Get Answers from the OC Insiders

Some of the boardwalk shops will be open (probably about 30%), but many will be closed because it is during the week and after Sunfest. On weekends most of the shops are open. You will still be able to find plenty to do in OC as many restaurants are open, min gold, regular golf, arcades, and other enteratinment are all still open.

Have a great time in OC!

It is typically about 70 degrees in OC in mid October during the day. This is probably too cold to spend the day sunbathing on the beach and swimming in the surf, but not too cold to spend some time on the beach and boardwalk while wearing a jacket or sweatshirt. I have been to OC plenty of times in October and November and almost always walk on the beach and boards during those trips.

The Hilton is probably the best hotel in OC. It is new, luxurious, ocean front, and has lots of amenities. It has a great location and is just about 5 blocks north of the north end of the boardwalk. If you want to be on the boardwalk the Holiday Inn Suites at 17th Street would also be a great choice.

Have a great time in OC!

Some of the beach equipment  rental boxes will be operating until the end of the month (9/25). After that they are taken off the beach until next season. If you are going to be there a few days you can often buy an okay umbrella for less money than renting, but you have to do setup and takedown yourself.

PMI Rentals at 126th Street may have electric wheel chairs or scooters. They will deliver anywhere near OC. You can call them at 800.320.7469 or 410.250.1251.

You can rent also them from EC Glider Segways on Somerset street. The store is right off the boardwalk on the north side of Somerset Street. They rent Rascal electric scooters as well as Segway Scooters. You can reach them at 410.430.7181 or ecglider1@mac.com. I'd suggest calling them to check their hours.

I have left cars on side streets for up to a week with no problem. You should be fine, but if you want to be extra sure move the car every couple of days. There will be plenty of parking this time of year.

I don't know is whether 3rd Street is far enough south that the side streets near the beach have paid vice free parking, but I suspect it is free.

Yes, it does snow in OC. There have been a few significant snow storms in the last couple of winters. Generally OC gets less snow than places further inland because the water keeps winter temperatures higher. What Baltimore gets as snow OC often gets as rain.

I have been to OC for two large snowstorms in the past two years. Below you can see some pictures from the February 2009 storm. You can see more snow pictures here.

I think you will be fine parking 2 motorcycles in one space anywhere in OC. However, if it is a space controlled by the Cale Parking system you will need a parking receipt for both cycles. You will also need to pay for each bike separately to park in the inlet lot.

Ocean City had minor damage and cleanup due to the storm Irene. However, I've spoken to several people who were down there within days of the storm and in the weeks since then, and there is no notable damage. You likely will not even know there was a storm.

The beach did not get damaged significantly. It looks a little flatter but since the storm surge came straight into the beach the beaches did not experience the significant erosion they typically get during the nor'easter storms when the surf sweeps sand of as it currents hit the beach at a sharp angle.

Have a great time in OC!

I've come to OC my whole life many times at all time of the year and I've never found a shark's tooth. I have heard of people finding them, but they are a very rare find on OC's beaches.

You can find lots of them at the souvenir shops!

There are several areas of OC where foxes can be seen, mostly in the dunes or in less developed areas. They are a relatively small population and have not been a problem for people as they generally keep to themselves. I usually see a foxes in the dunes or along undeveloped areas along the bay. I regularly see one at Sunset Island (usually in the evening) and also saw one in the dunes at 67th Street a few time this summer early in the morning.

The foxes' appearance is an interesting example of how nature works. The dunes were completed in late 1991. Not too long after that rabbits could be seen living in the dunes. Over time their population exploded (after all, they are rabbits), and there was briefly a concern that their burrows could compromise the integrity of the dunes. However, nature addressed the issue, and  foxes soon appeared. The foxes keep the rabbit population in check, and the smaller size of the rabbit population naturally limits the size of the fox population. However, to keep everything in balance, as is true for all wild animals, it is important that people don't feed the foxes or the rabbits.

I have followed news in OC for many years, and have never heard of an incident where a fox attacked a person or of any issue with rabies in the fox population. The only issue I recall was a few years ago when some people were feeding a fox and had sort of adopted it and others objected. I believe animal control eventually relocated that fox.

Thanks for the interesting question!