Looking for a new beach vacation spot. Been down 30A many times and love it but want to try something new. A plus would also be to add in a good offshore fishing trip, but not a deal breaker. Needs to be in the states since kids don't have passports. Family trip with 3 teenagers. Suggestions?

Fort Lauderdale, FL
Marco Island, FL
South Padre Island, TX

Some are more beachy than others but this is where I'd look for a change of scenery.

Coronado Beach, CA
Outer Banks, NC
Montauk, NY
Canon Beach, OR
Kona Coast, HI

love Hilton Head, great for teens as well. Try and find a rental around North Forest Beach drive. Good beach access.

Outer Banks for sure we had an awesome time last summer. Went with another family, 3 teenagers total and they loved it. Rent a 4x4 Jeep or other high clearance vehicle to access the prime beach spots.

Outer Banks for sure

I've been wanting to try Anna Maria Island in FL.

The nicest beaches in the lower 48 states for sure, but he has already been there (wants to get away from 30A)

I second Hilton Head. plenty of good fishing among other things (golf, food, shops, close to Savannah)

not to mention it is nice and clean

granted never been to Hilton Head, only Savannah, but I've researched HH a ton and we plan to take our family there very soon.

St. John. Passports aren't required for USVI.

St. Augustine, Florida was a pleasant surprise this past Spring Break. We stayed at the Embassy Suites and it is a very nice beachfront property. Cool town too. Some history and great food.

I'm not sure about the fishing.

Gainesville airport was very nice and easy.
Jacksonville is a bit closer.


ETA: x2 for Kona, Hawaii. We stayed on Hapuna Beach pre-kids and it was outstanding. I'm very excited to take the kids there this summer.

WorthAg95 said:

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Outer Banks for sure

I've been wanting to try Anna Maria Island in FL.

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Did Anna Maria for my birthday last year. It was great and the GF used her Ritz points to upgrade us to club level.

Do you mean Amelia?

Anna Maria Island, FL

Marco Island, FL

Naples, FL

Longboat Key, FL

Sanibel and Captiva Islands in Florida - There is still quite a bit of construction going on as people continue rebuilding from the 22 hurricane. If you like to hunt for shells, these are great places to do that. Noseeums have been awful the past few years. Even worse than they'd always been. Will need to pack Sawyers with Picardin and apply anytime you are outdoors for any length of time.

Boca Grande

Hilton Head

Outer Banks

Florida Keys- fun area, but not many decent beaches if that is what you're looking for. Lots of good fishing in the area. Clear water in many areas that is good for snorkelling. I like Islamorada for water activities. Good restaurants and lots of hotels to choose from. You could do day trip to Key West or split trip in half and do half Isla and half Key West.

I have a place in Crystal Beach/Galveston for the cheap, local side of things. But I used to go to a beautiful spot on Caswell Beach, NC. What I've learned is that renting an actual house with a kitchen and separate BR within a short walk of the beach is 1000x better than some resort. I was at Waikiki Beach 2 years ago - we flew over from Kauai to visit Pearl Harbor, and man, what a rip-off. Way better off spending your money to go to the Outer Banks, finding your own adventure, or finding a beach house and a small community to explore. Just remember if you want warm water, stay south of Cape Hatteras.

Ogunquit, Maine

Water is cold as hell but the beach, scenery and food are great.

Haven't been there since they started getting all Nazi in their government, but we've been several times and loved it.

We did Hilton Head last summer and enjoyed it. The beaches aren't anything to write home about, but better than the Texas gulf. I will say if you like to golf, Hilton Head National was amazing. We wanted to play Harbour Town but they were closed for renovations. Still went to the clubhouse and got some merch.

We love Oak Island, NC. In fact, heading there next month.
It is kind of small/quiet, but that is what we love about it.

maverick12 said:

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St. John. Passports aren't required for USVI.

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this right here. Most relaxing trip we take.

I've had a few families stay at Lovango and they've all loved it. I would personally avoid in Aug & Sept with the heat and hurricane season but you can really go year round as long as you know what you're in for.

Kreg17 said:

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I've had a few families stay at Lovango and they've all loved it. I would personally avoid in Aug & Sept with the heat and hurricane season but you can really go year round as long as you know what you're in for.

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I wouldnt go to a resort if I was traveling to St. John. I agree on Aug and Sept. We've traveled in July and had no issues. If you are wanting to walk out of your room onto a beach and have someone serve you drinks, thats not this.

We love St. John, USVI as well! Going back in June with the kids…

If you can afford it, I agree with getting your kids passports. I would then recommend the Guanacaste area of Costa Rica. Fly in to Liberia and then: stay in mountains for a couple of days - hike, go to waterfalls, tube the river, zip line, etc. They will have a blast. Then go to the beaches on the Pacific Coast: surf, surf, surf, visit different beach towns, eat some good food, take a charter out to fish, relax, etc.

I have three kids and we've been to CR about six times, going on seventh at the end of this month. Our favorite place to go/be. We gave my oldest son, who is graduating from med school, the choice of anywhere he wanted to go in Europe/North America/ Central America. Surprisingly, he chose to go back to CR. It gets in your blood. Pura Vida

Have you thought about places in California? Sure the water is cold, but it's beautiful there along the coast.

I appreciate all of the feedback. Thanks.

94chem said:

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I have a place in Crystal Beach/Galveston for the cheap, local side of things. But I used to go to a beautiful spot on Caswell Beach, NC. What I've learned is that renting an actual house with a kitchen and separate BR within a short walk of the beach is 1000x better than some resort. I was at Waikiki Beach 2 years ago - we flew over from Kauai to visit Pearl Harbor, and man, what a rip-off. Way better off spending your money to go to the Outer Banks, finding your own adventure, or finding a beach house and a small community to explore. Just remember if you want warm water, stay south of Cape Hatteras.

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This is like staying in the west village in nyc, going to Times Square and eating at Chili's and complaining about nyc food, like wtf? You clearly did zero research and had crazy expectations for the tourist trap beach and failed miserably on Kauai too.