Beach Vacations
Beaches truly do come in all shapes in sizes, and their beauty, abundance and potential for fun and relaxation make them very popular travel destinations. In North America, Southern California’s beaches are known for warm weather perfect for great swimming and surfing, as well as boardwalks which offer a multitude of entertainment and sightseeing options. In the South, Florida’s beaches are known for their beautiful white sand, warm, clear waters and outstanding snorkeling opportunities for admiring the abundant sea life and coral. The Northwest’s beaches are known to be a bit rockier, cooler and misty, but travel to these beaches often rewarded with more seclusion and privacy. The Northeast beaches are known for rolling sand dunes and beach grasses as well as swimming and surfing activities.. East Coast’s beaches from Maine to South Carolina are known for their abundant sea shells and beautiful beaches and surf. If you travel to any of Hawaii’s six islands, you’ll discover beautiful beaches full of adventure and romance.
If you plan to venture south and travel to Mexico and the Caribbean, you’ll find postcard-perfect beaches with lazy palm trees and clear, aquamarine waters.
Depending on the type of beach, you can swim, snorkel, go boating, collect sea shells, build sand castles or even play with your dog. Some beaches are perfect backdrops for a romantic afternoon or evening, and others are better suited for fun activities in the sun. Camping is possible at many beaches as well.
No matter which type of beach you choose or are interested in, a little bit of research will reveal that your idea of the perfect beach does exist.
California Beaches
With its long, meandering coast, California is blessed with a tremendous amount of variety in beaches. The farther North you travel, the cooler the summertime weather, so we’d suggest you explore California’s beaches which are south of Los Angeles if you are looking to spend time swimming or lying on the beach.
In general, Southern California beaches tend to be very warm during the summer, sandy, crowded and humid. Ocean waters are around the mid 50s during the winters and can exceed 71 degrees at the peak of summer, so swimming is very popular. Those who enjoy surfing, snorkeling, hiking and fishing will enjoy beaches such as Mission Beach in San Diego or Santa Monica Beach near L.A. In contrast, Northern California beaches such as the ones near San Francisco and the Oregon border tend to be cooler, rockier, windier and might even have picturesque lighthouses reminiscent of the East coast.
In short, Southern California beaches are about outdoor activities and fun in the sun, while Northern California beaches are more about beautiful vistas, camping and fishing. A final perk of California beaches are the stunning sunsets, something that those on the East coast, with the exception of the gulf coast of Florida, don’t have the opportunity to see.
Florida Beaches
As a peninsula, Florida has over 1100 miles of beaches to choose from. The waters are clear and very warm, so swimming, snorkeling and water sports activities are popular. The weather at the beaches is nearly always warm and humid during the summer, and thunder storms are common during the summer months. Whether you’re looking for a beach to relax on, play on or plan a wedding or honey moon around, Florida likely has just the beach you’re looking for. Some of Florida’s beaches rival the best of the Caribbean; if tall palm trees and white sands are what you want, consider Bahia Honda.
If you’re interested in snorkeling and surfing activities, we’d recommend you explore Sebastian Inlet State Park. Beautiful sea shells can be found on Sanibel Island’s narrow beaches, and snorkeling and swimming can be enjoyed on Dry Tortugas Beach.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to be a sun worshipper to enjoy Florida’s Beaches, as areas like Miami and Daytona Beach offer a host of other activities near the beach to enjoy.
Hawaii Beaches
If you’re like many visitors to Hawaii, you picture white, sandy beaches with clear waters full of fish and tropical sea life. Many of Hawaii’s beaches are, in fact, beautiful escapes with waters well suited to snorkeling and swimming. Others, however, are beaches where the water is so rough and unpredictable that only the bravest surfers paddle out into the water. Some beaches are very shallow while others have sea shelves which sharply dart towards the ocean bottom.
Hawaii’s six islands all have beaches, and they’re all different. Oahu’s and Maui’s beaches are known for excellent swimming and snorkeling, while Kauai’s beaches are surrounded by lush green forests and provide opportunities for river kayaking and hiking as well. As the islands were created by violent volcanic activity, some of the beaches are surrounded by exotic-looking lava formations and are composed of dark, colorful sand.
If you’re considering visiting Hawaii’s beaches, you should know that the weather is very different on the Eastern and Western sides of the islands. Warm and sunny beaches are common the Western sides, while the Eastern sides tend to be rainier and cooler with lusher-looking vegetation.
