Beach Trips for an Endless Summer

Don’t let that folding beach chair gather dust. Even though it may be snowing where you live, coastal shores continue to entice winter travelers year-round to dip their toes in the sand and gather around the bonfire to keep the spirit of summer alive. You can still enjoy beachcombing, kayaking, and swimming in mild temperatures.

Sure, you may need to bust out the windbreaker, but visitors can reap some big benefits to winter beach exploring. The crowds are thinner, the scenery is just as beautiful, and let’s face it: Nothing beats a cup of hot chocolate after a crisp day by the shore.

A few tips: Keep the sunblock handy and dress in layers for temperature dips. Don’t go paddling, boating, or swimming without checking the conditions—consult lifeguards, guides, or outfitters for the safest experience.

San Diego, California

Pacific Beach and La Jolla Shores

This popular tourist destination packs plenty of culture and fun in its downtown area, but beach lovers head straight to the sandy Pacific shorelines that make up much of the city’s 17 miles of coastline. There’s a wide variety to choose from: Pacific Beach wins points for its accessibility and the bustling boardwalk that borders the shore. The same goes for La Jolla Shores, part of an opulent coastal community known for its top-notch restaurants and beautiful views of the Pacific. Mission Bay sits between Old Town San Diego and Pacific Beach, and its miles of sandy shores are perfect for kids.

Stay: Two RV resorts on Mission Bay cater to travelers who love camping by the shore.

Nestled on the north shore of Mission Bay near Crown Point Park, Campland on the Bay offers the perfect San Diego base camp. Bike to Pacific Beach with its quaint shops and restaurants or enjoy the campground’s sandy beach and cantina. Guests also can rent paddleboats and other watercraft.

 

On the shores of De Anza Cove, Mission Bay RV Resort sits across from Fiesta Island and adjacent to De Anza Cove Park. The sheltered cove allows kayakers and boaters to test their skills in calm waters. The park provides for big rigs and is pet- and family-friendly, with stunning views of the surrounding water.

Newport Beach, California

Municipal Beach and Golden Beach

Eight miles of beaches border the Pacific Ocean in this upscale Orange County town. Explore wide ribbons of sand sprinkled with family-friendly parks in Municipal Beach and Golden Beach. Watch the surfers, play volleyball, or just feel the California beach vibe. At the very end of the Balboa Peninsula, the infamous Wedge dishes out waves up to 30 feet high—not for the faint of heart or inexperienced. More fun abides in Newport Harbor: From the Balboa Peninsula, ferries motor across the harbor to Balboa Island, home to independent restaurants, coffee houses, and boutiques.

Stay: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina occupies the shore of a horseshoe-shaped lagoon that connects to Newport Harbor. Guests here can stroll on the resort’s private beach or rent a boat or kayak for trips along the shore.

Tybee Island, Georgia

North Beach

Just 18 miles east of Savannah, Tybee Island has served as a popular vacation spot since the 1800s. The small barrier island has three miles of clean and wide beaches backed with tall dunes. Gentle waves lap against the shore in many areas, but on the North Beach, the swells are large enough for surfing. Climb to the top of historic Tybee Island Lighthouse for panoramic views of the island.

Stay: Within walking distance to the inviting beach, River’s End Campground encourages guests to go by “Tybee Time”—the laid-back pace of life on the island. Relax in the shade formed by oak trees or enjoy the swimming pool, exercise room, or rec hall after a long day of exploring. Amenities include a dog run, firewood, and RV supplies.

Biloxi, Mississippi

Biloxi West Beach Boardwalk

Several casinos line the shore of this Gulf Coast town, but ocean lovers will hit the jackpot with long ranges of uncrowded sand lapped by gentle tides. The Biloxi West Beach Boardwalk snakes alongside a white-sand stretch of shore, leading to sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico. The boardwalk connects restaurants serving fresh seafood, watering holes pouring tropical drinks, and rental outlets. Two miles to the east, Ocean Springs is home to Ocean Springs Pier, where anglers go to catch black drum, flounder, and croaker.

Stay: Cajun RV Park in Biloxi sits a short ramble from the Biloxi West Beach Boardwalk. Plenty of trees in the park offer ample shade and seclusion, and amenities include a pool, dog run, and rec hall. Take the complimentary casino shuttle for gaming action.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Grand Strand

This Southern capital for summer beach fun doesn’t shut down during the winter. The thinner winter beach crowds mean lots of elbow room for beachcombing and surf fishing throughout the Grand Strand, which extends for miles on each side of Myrtle Beach. Anglers also can catch big ones from the town’s six piers.

Stay: A pair of RV resorts in Myrtle Beach cater to family fun:

Lakewood Camping Resort sits on a square half-mile on the beach, with a waterpark, indoor and outdoor pools, a mini golf course, and live entertainment.

Ocean Lakes occupies nearly a mile of oceanfront property with a nature center, bicycle rentals, and facilities for dog washing.

Corpus Christi, Texas

Padre Island

Padre Island National Seashore encompasses the longest section of undeveloped barrier island on the planet. Stretching for 66 miles, the National Park Service beach consists of sand dunes, tidal flats, prairies, and glimmering shorelines. Birding is off the charts, with 380 species found on the island. Start your trip at the Malaquite Visitor Center for hiking and camping.

Stay: Sea Breeze RV Community Resort in nearby Portland situates guests on Corpus Christi Bay, with nature trails and long strips of sand on the waterfront. Kayaking or canoeing in the bay are popular pastimes, but guests may prefer to hang out in the pool, at the clubhouse room, or in the exercise room.

Key West, Florida

Smathers Beach

Follow the road to beach nirvana. Key West sits at Mile 0 of the 106-mile Overseas Highway, which connects the dozens of tropical keys that extend south from Florida. This legendary island draws revelers to bars like Sloppy Joe’s, a purported hangout of author Ernest Hemingway. For an Atlantic excursion, a few destinations top Smathers Beach on the island’s south side, with two miles of pristine shores that gently slope down to crystal-clear waters. It’s ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Stay: On Stock Island (right next to Key West), Boyd’s Key West Campground has campsites just feet from the shore. The southernmost campground in the US, Boyd’s offers boat rentals along with fishing supplies; fishing guides are available to direct guests to the best spots.

Marathon Key, Florida

Sombrero Beach

In the middle of the chain, Marathon Key is an ecotourism hot spot. Watch injured sea turtles undergo rehab at the Turtle Hospital or meet dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center. Facing south toward the Atlantic, Sombrero Beach is a postcard-worthy tract of sand fringed with palm trees. The area’s warm temperatures make it perfect for strolling, sunbathing, and taking a dip in the turquoise waters. Classes are held in February and March for volunteers to survey the beach for loggerhead turtle nesting sites.

Stay: Grassy Key RV Park & Resort accommodates big rigs and offers waterfront views. Easy-access dockage is offered for RVers who bring their boats. Near the Overseas Highway, the park is a great base of operations for exploration of the surrounding keys.

Destin, Florida

Henderson State Park

On Florida’s Panhandle, Destin attracts charter fishing enthusiasts for redfish, sheepshead, and flounder in winter. But the area is much more than a fishing mecca. Henderson Beach State Park has a long stretch of white, sugar-sand shore with great views of the Gulf Coast. Find your spot in the sand and keep a lookout for dolphins and stingrays swimming in the clear, emerald-green water. Follow one of the park’s quarter-mile-long hiking trails to the tops of sand dunes that rise as high as 30 feet. At night, gather around a bonfire in Santa Rosa Beach; group bonfire areas can be reserved.

Stay: Camping on the Gulf offers RV sites directly on the beach (electric and water only; spaces fill up fast) along with an amenity list that includes a heated pool, waterslide, planned activities, and an exercise room.

Daytona Beach, Florida

Daytona Beach

NASCAR may have put this city on the map with the Daytona International Speedway, but for those who prefer quieter diversions, the 23-mile expanse of Daytona Beach offers endless sand for walking, wading, and playing on the Atlantic. Follow the boardwalk that runs alongside the shore, browse the many quirky shops that line the thoroughfare, or duck into restaurants for dining with unbeatable views. For a closer look at the area’s distinct aquamarine waters, stroll the Daytona Beach Pier, which extends 740 feet out onto the ocean and delights sightseers with unparalleled views.

Stay: Just eight miles north of the Daytona International Speedway, Coral Sands Oceanfront Resort in nearby Ormond Beach puts guests just a few paces from the Atlantic Ocean. Relax in the pool or gazebo.