Favorite US beaches, other than SoWal

We love Hilton Head Island, one of the most visited beach areas in America. You can also take a great day trip to Savannah, Ga from HHI and Beaufort, SC which are both really great areas to visit.

If you want something less developed then Kiawah is great.

Don't know if you've ever spent much time in the Midwest, but I dearly love the Michigan side of Lake Michigan. You can find sand dunes second to only the Sahara desert in size, charming beach towns (Saugatuck is seriously the XL version of Grayton Beach) winery tours, any number of beach choices from urban to essentially deserted, a day trip to Mackinac Island if you find yourself in the Traverse City area (awesome place and the Grand Hotel is a must-see but not terribly beachy IMO) and weather that's generally like a SoWal October.

There is no other place like Sowal IMO, but if you can't get to Hawaii (Maui in particular), I would recommend the coast of Oregon--Cannon Beach is especially nice. Completely different from Sowal, but beautiful in its own way.

Or the coast of Maine--again, completely different from here; I also love exploring the coasts of South Carolina--Sullivan's Island is a favorite of mine, but for completely different reasons than I like Sowal.

So, if you are looking for different, I think you can find it in many places--but if you are looking to replicate Sowal--that's not possible IMO.

I'd love to go back to Maui and none of the other girls have been to Maui, some have been to whichever island Honolulu is on-is that the Big Island? but that's it.

We all agree that we want warm and weather and water so I think the NW and far NE is out.

We're gonna try to talk redneck girl into going out of the country so I guess I need to expand my search to outside of the US.

I went to Savannah and Hilton Head years ago and thought the area was really pretty so I think that's in the running. My folks went to Kiawah but found it rather boring and ended up spending a lot of time in Charleston which they loved.

I see a trip to the bookstore for some research on my horizon!

I'd love to go back to Maui and none of the other girls have been to Maui, some have been to whichever island Honolulu is on-is that the Big Island? but that's it.

We all agree that we want warm and weather and water so I think the NW and far NE is out.

We're gonna try to talk redneck girl into going out of the country so I guess I need to expand my search to outside of the US.

I went to Savannah and Hilton Head years ago and thought the area was really pretty so I think that's in the running. My folks went to Kiawah but found it rather boring and ended up spending a lot of time in Charleston which they loved.

I see a trip to the bookstore for some research on my horizon!

It's Oahu

You might consider the British Virgin Islands then...especially if you also like to sail. You can sail into some beautiful coves and have the beach all to yourself...or there are great resorts and villas to rent.
Belize is another fun place; but, also a bit more in the natural eco-tourism mode -- they have Mayan ruins that are fun to explore and not so commercial.

Greek Islands, Portugal, South of France....actually in August I think you would find both Maine and Oregon coasts pretty warm...water might not be warm enough for you though.
Good luck! There are lots of places to choose from.

Me and my girlfriends will all by 40 by the summer of 2013 so we're starting to plan our bday trip. We all agree on the beach, one is afraid to leave the country (her redneck hubby has clearly brainwashed her). I'm looking for feedback on your favorite US beaches. We've all been to Destin and SoWal and we all love the area but we're wanting to try a new location for this big bday trip (and we'll all be coming to Destin or SoWal with our families some other time that same summer )

I hated South Beach-not my crowd. Hubby and I love Key West but their beaches are only so so, although I wouldn't rule out some other keys. Sanibel was pretty but was a bit on the elderly side with very little to do. Some friends really like Anna Maria and that seems to have possibilities. I'd love to go to Hawaii with the girls but not sure that everyone can swing a week away or the money for Hawaii.

Longboat Key or Anna Maria Island, near Sarasota, are both good choices.....good age mix, great shopping opportunities (St. Armands Circle at Lido Beach in Sarasota), great restaurants (like Colombia!--primo Colombian food--lunch or dinner at St. Armands Circle), usually-pleasant locals, and pristine beaches (for now). There will be lots of other visitors as well, so you'll "blend in".

The beaches on the east coast that we've frequented many times are like parking lots -- hard-packed sand and ugly water. I'm talking about many visits to Myrtle Beach, Isle of Palms, Fripp, Hilton Head, Kiawah, The Cloister, Jekyll Island, Amelia Island, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedre, West Palm, Hollywood, and Miami Beach. Don't get me wrong -- we've had many great times at these places, but the experience doesn't compare to 30A beaches.

I frankly haven't been to any of the beaches on the west coast of the lower peninsula of Florida since I was a child (went there every spring break), so I can't judge them properly.

Panhandle of Florida -- .

I like the beach areas in Southern California, but the beaches themselves don't compare to SoWal.

I love the Maui beach experience, but again it doesn't compare to SoWal beaches. That being said, if the flight weren't so damn long, I'd go back to The Four Seasons in Wailea in a flash.

I can also give my opinions about beaches outside the U.S., but that's off topic.

California Coast Vacation Packages, The Ritz-Carlton, Northern California Coast Hotel

Half Moon Bay, California is beautiful.

Beaches are not fantastic compared to our paradise, but it is a different type of coastal beauty. The cliffs are amazing and in the fall the fog rolls in making it a great place to snuggle by a firepit while drinking wine..... Great Golf courses and terrific walking paths. If you are really adventurous, they have some of the toughest surfing waves on coast.

The Ritz is top notch and ideal for a very romantic vacation. San Francisco is nearby and the Wine Country is down the road. That entire area has a lot to offer.


Arkiehawg gives it 4 1/2 Snouts out of 5........;-)

I'd love to go back to Maui and none of the other girls have been to Maui, some have been to whichever island Honolulu is on-is that the Big Island? but that's it.

We all agree that we want warm and weather and water so I think the NW and far NE is out.

We're gonna try to talk redneck girl into going out of the country so I guess I need to expand my search to outside of the US.

I went to Savannah and Hilton Head years ago and thought the area was really pretty so I think that's in the running. My folks went to Kiawah but found it rather boring and ended up spending a lot of time in Charleston which they loved.

I see a trip to the bookstore for some research on my horizon!

If you can talk to the one about going out of the country then that opens all kinds of possibilities. I agree about Kiawah, my brother loved it but we prefered HHI where there is more to see and do. Love being able to ride your bike easily on the beach and go horse back riding.

You can take a boat excursion from HHI to Savannah which is fun.

If you can talk to the one about going out of the country then that opens all kinds of possibilities. I agree about Kiawah, my brother loved it but we prefered HHI where there is more to see and do. Love being able to ride your bike easily on the beach and go horse back riding.

You can take a boat excursion from HHI to Savannah which is fun.

Another option in the Savannah area is Tybee Island. Tybee is also know as "Mayberry on Acid". Lot's of left over 60's (who are now pushing 70) living there.

It is just South of Savannah by about 15 miles? +/-. Pretty laid back with good Atlantic beaches where you can ride bikes and beach three-wheeler surf. Tybee has good (not 30A quality) restaurants and a couple of icons. The Crab Shack (where the elite eat in their bare feet) is a must. Outdoor dining with great buffett music overlooking a beautiful marsh. Wish I could bring it to SoWal. The Breakfast Club is also a must. Basic Breakfast dishes that are super. Be prepared, though, there is always a waiting line.

Savannah is just up the road and makes an easy day/evening trip.

I like HHI, but it reminds me of Sandestin too busy.....too touristy.... Tybee on the other hand is touristy, but still has a lot of old Georgia in it's style. It reminds me more of Grayton Beach.

If redneck girl gets clearance to leave the country, check out Tulum on Mexico's Mayan Riviera. You fly into Cancun and drive about an hour and a half south. Pristine beaches dotted with bohemian and boutique hotels. Some of them have no electricity. Some are very high end. All our on the sand. Great food- incredible beaches and experience. Use google to learn more. We used to go there every year before we moved to Sowal...

Another option in the Savannah area is Tybee Island. Tybee is also know as "Mayberry on Acid". Lot's of left over 60's (who are now pushing 70) living there.

It is just South of Savannah by about 15 miles? +/-. Pretty laid back with good Atlantic beaches where you can ride bikes and beach three-wheeler surf. Tybee has good (not 30A quality) restaurants and a couple of icons. The Crab Shack (where the elite eat in their bare feet) is a must. Outdoor dining with great buffett music overlooking a beautiful marsh. Wish I could bring it to SoWal. The Breakfast Club is also a must. Basic Breakfast dishes that are super. Be prepared, though, there is always a waiting line.

Savannah is just up the road and makes an easy day/evening trip.

I like HHI, but it reminds me of Sandestin too busy.....too touristy.... Tybee on the other hand is touristy, but still has a lot of old Georgia in it's style. It reminds me more of Grayton Beach.

I was really unimpressed by Tybee. Icky gray rocky beaches surrounded by dumpy buildings.

Well, Rednect girl is now sounding more agreeable to leaving the country. Another request is for a direct flight, another wants all inclusive-planning for a bunch of girls is challenging!!! AC is a requirement for us though!!

I was really unimpressed by Tybee. Icky gray rocky beaches surrounded by dumpy buildings.

You must have been on the west/northwest side of the island. The south/southeast side near by the Lighthouse has decent sandy beaches with no rock.

Gray, absolutely. As is about all beaches along the Eastern Coast. The homes on the south/southeast side have all been renovated victorian style with nice views.

We love Hilton Head Island, one of the most visited beach areas in America. You can also take a great day trip to Savannah, Ga from HHI and Beaufort, SC which are both really great areas to visit.

If you want something less developed then Kiawah is great.

Ditto

not u.s., port mouton bay nova scotia

St John, VI -- There are direct flights to St Thomas from Atlanta. It's only a 3 hour flight! And then it's a ferry ride over to St. John.

Beware of hurricane season though!

1.
Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York (NATIONAL WINNER)


2.
Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida


3.
Coronado Beach in San Diego, California


4.
Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina


5.
Main Beach in East Hampton, New York


6.
Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii


7.
Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts


8.
Beachwalker Park in Kiawah Island, South Carolina


9.
Hamoa Beach in Maui, Hawaii


10.
Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida


caladesi is. s.p.