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22 Destinations To Start Your Family Beach Trip In US 2025
What makes the best family beach trip in the US? No matter what your ideal vacation looks like, it's likely to include soft white sand, turquoise water, and a chilly vibe that can only be found by the sea.
With 95,000 miles of shoreline, the US has a beach for every taste. But not all of them are ideal family holiday destinations. We should consider kid-friendly attractions, safe swimming zones, warning flags, and facilities, among many other things.
For any travel plan, the best family beach holiday should be a slice of paradise for everyone. Kids happy building their castles on their favourite patch of sand, whereas grown-ups are stress-free to reconnect with nature. And here are our favourite shorelines in the US!
US Family Beach Trip - 22 Shorelines To Bookmark!
Whether you're looking for calm and gentle waters for little ones or coastal towns packed with grown-up fun, we guarantee you'll find your destinations here. So, pack your bags and beach gear, and jump into your next seaside adventure!
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- Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama
- Santa Monica, California
- Outer Banks, North Carolina
- Maui, Hawaii
- Amelia Island, Florida
- Kiawah Island, South Carolina
- Jekyll Island, Georgia
- Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
- Destin, Florida
- Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Miami Beach, Florida
- Santa Barbara, California
- Cape May, New Jersey
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Kennebunkport, Maine
- San Diego, California
- Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Ocean City, Maryland
- Cannon Beach, Oregon
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Anna Maria Island, Florida
- Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
1. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama
Gulf Shores - "Small Town, Big Beach". Photo By Kelly - stock.adobe.com
Sugary sands and emerald waters are what Gulf Shores are famous for. But the beaches won't be the only place families will head to. Parents with a little one in tow can check in at the local zoo and Waterville USA.
Along the 32-mile Alabama coastline, there is also championship golf, surfing spots, and picnic pavilions for grown-ups. Looking for something to bond with your old kids? We suggest your crew cycling along the coastline through beautiful palmetto forests and dazzling lakes.
2. Santa Monica, California
The bustle of LA will fade away once you hit Santa Monica. Photo by Tierney - stock.adobe.com
Santa Monica is often mistaken for a neighbourhood in LA. Yet, it's a city of its own, with miles of sandy beaches and a pier with nostalgic family fun. You can either walk, jog or bike on walking and cycling paths to get to the oceanside playgrounds. Along the shoreline paths, you can find local restaurants, concession stands, amusement parks and an aquarium. If you're lucky, you can join the hippy crowd and enjoy film and live music events hosted right at the Pier.
3. Outer Banks, North Carolina
Wild horse tour on Corolla Beach or boogie board on Kitty Hawk? It's up to you. Photo by DESIGN STOCK - stock.adobe.com
There are up to 301 miles of coastline in North Carolina, so it's a struggle to find the best stretch of sand. Yet, we’re partial to the Outer Banks for its great summer weather and many kid-friendly attractions. From water tours and lighthouses to museums, there are plenty of fun things to do with your kids.
Little castle builders will be happy at the Nags Head's sand dunes, while manageable waves at Corolla and Carova Beach are great for new surfers. On Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills, the water is shallow, and lifeguards are on duty for families with kids.
4. Maui, Hawaii
The famous black sand beach on Maui. Photo by mgfotos.com - stock.adobe.com
When booking tickets for the whole crew to Maui, Hawaii, you know you're in for endless fun in the water or on the land. If sunbathing and swimming are your beach rituals, you have a paradise at Honokalani Beach, perfect for a family beach trip in the US.
There are also up to 30 miles of sand, in any colour, from red, black, to white, across the island to dig your foot into. Be sure to take your kids to Baldwin State Park, where they can make a splash at the “baby beach". (If you want more affordable family beach destinations Hawaii, check out our post here).
5. Amelia Island, Florida
Abundant wildlife and historical charm make Amelia Island a great escape for families. Photo by Ruth P. Peterkin - stock.adobe.com
With 13 miles of pristine beaches on the Island, there’s a shoreline virtually everywhere you turn. The best way to stroll the beach is on horseback, so don't hesitate to fulfil your wildest dreams.
You can head to Main Beach for the most family-friendly spot, nicknamed “The Family Zone”. Restaurants, state parks, and mini golf courses will keep anyone happily busy here.
To see the tumultuous past of the “Island of Eight Flags”, stroll along the town of Fernandina Beach. Just nearby, you can also explore the hiking trails, salt marsh, alligators, and many birds at Egans Creek Greenway.
6. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Top-notch golf courses on Kiawah Island are crowded in the summer months. Photo by Joni - stock.adobe.com
Only 20 miles south of Charleston, you can find 10 miles of shoreline and almost unspoiled nature to explore. Public beach access is available at Beachwalker County Park, where families can paddle the rivers with their own kayaks and canoes.
While most folks choose to work on their tans, you can explore the park's maritime forests or hop on a bike to ride along the hard-packed sand. For any animal lover, there are for butterflies, exotic birds, and alligators at Marsh Island Park to observe for a full day. The Island is also home to 5 championship golf courses in South Carolina as well.
7. Jekyll Island, Georgia
Sun-bleached driftwood on the sand is the most iconic scene to photograph. Photo by Brian - stock.adobe.com
Jekyll Island is a 5,500-acre barrier island off the coast of Georgia with 10 miles of shoreline. While St. Andrews Beach Park draws bird-watchers and Great Dunes Beach Park has picnic pavilions for families, the most iconic and crowded must be Driftwood Beach. Gnarled oak and pine trees scattered along the coastline create a surreal scenery and the whole beach feels like a lively sculpture works on the sand. Grab your camera, as there are plenty of family photo-ops awaiting.
8. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Miles of waves, biking trails and golf courses make Hilton Head so special! Photo by Dorian Shy/Wirestock Creators - stock.adobe.com
There's a reason why Hilton Head remains a fan-favourite year after year. It's an escape for the adults where candy-coloured resorts and golf courses await to pamper even the hardest-to-please. You can also stroll the 12 miles of well-maintained beach, hit the Coastal Discovery Museum, and spot dolphins at Coligny Beach. If there's still time left, check out the famous red- and white-striped lighthouse.
9. Destin, Florida
The soft, sugar sand is a highlight. Photo by trongnguyen - stock.adobe.com
No beach in the Midwestern and Southern areas can beat Destin when it comes to the surgery white sand. The sand here is made of Appalachian quartz and will stay cool regardless of the summer heat. Your kids will have a field time building all the sand castles here (they may even attempt to put it in their mouth!).
If you want to steer clear of crowded beaches close to resorts, head to Henderson Beach State Park. With bathrooms, picnic areas, and kid playgrounds, your whole crew can spend the whole day under the sun. Grandparents can also find plenty of spots to cast off at this “World's Luckiest Fishing Village”.
You can also find a big playground at Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park for your little adrenaline junkies. And for parents looking for something to do together, consider booking a bottlenose dolphin cruise.
10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
A pretty shoreline in Cape Cod. Photo by Fabian - stock.adobe.com
Cape Cod has long been a family favourite on the east coast. It's been a holiday destination for the Kennedys for years, too. Maybe it’s the space, maybe it’s the weather, but no matter how crowded the place is, the classic Cape Cod beach - Coast Guard Beach is always mellow and relaxed, the best place to enjoy simpler things in life. The biggest draw of this spot is, still, the views of the Nauset Spit barrier system that make you don’t want to turn back. And don't leave until you snap a photo of the quaint old Coast Guard station perching the glacial bluffs (and maybe some seals on the beach, too).
11. Miami Beach, Florida
You can fly straight to Miami from almost anywhere in the U.S. Photo by Iluros - stock.adobe.com
When people hear about Miami Beach, they normally think about major party vibes and nightlife (and Spring Break!). Yet, the city also has a lot happening for families, with kid-friendly spots like the Puttshack mini golf course and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.
There's a lot of fun offshore like stand-up boarding or jet skiing. But not everything centred around the beach, as deco architecture and galleries in Wynwood and Little Havana offer equal enticement too.
Española Way is a pedestrian-only street where your family can hang out, shop, and people-watch in a place that feels like a Mediterranean village. The best news? There's a direct flight to Miami from virtually any corner of the US. For the Londoners, it’s easy to catch a non-stop flights with British Airways or American Airlines.
12. Santa Barbara, California
The postcard-perfect coast of Santa Barbara. Photo by unai - stock.adobe.com
Santa Barbara is still our all-time favourite in the Golden State. The city’s got a Mediterranean vibe, with palm tree-lined coasts and crystal clear water. And 300 days of sunshine means you can come and soak in the sun at any time of the year.
If that's not enough to draw holidayers, 20 wine-tasting rooms dotted in the Funk Zone may change your mind. State Street Promenade is also a must-visit of the town, where families gather to eat, shop, and wander galleries and theatres, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
This downtown area also leads straight to Stearns Wharf, where your kiddos can try the best ice cream and seafood in town. You can get all of these in just less than 2 hours from LA!
13. Cape May, New Jersey
Three miles of beaches make historic New Jersey ideal for a cosy family destination. Photo by eqroy - stock.adobe.com
Cape May welcomes families with the historic charm of candy-coloured Victorian homes, quaint boutiques and old streets, all with good views of the Atlantic Ocean. The stretch is also popular for skimboarding, kayaking, fishing, and volleyball. You'll find heaps of volleyball nets at the 2nd Avenue and Steger beaches. Your kids will also love touring this cosy town by riding a go-cart or visiting the free Cape May Zoo. Note that anyone over the age of 12 is required to wear a beach tag.