TBT: Was the beach more fun in the ’70s?

Ah, the 1970s. Oil prices were high, jobs were scarce and America was nearing the end of a long war. 

Not much has changed in 40 years, least of all America’s love afair with its beaches. From Malibu to Miami, we continue to hit the sand for low-key relaxation in the sun. 

It’s Throwback Thursday, so lets look back at that love affair with these photos from the U.S. National Archives.

First up: A man surfs along Malibu Beach, Calif., in 1972. 

A member of the South Beach Retirement Community knits while she enjoys the sun in Miami, circa 1975.

A family relaxes on 12th Street Beach in Chicago in 1973.

Tourists buy ice cream and other refreshments at the Public Beach Pier in Key West, Fla., circa 1975.

A man sleeps in a hammock at Little Duck Key in Key West, Fla., circa 1975. Without facilities constructed on Little Duck Key, people often camped in cars, vans and RVs like the ones behind him. 

Children play in the beach at Reis Park in Brooklyn, New York, in 1975.