U.S. Beach Travel
When it comes to vacations, beaches are timeless. But with all of the beach choices in the United States, planning the perfect beach getaway can be overwhelming. The Web resources in this guide break down U.S. beaches by region, presenting the best dunes and boardwalks from South Carolina to San Diego. You’ll learn where to find beaches on the East Coast, the Southeast, the West Coast and of course Hawaii, and get the best online tools for finding beach hotels and cheap flights to the beach.
Expand All Guide SectionsBest of the Beach
This section spotlights some of the best beaches in the U.S. with top 10 lists compiled by prolific ... read more »
Regional Beach Travel
From coast to coast, the United States is practically a beach wonderland. This section helps you find your ideal beach, whether you want warm Carolina waters, wild dunes on the Oregon coast or a lively New Jersey boardwalk.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If you’re a seasoned beach traveler who’s seen it all, or if you want to find a unique, little-known beach, try looking in regional newspapers online (for example, the travel section of MaineToday.com, a sister publication of the Portland Press Herald. Get links to U.S. newspapers from the U.S. Newspaper List.
- Combining your beach travel with a separate interest or hobby can make it unique: visit waterfront wineries, or plan to go to the coast during a sandcastle contest. These and other ideas are outlined by Coastal Living magazine.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview of New England beaches …
National Geographic Traveler
lists favorite East Coast beaches in several states. Get a rundown of the major selling points for beaches in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Driving directions and contact phone numbers for each beach are also provided.
Sandkidz
highlights some of the summer's best beach festivals, from the Hyannis Pops by the Sea concert to Charlestown's Annual Seafood Festival. Whether you're looking for food, live music or kid-friendly activities, you'll find a celebration that suits your taste.
For an overview of Southeast beaches …
Southern Living
magazine’s beach guide features an interactive map of beaches all along the East Coast, including southern states like Georgia, Mississippi and Texas. Choose a beach to find practical advice on where to eat and shop, feature articles and an events calendar.
For New York beaches …
New York Magazine
presents a list of beaches that are accessible from Manhattan via subway. Get descriptions of the scene at each beach, as well as a few small photos and practical information for your visit.
For the Jersey Shore …
The Washington Post
guide to the New Jersey Shore has an interactive map that links to guides on staff-favorite beaches. Look for insider tips on unique events (such as movies on the beach) and contact information with links to specialty beach attractions (like yoga on the beach). Scroll down past the map for feature articles on Jersey Shore locales.
For Delaware beaches …
Frommer’s
guide to Delaware beaches gives thorough descriptions of beach towns in Delaware with additional information for specific interests, including active pursuits and beach events. There’s also a beach message board where you can post questions related to Delaware beaches.
For Virginia beaches …
The Official Tourism Website of Virginia
overviews beaches in the state and has links to further information, including state parks and official beach Web sites. Start here for descriptions and photos of Virginia’s most coveted beach destinations.
For Florida beaches …
Visit Florida
is the official tourism site of Florida and offers a range of colorful, fun-to-browse information on beaches. Plan your trip from start to finish with tips for where to play and dine, and photos of attractions. Click on tags in the tag cloud for guides to each beach.
For Carolina beaches …
The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Web site is full of suitable resources for beach travel planning. Find descriptions of Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Lowcountry/Resort Islands beaches, and link to additional insider tips and features courtesy of Southern Living magazine.
VisitNC.com
is the Web site of the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. Use the map of the state’s coastal area to see clearly outlined sections of the Outer Banks, Crystal Coast, Topsail, Cape Fear and Brunswick. Learn what each coastal getaway has to offer, and find links to attractions, photos and maps.
For Texas beaches …
TravelTex.com
the official site of Texas tourism, offers travel information on the Gulf Coast with the goods on South Padre Island, Galveston and Port Arthur. Look for thorough tips and advice covering what to do in each Texas coastal area, along with suggestions for nearby attractions.
For Oregon beaches …
Visit the Oregon Coast
lists the best things to see and do in the area, and describes Oregon coastal cities in words and photos. The “General Info” section fills you in on beach safety, transportation, weather and travel tips. Links to chamber of commerce sites for each beach town lead to additional information.
Travel Oregon
provides listings of Oregon coast events, attractions, recreation, arts and culture activities, and dining opportunities. Use this site to supplement and individualize your travel plans.
For Washington beaches …
The Official Site of Washington State Tourism
has a handy guide to the Washington coast. The “List Locations” tab lists the beaches and state parks in Washington State, along with places to stay. Click the “Map Locations” tab to view the beaches on a map. There’s also a section on traveling the Washington portion of the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway with points of interest and maps.
For Hawaii …
The New York Times
Travel section guide to Hawaii enlists feature articles, photography, budget travel tips and practical information from Frommer’s. Get inspiration and ideas for your Hawaiian beach vacation and take care of technical aspects of your travel planning at the same time.
Getting to the Beach
Before you can dip your toes in the sea and settle into your beach holiday, you’ll need to ... read more »
Hotels at the Beach
After a long day of salt water, sand and sun, a comfortable place to rest can make all the ... read more »
© 2009 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
