Summer is a short but glorious season, often spent with family and friends enjoying the endless variety of festivals, foods, and holidays. The summer season is also a perfect time for a romantic walk on the beach at sunset during a hot summer vacation night. Take advantage of those long summer days by exploring our list of beautiful beaches and vacation spots located across the United States. This summer, find your special beach destination, sunbathe and play on the pristine sandy beaches while making summer memories to last a lifetime.
Maine is one of the most popular romantic destinations for vacationers for a variety of reasons. The beautiful temperate climate and rocky shorelines with high granite cliffs have provided summer travelers with unforgettable views for over a hundred years. A popular Maine summer destination is Bar Harbor, located in the Acadia National Park area, which offers beautiful white sand beaches and refreshing waters to enjoy and help you relax. Also located within this summer vacation area along Route 1A in Maine’s southern coast region are the quaint seaside towns of Portland and Ogunquit. Both offer smaller beaches, but are known for their quiet, romantic coastlines. Tired of the beach? How about a trip to Maine’s central coast to Southwest Harbor, where vacationers will find wonderful boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts like never before? And of course, no Maine summer vacation would be complete without trying something from the local fair, including freshly caught lobster, hot dogs, fiddlehead fries, and my personal favorite, New England clam chowder.
Another hot spot for summer vacations is the South Shore of New Jersey, with more than 140 miles of pristine beaches, renowned restaurants, and celebrated summer festivals and events. This region contains 7 of the top 10 beaches in New Jersey, including the #1 beach, located in Ocean City. Known as America’s Largest Family Resort, it’s a fantastic location for family reunions, group retreats, and of course, beach weddings. The 2.5-mile-long boardwalk is complete with great restaurants and a downtown shopping area for adults, and two amusement parks, go-kart rentals, and a water park for the kids. Don’t forget the many mini golf courses, fun for the whole family! There really is entertainment for all ages in Ocean City, NJ. And no trip to the South Shore of New Jersey would be complete without visiting the historic Victorian city of Cape May. Cape May offers a wide variety of summer activities including listening to the waves lap the shoreline, the thrill and excitement of walking the boardwalk, climbing to the top of one of Cape May’s many famous lighthouses, and taking in the towering views and finally staying in a romantic Victorian bed and breakfast on the coast. The South Shore of New Jersey offers a wide variety of activities to ensure your summer vacation is a memorable one.
Known for its abundant year-round sunshine and crystal blue skies, the Florida Keys region, including the neighboring barrier islands, has long been a favorite destination for vacationers. Key West offers soft white sand beaches that surround its scenic perimeter, and is renowned for its outdoor activities that include world-class fishing, scuba diving, water sports, and golf. After watching a Key West sunset like no other, enjoy the many nightlife activities, including live entertainment from the city’s many musicians and street performers. Treat your palate to an island specialty and dine at a local outdoor cafe or gourmet restaurant, and enjoy a drink at one of the island’s many legendary pubs and outdoor bars. Lodging in Key West is as diverse as the island itself, from world-class resorts to traditional shell houses and comfortable bed-and-breakfast inns. In a city of fascinating contrasts and inspiring diversity, it’s easy to imagine setting aside your continental worries and spending your summer vacation in beautiful Key West, Florida. I have personally visited Key West several times, soaking in the memorable sites during the 4 hour drive from Key Largo to Key West, and would highly recommend the drive along scenic US 1 to any vacationer looking for an unforgettable beach getaway this summer.
Home to some of the best beaches in the United States, the South Texas Gulf Coast region attracts millions of visitors each year, especially during the summer vacation season. With more than 350 miles of coastline stretching in a gentle arc from north of South Padre Island to the Louisiana border, this Texas game park is renowned for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Native ridge grasses and wetlands provide the ideal ecosystem to support rich marine life and winter nesting grounds for migratory birds. In the North Gulf Coast area, you can explore the historic seaside communities of Galveston and Crystal Beach. Galveston offers 32 miles of magnificent soft-sand beaches, world-class dining and live entertainment, and one of the largest and best-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country. Another popular summer destination in the Texas Gulf Coast area is Corpus Christi, which offers vacationers a rich mix of culture in the relaxed atmosphere of a historic seaside port. When traveling to Corpus Christi, one can expect to find soothing sea breezes, endless blue skies, and beautiful turquoise waters. Visit the Bayfront Boardwalk, Museum and Arts District, waterfront restaurants, and exciting nightlife during your Corpus Christi vacation. South Padre Island is located in the tropical tip of Texas, on the border with Mexico. It is known as one of the best vacation destinations in the country that offers beautiful beaches, high sand dunes, and warm Gulf waters. Contrary to popular belief, South Padre Island is one of the warmest places in Texas during the summer season, with sea breezes from the Gulf keeping temperatures moderate in the 80s and 90s. Some activities to explore while vacationing in this top-rated Texas beach destination include saltwater fishing, eating fresh seafood served at local island restaurants, and staying at a historic bed & breakfast or hotel. There is certainly something for every travel enthusiast when visiting the Texas Gulf Coast this summer.
Located along the Pacific Ocean halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, California’s central coast stretches for thousands of miles from Santa Barbara to Monterey. The region is widely known for its romantic white-sand beaches and rock-fringed coastal vistas, exquisite wine country tours, and artisan villages. Vacationers can choose from quaint, historic bed-and-breakfast inns to quaint seaside cottages. During beautiful sun-filled days, discover surfing, water skiing, golfing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, farmers markets, and film festivals. If you’re looking for beautiful blue skies, shopping, dining, endless activities, unforgettable experiences, and a marina complemented by a gorgeous beach, visit Santa Barbara, located on the southern tip of California’s central coast. Located near the northern end of Monterey Bay, 74 miles south of San Francisco, is the quintessential seaside town of Santa Cruz. A wide range of attractions awaits you, from the award-winning Santa Cruz Boardwalk and majestic redwood groves, to arts and cultural events and award-winning restaurants. An enchanting combination of history and natural beauty awaits, ensuring that your summer vacation on California’s Central Coast is memorable and enjoyable.
The Bed and Breakfast Directory.com suggests summer beach vacation destinations based on personal experiences and other valuable input from travelers. Locations were selected based on overall entertainment options, beach quality and popularity, number of sunny days, soft sand, water temperature, and dining and shopping options.
