8 Affordable Summer Beach Destinations
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
A great beach vacation requires much more than sunny skies and gorgeous beaches. Sure, beautiful beaches with smooth sand and crisp water are wonderful, but what really makes a great beach vacation are those destinations that offer more outside the beach. In my travels, I have noticed that my most memorable beach vacations have involved destinations with a lot more to offer.
The following destinations all offer beautiful beaches, in addition to many recreational, cultural, and entertainment attractions. You will never run out of things to do when planning a trip to any of these beach cities. Best of all, each destination is surprisingly affordable given the many free or low cost activities in the region. Enjoy the list and be sure to add some of your favorite destinations in the comments below!
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. With over 60 miles of continuous world-class beachfront (known as The Grand Strand), South Carolina is an easy pick for a fun-filled summer vacation.
Myrtle Beach, one of the best places to vacation on The Grand Strand, is also one of the most popular beach destinations in the US with over 19 million visitors per year. Best of all, Myrtle offers plenty of activities and lodging options for every budget and personality.
Beautiful sandy beaches, gorgeous waterfront resorts, and tons of activities (you will see the billboards as you arrive advertising Myrtle Beach as a destination with “over a million things to do”). You will soon find that this slogan rings true as there are more than enough activities and attractions to incorporate into your itinerary.
One of the best attractions is the new-ish (built in 2010) 1.2 mile oceanfront boardwalk. The boardwalk is perfect for a morning walk or bike ride (watch the signs as biking is only permitted during various times of the day). Along the boardwalk, you will find a handful of waterfront restaurants and unique shops.
While strolling along the boardwalk, you must stop for a ride on the 187 foot high SkyWheel, one of the tallest in the US. The views as you circle around in the enclosed gondola are nothing short of amazing. Check out a few of the beautiful panoramic views you will experience during your ride. As you can see, there is no better place to photograph the beautiful coast. A small price to pay for such an amazing experience!
There are so many things to do in Myrtle Beach that you wouldn’t possibly be able to cram everything into a single trip. Whether you are seeking a laid-back, lazy beach vacation or an entertaining summer trip, you are bound to have a memorable time. The beaches here are not only stunning, but also diverse, offering opportunities both for relaxation and recreation.
If you are looking to relax…
*Take a morning stroll along the beach. Enjoy a beautiful sunrise walk minus the noisy afternoon crowds. Take advantage of the cooler temps and gorgeous coastal scenery. If you arrive early enough, you may even catch a glimpse of a dolphin swimming along.
*Take a walk down Pier 14. A walk down this scenic pier will allow you to enjoy some of the best views of the beach and boardwalk. You can also visit the Pier 14 Restaurant for a great seafood lunch/dinner in a pretty waterfront setting.
*Enjoy a seafood dinner at one of the many waterfront dining options. Sea Captains House and Ocean Front Bar and Grille both offer outdoor seating with fabulous views.
If you are looking more for an upbeat atmosphere…
*Check out Broadway at the Beach, the best shopping and dining destination in Myrtle Beach. Here, you will find all the familiar themed tourist restaurants such as Hard Rock Cafe, Senor Frogs, and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. You will also find a selection of shops, bars, and attractions.
The must-see attraction (if you only have time for one) is Ripley’s Aquarium, “South Carolina’s most visited attraction.” The highlight here is the amazing 300+ foot tunnel that you walk underneath as you view the sharks and other marine life swimming up above you. A really cool experience!
*Plan an evening at a unique show. Myrtle Beach offers no shortage of interesting entertainment options. There is always something going on no matter what time of the year you visit. The Carolina Opry, Legends in Concert, Medieval Times, and Pirates Voyage Dinner Adventure, are just a handful of the current shows available. A show is the perfect nighttime activity after a full day spent at the beach. Take some time to relax and recover from all that time spent in the sun!
Other interesting activities to add to your itinerary: dolphin and sunset cruises, Myrtle Waves Water Park, mini-golf (there are dozens of options), water sports (parasailing, kayaking), and scenic helicopter rides, just to name a few.
Where to stay: Myrtle Beach offers plenty of lodging options for any budget, ranging in price from $50-80 for your basic 2 star motel/hotel to several hundred for the luxury resorts. A great mid range option is Island Vista Resort, a luxury all suite resort located directly on the beach. Amenities include: indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river, spa services, and an excellent waterfront restaurant called The Cypress Room.
Virginia Beach
This lively beachfront city is one of the best summer vacation destinations on the East coast. In addition to being home to almost 30 miles of beautiful public beaches, Virginia Beach is also home to several top notch attractions including the Virginia Aquarium, a number of gorgeous state parks and wildlife refuges, and the famous Virginia Beach boardwalk.
The Virginia Beach boardwalk is one of the most beautiful and active boardwalks. It is clean and well-maintained and bustling with entertainment and energy during the summer months. Be sure to take your picture by the famous bronze Neptune statue.
The gorgeous boardwalk is one of the few that is conveniently separated into a separate pedestrian walking and biking path. This is a great idea as it allows cyclists a smooth ride without the distraction of zigzagging between walkers and runners. Surrey and bike rentals are available by the hour if you do not have your own. As an added bonus, the boardwalk is lit up at night, allowing you to take a safe leisurely night stroll.
3 miles of gorgeous views of the Atlantic coast – really, it doesn’t get much better than this! Along the way, you have the opportunity to stop and take a break at one of the handful of waterfront restaurants. Kick back and enjoy a few drinks and fresh seafood on one of the outdoor patios and enjoy the views. You will find a number of quality seafood restaurants such as Waterman’s Surfside Grille and Catch 31 Fishhouse.
Ongoing summer boardwalk events include concerts, fireworks, art shows, and much more! You will never run out of things to do during the prime summer season.
While in town, also be sure to check out the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. This is a fantastic mid-size aquarium which doesn’t draw as many crowds as the bigger city aquariums. Great exhibits including a beautiful fish tunnel, shark tanks, interesting IMAX shows, and beautiful on-site nature trails will keep you occupied for at least a few hours. Thus, this is a great air conditioned escape during the day!
Other fun attractions & activities in the Virginia Beach area include: kayaking with the dolphins, Ocean Breeze Water Park, surfing and stand up paddle-board lessons, and cruises.
Where to stay: There are plenty of resorts (both moderate and pricey) located directly on the boardwalk. Best Western Plus Oceanfront offers affordable lodging and great amenities, including: individual terraces with great views of the coast and boardwalk, an on-site waterfront restaurant, and convenient access to the beach.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater, one of the most popular beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is well known for its’ beautiful white quartz sand and clear waters. In 2013, Clearwater won “Best Beach Town in Florida,” (USA Today). Clearwater offers 3 miles of beautiful sandy beaches. In addition, these beaches are much wider than other choices in the Bay.
The sand here is very smooth with barely any shells or trash lying around.
The waters are clear and warm. Swimming here is great any time of the year.
Clearwater Beach is a prime sunset watching hotspot. The pier is a great spot to capture amazing photographs.
This lively beach is best suited for those seeking an active beach vacation. Weekend nights are almost always packed with the popular year-round Sunsets at the Pier festival. Here, you will be treated to live entertainment, live music, movies on the beach, and vendors lining the pier.
A handful of waterfront dining options, including pubs, seafood restaurants, Cuban food, and beachy themed cafes, are available. Columbia Sand Key is an excellent option featuring authentic Spanish food served in an attractive waterfront setting.
Additional things to do…
Numerous cruises are offered. Here, you will find everything from a pirate themed adventure to a lunch buffet aboard a luxury yacht. Tropics Boat Tours offers dolphin, sunset, and party cruises. These cruises are a great opportunity to get an overview of the area, while enjoying magnificent views that you could only otherwise experience with your own boat. The sunset cruise is a great time – filled with fun music, entertaining narration, and great views.
A ride on the Sea Screamer – the world’s largest speedboat is another must-do. On this fun boat ride, you will get to enjoy gorgeous views and see dolphins playing in the wake of the boat!
The Pinellas Trail, rated one of the best rail trails in the country, can be accessed in Clearwater. Riding a section of this 45 mile recreational path is a convenient way to visit a lot of areas on Florida’s Gulf coast in a short period of time. This diverse path crosses through many unique cities and landscapes, including both urban and rural areas. Along the way, there are many detours to access parks and beaches, including the highly rated Honeymoon Island State Beach in Dunedin.
Other fun activities in Clearwater Beach include: The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (filming of A Dolphin Tale), Beach Walk (a 1/2 mile paved path along the beach), volleyball, parasailing, jet skiing, and much more!
Where to stay: There are no shortage of resorts in the area, with many spectacular waterfront options lining the beach. A stay at one of these resorts is a major plus for the direct access to the beach alone (especially in an area where parking is extremely hard to find). The Sandpearl is a highly regarded resort. However, it is quite pricey to stay here. Fortunately, there are options for every budget.
Santa Monica
This famous L.A. area beach is perhaps one of the most well known beachfront cities. Almost everyone has heard of the famous Santa Monica Pier. It has made an appearance in countless movie and TV shows. The iconic pier features an amusement park and also marks the end of Route 66, a historic 2448 mile long route which runs from Chicago to Santa Monica.
The roller coaster, offering fantastic views of the coast, is a must-do while visiting the pier. In addition, several other carnival rides and games, a small aquarium, and restaurants are available. An amusement park combined with gorgeous views of the Pacific: it doesn’t get much better!
Santa Monica also encompasses a portion of the beautiful Strand Bicycle Path, a 22 mile long oceanfront path stretching from Torrance to Pacific Palisades. The 5 mile long Santa Monica portion of the path goes right past the pier and beautiful beach. This oceanfront path is one of the most beautiful and entertaining in the country.
There are so many incredible views and sights to see along the way, including: the Manhattan Beach Pier, Venice Beach, beautiful Will Rogers Beach (used to film Baywatch and various other TV shows), and gorgeous Marina del Rey. Along the way you will encounter dozens of exercisers and observe every type of athlete from volleyball players, to rollerbladers, to surfers. Nothing says summer like a ride on The Strand!
Santa Monica State Beach is a very popular summer destination, much more so than many of the other L.A. area beaches. The 3 miles of coastline offer opportunities for morning strolls/jogs and lazy afternoons enjoying the beautiful California sunshine.
Beach activities include: volleyball, surf lessons, and visiting the original Muscle Beach (where Arnold Schwarzenegger once trained).
There are plenty of seafood restaurants, many featuring prime views of the coast.
Other fun activities in the area include: hiking and biking in the Santa Monica mountains (check out Los Liones), shopping at Third Street Promenade, and taking a stroll along Palisades Park.
Where to stay: Beachfront hotels are the way to go if you have the cash. One of the most highly rated is Shutters on the Beach, which has been featured on the Travel Channel. The resort features direct access to the beach, a casual, beachy atmosphere, an outdoor pool, and rooms with beach views.
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