Corniche, Jiddah

Actually this view is from the 13th floor but the building has the first floor as the ground floor and the ground floor is the basment(just so we don`t have the number 13).
But still a wonderful view form the top.

Ever since I was a child this was almost the only entertainment in Jiddah.
My father used to take us on weekends(it`s Thursdays & Fridays here)to camp at the beach.
We had a tent and my father and my brothers used to set it up and go fishing all day and night.
Now(where we used to camp is all built up with houses and the coast line has been moved further west(the government actually dumped the water with sands to make Jiddah a little wider).
This is a picture of a private beach I go there with my family(kids and husband)to have a swim and to snorkel.

You should definitely take a boat down the corniche in late afternoon one weekend.
The public beaches are normally full of kids on camels, shetland ponies and 4-wheelers.
There are families walking down the corniche pavement, stopping for picnics....

Jeddah Corniche is a pride of the flourishing Saudi era. It is a cultural landmark of Jeddah City. The financial cost of its construction amounted to more than seven hundred million Riyals. The period of its execution and completion of its main facilities was about five years. The Corniche extends northwards and southwards to more than one hundred kilometers covering an area of thee million square meters of asphalt, and a half million square meters of pavements, twelve thousands lamp posts and a total parking area for thousands of cars.

This giant corniche extends along the seaside of the Red Sea. An open scientific exhibition is established on its both sides for monuments and sculptures by some of the greatest artists and sculptors worldwide like Varselli who was concerned with the relationship between color and its grades, circular and square shapes. Included also patterns of the artwork of the famous artist and sculptor Henry Moore, the works of the French artist Ceasar, as well as other famous artists in addition to a numver of magnificent artworks of famous Saudi Arabia.

Beach in Jeddah has a superb spirit. Just the
smell of the beach gives power to express
your self.

You could buy ice cream, eat traditional fast
food made with chickpea and pickles called
(Balela).

Stands (Koshok) are everywhere selling
crackers, drinks, coffee and fresh juice.

Long walks are the main exercise practiced
by everybody in Jeddah

Having lived in KSA for sometime I agree with the comments referring to the magnificent sculptures and the refreshing sea air to experience at the Corniche. However, any visitor to Corniche ought to know that it's difficult, if not impoissible to take photographs of these places. If you're quick with a mobile phone then you would probablt get away with it. On several oiccasions I've tried taking pictures with a Pentax camera of the Red Sea or one of the sculptures only to be harrangued by local men saying it is forbidden. Visitors need to know that yes, the beaches are good, but you can't go anywhere near women. At weekends women are everywhere and to even stand, or look in the direction of women, couild lead to questioning by the mutawa or even arrest by the police. As such there are few places you can actually sit or swim at these beaches. Most areas are family areas where single men are not allowed.

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Jeddah often captures the fancy of those who live in places like Riyadh, Abha, Ha'il and other inland cities in Saudi Arabia because of its Corniche, the long pedestrian area by the Red Sea. In truth, the Corniche is not particularly spectacular if you've been to other ones in the Mediterranean (especially if you consider ones like in Thessaloniki), but it does provide a rare bit of pedestrian entertainment in a city that is otherwise decidedly pro-car. The Corniche has a number of cafés along the side that is not right beside the sea, although there are little kiosks set up for those wishing to buy snacks and soft drinks. The main draw of the Corniche is, again, the ability to take a leisurely stroll by the seashore and marvel at the colours of the sky and the sand. Bathing is not permitted here, and women are still technically required to wear the abbaya while walking along the Corniche. I recommend a stroll at sunset, so that you get to see the Red Sea in the beautiful multicoloured rays of the dying Arabian sun.

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Enjoy an uninterrupted view of the sunset along the endless length of Corniche Road. Right before the sun set, many families set up chairs along the seaside, some having a barbecue party especially during the weekends. Children flying kites, the elders catching fish, just take a sit at one of the benches or the big boulders of rocks just beside the water and enjoy the orange-coloured sunset.

A trip to the Corniche or the coastal beaches is a must go as the breezing air and soothing atmosphere de-stresses you. The Saudi Authorities have massively developed the coastal line and have riddled it with monstrous monuments that give a unique outlook to the area. No Nudity and obscenity is allowed and it’s a great place for family trips and weekend extravaganzas. A trip around the city will show you the massive beautification projects undertaken by the Saudi Authorities. The entire city is filled with massive monuments (Some even Gigantic), Lengthy Hedges and Humungous parks.
I would recommend you to visit the massive malls that have popped up every where in Jeddah. It’s a shopper’s paradise you get everything from Marks & Spencer, Calvin Klein to D&G and Tommy Hilfiger.