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[indirect.object]

To anybody currently living in Jeddah:

A common image of Jeddah city life is a life without green spaces (parks, gardens), where people can go for an evening stroll, play with their kids, read a book in the open air, and things like that. Is this drab image very dated or is it still accurate?

I'd like to believe that in the past nearly seven years since I left Jeddah, there's been some progress, and today one can find at least a few reasonable, family-friendly public green spaces where you can sit and relax.

I also think that it's possible when working in a big city to live there for a while locked into a particular work / home routine and not become aware of unusually pleasant spots in the urban matrix that can serve one's daily need to get a breath of fresh air.

Any pointers along these lines would be appreciated.

[cnthaiksarok]

No doubt a resident can answer this more adequately, nevertheless...

Not so long ago, my wife and I rented a room on the Corniche and strolled a bit.
We sat in the park near the infamous water spout in the evening and bought some refreshments off the hawkers while watching the throngs turn into hordes until it was too busy and slightly unpleasant.
As my wife had her hair down, the stares began (more so from the TCNs) and undo attention edged us onward. Our fault, perhaps.

Green? Well, there was grass. It was poorly maintained and well-trodden on. Also the National Saudi Flower (read as: plastic garbage bag) was prevalent in its majesty.

I've seen some other parks off the side of the main drags...all full of Saudi families happily munching on their kabsa and other delights deep into the night.

I visit Jeddah often. The heat / humidity combined with lackluster maintenance kills most chances of having any kind of outdoor recreational area remaining for any kind of duration, imo.

They set something up and then let it go to pot.
2-3 months later it looks just as old as a building in Balad.

The private beaches are your best chance at rejuvenation and certain Western compounds that keep their pool areas spic n span.

Also, the desert off to the right of Makkah road is very pleasant if you have access to a 4x4.

[indirect.object]

Disappointing but believable. Brilliant. I think my wife and I have been to a place near the spot (spout) you mentioned.

Regarding beaches, I swam in the Red Sea once with a scuba mask and the water was very clean. I was amazed to be nearly face to face with the colorful fish, incandescent among dynamic, bright waves.

We were a big group from the institute where I worked. I never learned the name of the beach or whether it was private.

Do you apply for membership to access a private beach in Jeddah? In parts of south Florida, you just show up at certain times and might have a pristine public beach all to yourself.

[cnthaiksarok]

You could pull that off in Jeddah, I suppose.

But within the proper city itself, the seaside is pretty built up, i.e, industrial and/or prime real estate, so aside from some hotel beaches....not much, really.

A bit north (towards Yanbu) and/or a bit south (towards Al Lith) it opens up quite a bit and you can find a little piece of paradise if you're willing to drive and scout for it (i.e., get off the main road and explore a bit).

If your employer does not afford you access to any private beaches, than you're own your own to pay. Westerners pay the least (on a daily basis or for yearly membership) amount, I believe.

Two of the more popular private beaches areSilver Sands and La Plage with
the latter being considered more....luxurious due to its amenities.

They're located in the somewhat infamous area of Obhur (N. Jedd).

Best of luck

[indirect.object]

Thanks, man. I'm familiar with parts of the city's rocky shoreline, and corniche.

Silver Sands looks reasonable from a preliminary Google search. Going off-road to explore the desert is also something I'd like to do.

I understand there's a public library too that I wasn't previously aware of, at King Abdul Aziz University...

I think if we move to Jeddah, this time the trick will be to find an apartment to rent reasonably close to an accessible beach.

It seems the two Obhur beaches you mentioned are both between 25 and 35 minutes' drive from the University of Jeddah (up north); maybe something to consider for those with offers from that university...