Top U.S. Beach Towns to Visit This Summer

PACK the sunscreen, flip-flops and cover-ups: these sunny coastal destinations deliver warm days, friendly welcomes and easygoing vibes that invite you to linger on sandy shores. Whether you want nonstop activities, outdoor adventures, memorable dining or simply a lounge chair and a good book, these U.S. beach towns offer a reliable shore-side escape.

Stretching three miles along the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of Rudee Inlet, Virginia Beach, Virginia, is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “longest pleasure beach in the world.” Many hotels, resorts and high-rise condos in this family-friendly Mid-Atlantic town provide sweeping ocean views and sit adjacent to a paved boardwalk that’s ideal for walking, biking or riding a tandem with the family.

Set back from the shoreline but rich in history, the Cavalier Hotel—originally opened in 1927—has welcomed celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. Following a major renovation, it now features a luxury beach club and Tarnished Truth, the only distillery located inside a U.S. hotel.

Yes, the city has the expected T-shirt shops, ice cream stands and amusement piers, but they feel charming rather than kitschy. You’ll also find elevated dining and drinking options like Whiskey Kitchen, known for burgers and brown spirits, and Civil Libation, a craft cocktail spot. Each August the East Coast Surfing Championships transform into a weeklong sports and entertainment festival, continuing one of the world’s longest-running surfing traditions.

If you think Alabama lacks a coastline, think again: the Yellowhammer State offers 32 miles of turquoise Gulf beaches with sugar-fine sand made of quartz grains washed down from the Appalachian Mountains over millennia. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach showcase the scenic beauty, sweeping views and clear water visitors crave.

Outdoor enthusiasts can fish in the Gulf of Mexico, pedal along the Backcountry Trail, or snorkel at newly designated dive sites. Explore Alabama Point jetties for crabs, dive the Whiskey Wreck—a 1920s rum-runner shipwreck teeming with marine life—or search the 33 sections of Perdido Key Snorkel Reef for tropical fish and sea turtles.

The arts scene is thriving: watch glassblowers at The Hot Shop at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, and bring the family to Sand Castle University to learn sculpting techniques. Environmental stewardship is evident at Gulf State Park’s new education center and at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton property with green initiatives.

Seafood lovers can enjoy plump oysters and fried or sautéed pompano at casual waterfront spots like Doc’s Seafood and Tacky Jack’s. For a more refined meal, Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina, led by a James Beard–nominated chef, delivers a standout dining experience.

Call it a quintessential beach town, and San Diego fits the bill. With roughly 70 miles of coastline, endless sunshine, palm trees and relaxed beaches, this Southern California destination is an outdoor playground. Average precipitation is low, and even partly cloudy days are perfect for keeping UV exposure manageable.

No matter your style, San Diego has a beach for you: let dogs run at Coronado Beach or Ocean Beach (Coronado is home to the historic Hotel del Coronado); bring the family to Pacific Beach; watch sea lions sunbathe at La Jolla Shores; surf and SUP at Tourmaline; or bird-watch at Imperial Beach, California’s southernmost shore. Moments from downtown, Mission Bay Park offers a 4,600-acre playground edged by 27 miles of shoreline and lively neighboring communities.

Food scenes are a point of pride: sample shrimp tacos at Tacos Mimi, smoked marlin at El Comal, or a range of seafood at Fish 101. After dark, inventive cocktails await at spots like Polite Provisions and the speakeasy Realm of the 52 Remedies.

Goin’ down the shore? Wildwood, New Jersey, has been calling visitors back for generations. This Mid-Atlantic playground includes North Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and West Wildwood, and is known for five miles of free beaches—some sections reach 1,500 feet in width—and a lively two-mile boardwalk. Amusement piers offer water parks and roller coasters for thrill-seekers, arcades and carnival games for families, plus food staples like pizza by the slice, fried dough, Lime Rickeys and Philly cheesesteaks. Don’t miss classic saltwater taffy and fudge from local candy makers.

Staying in Wildwood often means choosing one of the area’s doo-wop motels: about 200 midcentury properties, many renovated and concentrated in Wildwood Crest, each with unique signage, bright color palettes and nostalgic design.

The calendar is full: events range from the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival to vintage car and motorcycle beach drag races and monster truck shows. Even after you head home, the boardwalk’s iconic call—“Watch the tram car, please.”—is likely to linger in your memory.

Up Florida’s northeast coast lies a quiet, natural retreat: Amelia Island. This barrier island features 13 miles of pristine beaches and a relaxed, low-key vibe with just a few full-service resorts, making it feel exclusive without being inaccessible.

The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort offers expansive pool areas, several dining concepts and a poolside Rum & Tequila Experience. The Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island emphasizes wellness, mindful programming and fine dining; its Salt restaurant and a lobby bourbon and rare spirits bar highlight the hotel’s culinary focus, while a salt sommelier helps incorporate more than 40 house-infused varieties into the menu.

For a boutique stay, the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn repurposes a historic schoolhouse into an intimate hotel. Nearby Fernandina Beach brings Victorian charm with eclectic shops, restaurants, a butterfly garden and family-friendly attractions. Beachside eateries like Salt Life Food Shack serve grilled redfish, fried grouper and beach boils.

Jacksonville is a short drive away, and history enthusiasts can visit nearby St. Augustine. After a restorative week on Amelia Island, many visitors leave feeling refreshed and renewed.

Tampa Bay boasts an average of 361 days of sunshine a year, warm Gulf waters and wide expanses of white sand, offering a beach to suit any mood. Within easy reach of downtown Tampa are numerous coastal gems, from family-friendly Clearwater Beach, with cabanas and water sports, to the tranquil barrier island shores of Caladesi Island State Park.

Fort De Soto Park features shell-strewn beaches, a tidal pool ideal for children and a historic fort to explore. John’s Pass offers fishing, dolphin-watching and shelling tours, and a charming turn-of-the-century village full of shops and restaurants. Relax on the undeveloped sands at Pass-a-Grille Beach, then visit the pink Don CeSar Hotel and indulge at Spa Oceana. Whatever kind of beach day you’re after, Tampa Bay delivers.