I agree. 40 years ago it was that way. The season only lasted from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It was mostly people who owned cottages & stayed all summer. There were no surfers, no UNC-W and only two small beer bars, the Wit's End and the Spot. There are way too many people trying to come onto this very small beach. The fee may keep them from hogging a spot all day. I didn't own a car when I lived there, but everything I needed was available within walking distance.