There’s nothing like a family beach getaway to relax and make memories together. Just the thought of feeling the mild ocean breeze and the soft sand under your toes while the children build sandcastles is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face! But which beach across the US is right for you?
Here are our favorite beach vacations for families who love the sand and sun.
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San Diego, California
Set along the Pacific Ocean, San Diego has plenty of family-friendly beaches that make for the ultimate West Coast beach vacation. In fact, some of the best in the country are:
Coronado Beach has tide pools for the littlest travelers to splash around and waters perfect for surfing, swimming and boogie boarding. The north end of the beach is dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry family members along!
La Jolla Shores, Torrey Pines State Beach and Mission Bay Park. Families can easily pass the day kayaking, paddleboarding and water skiing, or just strolling along the boardwalk. The beaches are staffed by lifeguards year-round, so you can feel comfortable knowing there is a second set of eyes watching your little ones.
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Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near San Diego
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Voted the best beach town in Florida, Clearwater Beach has 2.5 miles of soft white sands, calm waters and picturesque views. There’s plenty to do for all ages in and out of the water.
Year-round In the water fun includes all the regulars like swimming, boogie boarding and paddleboarding, then ramps up to jet skiing and parasailing.
Out of the water, there are lots of fun things to do with kids.. Those include the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home to rescued sea turtles, dolphins and other sea life, and the free nightly festival at Pier 60, a great place to catch a sunset with the family.
SheBuysTravel contributor Breeze Leonard also recommends a visit to Moccasin Lake Nature Park. In her words, “Hiking down a few nature trails and seeing the wildlife present at this park was a much cooler experience than I had anticipated.”
There are also plenty of boat tours and sightseeing tours, a pirate cruise and a dolphin cruise. A cocktail and dinner cruise for mom and dad is a perfect way to end the day. And for families looking to get in some Disney time during their beach vacation, Walt Disney World is just a 90-minute drive away.
Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Clearwater
We have a roundup of the best family-friendly hotels in Clearwater, but these are our top recommendations:
SheBuysTravel Tip: One of our favorite things to do when taking a beach vacation is to hire a photographer for family photos. This is a special gift and souvenir that we cherish. We use Flytographer to book a local photographer located in the area that we’re traveling to. Use this link and you will get $25 off your photo session.
Read More: Where to eat in Clearwater with kids.
Destin, Florida
Located on Florida’s panhandle, Destin is known for its beautiful Gulf of Mexico beaches, boardwalk and top-notch golf courses. There are also plenty of family-friendly beachfront resorts where both adults and kids can sit back, relax and have the vacation of their lives.
Henderson State Beach Park is one of the area’s top attractions with 30-foot white sand dunes, emerald waters, campsites and nature trails. Water-loving kiddos like my 9-year-old son could probably spend all day at Big Kahuna’s indoor and outdoor waterpark, offering 60,000 square feet of water attractions including water slides, a lazy river, thrill rides and mini golf. There are also many boat tours available, from dolphin watching tours to island adventure tours.
Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Destin
Sanibel Island, Florida
The popular Tarpon Bay Beach is the place to be forswimming, fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding. The calm beach waters are ideal for little ones to splash around and collect unique seashells. And when you’re ready to take a break from the water, the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to take a bike ride, do some bird watching and take in all that nature has to offer.
Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Sanibel Island
Seaside, Florida
Named the “Best Beach on Earth” for families by Travel + Leisure Magazine, Seaside is a small, charming town where families can focus on rest and relaxation. Not only is it walkable and right on the water, but it is home to some of the most beautiful, white sand, turquoise beaches in Florida.
Famous for its pastel-colored houses with classic porches and white picket fences, Seaside is easily walkable, but there are also bike and golf cart rentals to help you get around town.
Grayton Beach State Park is the place to see coastal sand dunes, hike the trails and take in the beauty of the surrounding wildlife.
Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Seaside
Maui, Hawaii
A top beach vacation destination for families, honeymooners and single travelers, Maui is home to beautiful, calm water beaches, upscale resorts and plenty of cultural and tourist activities for all ages. The best Maui beaches are:
- Wailea Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the world.
- Ka’anapali Beach, where both beginner and pro surfers can go to catch some of the best waves.
- Makena Beach State Park, home to one of the largest undeveloped beaches on the island.
When you’ve had enough of the beach, head to Haleakala National Park, where you can catch a view of the world’s largest dormant volcano.
Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Maui
Oahu, Hawaii
The third largest and most visited island in Hawaii, Oahu is filled with world-class resorts, beaches and surfing. With high-rise hotels lining the beach, you won’t have to go far to enjoy the fun, sun and sand. The island’s world-renowned beaches include:
- Waikiki Beach, an iconic world-famous beach with calm waters perfect for the youngest family members to swim and splash around.
- The North Shore of Oahu is the place to be if you want to catch some big waves for surfing. SheBuysTravel contributor Mimi Slawoff recommends taking surf lessons at the Hans Hedemann Surf School, a fun activity for the whole family.
- Hanauma Bay Beach Park Nature Preserve is a great place to spend the day snorkeling and exploring the Hawaiian sea life in a safe environment.
Oahu is also the site of Pearl Harbor, so after spending some time at the beach, head over to the USS Battleship Missouri Memorial and USS Arizona Memorial for an unforgettable history lesson.
SheBuysTravel Tip: You may want to reserve a Pearl Harbor visit for the older kids. Some parts may not be appropriate for younger children.
Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Oahu
Ogunquit and Kennebunkport, Maine
Maine isn’t usually regarded as a top beach destination due to its rocky coastline, but Ogunquit and Kennebunkport in southern Maine offer wide stretches of sandy beaches that are popular among families.
Ogunquit Beach sits on a peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and Ogunquit River. The lifeguard-staffed beach is long and flat, making it an ideal place for little ones to swim. It is also a great place for sunbathing, picnicking and watching the sunset. Outside of the water, the mile-long Marginal Way trail is a great place for a relaxing family stroll. It starts in downtown Ogunquit and takes walkers down the coast to the charming Perkins Cove, offering breathtaking views of the rocky coast along the way. There are also several benches along the way for when little legs get tired.
Kennebunkport is a small historic fishing village also known for its incredible beaches and picturesque lighthouses. It is also a great place to try one of Maine’s famous lobster rolls. The wide and sandy Goose Rocks Beach stretches three miles and is a wonderful place to swim, play, build sandcastles or take a walk. Colony Beach (a/k/a Arundel Beach), is a smaller sand and pebble beach great for taking a walk or swim. You can also bring your furry family member. However, there are no bathrooms, so plan accordingly!
Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Ogunquit and Kennebunkport
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
With its pristine beaches and sand dunes, whale-watching, mouthwatering lobster rolls and endless outdoor activities. Cape Cod has long been one of the best beach vacations for families in New England.
- Kalmus Park Beach in Hyannis is popular for swimming and windsurfing. There is also plenty of space for the kiddos to run around and play.
- Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable offers shallow tidal pools, sand dunes and a wooden boardwalk for bike riding or taking a stroll.
For a fun day trip for the whole family outside of Cape Cod, head south and take the ferry to Nantucket Island. There you can bike around town or spend a day splashing around in the calm, shallow waters of Children’s Beach. There’s even an Ice Cream cruise where you can cruise around the harbor while enjoying a delicious frozen treat!
Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Cape Cod:
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Growing up, Myrtle Beach was always a popular beach getaway destination for my family and friends. No matter what our age, there was something fun for everyone to do – it was nearly impossible for anyone to complain that they were “bored!” To this day, Myrtle Beach with its 60 miles of shoreline still offers one of the best beach vacations for families on the East Coast.
Known for its busy boardwalk, lined with restaurants, live entertainment and attractions for all ages Myrtle Beach has more than . In addition to its morethan 50 mini golf courses, old-fashioned arcade games and popular attractions such as the Ripley’s Aquarium.
Myrtle Beach State Park is a family must-visit, with opportunities for fishing, crabbing, picnicking, camping and shopping.
Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Myrtle Beach
Outer Banks, North Carolina
This set of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina is especially great for families who like to stay active during their beach vacation.
The Outer Banks is an angler’s paradise, with opportunities to fish, take a fishing boat tour, go crabbing and go shrimping. At Jeannette’s Pier in Nags Head, the whole family can take a fishing class together and observe native fish species at the aquarium.
Days at the beach are best spent on the sandy shores of Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devils Hill. For families traveling with their furry family members, Duck is the place to be.
On Hatteras Island, you can view the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in the United States. Horse lovers will want to head to Corolla and Carova Beach. There, you can see wild horses roaming free in their natural habitat.
Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Outer Banks
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Known for its beaches and golf courses,
- Coligny Beach Park,
Hilton Head’s most popular oceanfront park, has everything your family needs to enjoy a day at the beach. In addition to beach access, there are paths for walking and biking, bike rentals and swings. There are also bathrooms, outdoor showers, changing rooms, even Wi-Fi!. - Alder Lane Beach is less crowded and do- friendly.
When you’re done with the sun and sand, head to Coastal Discovery Museum or the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge for a dose of nature and wildlife At the end of a busy day, head to the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum to catch a beautiful sunset.
Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Hilton Head
- Disney Hilton Head Island Resort
- Sonesta Resort*
Hilton Head Island - Omni
Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is a consistent No. 1 family beach vacation spot. With nearly 40 miles of golden sand beaches and a bustling boardwalk packed with fun things to do and see, it is one of the best beach vacations for families on the East Coast, whether you are looking for “thrill” or “chill”.
My fondest memories of Virginia Beach as a child are from the hours we would spend playing in the water and building sandcastles. To this day, it is still one of the best ways to spend the day. Bike rentals are available to explore the three-mile boardwalk, lined with restaurants, ice cream shops, arcades and shops. If you’re feeling adventurous, head to the seasonal Atlantic Fun Park, a family-friendly amusement park with thrill rides, go-karts, games and food. Don’t leave without a visit to the massive King Neptune statue, the perfect place for your family vacation photo op.
Family-approved places to stay near Virginia Beach
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