Virginia Beach was first settled in 1621, but thinly populated for more than a century. In the 1880s, the resort was developed along the beach, and by the turn of the century it had become very popular. In 1906, Virginia Beach became a town. The end of World War II saw the advent of suburbs and development. In 1963, it merged with Princess Anne County to form the modern city, which stretches along the Atlantic Ocean near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The heart of this busy beach resort is a length of shoreline that reaches from Cape Henry south to Rudee Inlet. It consists of 6 mi of crowded public beach and a 2 1/2 - mi paved boardwalk; a bike trail runs roughly parallel to the walk. Hotels, restaurants, and shops are concentrated here, as are outfitters that rent sailing, surfing, and scuba equipment. Entertainers perform nightly, Memorial Day through Labor Day, at the 24th Street Stage. First Landing/Seashore State Park, a protected natural area, offers a less-commercial beach experience.