Best us beach vacation destinations

We all love spending time at the beach. Life is just better when we are in contact with the sand, sea, and sun. Who knows why it’s so, but once you’ve been out there, you’ll find out for yourself. I have a thing for the beach – and I’m not afraid of water! If you’re in a search for the best US beach vacation destinations, look no further, because that’s what I’m going to share with you in this article.

Traveling on the cheap is a priority for a lot of people, but sometimes you want to splurge. This is really the best beach vacation destinations in the United States where you can live it up and relax in style without worrying about prices.

From breathtaking sunsets to picture-perfect seascapes, America is full of beautiful beaches. And although it may seem convenient to jump in the car and head straight there, a mere trip to the beach doesn’t make for a vacation — not if that’s all you do! To really enjoy your time at the beach, there are some things you can do differently. If you want to relax and get the most out of your vacation, check out these tips.

There are so many amazing beach destinations in the United States, and we want to share some of our favorites with you. Here are our top five picks for best US beach vacation destinations:

-South Padre Island, Texas – This island has a wide range of activities to keep you busy while you’re there. You can go parasailing or jet skiing, or just relax on the beach!

-San Diego, California – San Diego is a great place to visit if you’re looking for something more urban than other beach towns. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and shopping options as well as gorgeous beaches!

-Miami Beach, Florida – Miami Beach offers visitors a chance to experience both urban life and relaxing vacations at the same time. The beaches are beautiful and there are plenty of things do here!

-Key West, Florida – Key West is known for its colorful history and unique culture. It’s also home to one of America’s most famous landmarks: The Southernmost Point Buoy marker that sits at the end of Duval Street (the main road through town).

If you’re looking for the best beach vacation destinations in the United States, look no further. The following list of beaches across the country is sure to have something for everyone.

Clam Pass Beach: Florida

This beach is located in Key Largo and offers miles of white sand and crystal clear water that’s perfect for snorkeling and swimming. It’s also known as a great place to spot sea turtles!

Sanibel Island: Florida

If you’re looking for an island getaway that is close to home, look no further than Sanibel Island in Florida. This tropical paradise has plenty of activities, including scuba diving, fishing, and even golfing on one of three courses on site. You can also enjoy a relaxing meal at one of several restaurants located throughout this beautiful island paradise.

Kauai’s North Shore: Hawaii

You’ll feel like you stepped into paradise when you visit Kauai’s North Shore—and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg either! This beautiful area offers everything from hiking trails to surfing lessons so there’s something for everyone here!

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod, Massachusetts Shutterstock

Few beach vacation spots are as quintessentially New England as this hook-shaped island. Its scenic sand dunes and shingled cottages have made it an annual summer vacation favorite for generations of Americans. A succession of charming beach towns — including Hyannis to the west, Chatham at the easternmost point and artsy Provincetown at road’s end — offer house rentals, B&Bs and hotels or motels with pools and spa facilities.

And any Cape Cod beach experience must include lobster-roll lunches and sunset clambakes to make for one of the best beach vacations in the U.S. It’s all wicked cool.

Laguna Beach, California

Laguna Beach, California

Laguna Beach, California Shutterstock

For summer R&R that includes gallery hopping, wine sipping and spa going, this upscale beach community, located about 90 minutes north of San Diego, is ideal. Several of the best beach resorts in the U.S. — Montage Laguna Beach, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel and Surf & Sand Resort, among others — are set along the area’s picturesque cliffs and are perfect for a romantic couple’s escape or a girlfriends’ getaway.

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The town is a longtime art colony (with more than 100 galleries), so it’s easy to find a one-of-a-kind souvenir. The region’s focus on healthy California cuisine means you’ll eat well in every sense, along one of the best vacation beaches in the country.

Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida

Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida

Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida Shutterstock

Some places just make you go, “Ahh…” and these neighboring islands on the west coast of Florida are among them. Their endless white-sand beaches — many scattered with delicate sea shells — offer panoramic views of the clear, calm waters and golden sunsets of the Gulf of Mexico.

Sanibel has a distinctly casual charm with small, traditional beachfront motels. Captiva, on the other hand, is golf-cart friendly with legendary eatery the Bubble Room and the large South Seas Island Resort offering activities of all kinds, making for one of the best beach vacations.

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Outer Banks, North Carolina

Outer Banks, North Carolina

Outer Banks, North Carolina Shutterstock

Historic lighthouses, wild horses and scenic flights in open-cockpit biplanes above the spot where the Wright Brothers first flew — beach family vacations in the Outer Banks can include all this and more.

With a large inventory of beach-house rentals (and quite a few resorts and inns, too), towns such as Duck, Corolla, Hatteras, Nags Head and Kitty Hawk are scattered along this series of sand dune-studded barrier islands, making it a top spot for leisurely getaways with friends and multi-generational family vacations. Fresh seafood is plentiful, and activities include hang gliding, bike riding and deep-sea fishing at one of the best family beach resorts.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Cannon Beach, Oregon Shutterstock

To experience nature at its finest, it’s hard to top Cannon Beach, a wide, wild swath of sand on the Oregon Coast about 90 minutes from Portland. Known for its dramatic rock formations (235-foot-tall Haystack being the most famous), lush rainforests (complete with waterfalls), large artist population (galleries abound) and wildlife (you can easily spot nesting puffins and grazing elk), Cannon Beach is ideal as a romantic-getaway spot for eco-loving couples.

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Aside from beachcombing and surfing, hiking is the activity to do (the views from Ecola State Park are sublime), and accommodations include dozens of inns to suit all budgets.

The Hamptons, New York

The Hamptons, New York

The Hamptons, New York Shutterstock

Each summer, this string of charming villages, located on the southeast coast of Long Island, plays host to New York’s A-listers — from Wall Street bigwigs to music moguls — who escape the city to weekend at beachfront estates worthy of an Architectural Digest cover.

But, if you plan ahead, more modest house rentals are also available in Southampton, East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Amagansett and Wainscott. Besides sunning and socializing, the Hamptons are known for farm stands offering fresh, local produce, restaurants specializing in Long Island seafood and farm-to-table cuisine and vineyards ideal for lazy afternoons sipping wine.

Maui, Hawaii

Maui, Hawaii

Maui, Hawaii Shutterstock

Maui is nicknamed “the Magic Isle” and with good reason.

In addition to its famous beaches (Kaanapali, Wailea and Makena, to name a few), this Hawaiian island is home to Haleakala (a surreal volcanic crater that’s 10,023 feet above sea level), Molokini (a crescent-shaped, offshore lava formation offering superb snorkeling), Upcountry (a lush area with historic cowboy towns and lavender farms) and Hana (a remote spot perched on black-lava landscape and accessible solely via the twisting, turning Hana Highway).

Add in humpback whales (from November to March), spinner dolphins and a half dozen golf courses, and Maui has something for everyone.

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island Shutterstock

Whether you’re into surfing, sailing or touring Gilded Age mansions, Newport is a beach vacation destination with a star-spangled pedigree. Its largest beach, Ruggles, is sweeping crescent of sand favored by surfers. Its historic Thames Street is lined with antique shops, pubs and seafood restaurants.

Choose from an array of romantic inns (the Chanler at Cliff Walk and Forty 1 North, for instance) or full-service hotels (Newport Marriott or Hotel Viking). For active sightseeing, stroll or jog the scenic 3½-mile Cliff Walk with grand mansions on one side and the sailboat-studded waters of Narragansett Bay on the other.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores, Alabama Shutterstock

Want to tick another state off your visited list? Then make it Alabama, where Gulf Shores offers nature (it’s home to 6,500-acre Gulf State Park), entertainment (outdoor concerts) and foodie fun (from shrimp to barbecue).

In total, there are 32 miles of white-sand beaches that let you explore the region’s beautiful landscapes, as you spy on seabirds and eagles, alligators and even black bears. Accommodations include condo rentals, B&Bs, motels, hotels and campsites.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Shutterstock

If you’re looking for a beach vacation destination that offers active summer sports as well as easy access to a city famous for its history and quirky charm, check out Hilton Head Island. Located 45 minutes from Savannah Georgia, it has carved a niche with its focus on golf, tennis, biking and nature walks, along with a plentiful supply of hotel rooms and condo and house rentals in all price ranges.

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