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Beach Vacation Ideas

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6 Beaches With Artistic Vibes

Relax on the sandy shores while nurturing your creativity at these oceanside destinations

visitors at the Dalí Museum
Visit these oceanside destinations to enjoy art and support artists. Here, visitors at the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, which is close to Clearwater, Florida.
Alamy Stock Photo
By

Bobbi Dempsey,

 
AARP
Published July 01, 2024

Are you looking for a beach getaway that lets you enjoy beautiful art and support those who create it? At these beaches the relaxed, bohemian lifestyle shines strong. Artists sell their wares in local shops and all are welcome. If you’re an artist in need of inspiration, the amazing scenery and breathtaking ocean views provide all the motivation you’ll need to get the creative vibes flowing.

Here are some destinations for those seeking beaches with an artsy atmosphere.

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Elevated view of Tybee Island, toward Savannah, Georgia
An aerial view of Tybee Island, Georgia, toward Savannah, Georgia. Tybee Island’s South Beach puts you near art galleries and shops where makers sell their crafts.
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1. Tybee Island, Georgia

Known for its amazing sunsets, Tybee Island – a small barrier island about 20 minutes from Savannah – is a laid-back destination that appeals to artists, free spirits and those comfortable with a pace that runs on “island time.” Tybee Island has five beaches, one of which is accessible only by boat or jet ski. South Beach is your best bet if you want to be close to art galleries, quaint shops where makers sell their crafts, and the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion. Check out work by talented artists at the Irritable Pelican Artisan Gallery and gallery 80 on tybee.  

Where to stay: Just steps away from the sand, the DeSoto Beach Hotel is your best choice if you want to be as close to the ocean as possible. Beachview Inn & Spa has 13 rooms and suites and treats guests to homemade breakfast every morning. Hotel Tybee has rooms with private ocean-view balconies and is a short walk from the beach, restaurants and the fishing pier.

At the California Surf Museum in Oceanside, California, visitors can see surfing memorabilia.
Alamy Stock Photo

2. Oceanside, California

This Southern California city is perfectly named, as it is perched at the edge of the Pacific Ocean – allowing for amazing views and whale-watching tours year-round. With 3 miles of coastline, Oceanside is home to several beaches, but walking around town lets you enjoy artwork for free thanks to the colorful murals that adorn many of the local buildings. You will want to take a stroll down Artist Alley, where artists display their work and sell handmade creations. Need a little shade? Head indoors to check out surfing memorabilia at the California Surf Museum or visit the Oceanside Museum of Art, which hosts free family-friendly art days once a month.

Where to stay: Oceanside has two RV parks, plus camping/RV sites at Guajome Regional Park and a variety of hotels and resorts. The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa has a full-service spa, ocean views and is dog friendly. The Fin Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is a boutique property in downtown about a half-mile from the beach. Mission Pacific Beach Resort caters to visitors who want to be right on the beach.

aerial view of the Dalí Museum
Step away from the beach in Clearwater, Florida, and visit the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, focusing on the works of Salvador Dalí.
Alamy Stock Photo

3. Clearwater, Florida

Clearwater is technically a large city, but it has the relaxed feel of a small beach town. Famous for its white sandy beach and crystal-clear emerald water, Clearwater – and its close neighbor, St. Pete Beach – is an art lover’s paradise. Pier 60 hosts a nightly sunset celebration, and crafters and other local vendors set up booths every evening. If you can tear yourself away from the beach, you’ll want to visit the Dalí Museum, which displays the works of Salvador Dalí, or FloridaRAMA, a huge space filled with immersive art exhibits.

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Where to stay: AC Hotel Clearwater Beach is a block from the beach and welcomes pets. The Sandpearl Resort is an upscale hotel with a full-service spa, and some suites have full kitchens, private balconies and a washer and dryer. If you’re a fan of retro style, the Plaza Beach Hotel – Beachfront Resort is a family-friendly boutique hotel with 1950s-themed decor.

Aerial image of Lincoln City, Oregon
A popular draw to Lincoln City, Oregon, is the Finders Keepers program, where visitors can look for glass floats that wash up on the beach.
Alamy Stock Photo

4. Lincoln City, Oregon

Artistic creations may literally appear at your feet as you walk the 7.5-mile beach of Lincoln City. A popular draw is the Finders Keepers program – look for glass floats that wash up on the beach. As the name implies, you get to keep any pieces that you find. (Anonymous local artists act as “float fairies” and drop thousands of these hand-blown glass treasures on the beach every year.) The free digital Art Trail pass guides you on a self-paced tour of art-related sites around town including murals, sculptures and mosaics. Once you’ve enjoyed the art, consider hiking the 3-mile loop on The Knoll, a grassy hill outside of town with a peak that offers terrific Pacific views.

Where to stay: The Looking Glass Inn is dog friendly and located right across the street from a food truck village called The Pines Dine. The Coho Oceanfront Lodge boasts ocean views and rooms outfitted with reclaimed materials and eco-friendly supplies. For travelers who enjoy catching a wave or two, the Surfland Hotel has direct access to the beach and a sundeck with expansive views of the Pacific.

shops in Provincetown, Massachusetts
There are many shops and stands in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where artisans sell their work.
Alamy Stock Photo

5. Provincetown, Massachusetts

Affectionately known as P’town, this city at the tip of Cape Cod is probably close to what you imagine when you picture the quintessential quaint New England beach town. Known for being welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community (and everyone else), Provincetown also embraces artists and art lovers. Claiming the title of America’s oldest continuous art colony, the town is home to dozens of art galleries, museums and studios. Every Friday night, art openings offer visitors the chance to meet and mingle with artists, gallery owners and fans of all types of creative expression. Strolling around town, you’ll find many shops and stands where local artisans sell their work.

Where to stay: The recently remodeled White Porch Inn Art Hotel boasts 10 rooms with unique works by artists from around the world. Land’s End Inn is a bed-and-breakfast with a totally different vibe thanks to its lush greenery and hilltop location offering a bird’s-eye view of the ocean. If you want to be right along the sand, you can’t get any closer than Surfside Hotel & Suites. This pet-friendly hotel has a private beach, heated outdoor pool, and is walking distance to many local attractions.  

The boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach, Sussex County, Delaware
A trip to the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is perfect for finding vendors and artists.
Alamy Stock Photo

6. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Rehoboth Beach offers a spacious, family-friendly beach with a boardwalk perfect for vendors and artists — and plenty of boutiques with locally made items nearby. The city has a long legacy of supporting the creative arts. Rehoboth Art League dates back to 1938 and still hosts exhibitions, studios and class space on the historic campus. The Developing Artist Collaboration supports and promotes artists of all mediums and experience levels. After strolling through local galleries, the Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market sells crafts along with flowers, baked goods and other items on Tuesdays starting in May.

Where to stay: The Avenue Inn & Spa is a block from the beach and has an indoor heated pool, apothecary spa and a casual bar and restaurant. Coast Rehoboth Beach, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is a new downtown property with an indoor pool and an onsite restaurant, Sirocco, that specializes in Mediterranean-style meals using fresh local ingredients. Want to stay right along the beach? Boardwalk Plaza Hotel is an oceanfront hotel with a Victorian style, traditional decor and a variety of accommodations including suites and apartments, some with private balconies.

Bobbi Dempsey is a freelance writer who has written about a variety of topics, including health and entertainment, for aarp.org and AARP The Magazine. Her work has also appeared in Parade, The New York Times, Harper’s and other outlets.

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