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jfromtheway
Joined: 20 Nov 2010
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 Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 4:12 am Post subject: Sokcho/long weekend beach recommendations |
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I have the Tuesday after the Monday off next week and have been getting the itch to get myself to the beach. My co-teacher's parents are loaded Chaebol people who have some condos in Sokcho, which is where I'm leaning towards anyway, but she wants us to go together, and I'm not sure I'm cool with that. Also unsure if she'd let me stay at the condo without her if she doesn't end up going herself. To business.
1) 17k out of express bus terminal, assume that's the best way to go.
2) In case I can't use one of the condos, I saw a link for some guesthouses for around 30k, does that sound about right? Any cheaper options?
3) Ten day forecast showed low 70s, no rain. Wish it was predicted to be a little warmer, but Busan, which I was also considering, showed similar temperatures. I guess that's fine, though.
4) I don't eat seafood and I don't really like Korean food, so I figure it's best to stay around more "touristy" hubs (no clue if Sokcho qualifies as touristy anyway). Just laying that one out there. Not sure what my options will be.
All I want it is a relatively quiet beach and a cheap place to stay. I'm trying to save my money for the Philippines in early August but I need to get some revitalizing sun on my white ass. Any information is good information, and if anyone has any other recommendations I would certainly enjoy hearing about them. Thank you. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 5:04 am Post subject: |
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I've only been once, but I was in the tourist area and I don't remember seeing any Western food whatsoever, outside of a couple coffee show with waffles. Busan it is not.
Also, you know that Seoraksan is right there, yeah? Like, twenty minutes away? I know you want beach time, but I would try to make it there as well, if you haven't been before. |
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jfromtheway
Joined: 20 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:00 am Post subject: |
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Thanks again, Northway. I've only heard about Seoraksan. I've been in Korea just barely under a year and, though I probably shouldn't admit it, the farthest I've traveled in Korea outside of Seoul proper was to and from ICN. Looks like a beautiful place from google images and I'd definitely be willing to make a day trip of it. But I'm seriously ill-equipped to do any hiking, dress shoes and some Nike basketball kicks are all I have. I know I wouldn't have to go hiking and it would probably do me good to get my nature on in the mountains. Been a while on that front.
Bummer about the food, but I suppose I could survive on waffles for a few days if need be. I appreciate your input. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:15 am Post subject: |
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It's Korea, no hiking necessary: there's a gondola to the top. 
Enjoy. Sokcho/Seoraksan is the best place I've been in Korea. |
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jfromtheway
Joined: 20 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 7:18 am Post subject: |
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Heh, yes, I did see some pictures of gondolas when I googled earlier. That's very high praise of the place, but I trust your reviews of things on here, so I'm pretty much sold, just need to work out the details. And you were also right about my Spanish being useless in the Philippines, amigo. Nada mas que risas.
If I can lounge and toast for three days, get a good day trip in at Seoraksan, I'll be more than content. But I still have to figure out my co-teacher situation. I'll have to make up an excuse and go somewhere else if she keeps insisting that we go together. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 8:07 am Post subject: |
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| It's probably more of a pain in the ass without a car, but I gotta say, it's pretty awesome going up to the top of Seoraksan and seeing the ocean in the distance in the afternoon and then heading down to the same beach to drink beer, shoot fireworks, and eat seafood. |
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SeoulNate
Joined: 04 Jun 2010
Location: Hyehwa
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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| jfromtheway wrote: |
Thanks again, Northway. I've only heard about Seoraksan. I've been in Korea just barely under a year and, though I probably shouldn't admit it, the farthest I've traveled in Korea outside of Seoul proper was to and from ICN. Looks like a beautiful place from google images and I'd definitely be willing to make a day trip of it. But I'm seriously ill-equipped to do any hiking, dress shoes and some Nike basketball kicks are all I have. I know I wouldn't have to go hiking and it would probably do me good to get my nature on in the mountains. Been a while on that front.
Bummer about the food, but I suppose I could survive on waffles for a few days if need be. I appreciate your input. |
There is a crap ton of western food there now. Wasnt so much 4 or 5 years ago, but it is becoming more and more touristy by the year. Right next to the beach there isnt much, but head towards downtown and you can find pretty much anything you want.
Its a shame you dont like seafood and Korean though. They have some of the best of both in the entire country. And the seafood market is spectacular.
Also, +1 for what northway said. Getting to the mountains is a must. Take the 7 or 7-1 across from the bus terminal and you will be there in 20-30 minutes. IMO dont take the cable car though, opt for the 1 hour hike up ulsanbawi for a fantastic view. Basketball shoes are fine, there isnt anything serious about the hike at all. Ive gone up in flip flops and seen girls doing it in high heels. Some great hommade food and dongdongju near the bottom of the mountain as well.
As far as accommodations go, 30,000 won is easily doable if you head away from the beach and into downtown a little bit (easily accessible on the bus or walking). This weekend I would expect to pay 50-100,000 for anything near the beach though as it will be pretty full.
The only thing that will be cheaper is a minbok. Ive stayed in a few night next to the beach for 15,000 won a night. From the bus stop, head down towards the beach but hang a right on the main street that goes towards the mountains. The first 2 or 3 alleys on your left hand side are filled with minboks, you can get a decent price there. |
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jfromtheway
Joined: 20 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 4:13 am Post subject: |
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| Great, precise information SeoulNate. I think I'll do just that. What exactly is a minbok? I guess I'm spelling it wrong in Korean, cause I can't find anything. If I get there late Friday night, can you or anyone speculate on minbok availabilities? Thanks to you and Northway again. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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jfromtheway
Joined: 20 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 6:16 am Post subject: |
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| Gotcha. That's good for me, as long as I have my own room. |
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SeoulNate
Joined: 04 Jun 2010
Location: Hyehwa
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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those ones will be shared rooms. There are always a ton of people trying to get you to stay in their rooms between the bus stop and the beach though and some of them are private rooms.
Just be wary of price gouging. The first price they say is always about 50% higher than they will take. |
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