5 Historic Beach Resorts That Are Surprisingly Affordable

Inn of Cape May ~ Est. 1894

Just 48 miles south of Atlantic City's gaudy glitz, the streets of Cape May are lined with exquisitely preserved Victorian treasures, including this century-old seashore fixture. The water's pretty cold year-round, but you can always rent a tandem bike and ride to nearby Cape May Lighthouse, or sit in a rocking chair on the broad porch and listen to the surf tumble in the distance (800-582-5933; innofcapemay.com). Sold out? Built as a private home in 1850, Angel of the Sea, a half-block from the ocean, became a hotel around 1905. Rates include breakfast, beach chairs and bicycles (from $105 in the late fall; 800-848-3369; angelofthesea.com). 

The Breakers ~ Est. 1896

The palatial Breakers sits near where the Gulf Stream comes closest to the Florida coast — go snorkeling just off the hotel's beach and you may see a mother and baby manatee. Inside and out are quiet nooks. Sip tea under the chandeliers of the towering lobby or shop on posh Worth Avenue — aka Rodeo Drive East (888-273-2537; thebreakers.com). Sold out? A few blocks from the beach, the Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club has an intimate charm that has made it a yacht-and-jet-set fave since 1926 (from $184 in the summer; 561-655-7740; thebraziliancourt.com).

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Hotel Galvez & Spa ~ Est. 1911

It's easy to see why they called it Queen of the Gulf when it opened, with its mahogany ceilings and gold-leaf-topped columns. Walk (carefully) out onto the granite breakwater that juts into the warm Gulf of Mexico (409-765-7721; wyndham.com/hotels/GLSHG). Nearby, Big Reef Nature Park is home to 500 bird species (800-425-4753; galveston.com). Sold out? The guest registry at the lavish Tremont House Hotel includes historical figures like Ulysses S. Grant and Buffalo Bill (from $139 in the fall; 409-763-0300; wyndham.com/hotels/GLSTH).

Hyatt Santa Barbara ~ Est. 1931

One of the world's great beaches spreads below if your upper-floor room balcony faces the ocean. Art galleries and restaurants are a short shuttle ride away (805-882-1234; santabarbara.hyatt.com). Sold out? Two blocks from the beach, the Montecito Inn features its founder, Charlie Chaplin, in its logo. The place still has an air of old-Hollywood glamor (from $139; 805-969-7854; montecitoinn.com). 

La Valencia Hotel ~ Est. 1926

North of San Diego and above rocky La Jolla Cove — a favorite wedding spot — the "Pink Lady" is steps from a small sandy beach. You may want to sit in the quiet hotel courtyard with a drink, admiring the mosaics and murals. For the best dining view in town, head to the 10th-floor Sky Room restaurant (858-454-0771; lavalencia.com). Sold out? The sandy beach is closer to your door (and wider) a few miles south at San Diego's 124-year-old Hotel del Coronado, one of America's grandest grand hotels (from $299 in the fall; 800-468-3533; hoteldel.com). A block in from the Del is the charming 1906 Lodge, one of the area's best-kept secrets (from $209; 866-435-1906; 1906lodge.com). Both are a quick walk from the modest little house where L. Frank Baum wrote his Oz books.

Also of Interest

• Secluded beached in America
• Historic walks and trails