Virginia Beach, Naturally

Virginia's Largest City Offers Both Seaside Fun And Pristine Wilderness

* Beach Carousel Motel, : 1300 Pacific Ave., 757-425-1700; beachcarousel.com

* Blue Marlin Motel,: 2411 Pacific Ave., 757-428-6643; va-beach.com/blue-marlin

* Cerca del Mar, : 410 21st St., 757-428-6511; cercadelmar.net

* Royal Clipper Inn & Suites, : 3508 Atlantic Ave., 757-428-8992; royalclipper.com

* Sea Gull Motel, : 2613 Atlantic Ave., 757-425-5711; seagullmotel.com

* Seahawk Resort Motel, : 2525 Atlantic Ave., 757-428-1296; vabeachvacations.com/seahawk

* Springhill Suites, : 901 Atlantic Ave., 757-417-3982; marriott.com. Springhill Suites, recently opened on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, is designated Virginia Green. Eco-friendly lighting, recycling programs, and other modifications bring the 168-suite hotel in line with the program. The hotel faces the ocean, and has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a poolside cafe and tiki bar, plus room service and complementary full breakfast each morning. All rooms have microwaves and refrigerators, and there's on-site parking. Guest suites are decorated in bright, sunny colors, reminiscent of striped beach umbrellas, and all have private terraces overlooking the Atlantic. Rates are $279-$349 per night.

Restaurants

* Croc's 19th Street Bistro, : 620 19th St., 757-428-5444; crocs19thstreetbistro.com A Virginia-certified green restaurant, with an emphasis on local, organic and sustainable ingredients. Try the $15 wine club on the last Wednesday of each month. Entrees: $20-$27; sandwiches, salads, mezze: $5-$13.

* Doc Taylor's, : 207 23rd St., 757-425-1960. Located in a former home doctor's office, this breakfast and lunch place serves up hearty breakfasts and lunches, such as the Heart Attack with eggs and plenty of nitrate-laced meat, and the Nurse Ratched, an omelet with peppers, spinach and hollandaise. Next door, Tautog's takes over for dinner when Doc's closes. Entrees: $5-$15.

* Jewish Mother: , 3108 Pacific Ave.; 757-422-5430; jewishmother.com. The Jewish Mother deli with its New York style fare, rocks each night with live music. Entrees: $8.99-$17.99

* Farmers Market, : 3640 Dam Neck Road, 757-385-4395. The Virginia Beach Farmers Market has been offering fresh, local produce, dairy, meat and other foodstuffs for 25 years. The market also features plants and flowers, jams and jellies, gifts and a restaurant.

Parks and wildlife