the beach

[HaraKiriBlade]

Why is it always "the beach," whether you're referring to a specific beach or just beaches in general, as in "I went to the beach last summer"? why is it not "I went to a beach last summer"??

I know sun is the sun and moon is the moon because only one sun and one moon exists.
But there are many beaches on our beautiful earth. And when I say I went to the beach last summer, I'm not referring to the specific beach in, let's say, Australia.

Is this one of the exceptions in English I should shut up and learn, or are there explanations behind it?

I would much appreciate your inputs.

- HKB

[Tdol]

This could be an exception. I could say 'going to the beach' when the listeneer would have no idea which beach I meant.