During peak summer travel season, popular beach towns are flooded with tourists.
This demand then causes hotels to raise prices, for restaurants to have scarce reservations — and for local attractions like boardwalks, waterparks, hotel pools and venues to be overcrowded.
Instead of facing the crowds and steep prices, you may want to swap your go-to beach town for a stand-in (while there’s still time this summer!) It offers sun, sand and surf, charm, and a cool culinary scene.
The beach and the sun are the most important factors in a vacation along the coast.
Here are five quieter towns along the coast to consider.
Jekyll Island in Georgia
It’s hard to beat Hilton Head Island in South Carolina for golf, beaches and old-time charm — but this wonderful spot is crowded and expensive during the summer season.
Just over two hours away, Jekyll Island, Georgia, boasts 10 miles of lovely shoreline and a darling historic district — plus, the beaches on Jekyll Island are a good bet for a less crowded getaway.
You can not only enjoy the beach, but you can also enjoy bird watching at St. Andrews Beach Ride Bicycles around the town.
The Jekyll Ocean Club is an option for overnight stays. This club is great for extended families as it has many pools and amenities like sun loungers and umbrellas.
Oxnard (California)
As an alternative to Santa Barbara/Malibu/Los Angeles, Oxnard is a great coastal destination.
Stocked with culture and history, Oxnard boasts a thriving culinary scene, uncrowded beaches and ample opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
There are seven miles of pristine beaches in Oxnard where you can relax, surf, or play beach volleyball. These quieter beaches are a welcome respite from the more touristy beaches nearby.
Oxnard is the closest point to Channel Islands National Park, and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
You can also organize summer whale-watching trips. This is always a great activity.
Oxnard has many wineries that you can visit after a day at the beach or on the water.
These include Herzog Wine Cellars which is the largest producer of kosher wine in the U.S., as well as breweries, distilleries, and other kosher wine producers.
Patrons can then walk through Heritage Square in downtown Oxnard to see historic Victorian-era architecture.
The Hampton Inn Channel Islands Harbor, a waterfront hotel, is an affordable option (summer rates starting at $200/night).
Vero Beach, Florida
The enchantment and pristine shorelines of both Fort Lauderdale and Miami are amazing — which is why millions of U.S. tourists flock to these two South Florida beach destinations.
Instead of paying the high prices of these two cache towns, consider Vero Beach, also on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. It has beautiful beaches, museums and fishing as well as quaint shopping options and delicious dining.
Offering families and couples a quiet break blended with outdoor fun, the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa is an oceanfront property with guest rooms or suites ideal for multi-generational beach trips. The hotel is also pet-friendly — and there’s no extra fee to bring your furry friend.
The hotel is located in downtown Vero Beach, which has a variety charming shops and restaurants.
The resort offers outdoor activities like snorkeling, boogie-boarding, and paddling.
Plus, year-round, the Kimpton offers a free “stargazing on the sea” experience, where resort guests can book a boat ride and star talk led by a local astronomer while cruising the Indian River.
Another bonus: Because of its proximity to Space Coast, guests often have the chance to see rocket launches from Vero beach, including from United Space Alliance, SpaceX and SpaceX rockets.
Narragansett in Rhode Island
Narragansett is located just 30 minutes from Newport, a charming, tourist-filled city. This is a great option if you are looking for lower hotel prices, more crowded restaurants, and a new place that you can explore.
This small seaside town offers friendly hospitality and impressive surfing conditions — and the streets are dotted with Victorian-inspired architecture.
After a day of sun, water recreation and sand, browse the town’s historical downtown area with boutique and gift shopping.
There are many hiking trails, as well as water sports such a boating, fishing and kayaking.
The Shore House is a great place to stay. It’s an historic inn situated directly on the beach in Narragansett, which debuted last season following a complete renovation of its 31 rooms. You can also rent a bike to explore the town.
Saugatuck, Michigan
Many of the most famous beach getaways in the Midwest are located here. Yet if you’re looking for a quieter retreat for a beachfront vacation, consider Saugatuck.
This pick is just 2.5 hours away from the bustling Chicago beaches. It offers charm, outdoor activities, beautiful beaches and a relaxing getaway without expensive hotels and peak-season crowds.
Relax and dip your toes in the water from pristine Lake Michigan beaches; enjoy a sand dune ride; charter a pontoon, motor or sailboat; hike or bike within Saugatuck Dunes State Park; plan a tasting or tour to a local winery or cidery; or bring the children to “U-Pick” farms for blueberries, peaches and apples.
The Lake Shore Resort, located just three miles from downtown Saugatuck, is the hotel’s latest move.
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