Few experiences can rival the tranquility of a beach vacation. Sandy shores, the sound of ocean waves, and warm sunshine provide the perfect escape. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with friends, or with kids, there’s a beach vacation for everyone.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best beach vacations in the United States, including popular hotspots like Myrtle Beach, Miami, and Waikiki along with hidden gems like Cape Canaveral and Cannon Beach worth adding to your travel bucket list.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is known for its 60 miles of beautiful sandy coastline, warm water, and lots of sunshine.
Beyond playing in the sand and surf, guests can find dolphin tours, fishing excursions, pirate cruises, and surf lessons. There’s an Oceanfront Boardwalk that has restaurants, shops, a Ferris wheel, and beautiful views of the beach.
At Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, you can see piranhas, tropical fish, orange lobsters, sea horses, axolotls, iguanas, jellyfish, sharks, sawfish, penguins, and much more. There are lots of special events at the aquarium, too, like sloth encounters and breakfast with a mermaid.
For golf enthusiasts, Myrtle Beach has over 90 courses, plus family-friendly mini golf spots, too. There are lots of places to see live music, including Legends in Concert where singers perform live tribute shows to entertainers like Whitney Houston, Elvis, the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Adele – all with elaborate sets, costumes, and special effects.
Want more ideas? Check out travel blogger Brianna Steele’s Top 12 Things to Do in Myrtle Beach in the Summer.
Summer is a popular time to go, for good reason, but late spring and early fall often have great weather and fewer crowds. And if you’ve never been, this post has some great tips and ideas for your first visit to Myrtle Beach.
Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach
Two great options are the Myrtle Beach Oceanfront and South Beach Resort.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
With direct beach access, spacious villas, and tons of amenities, Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort is a popular spot for couples and families. Choose from one- to four-bedroom villas, each with a full kitchen and a washer and dryer for extra convenience.
Amenities are plentiful. There’s a massive, multi-level oceanfront pool, splash pad, and hot tub – all with lots of seating. The Back Porch Pool Bar has Southern-inspired food and cocktails, plus local beers on tap. Plus you’ll find a fitness center, market, fire pit, and activities center.
Learn more about the resort and check prices and availability here.
South Beach Resort
South Beach Resort is located on a large, quiet property one street across from the beach. There are studio rooms plus one- to four-bedroom villas. Each option comes with free Wi-Fi, large tubs, TVs, and fireplaces. Studios include kitchenettes, while villas have fully equipped kitchens. Upgrade to a Signature Collection room to get a washer and dryer, premium furnishings, and a surround-sound home theater system.
When you leave your comfortable room, you’ll find an indoor and outdoor pool, a beachfront club pool, a lazy river, giant water slides, and a splash pad. There’s also a game room, a playground, a basketball court, a volleyball court, shuffleboard, corn hole, and a fitness center.
See everything South Beach Resort has to offer here.
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Cape Canaveral is synonymous with space exploration, but it’s also home to stunning beaches that make for a unique vacation spot. Just an hour’s drive from Orlando, this beach town offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement.
Cape Canaveral’s beaches are clean and less crowded compared to other Florida hot spots. Nearby Cocoa Beach Pier has beach rentals, showers, sand volleyball courts, restaurants, gift shops, and live music.
Besides soaking up the sun on the beach, you can tour the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, catch a rocket launch from the nearby Kennedy Space Center, visit the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, or take a boat tour to spot dolphins and manatees.
If you need a place to stay on your Cape Canaveral Beach Vacation, consider Cape Canaveral Beach Resort. They offer a wide range of accommodations, from studio rooms to four-bedroom villas. Most villas come with a fully equipped kitchen, private patio or balcony, and a separate sleeping area.
There’s also tons to do at the resort, including two outdoor pools, a lazy river, a water slide, and hot tubs. Play tennis, basketball, shuffleboard, or a round of mini golf. Kids will love the game room and movie theater. And if you get hungry, you can grab a bite to eat at the Cape Grill & Bar. Plus the resort makes it easy to get to the beach with a boardwalk.
Panama City Beach, Florida
Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Panama City Beach is famous for its emerald waters and powdery white sands. Whether you’re in the mood for adventure or a peaceful retreat, Panama City Beach offers a diverse range of activities.
Panama City Beach is a haven for water sports enthusiasts, with ample opportunities for parasailing, paddleboarding, and deep-sea fishing. There are also lots of boat tours to suit your taste: see wild dolphins, take a glowing tiki bar cruise, or catch an ocean sunset from the water.
For family-friendly fun, check out the SkyWheel, explore St. Andrews State Park, take a pirate cruise, or visit WonderWorks (an “edu-tainment” experience with over 100 hands-on exhibits).
There are tons of events throughout the year, too. Visit in October for Fright Nights, where the Center for the Arts gets turned into a haunted house. December features a Boat Parade of Lights, for a new take on holiday cheer. And in March, the FLLUX Arts Festival brings street chalk installations and artisanal vendors to the downtown arts district.
For accommodations, Holiday Inn Club Vacations Panama City Beach Resort is located right on the beach, giving you easy access to the sand and surf. Its one- and two-bedroom villas provide much more space than a standard hotel room. Plus, villas come with fully equipped kitchens, separate sleeping areas, free Wi-Fi, and a washer and dryer. For extra fun, the resort has an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and a game room.
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami is one of the most famous and vibrant beach vacation destinations in the world. Known for its sizzling nightlife, luxury shopping, delicious food, and cultural diversity, Miami’s beaches are just as exciting as the city itself. It’s a go-to spot for people looking for sun, fun, and a little bit of glam.
Miami beaches are wide, with golden sands and warm waters, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. There are plenty of places to rent boats or jet skis, or you can go fishing on a guided tour. South Beach is famous for its celebrity sightings and party scene, while the quieter North Beach offers a more laid-back environment.
Beyond lounging on the beach, you can explore Miami’s vibrant neighborhoods like Little Havana, with exceptional Cuban restaurants, and Wynwood, known for its public murals. Winter and spring are ideal for enjoying warm weather without the summer humidity, making Miami a prime winter escape.
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a charming island town located on the Gulf Coast of Texas. It’s a great option for those looking to combine beach fun with history, art, and culture.
Due to its location on the Gulf Coast, Galveston has temperate weather year-round. The hottest month is August, with an average high temperature of 90°, while the coldest month is January, with an average high temperature of 61°. In the warmer months, visitors can enjoy Galveston’s many beaches, which are perfect for sunbathing, surfing, swimming, and playing in the sand. Dolphin-watching and fishing tours abound, and there are multiple places to rent kayaks.
There are lots of attractions in Galveston, too. Moody Gardens has an aquarium, a discovery museum, 3D and 4D theaters, a paddlewheel boat, and a rainforest pyramid that houses over 1,700 plants and animals. Another popular spot is Schlitterbahn Waterpark. This expansive water park has pools, tube slides, body slides, “not-so-lazy rivers,” wave pools, water playgrounds, and picnic pavilions. Whether you want to brave the MASSIV Monster Blaster’s 926 feet of twists and drops or unwind with a frozen drink at the Wasserfest swim-up bar, Schlitterbahn has you covered.
The Galveston Island Pleasure Pier has rides, games, restaurants, and shopping – all with gorgeous views of the water. And the Strand Historic District features beautiful Victorian architecture, art galleries, boutiques, and more.
There are lots of resorts and hotels in Galveston. Two popular options are Galveston Beach Resort and Galveston Seaside Resort. Both resorts have spacious villas with separate sleeping areas and fully equipped kitchens. They also have pools, sport courts, and special activities. Galveston Beach Resort is located right on the sand, just a short drive from historic downtown Galveston. And Galveston Seaside Resort has mini-golf, an arcade, and on-site dining – with beach access just across the street.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod, a hook-shaped peninsula extending into the Atlantic Ocean, offers some of the most scenic beaches in the northeastern United States. A quintessential summer destination, it’s known for its charming towns, scenic dunes, lighthouses, and miles of picturesque coastline.
Cape Cod is perfect for those looking for a peaceful beach getaway with a touch of New England charm. The peninsula offers a mix of wide, sandy beaches and rocky shores, perfect for beach combing or sunbathing.
The Cape Cod National Seashore has swimming, walking and biking trails, and ranger presentations about topics like saltmarsh and beach ecology. Take a dolphin- or whale-watching tour, bike along the 25-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail, or visit charming towns like Provincetown and Chatham. History buffs can explore local museums, while food lovers can indulge in the freshest seafood, including Cape Cod’s famous lobster rolls.
June to September is the peak season, but early fall offers fewer crowds, making it a great time to visit as well.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
If your beach vacation doesn’t require swimming, Cannon Beach in Oregon is a breathtaking hidden gem. The most famous feature is Haystack Rock, a large rock that rises out of the ocean. At low tide, you can walk over to it and explore its many tidepools and sea creatures. Seabirds are always plentiful, and in spring and early summer, you can see puffins.
Most of the town is walkable, so you can easily explore shopping, art galleries, and restaurants. Dining options are plentiful, including local breweries, bakeries, coffee shops, breakfast spots, and seafood restaurants. Explore unique shops, like Icefire Glassworks and Bruce’s Candy Kitchen. There are multiple annual events, including art festivals, a cottage tour, and a literary event.
Fair warning: the water is cold, and even in the summer, the average high temperature is only in the mid to high 60s. If you want to swim, you’ll need a wetsuit. But if you’re interested in a less traditional beach vacation with lots of wildlife and a fun vibe, Cannon Beach might be perfect.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile stretch of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina with wide sandy shores, rolling dunes, and iconic lighthouses.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore has beautiful beaches (with lifeguards!), and there are places to camp near the ocean. Wildlife can be seen throughout the year, including sea turtles, seals, and a variety of birds. See more wildlife at The Nature Conservancy at Nags Head Woods Preserve, which has over 100 species of birds that you can see from its walking trails. And if plays are more your style, The Lost Colony is an outdoor musical on Roanoke Island about the colony of over 100 settlers that vanished in the late 1500s.
Visitors in the mood for adventure can go windsurfing, hang gliding, horseback riding, scuba diving, parasailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There are also five lighthouses, each one providing beautiful photo ops.
If you go in spring, you’ll likely have high temperatures in the mid 60s to 70s. Summer is the busiest time, but with good reason: high temperatures average in the 80s, making ocean swimming a bit more comfortable. Fall is also popular, with highs often in the 70s. There’s usually more wind as well, making activities like windsurfing and kite flying easier.
Laguna Beach, California
Laguna Beach, located along the Pacific Coast in Southern California, is known for its breathtaking cliffs, tide pools, and artistic community. There are dozens of beaches to explore along the coast. Depending on where you go, you’ll find scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, hiking trails, tennis courts, and golf courses.
Opportunities to see wildlife abound. Watch the seals and sea lions on Seal Rock, or take a dolphin- or whale-watching tour. Explore the tide pools at Heisler Park or hike through Crystal Cove State Park.
The art scene is equally impressive. The Laguna Art Museum has a permanent collection of over 3,000 works as well as traveling exhibitions, guided tours, and classes. You can also take the free trolley to see over 100 public art works throughout the city, and there are dozens of art galleries and regular art festivals to explore.
There are also regular events happening all the time, including a weekly farmers market, a monthly art walk, and annual surfing contents. You can find live music and plays, too.
Waikiki, Hawaii
Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii, is one of the most iconic beaches in the world. With its crystal-clear waters, soft sandy shores, and the backdrop of Diamond Head Crater, Waikiki offers a quintessential tropical beach experience.
Waikiki is perfect for swimming, surfing, and snorkeling. It’s also home to some of the world’s top luxury resorts, making it ideal for a tropical escape.
Take a surfing lesson, hike to the top of Diamond Head Crater for panoramic views, go to a traditional luau, take a helicopter ride, or explore the vibrant dining scene in Honolulu. The Honolulu Zoo has komodo dragons, elephants, primates, and hundreds of other animals to see and learn about. Snorkeling and diving tours to see sea turtles, coral reefs, sharks, and fish are plentiful.
Tips for Planning the Perfect Beach Vacation
No matter which destination you choose, here are some essential tips for making the most of your beach vacation:
- Pack Wisely: Bring plenty of sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and lightweight clothing to stay cool. Don’t forget a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
- Plan Activities in Advance: Many beach destinations offer a variety of activities like snorkeling, surfing, and boat tours – but they often sell out quickly. Book as far in advance as possible to ensure you get the activities you want most.
- Time Your Trip Well: If you want fewer crowds and lower prices, consider traveling in the off-season. But make sure you’re willing to accept the trade-off – many beach destinations have more unpredictable or colder weather in the off season.
Plan your Beach Vacation Today
So whether you want to explore hidden coves in Laguna Beach, witnessing a rocket launch in Cape Canaveral, or enjoying the family-friendly fun in Panama City Beach, there’s a beach vacation for you. So pack your sunscreen, grab your favorite beach read, and get ready to explore some of the best beach vacations the US has to offer. Your next adventure awaits!
