They offer easy access to the Padre Island National Seashore. To get away from the tourist hustle and bustle, try the laid-back beaches at Bahia Honda State Park. Nearby Kailua is urbane but tranquil, without Honolulu's high-rises. They offer easy access to the Padre Island National Seashore. But if you're reading this feature, you're headed for the beaches. Warm getaways are always in season—explore your options on TripAdvisor. Nearby Kailua is urbane but tranquil, without Honolulu's high-rises. Nearby Kailua is urbane but tranquil, without Honolulu's high-rises. They offer easy access to the Padre Island National Seashore. Nearby Kailua is urbane but tranquil, without Honolulu's high-rises.

Take a quick drive to Paradise Island, only about 30 minutes via Snow's Cut Bridge, where you'll find the friendly oceanside towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. Rent a bike to tour the beaches?Santa Cruz prides itself on its bike trails. For those who prefer to enjoy the beach from a convertible, the Beach Loop is a lazy, scenic drive bisecting Padre Island. Top-rated Kailua Beach Park, on the windward eastern side of the island, is a great place to windsurf, sail and swim, provided you watch out for Man O' Wars. The island's lovely public ocean beach stretches between these two family-oriented villages.

best beach vacations

Fort Fisher, located in Kure Beach, is also worth visiting for its storied Civil War fort and quiet, undeveloped beach. Fort Fisher, located in Kure Beach, is also worth visiting for its storied Civil War fort and quiet, undeveloped beach. Or maybe one of these beach getaways best matches your vacation style: the eccentric, laid-back Florida Keys, rowdy Corpus Christi or athletic, lighthearted Santa Cruz. Or maybe one of these beach getaways best matches your vacation style: the eccentric, laid-back Florida Keys, rowdy Corpus Christi or athletic, lighthearted Santa Cruz. Perhaps the grandeur of Oahu's towering surf or the peaceful refuge of North Carolina's grassy, windswept dunes appeal to you the most. Ala Moana, the picture-postcard beach in Honolulu, is always a great place to start your Hawaiian idyll. On Key Largo, the largest of the keys, you'll find John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. On Key Largo, the largest of the keys, you'll find John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This surfer's paradise is just a short drive from San Francisco. The island's lovely public ocean beach stretches between these two family-oriented villages.

Drive down on the famous Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) for heart-stopping views of the crashing surf and the Monterey peninsula. Fort Fisher, located in Kure Beach, is also worth visiting for its storied Civil War fort and quiet, undeveloped beach. Rent a bike to tour the beaches?Santa Cruz prides itself on its bike trails. In Corpus Christi, cruise Shoreline Drive for burgers and boardwalk views, and Ocean Drive to take a peek at Texas-sized mansions. It's the first U.S. underwater park, where you can dive, snorkel or simply enjoy the view on a glass-bottom boat tour.