Close your eyes and picture yourself lying on the sand, listening to the sound of the waves crashing, smelling the sunscreen, and enjoying a cold beer or your favorite cocktail.
Many of America’s top beaches are great options for winter getaways as well as summer vacations, making them popular choices for both. You have a wide range of coastal jewels to choose from, including the sunny coastlines of Hawaii, the Sunshine State, and the most scenic islands in the nation.
Consider visiting one of these wonderful locations that don’t require a passport if you want to take full advantage of a trip that includes a lovely stretch of sand.
#1 St Pete Beach (Florida)
This island off the coast of Florida, west of St. Petersburg, typically has sunshine even during the darkest months of the year. Aside from resting your toes in the tiny Gulf of Mexico waters, you can relax on the beautiful, fine white-sand beaches in this location. The gentle swells are perfect for newbie surfers if you’d like to give it a try. A beach cruiser can also be used to travel the quiet bike trails.
A 15-minute ferry ride away, an uninhabited barrier island called Shell Key Preserve is a fantastic location for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. There are a lot of moderately priced motels with a lively surfer ambiance, so you don’t have to spend a fortune to stay right on the beach. Most of them have vintage longboards, photo murals with surfing themes, shady hammocks, and a sun terrace where you can watch movies, play bocce ball, or play table tennis.
#2 San Diego (California)
Winter is arguably the best time of the year, according to many San Diego locals. There are several lovely beachfront hotels, a more relaxed atmosphere, and popular sights and the beaches aren’t very crowded. High temperatures reach the upper 60s. With over 20,000 gray whales passing through the region as they travel the 10,000-mile roundtrip distance from Alaska to the lagoons in Baja California, this is also a fantastic time to go whale watching.
There is a ton to do both indoors and outdoors, including golfing, biking, and surfing, in addition to museums, festivals, and the theater. Taking a beach cruiser all along the three-and-a-half-mile trail from Pacific Beach to South Mission Beach, you’ll experience some of the best people-watching in the world as well as beautiful sights along the way. San Diego has some of the best recreational opportunities.
#3 Fernandina Beach (Amelia Island, Florida)
On Amelia Island, there is a little community called Fernandina Beach. The barrier island, which is off Florida’s northern shore, has been drawing tourists for close to 500 years. Finding your ideal spot on the sand is simple thanks to the island’s 12 miles of largely uninhabited beaches during the winter. The biggest natural coastline area on the island, Fort Clinch State Park, is also located near Amelia.
The brick fortification is among the best-preserved forts from the 19th century in the country, so if you enjoy history, you shouldn’t miss exploring its hidden passageways and chambers. On its exterior walls, visitors can stand and enjoy even more stunning views of Cumberland Sound and the Atlantic coastline. In addition to a half-mile-long fishermen’s pier and even more breathtaking sights, the dunes that are all over are perfect for strolling. A different well-liked off-season activity is riding horses across the beach.
#4 Grand Isle (Louisiana)
Another well-liked activity for today is represented by the riding of the horses’ team. This beautiful beach is located not far away from New Orleans. More precisely a two-hour drive away from New Orleans.
This small Grand Isle town, which is roughly a two-hour drive from New Orleans, has just around 1,600 people living in it, but during the summer, the population peaks at about 14,000 people. While enjoying pleasant weather and the possibility to stroll on 7 miles of fine sand beaches in the winter, you’ll have it almost entirely to yourself.
Enjoy observing birds at the five birdwatching areas all along the Grand Isle Nature Trail, which includes the island’s greatest remaining specimens of oak-huckberry forests. Alternatively, if you’re a fan of pretty, colorful winged insects, check out the Butterfly Dome, which has native butterflies and plants. Grand Isle State Park is an excellent place to cast your line because the area’s waters are home to over 280 different species of fish.
#5 Key West (Florida)
One of the greatest places to visit if you want to travel to the Caribbean without departing the United States is Key West. You can expect the same tropical climate with clear blue skies, palm trees, plenty of sunshine, stunning beaches, and an island-style relaxed atmosphere here.
Key West’s vibrant nightlife, which is year-round, won’t let partygoers down. However, it also has a lot to offer the general public, including art galleries, stores, and lovely palm-lined avenues dotted with gingerbread palaces and tin-roofed conch houses that once housed writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost, and Jimmy Buffet. The home of Ernest Hemingway is a recognized cultural landmark and museum.
Golf, fishing, scuba diving, and other water activities are popular daytime pursuits. Every evening, Mallory Square has a sunset festival when jugglers, animal acts, and tightrope walkers dance shortly before the sun goes down into the Gulf of Mexico.
#6 South Padre Island (Texas)
South Padre Island, which is flanked by the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Bay and is situated on the tropical tip of Texas, offers a multitude of outdoor activities on its lovely beaches and the warm waters of the Gulf. In the winter, temperatures range from the upper 60s to the mid-70s.
Additionally, before spring breakers arrive, you’ll get to take in the ambience of a more laid-back, tranquil beach town. If the water is a little too chilly for you, go on a dolphin tour, take a stroll along the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, or have a picnic in Isle Blanca Park. The beach on South Padre Island is excellent for strolling and shell-collecting, fishing, or simply setting up a chair and enjoying the sunrise.
#7 Santa Cruz (California)
Because Santa Cruz has warm weather all year, many people believe that winter is one of the best times to visit because you can enjoy the city’s various activities and attractions without having to deal with large crowds or paying expensive lodging fees. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s rides are available on the weekends in January and February, so you won’t have to spend the majority of your time in line for popular thrill rides like the Giant Dipper roller coaster.
Enjoy feasting on fantastic, local seafood at any one of the many restaurants while taking in stunning ocean views at the Santa Cruz Wharf and watching sea lions play in the water. Other options include going on a redwoods hike, discovering tidal pools, and tasting wine at one of the nearby vineyards.
The Pacific Coast Highway runs along a gorgeous stretch of coastline in Northern California, which is home to numerous national parks, scenic landscapes, and the famous city of San Francisco. Because Northern California is unquestionably a must-see location, we’ve decided to compile a list of activities to do there. Check them out here: 10 Interesting Things to Do in California
