You can't beat the beach for keeping children amused and content, and parents usually find keeping watch a little more relaxing with the sand and surf in the background. But can you afford the beach-bum fantasy—a Cape Cod—style house overlooking the water, a linen closet brimming with thick white beach towels, salty air, seagulls, fresh lobster, a clean and safe beach where your children can swim and build sand castles?
It need not be out of your price range. To make the most of your beach vacation dollars, think about selecting a stretch of less popular coastline. For example, vacations along the North and South Carolina coast are far less expensive and just as delightful as their New England counterparts. If you can break away in late May, early June, or September, you will find the weather at most beach locales still appealing, the beaches less crowded, and off-season rates generally in effect.
Beach house rental fees vary widely, but houses typically are cheaper than hotel stays and offer more value and privacy for the money. Un-fortunately, there is no national association of beach house rentals, so renting an inexpensive beach house takes some sleuthing and some haggling. But even a three-day beach house escape can feel like a week off elsewhere—and there seems to be a beach house for every budget. Additional savings are met by cooking your own meals and sharing expenses with another family. If families double up, renting a large house certainly is cheaper than staying at a hotel for the week. Children will have built-in playmates, and adults can share in watching each other's children, providing one set of parents a day or night off. Privacy is one of the big drawing cards for beach house renters, along with a feeling of homey comfort. Many "beach houses" today are actually condominiums.
It is best to book six months to one year in advance. During peak seasons, such as July, August, Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas, it might not be as easy to talk landlords out of enforcing their standard one-week minimum rule. But it is always worth trying to negotiate the list price during the off-season. When selecting a house, ask if bedding, towels, and kitchen utensils are provided. Expect to pay a security deposit.
Here we highlight a selection of great family beach destinations and provide listings of homes and condos for rent, as well as inexpensive hotels with kitchens and/or family amenities, state park cabins, and family hostels. If the area you plan to visit is not mentioned, write or call the local chamber of commerce. They often keep lists of homeowners, real estate agents, or property management firms that handle vacation rentals. The "vacation rental" columns of the area's newspaper's classified section can also be helpful.
Maui
Hale Pau Hana Resort
Napili Sunset
Hana s Waianapanapa State Park Cabins
San Diego
Bahia Resort Hotel
Dana Inn and Marina
The Beach Cottages
The Glorietta Bay Inn
The Miramar Resort Hotel-Santa Barbara
The Monterey Peninsula
Seaway Hotel
Capitola Venetian Court
Vacations by The Sea
Santa Cruz County Beach Vacation Rentals
Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel-The North Coast
Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel
Point Reyes Hostel
The Inn at Schoolhouse Creek
The Lost Whale Bed and Breakfast Inn
Best Western Oceanview Resort-Seaside
Islands in The Puget Sound
Beach Haven Resort
Roche Harbor Resort and Marina
Vashon Island Ranch Hostel
The Washington Coast
Ocean Crest Resort
Iron Springs Ocean Beach Resort
Klipsan Beach Cottages
Port Aransas-Corpus-Christi and The Padre Island National Seashore
Island Retreat
The Outer Banks
Sun Realty s Beach Vacation Homes
Carolina Designs Realty
The Crystal Coast
Crystal Coast Rentals
Alan Shelor Beach Rentals
Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island
Carolina Temple Apartments in Wrightsville Beach
The South Carolina Coast
Myrtle Beach State Park Cabins
Beach Colony Resort
Vacation Rentals on Kiawah Island-Isle of Palms and Seabrook Island
Edistro Beach State Park Cabins
Edistro Island Vacation Rentals
Hunting Island State Park Cabins
Hilton Head Island Forest Beach Vacation Villas
The Georgia Coast
Tybee Island Vacation Rentals and Lighhouse Point Beach Club
Best Western Jekyll Inn Oceanfront Resort And Villas
Hostel in the Forest-Brunswick
Amelia Island
St Augustine
St Augustine Hostel
Ocean Gallery-St Augustine
Vero Beach
The Driftwood Resort
The Florida Keys
Conch Key Cottages
Bahia Honda State Park
Traveler s Palm
Sanibel and Captiva Islands
Gulf Breez Cottages
Pointe Santo
Gulf of Mexico-The Panhandle
Rivard of South Walton
St Joseph Peninsula State Park Cabins
Gulf Shores
Gayle s Cottages in Gulf Coast
Chincoteague Island
Chincoteague Island Vacation Rentals
Refuge Motor Inn
Island Motor Inn
The Beacon Motel in Lewes
The Queen Victoria in Cape May
Maidstone Park Cottages in East Hampton
Cape Cod
The Even Tide Motel and Cottages
Compass Real Estate
Hostelling International-Truro
Kalmar Village
Gibson Cottages
Hostelling international-Mid-Cape
The Breackwaters
Yarmouth Shores Cottages
Martha s Vineyard
Causeway Harborview
Sandcastle Vacation Rentals
Hostelling International-Martha s Vineyard
Block Island
Phelan Real Estate
Surf Hotel
Island Manor Resort
The Southern Maine Coast
The Historic Garrison House Resort
Sand Dollar Real Estate
Seaside Rentals
Sentry Hill Rentals
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