Haeundae is Korea's most famous beach — a 1.5 km crescent of golden sand in the eastern district of Busan, about 90 minutes from Ulsan by express bus. The beach itself is broad and well maintained, backed by a boardwalk lined with seafood restaurants and cafes. Off-peak, it's a genuinely pleasant stretch of coast. In peak summer (late July and August), it gets absurdly crowded — wall-to-wall umbrellas and barely room to lay a towel.
Beyond the beach, the SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium sits right on the waterfront with an impressive collection of marine life. Behind the Westin Chosun hotel, the Nurimaru APEC House (built for the 2005 summit) makes for a pleasant coastal walk with views over the East Sea.
The Haeundae area has developed significantly and now has plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars within walking distance of the shore. The Haeridan-gil alley area just inland from the beach is worth exploring for independent coffee shops and small restaurants.
Getting there from Ulsan is straightforward: express buses run frequently from the Samsandong terminal, taking about 90 minutes. You can also take the KTX from Ulsan station to Busan and transfer to the metro (line 2 runs directly to Haeundae station). The metro option is often faster and more predictable than the bus.