The Top 7 U.S. Beaches Perfect for Families

Lifeguard hut on the beach in Miami Florida, colorful hut on the beach during sunrise Miami South Beach. Sunny day on the beach
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Written by Sonny Haugen

Published: August 13, 2023

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Beach trips are the perfect outing for families. With a long summer break, a vacation to the beach is top on the list for many families of things to do. However, finding the right beach for you and your family can be difficult with all the options out there. With a wide variety, it can be hard to find a perfect beach. Trying to keep the kids entertained can be difficult. Through this article, hopefully, you’ll be able to find a beach or beach town that’s perfect for the needs and wants of your family.

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Umbrellas on beach at Kiawah Island near Charleston, SC

The small Kiawah Island is a relaxing getaway for the entire family!

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Kiawah Island is a beautiful destination for the family. Located around 45 minutes by drive outside of Charleston, SC, this small island has all the amenities a family could want on their beach trip. With many hotels and rental homes located right on the beach, swimming is the ideal activity for visitors. The island is relatively small, making it not crazy overcrowded, ideal for a more quiet getaway. Rental bikes are also available to spend a day biking around the island. By renting a bike, you can explore the island in ways not normally able to be done with just a car. Other rentals are available such as boats and fishing equipment, perfect for small ones who want something engaging to do. Whether you’ve heard of this island or not, Kiawah is perfect for any family looking to get away!

Destin, Florida

Beautiful aerial view of beach and ocean at East Jetty in Destin Florida. Scenic nature landscape with buildings and houses overlooking the sandy shore and clean water.

Plenty of hotels line the beaches of Destin!

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Destin is a famous vacation location in the United States and for good reason! With crystal blue water and beautiful sunsets, what’s not to like? The beaches of Destin are perfect to spend a day with family such as swimming and building sand castles. Destin also boasts plenty of other activities, most famously the dolphin-watching exhibits. Dolphins often swim by the beaches of Destin, and while you may be able to see them from the beach, it’s more fun to see them up close! There are plenty of dolphin cruise tours that let you ride right next to these wonderful animals! With plenty of beachfront hotels and rental homes, Destin is extremely convenient when planning your next beach trip! Consider some of the off-the-path activities such as dolphin tours on your next trip to Destin!

The Beaches of St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine, Florida, US

The historic city of St. Augustine is famous for its Spanish-style architecture!

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St. Augustine is known to be one of the oldest cities in the United States with a history dating back 400+ years! This alone makes St. Augustine a wonderful city to visit. With plenty of beautiful Spanish architecture to explore, St. Augustine is a picturesque city perfect for your family. Naturally, the beaches in St. Augustine are perfect to explore, but what about other activities? Given its long history, St. Augustine has plenty of fun and interactive museums to explore such as the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum! Consider spending a day off on your trip exploring around St. Augustine, there’s plenty of fun to be found! St. Augustine is perfect with plenty of hotels within the city and on the beach directly! Enjoy your time in St. Augustine exploring all the historic city has to offer!

Monterey Beach, California

View of Monterey Bay from above the Dunes

The sand dunes of Monterey are perfect to play in for the small ones!

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Monterey is an infamous beach city in California and for good reason! There are plenty of smaller beaches to explore in Monterey City such as Lovers Point, a perfect getaway for parents. With super fresh seafood, dining out in Monterey is perfect for a night out for the family. There are also plenty of beautiful golf courses throughout Monterey, so a golfing day is the perfect way to fill in the schedule. With plenty of options all across the city, Monterey is the perfect vacation for any kind of family. Whether you want to chill on the beach and lounge around, or you’re looking for an exciting and engaging day, there are plenty of things to do in Monterey. With plenty of hotels all across the beaches of Monterey, finding accommodation won’t be difficult. One of the perks of these hotels is that most of them offer some sort of spa treatment as well, perfect after a long day with the kids. Consider Monterey for your next beach trip!

Santa Monica Pier, California

Santa Monica pier Ferris Wheel in California USA on blue Pacific Ocean

There is plenty of fun to be had at the piers of Santa Monica!

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Santa Monica is renowned worldwide as an amazing family getaway. With beautiful beaches and exciting piers, there are plenty of activities to be found for all the family. Swimming is a must on this wonderful California beach, and building sand castles is a great way to spend your time! If you’re looking to spend some time out of the water as well, consider the activities on the piers of Santa Monica. Places such as Douglas Park are perfect for small ones with playgrounds aplenty and small activities like tennis and fishing! There are also plenty of amusement parks in Santa Monica! Consider going to Pacific Park and having fun with the family. Similar to the other beaches on the list, there are plenty of hotels to stay in with direct beach access! Santa Monica is perfect for your family’s next getaway!

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA city skyline.

Try riding the SkyWheel on your next trip to Myrtle Beach!

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Myrtle Beach has very similar vibes to Santa Monica, just on the east coast. With plenty of fun activities outside of just swimming in the ocean, Myrtle Beach is a super fun way to spend your vacation time. One of the best ways to see beautiful views of Myrtle Beach is by riding the SkyWheel! The SkyWheel is a 187-foot tall Ferris wheel that gives amazing views of the beach and surrounding area. This ride is perfect for families, but if heights aren’t your thing, there plenty of other options as well! Explore the amazing shops and restaurants at Broadway at the Beach, a shopping area with plenty to explore. With many hotels and rental homes directly on the water, there are plenty of spots to stay on your vacation! If you’re looking for a chill getaway, then Myrtle Beach is perfect for you!

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Beachfront homes along the Alabama coastline

There are plenty of beautiful rental homes at the Gulf Shores.

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If you live more in the center of the States and want easier access to a beach, then Gulf Shores is perfect! Located in south Alabama, the Gulf Shores give convenient access to beaches for those not wanting to drive too far. The beaches here have wonderful warm water to swim in, perfect for a relaxing getaway for any family that wants a break. There are plenty of activities for the family as well! Favorites for frequent visitors are the rental boat options that let you sail in the beautiful waters of the Gulf Shores. Whether you want to try your hand at sailing, or an easier time with a kayak, the waters of the Gulf Shores are a blast to sail in! There are a lot of amazing restaurants located on the water as well, perfect to fuel your energy at the beach! Consider going to the Gulf Shores on your next vacation!

Summary

With summer vacation in full swing, finding a vacation spot is on many families’ to-do lists. This article has shown off some of the top destinations for families. Hopefully, your next vacation is full of fun and excitement! Here is a list of the best beaches for families to vacation at!

Beaches and Beach Towns Perfect for Families
1.Kiawah Island, SC
2.Destin, FL
3.St. Augustine, FL
4.Monterey, CA
5.Santa Monica, CA
6.Myrtle Beach, SC
7.Gulf Shores, AL


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