8 Great Beach Vacation Destinations

an illustration of umbrellas and a woman on a beach

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When summer arrives, the sun, sand and sea beckon. So it’s no surprise that a recent University of Alabama study found that beaches are the most preferred type of vacation destination. (Sorry about that, mountains!) Luckily, the U.S. has dazzling coasts that offer a wide variety of beach escapes — from remote, dune-swept shores to boardwalk-lined golden sand with calm, swimmable waters. Slow down the pace in a quaint shore town or get a side of culture and adventure with your sunshine in an oceanfront city. No matter what your perfect beach vacation looks like, we are sure you’ll find it in one of these eight summer getaways.

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PHOTO BY: W. Drew Senter, Longleaf Photography/Getty Images

Gulf Shores, Alabama

The city’s signature slogan, “Small Town, Big Beach,” says it all. Throughout Gulf Shores, you’ll find eight public access points that lead to white-quartz sand and the bath-like waters of the Gulf of Mexico. For a lively atmosphere, head to Gulf Place. The main public beach, just off Highway 59, is known for its volleyball tournaments, beach bars and colorful town center full of galleries and independent shops. Families should check out the Hangout, a 2.5-acre oceanfront entertainment venue that hosts concerts, cook-offs and game nights. If you prefer to unplug, Gulf State Park offers a mellower vibe, and a new beach pavilion now provides niceties such as showers, paddleboard rentals and a snack bar.

Stay: When the 350-room Lodge at Gulf State Park debuted in 2018, it set a new benchmark for sustainable tourism in the area with eco-friendly initiatives including native landscaping. The beachfront hotel has direct access to the emerald waters of the Gulf, as well as more than 6,000 acres of trails within the park. Rates start at $273.

Insider Tip: Oyster fans shouldn’t miss a meal at the Royal Oyster, a jewel box of a restaurant that supports local oyster farmers.
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PHOTO BY: Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

South Beach, Miami, Florida

The ultimate urban beach escape, Miami’s dozen-plus miles of talcum-colored sand and turquoise sea are set against a backdrop of sleek condos and hotels spanning from 1st to 192nd streets. Divided into three neighborhoods, South Beach, which runs from South Pointe Park north to 23rd Street, is the most famous and features pastel-hued art deco buildings and a see-and-be-seen crowd. South Pointe Park stands out, with its 450-foot-long pier, walking trails, playground and picnic tables, where you can lunch on ceviche and key lime pie from nearby Joe’s Takeaway. Lummus Park, a 10-block stretch along Ocean Drive, offers the best combination of idyllic sand and people watching.

Stay: The newly opened Lifehouse, South of Fifth, on Collins Avenue is surrounded by art deco icons and steps from the sands of South Beach. The 27-room property’s vintage beach-bungalow style sets it apart in a neighborhood known for glitzy hotels. Rates start at $130.

Insider Tip: Chris and Tracy Vlaun, the husband-and-wife duo behind V Art of Wellness, offer the perfect yin-and-yang workout-yoga sessions on the sand (group and private) in Miami.
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The Outer Banks, North Carolina

Home to one of the largest swaths of undeveloped beaches on the East Coast, this chain of barrier islands attracts adventurous souls who want to do more than just lounge. Lovingly known as OBX, the region is made up of four islands, six towns and 12 seaside villages. Shallow water and consistent wind make spots like Manteo and Jockey’s Ridge State Park kite-flying and windsurfing meccas. The waves in Nags Head and Rodanthe are magnets for surfers. And thousands of shipwrecks lure divers to the coast. Some of the best beach camping can be found within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. When it comes to childhood summertime nostalgia, you can’t beat the town of Duck, where families still go crabbing straight off the docks.

Stay: Sanderling Resort is a staple summer oasis set on 13-acres that front the Atlantic and Currituck Sound near the town of Duck. Private beach access means guests are always steps from the sand, though the world-class spa may have you wishing for a cloudy day. Rates start at $255.

Insider Tip: Aviation fans can fly a reproduction of the Wright Brothers’ 1902 glider above the dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park at Kitty Hawk Kites.
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PHOTO BY: ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Stock Photo

Oval Beach, Saugatuck, Michigan

One of the Midwest’s best kept secrets is that its beaches hold their own against the ocean shores on the coasts. Though technically landlocked, Michigan hugs 3,200 miles of shoreline along four Great Lakes. Arguably the prettiest stretch of bronzed sand is Oval Beach. Located just over two hours from Chicago in the tiny “shore” town of Saugatuck, the nearly half-mile long beach is so wide that it rarely feels crowded and low coastal dunes create an air of seclusion. Amenities such as bathrooms, a concession stand, showers and picnic tables make this a family favorite. Wineries, cideries, breweries and new farm-to-table restaurants like Pennyroyal Café & Provisions have turned the hamlet of Saugatuck into an up-and-coming culinary destination and made it a delicious base for a summer vacation.

Stay: A former 30-room motor lodge, Lake Shore Resort was recently revamped with boutique hotel touches like mod mid-century furnishings and a heated pool. A lakefront setting, private swimming beach and complimentary yoga classes are a few of the perks. Rates start at $270.

Insider Tip: In the back of the unassuming Saugatuck Drug Store, you’ll find an old-fashioned soda counter that’s been serving root beer floats and malts for more than a century.
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PHOTO BY: DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Massachusetts’ hook-shaped peninsula offers the quintessential New England summer experience with its sandy, dune-swept beaches, lighthouses and “lobstah” shacks. Each of the region’s 15 towns and even smaller villages has its own special appeal. Hyannis Port, the summer getaway of John F. Kennedy, is steeped in presidential lore, while Provincetown has a vibrant artist and LBGTQ+ community. The more remote Outer Cape towns, including Provincetown, Wellfleet, Eastham and Truro, offer easy access to Cape Cod National Seashore and its 40-mile swatch of pristine coast with six swimmable beaches and nature-filled hiking trails. The towns and villages on Nantucket Sound, such as Dennis Port and Harwich, have more manicured beaches with warmer water and calmer surf.

Stay: The 27-room Pelham on Earle is located 300 feet from the grass-covered, white sand dunes of quiet Earle Road Beach near downtown Harwich Port. A free shuttle service transports guests to the sister property, Pelham House Resort, in Dennis Port. The rooftop restaurant is the best spot in town for sunset cocktails. Rates start at $289.

Insider Tip: Set within a retrofitted bar in Dennis Port, Sundae School still makes each batch of ice cream from scratch. The ice cream sundaes are worth every calorie.
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PHOTO BY: Francesco Vaninetti Photo/Getty Images

Oregon Coast

Oregon’s wild coastline spans 363 miles of dune and cliff-lined shore, from Astoria to Brookings, making it an ideal road trip for beach lovers. Each of the coast’s three regions has distinct draws. The north is known for its shipwrecks and historic beach towns, such as Seaside (the end of the Lewis and Clark expedition). The central coast draws active and adventurous types with its fishing, surfing and long boardwalks for summer strolls. Travelers looking to get a bit more off-the-beaten path gravitate to the rugged southern coast, home to old-growth myrtle wood and redwood forests and towering dunes. The artistic port town of Coos Bay is a nice base to explore the south’s long, empty beaches, hike the trails of Shore Acres and Cape Arago state parks, and feast on local seafood.

Stay: Fronting over a mile of bayfront beach, Bay Point Landing is a modern camping sanctuary that’s minutes from the heart of Coos Bay. Guests can choose from 26 Scandinavian-style cabins and 14 stylish Airstreams or drive their own RV — all 126 sites have a firepit and picnic table and access to the heated saltwater pool. Snacks, beer and even Pendleton blankets are sold at the on-site general store. On the weekends, a local food truck serves basics like clam chowder and fish and chips, plus brunch items including avocado toast and breakfast burritos. Rates start at $202 for Airstreams and $294 for cabins.

Insider Tip: Some of the best food in the area is at North Bend Lanes, a bowling alley 10 minutes north of Coos Bay. The family-run institution serves stellar flatbread pizzas and indulgent tri-tip sandwiches, and hosts concerts, comedy shows and wine tastings on its patio.
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Huntington Beach, California

Nestled between Los Angeles and San Diego, this 10-mile stretch of uninterrupted coastline embodies laid-back, SoCal surf culture. Hailed as Surf City USA, it’s a mecca for wave riders. Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing, famously rode waves under the Huntington Beach Pier in the 1920s. Today, the world’s best wave riders flock here each summer to compete in the same spot, at the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing. But the action isn’t just in the water. Volleyball courts line the sand and a 6-mile bike path is always bustling with cyclists, joggers and roller skaters. The city’s vibrant waterfront downtown has a dozen craft breweries, distilleries and tasting rooms. Beach bonfires are a summer tradition here, and three of Huntington’s five beaches have first-come, first-serve bonfire rings for sunset s’mores sessions.

Stay: The 457-room Waterfront Beach Resort has an unbeatable location that’s walking distance to the beach, the landmark pier and downtown’s Pacific City mall. On site, you’ll find two lagoon-style pools and a spa, plus five bars and restaurants. Rates start at $299.

Insider Tip: Located within Huntington Beach Central Park’s 350 acres, the Shipley Nature Center offers some of the best year-round birding in Southern California. And access to the preserve’s three-quarter-mile network of interpretive trails is free of charge.
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PHOTO BY: Douglas Peebles/Getty Images

Ka’anapali Coast, Maui, Hawaii

As soon as you step foot on the coconut palm-dotted shores of Ka’anapali, you’ll understand why this white-sand beach on Maui’s west side was once a retreat for Hawaiian royalty. In the 1960s, it was developed to postcard perfection, becoming the first master-planned resort in the state of Hawaii. Today, the 3 miles of beach remain the epitome of paradise. Calm, crystal clear waters are great for snorkeling, swimming and traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling. And every night at sunset, a cliff diving ceremony is held off of Pu’u Keka’a, the beach’s northernmost cliffs, in honor of Maui’s last ruling chief, who was an avid cliff jumper. Offshore you’ll find two fantastic golf courses with ocean views, some of the island’s top hotels and Whalers Village, a beachfront hub of retail stores and restaurants.

Stay: The Westin Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali, recently completed a $120 million transformation, including the addition of Hokupa’a, a 217-room tower with special guest perks including access to a private bar, infinity pool and free cultural activities like ukulele lessons. Rates start at $599.

Insider Tip: The Kapalua Coastal Trail is a mellow hike of around 3.5 miles, out and back, that departs from neighboring Kapalua Bay Beach. Plan your departure so you can grab a well-earned burger and shake at the Burger Shack at D.T. Fleming Beach, your turn-around point.

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Jen Murphy is a columnist at The Wall Street Journal, and a regular contributor to Travel + Leisure, Outside and Departures. She is the editor of Wildsam Field Guides: Hawaii.

8 Great Beach Vacations

Slather on the sunscreen — these coastal destinations offer a perfect blend of sun, sand and surf

Gulf Shores, Alabama

South Beach, Miami, Florida

The Outer Banks, North Carolina

Oval Beach, Saugatuck, Michigan

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Oregon Coast

Huntington Beach, California

Ka’anapali Coast, Maui, Hawaii

AARP Membership -Join AARP for just $12 for your first year when you enroll in automatic renewal

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