What could be better with childhood than sand and water? The beach is the perfect combination for family fun and family memories. The best beach vacations have something for everyone and it doesn’t just include clean water and sandy spots to sunbathe.
We’ve found some of the best beaches for family vacations across the US. From accommodation to dining and entertainment, and beautiful water and sand, there’s plenty to satisfy the whole family.
Coronado Beach, California
Coronado Beach is a beautiful two-mile stretch of white sand and gentle water right over the bridge from downtown San Diego. The water is attractive enough for older kids to boogie board, body surf, or even surf for real, but overall it’s gentle enough for younger kids too. Add in a vigilant lifeguard and parents need not worry.
Kids can also build sandcastles in clean sand and fly kites. For teens and preteens, there are 15 miles of trails for biking and rollerblading, and plenty of spots for beach volleyball. Another interesting advantage of this beach is location close to naval base. You can see military planes overhead, and occasionally Navy Seals can be seen training near the beach.
Siesta Key Beach, Florida
Siesta Key Beach is famous for what many consider to be the whitest and finest sand in the world. It is composed of 99% quartz, which makes it look and feel like walking on powdered sugar.
For younger children, there are many playgrounds, and older children can enjoy beach volleyball and tennis. Adults will be relieved to know that there is a snack bar nearby, as well as a shaded picnic area.
Another thing that is known from Siesta Key Beach is the appearance of wildlife. Dolphins, manatees, herons and pelicans are common – and always a crowd pleaser.
Kiawah Beachwalker Park, South Carolina
Kiawah Beachwalker Park is located 20 miles south of Charleston. It is a popular day trip destination with resort guests and day trippers alike, including a snack bar and chairs and umbrellas for rent. Other than some of the serious bird chasing that often takes place there, it’s a calm and serene place with gentle waves perfect for families with young children.
The barrier reef keeps the water calm on the shoreline and the sand is soft on the feet and clean. This beach still maintains its original condition because of the whole island, except for this one beach. open to the publicis a private golf resort.
Hanalei Beach, Hawaii
Hanalei is a two-mile long half-moon beach located on the north coast of the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Nestled at the foot of Kauai’s famous emerald mountains and sparkling waterfalls, this is the perfect place to bask on the sugar-white sands and swim in the pristine turquoise waters.
The waves are calmer than many other beaches in Hawaii, so older kids interested in learning about the time-honored traditions of beach surfing can feel at ease. It also makes a great swimming spot for younger kids, who can participate in boogie boarding and body surfing in a safe environment.
Apart from surfing, families can enjoy all sorts of other things water activity Hawaii has to offer, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and dolphin watching.
South Beach, Virginia
Image c/o SchuminWeb at Wikimedia Commons, published under CC BY-SA 3.0.
South Beach is distinguished by having the first beach playground in the country that accommodates children with physical disabilities, and it shows the dedication of the beach to all kinds of families. You won’t find flashy sidewalk ornaments here. Instead, it boasts restaurants, hotels and motels, and live music in the summer for families. On the other side of the boardwalk are calm waters for swimming, kayaking and even charter yachts.
Final Word
Whichever beach you choose, one from this list will give your family the chance to make lasting memories. It’s not impossible to find a beach vacation with something for everyone in the family, and you don’t have to settle for just sand and water.
