The spring has only started and most of us are thinking about options for beach vacations this summer. While there are lots of restrictions on travel currently, they are anticipated to have been lifted as the summer’s warmth and sunshine arrive. That means you can start to look around and find options for the best beach vacation spots nearby or far from home.
Where are the top beach vacations in the US? There are a few answers to that question. They include:
- The beaches closest to home can provide wonderful days of fun and activity, and can even provide accommodations that allow you to savor the delights of great beach vacations without lots of travel
- The East and West Coast have excellent opportunities for beach vacations, and you can find them far north in Maine or all of the way to Florida (as far as Key West!), as well as beach vacation spots from far in Washington State and all of the way down to the Baja Peninsula region. Don’t forget that the Gulf of Mexico has coastal areas along Texas and Louisiana and that the Great Lakes region is noted for its excellent boating and beach areas. And then there is always Hawaii!
- There are specific areas popular with travelers and which have developed a wonderful range of accommodations, activities, services, and amenities designed specifically to support the very best beach vacations imaginable
So, if you are sitting around thinking “where can I find a beach for a getaway?” or “where are the most affordable beach vacations in the USA?” you can start with those three points, above. You can go local or within a short distance of your home. You can find beaches along any coastal area of the US, and you can also look to areas long known as the top beach vacation spots in the US.
Where are those top spots? The points above touched on a few. Let’s start with one that is the most obvious, but which many forget when thinking about beach vacations in the US.
Hawaii
Far, far away in the Pacific Ocean, many of us don’t automatically think of Hawaii for beach getaways because of its distance and because it is not part of the continental US. However, it is an incredibly accessible and affordable location for one of the best water vacations in the US. Comprised of a few islands, and each offering a radically different environment and experience, they all have amazing beaches. In fact, each of the islands has frequently earned the title as one of the best ocean vacation spots in the US.
Hawaii, for example, is the largest island and known for its surfing culture and amazing beaches. In fact, if you are willing to do some looking, you can find a pink sand beach, a green sand beach, and a black sand beach once reserved exclusively for ancient Hawaiian rules. There are excellent resorts, but even finer villas that may feature swimming pools, private grounds, and beach access.
Kauai is far to the north, one of the oldest of the islands and home to a long list of locations that include parklands, navigable rivers, the rainiest spot on the planet, and more. It too has unique beach areas, some close to towns and others more remote. A filming location for many famous features, it has jungle-like terrain and the famous mountainous coastal area known as the pali.
Clearly, as an island state, Hawaii ranks at the top of the list of good beach vacation spots in the US, but there are many mainland destinations to consider.
Outer Banks
North Carolina is along the east coast of the country and features excellent beaches along the area known as the Outer Banks. Home to wild horses, many lighthouses, and an array of beaches to hike, explore or enjoy, it is a perennial favorite among domestic and foreign travelers.
San Diego
California has fine weather, but the city of San Diego is noted to have some of the finest. This is behind the choice of the city as the home to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld and other amusement parks. Yet, if you want a few days or weeks at the beach, the city is also a great spot to choose and has around 70 miles of coastline dotted with world-class beaches.
They include Coronado, Pacific, La Jolla Shores, and more. Many have boardwalks and piers, while others preserve the gorgeous natural coastline.
Orlando
Zooming back east, Florida is a sunshine state with tons of beaches and major areas for outdoor fun in the sun. Orlando is a great beach area as it is a short drive from the coast and is tucked into an array of lake areas. Surrounded by water and entertainment of all kinds, it can be a good blend of fresh and saltwater beach destination as well as the perfect spot for groups eager to hit the amusement parks.
Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
And no discussion about the best beaches in the “Americas” could be complete without mentioning the regions south of America’s border. Mexico (particularly the Nayarit area to the west and the Mayan Riviera to the east) can be a perfect beach destination in the Americas. Costa Rica, in Central America, is a flawless choice for fans of water sports and beach activities.
Then there is the Caribbean. With its collection of unique islands, many with some of the world’s most famous beaches, it can be a good choice when looking for some of the best beach holidays imaginable. Even more appealing is the fact that these islands are dotted with luxury rentals perfect for the perfect getaway.
From the white sands of Barbados’ Platinum Coast or the golden sands that frame the entire island of St Barts to the famed beaches of Jamaica, the scenic sites of St. Lucia (with its Pitons), or the lovely opportunities for every type of beach on Turks & Caicos, it is a great area for the best beach vacations.
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