America is filled with wonderful places to visit. Some may visit with their families for adventure and fun, while others may take a different route for rest and relaxation. Many vacation for business reasons and others hit the road for the sights they will see along the way. No matter what your reason for getting away there is one place that always strikes a chord for every member of your family, the beach. There are good and not so good beaches to visit throughout the states. For example, if you visit a beach that is terribly overcrowded, you certainly won’t experience what you came for, relaxation, but it you find a beach that is quaint and spacious, you will feel like you have the entire beach to yourself. Across America there are specifically four little beach towns that meet the criteria for family vactions, romantic getaways, business retreats, and sight-seeing. Beware: reading about these getaways just might make you want to pack your bags and get away as soon as possible.
Boca Grande, FL
Boca Grande is located on the Grand Barrier Island called Gasparilla. If you are looking for a step back into “old Florida”, you’ll find it here with its carefully preserved history and beauty. You’ll find this quaint little island on the Southwest coast of Florida, Southeast of St. Petersburg between Ft. Myers and Sarasoto where tourists and fishermen find their solace.
Tourism and fishing are the life-line for this 7-mile long island, which boasts no high-rises, no traffic lights, a 104 year old lighthouse, and pristine white sand beaches that stretch the entire length of the gulf side of the island. These beaches will give you the opportunity to go shelling, swimming, or to just relax in the hot summer while a cool westerly breeze provides you with welcome relief. While relaxing on your own boat or a tour-guided boat you will have the opportunity to see many unusual sea-life creatures like dolphins, white pelicans, osprey, and manatees.
While visiting Boca Grande, make sure to stay at the Gasparilla Inn, which is a member of the Historic Hotels of America and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This resort is just that, a resort, complete with golf course and luxurious accomodations. If you are planning on visiting Boca Grande during the hottest months of the year, you will find that this resort is closed, but its sister resort, the Innlet, will provide the same fantastic experience for you and your travel companions. Featuring a waterside restaurant and a relaxed environment, you will feel at peace when you stay here.
Chincoteague, VA
Chincoteague Island, which is Virginia’s only resort island, is one of many, but perhaps the most beautiful island that dots the Virginia Eastern Shore. The island has become world famous for its oyster beds and clam shoals. When you visit the island, you will find that adventure awaits you everywhere as history and legend blend uniquely with the loveliness of the shore.
The island is also known for its abundance of migratory birds and wild horses, and truly is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and get away from it all. Whether your taste is to be among the hustle and bustle of a crowded beach or to relax in solitude, you will find that you are satisfied. Some of the unique and fun activities that you will find include, bird watching, surfing, swimming, fishing, crabbing, and boating.
On Chincoteague Island, there are also many land activities offered as well. From hiking and bike trails, to lighthouse tours, to guided wildlife tours and exhibits, you will find that there is plenty to do here.
While visiting the island take advantage of beautiful sunrises and sunsets, cool summer breezes, animals in their natural habitat, and beaches that go on forever, and truly friendly people. When you leave the island, you will be sure to leave with memories that will last you a lifetime.
Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz is the ultimate relaxing seaside destination. The city offers an array of attractions from the beach boardwalk, to breathtaking redwood forests, arts and cultural events, and award-winning restaurants. This beach city is a recreation and tourist destination that boasts over 300 days of sunshine per year, and many shopping and entertainment opportunities.
You will find this great city situated along the Monterey Bay about 74 miles south of San Francisco. It really is a little beach town, boasting 12 square miles of city and housing about 56,000 residents. Locals and visitors have been visiting the beach to ride waves ever since Hawaiian royalty first introduced surfing to the mainland. As you relax on the beach you will hear laughter and music coming from the boardwalk, which boasts the west coast’s last remaining seaside amusement park.
In Santa Cruz’s recently renovated downtown area, you will find yourself among tree-lined streets that are designed to be pedestrian friendly. Feel free to visit the many vibrant shops and galleries, outdoor bistros and sidewalk musicians. Not only will you get a great beach experience in Santa Cruz, but you will receive an immense history lesson as well.
Rehoboth, DE
Rehoboth is a very welcoming and charming community boasting many all-American classics; salt-water taffy, ice cream on the boardwalk, and days of tanning yourself in the sun on Dewey Beach. Continuing on into the evening, visitors stroll down the boardwalk or dance at places like the Rusty Rudder or Shag. Even though the city is only one mile square, it supplies all of the modern amenities. If you like the small town feel, you will love this town. It will be apparent that everyone knows everyone, people stroll down perfectly tree-lined streets, and children play outside amid their diverse community. The cities charm and unique character prove to be the selling point when visitors come to town.
Often citizens and visitors will spend most of the day down at the beach soaking in the warm rays of the sun. If you are wanting to get away from it all, this is another place that you can do that. There’s something about a small town, even a small town like Rehoboth, that brings out the good neighbor in all of us. When you leave your wonderful trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, you will be sure that you had a good time.
Taking a trip to the beach is an All-American pasttime. In many old movies we see every age flock down to the beach to play on the beach or soak in the ocean. Why not continue that American tradition today? When you visit one of these small beach towns you will get the treatment that you expect and deserve. No big-city hassles to worry about, just a calm and serene atmosphere to help you unwind.
