13 Best Beach Vacations for Families, Hand-Picked by Travel Experts
Add these spots to your (sand) bucket list!
Thinking about taking a beach vacation this year? So are a lot of other families with kids and teens. According to a new survey from the Family Travel Association, 54% of respondents indicated they're planning a beach vacation in the next 12 months. In fact, beach vacays turned out to be the most popular type of trip, beating theme parks and national parks by a landslide. California, Florida and Hawaii are the top three states that families said they want to visit — not surprising since they all have great beaches.
Knowing that you want to go to the beach is one thing, locking in a spring break or even summer trip while prices are still decent is another. If you're hoping to stay more than a night or two, travel pros suggest that you look for beach towns with a lot of inland fun as well. After all, rainy days happen and AC feels amazing after being in the sun. Since kids don't like to relax much, the pros also suggest beaches with shells, tidepools, volleyball nets and other built-in activities.
To get the (beach) ball rolling, we asked the travel experts and our own editors — who crisscrossed the country testing trips and destinations for our 2024 Family Travel Awards — for their suggestions. Some picks are under-the-radar gems while others are booming hotspots. The one thing the towns have in common? They're all sea-worthy!
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7 - South Walton, FL
South Walton is actually a collection of 16 beach neighborhoods that run along Route 30A in Florida's panhandle. This 26-mile stretch of sand is a paradise for families, according to Fora travel agent Gray Grandy. "The water is crystal clear and calm. The sand is pure sugar. Each little village or town has its very own personality," Grandy says. "You can spend a different day in each area and never get tired of exploring!" She suggests that families stay at the WaterColor Inn & Resort in Santa Rosa Beach: "The family pool is a kid's dream and the beach club right on the water makes you feel like you're instantly transported to the Caribbean!"