Seriously, I do not remember the last time we paid $1.00/foot per night for a transient slip…read more Twenty years ago maybe? Granted this was the special rate for Boat US members, but the regular price of $1.50 was still incredibly affordable. Electric was an additional 10 spot per night, but if we had anchored and used the generator, the fuel cost alone would have exceeded both the slip rental and the utility. So, bottom line, very good choice price wise.
This super dog friendly marina is spread out on about 123 acres, so there is plenty of grass, picnic tables, an in-ground pool, even a grill. It's not fancy, more rustic than resort like, but if you only need the basics and you want to deal with super friendly people, this is the place for you.
I would also recommend this place for boats with with a dinghy as this marina is located on Back Creek across from the Solomon's Peninsula. You can easily get to the "Island" by taking your inflatable to numerous other marinas with dinghy docks. The sad part is......there is nothing really worth boating to there. Of the handful of eateries, only one or two do not get DISMAL reviews. Having eaten at one of the "winners", I can only say, i would not come back.
I know "Solomon's" is a big destination place for boaters plowing the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, but I don't get the draw at all. Yeah, you can raft off other vessels, drink a lot of beer and play loud music, but I really don't need to use 120 gallons of fuel round-trip to have that kind of party on the water.
Besides the super interesting museum, there is nothing much here. We didn't mind as we found some excellent scenic creeks to explore and enjoyed our solitude. I know our live- aboard neighbors, however, did not share the same thought. They were headed to the Great Lakes from Charleston SC, when they realized they needed some serious engine work. Reading all the glowing reviews about Solomon's they were expecting a mini Annapolis. Boy were they sorely disappointed, especially since they were going on two weeks at that marina, waiting for parts so that they could get the work done. Yikes!
Another perk at Calvert's, which we found both endearing and incredibly funny, was the courtesy car offered by the marina. Transients were able to use this vehicle, free of charge for an hour. Only other stipulation was you were NOT ALLOWED to cross the bridge over the Patuxent. (Maybe cause it wouldn't make it). Anyway, trying to figure out an ancient diesel run Mercedes was hilarious. Seat belts and power windows not working. No AC. My husband had to bend over otherwise he would have crammed his head on the roof. A little black smoke from the tail pipe, and we were off, sweaty and hot, to Food Lion to pick up some supplies. It was an experience.
Oh yes, the marina does have two restaurants. One is a VERY casual cafe with some picnic benches that is dog friendly. It offered some more creative sandwich offerings compared to a basic deli, but we did not try it. The Back Creek Bistro (formerly Vincenzo's) was OK. It's upper scale (price wise), but the menu was pretty boring with no surprises. We both got the queen's cut Prime rib, and it was pretty decent. There was a rehearsal dinner going on so there was a bit of mayhem, but the servers and owner really tried to be accommodating.
So the marina, easily gets four stars. Solomons Island? One. Our creeks up here are just as nice, and we don't have to burn a boat load of fuel to get there. If we ever need a stopping point when boating to further destinations, we would not hesitate to stay at Calvert Marina again.
