That was about the age I first saw the ocean as well. Different times, different ocean. Circa 1945 in Santa Monica, California. Two things I remember:
1. adults trying to pull me out to wade in the water, which terrified me (and when they gave up, I waded out on my own. (Sort of been an ingrained trait my entire life; I resist being pushed into anything, but can be pulled by interesting me.)
2. we went by Greyhound bus because tire & gas rationing was still in effect, and at one of the bus stops my father bought me a metal toy Greyhound bus. My first metal toy due to wartime restrictions.
