9 Great Beach Vacations

Oval Beach, Saugatuck, Michigan

One of the Midwest’s best-kept secrets is that its beaches hold their own against the coastal ocean shores. Though technically landlocked, Michigan hugs 3,200 miles of shoreline along four Great Lakes. Arguably the prettiest stretch of bronzed sand is Oval Beach. Located just over two hours from Chicago in the tiny “shore” town of Saugatuck, the nearly half-mile-long beach is so wide that it rarely feels crowded and low coastal dunes create an air of seclusion. Amenities such as bathrooms, a concession stand, showers and picnic tables make this a family favorite. Wineries, cideries, breweries and farm-to-table restaurants like Pennyroyal Café & Provisions have turned the hamlet of Saugatuck into a destination and made it a delicious base for a summer vacation.

Stay: A former 30-room motor lodge, Lake Shore Resort was revamped with boutique hotel touches such as mod mid-century furnishings and a heated pool. A lakefront setting, private swimming beach and complimentary yoga classes are a few of the perks. Rates start at $285.​

Insider tip: In the back of the unassuming Saugatuck Drug Store, you’ll find an old-fashioned soda counter that’s been serving root beer floats and malts for more than a century.

Cape Cod is a popular destination for swimmable beaches on the East Coast.

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Cape Cod, Massachusetts ​

Massachusetts’ hook-shaped peninsula offers the quintessential New England summer experience with its sandy, dune-swept beaches, lighthouses and “lobstah” shacks. Each of the region’s 15 towns and even smaller villages has its own special appeal. Hyannis Port, the summer getaway of John F. Kennedy, is steeped in presidential lore, while Provincetown has a vibrant artist and LBGTQ+ community. The more remote Outer Cape towns, including Provincetown, Wellfleet, Eastham and Truro, offer easy access to Cape Cod National Seashore and its 40-mile swatch of pristine coast with six swimmable beaches and nature-filled hiking trails. The towns and villages on Nantucket Sound, such as Dennis Port and Harwich, have more manicured beaches with warmer water and calmer surf.

Stay: The 27-room Pelham on Earle is located 300 feet from the grass-covered, white sand dunes of quiet Earle Road Beach near downtown Harwich Port. A free shuttle service transports guests to the sister property, Pelham House Resort, in Dennis Port. The rooftop restaurant is a nice spot for sunset cocktails. Rates start at $289.

Insider tip: Set within a retrofitted bar in Dennis Port, Sundae School still makes each batch of ice cream from scratch. The ice cream sundaes are worth every calorie.

Visitors can enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean along the 363 miles of coastline in Oregon.

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Oregon Coast​

Oregon’s wild coastline spans 363 miles of dune- and cliff-lined shore, from Astoria to Brookings, making it an ideal road trip for beach lovers. Each of the coast’s three regions has distinct draws. The north is known for its shipwrecks and historic beach towns, such as Seaside (the western end of the Lewis and Clark expedition). The central coast draws active and adventurous types with its fishing, surfing and long boardwalks for summer strolls. Travelers looking to get a bit more off the beaten path gravitate to the rugged southern coast, home to old-growth California laurel and redwood forests and towering dunes. The artistic port town of Coos Bay is a nice base to explore the south’s long, empty beaches, hike the trails of Shore Acres and Cape Arago state parks, and feast on local seafood.

Stay: Fronting over a mile of bayfront beach, Bay Point Landing is a modern camping sanctuary that’s minutes from the heart of Coos Bay. Guests can choose from 26 Scandinavian-style cabins and 14 stylish Airstreams or drive their own RV — all 126 sites have a firepit and picnic table and access to the heated saltwater pool. Snacks, beer and even Pendleton blankets are sold at the on-site general store. On the weekends, a food truck serves basics like clam chowder and fish and chips, plus brunch items including avocado toast and breakfast burritos. Rates start at $149 for Airstreams and $199 for cabins.

Insider tip: Some of the best food in the area is at North Bend Lanes, a bowling alley 10 minutes north of Coos Bay. The family-run institution serves stellar flatbread pizzas and indulgent tri-tip sandwiches, and hosts concerts, comedy shows and wine tastings on its patio.

The Huntington Beach Pier in California is an iconic landmark and one of the longest piers on the West Coast.

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Huntington Beach, California

Nestled between Los Angeles and San Diego, this 10-mile stretch of uninterrupted coastline embodies laid-back SoCal surf culture. Hailed as Surf City USA, it’s a mecca for wave riders. Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing, famously rode waves under the Huntington Beach Pier in the 1920s. Today, the world’s best wave riders flock here each summer to compete in the same spot, at the Wallex U.S. Open of Surfing. But the action isn’t just in the water. Volleyball courts line the sand, and a 6-mile bike path is always bustling with cyclists, joggers and roller skaters. The city’s vibrant waterfront downtown has breweries, distilleries and tasting rooms. Beach bonfires are a summer tradition here, and three of Huntington’s five beaches have first-come, first-served bonfire rings for sunset s’mores sessions.

Stay: The 457-room Waterfront Beach Resort has an unbeatable location that’s walking distance to the beach, the landmark pier and downtown’s Pacific City mall. On-site, you’ll find two lagoon-style pools and a spa, plus five bars and restaurants. Rates start at $370.

Insider tip: Located within Huntington Beach Central Park’s 350 acres, the Shipley Nature Center offers some of the best year-round birding in Southern California and access to the preserve’s three-quarter-mile network of interpretive trails. Entry is free with a $3 suggested donation per person.