June 9 to Sept. 3 this year. 

Weekly beach tags are $10, and daily beach tags cost $5.

Guarded beaches: The Ocean City Beach Patrol protects beaches from Memorial Day through September. Lifeguards will be on duty 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the following beaches to start the season: St. Charles Place, Brighton Place, Eighth Street, Ninth Street, 11th, 12th, 14th, 18th, 26th, 34th, 44th and 57th streets. By the third week of June, Ocean City's beaches will be fully patrolled.

Surfing: Designated surfing beaches are at Waverly Beach (off E. Atlantic Blvd.), Seventh Street and in between guarded beaches south of 34th Street.

Boardwalk: Bikes are allowed on the boards between 8 a.m. and noon from May 15 through Labor Day. Rental bicycles are available at shops up and down the boardwalk.

Parking: Metered parking (25 cents for 15 minutes) and paid parking lots (prices vary) are available on the beach blocks in the downtown area. Parking is free on streets elsewhere in Ocean City.