The best beach towns in America all deserve consideration as your vacation destination. From the smallest coastal village to large towns, each offers plenty of attractions and beauty in a variety of fabulous geographical locations. These are, according to redbookmag.com, the best beach towns in America.
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1. California: Carmel-by-the-Sea
Romantic homes are plentiful in California, thanks to the gorgeous weather that makes nearly everything a little prettier. But it really doesn't get any lovelier than Carmel-by-the-Sea, which looks like a movie set for an enchanting rom-com.
The Carmel Lodge is located right in the midst of the shopping and eating center of Carmel, and all importantly, is less than 1000m from the wonderful beach.
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2. California: Mendocino
Nestled on the northern California coast and surrounded by both redwoods and wine country, this low-key town has a distinctive beauty.
A great place to stay here is the Hill House Inn, just 10-minutes walk from the famous Mendocino Art Center and close to all the shopping and dining experiences that you could want.
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3. California: Newport Beach
Your jaw might always be dropped in this southern California town, which has both stunning homes and incredible natural features.
There is plenty of choice when it comes to Newport Beach, but we always like a tried and tested favorite like the Marriott Bayview. No surprises, just a great hotel!
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4. California: Santa Barbara
Nicknamed the "American Riviera," Santa Barbara has an old-school California charm. The architecture channels the area's Spanish heritage, with tiled roofs and white stucco strongly represented throughout the area.
The Lemon Tree Inn is a great place to stay in Santa Barbara, complete with a one acre sized tropical garden and a glorious outdoor pool for when you want some time away from the beach.
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5. Connecticut: Niantic
Located near the tourist magnet Mystic Seaport, Niantic offers a slightly less crowded (but by no means less charming) town. You won't find big-box stores here, but you will find a lovely main street that runs parallel to the Long Island Sound for gorgeous views as you grab a leisurely lunch.
The Inn at Harbor Hill Marina is a wonderfully quaint bed and breakfast that will provide you with a quintessential Connecticut vacation experience. Right on the Niantic River shore!
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6. Connecticut: Old Saybrook
If it was good enough to be the town where Katharine Hepburn lived, it's definitely worthy of our list. Old Saybrook is near Niantic (it's about a 15-minute drive) and has a similar old-school charm. However, the Connecticut shore town decidedly popular in the summer, when the population triples to 30,000 from 10,000.
The Saybrook Point Inn is a 4 star eco-friendly spa hotel that features wonderful facilities like indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, as well as an onsite marina!
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7. Delaware: Lewes
Lewes may be perched on the Delaware Bay, but we just had to include it in our list. The highly walkable town features a small historic district, and an easy pace of life that's heavenly for those who don't want the hustle and bustle of busier beach towns.
The Inn at Canal Square is definitely the best place to stay in Lewes, just 700 meters from Funland and complete with free Wi-Fi throughout the resort.
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8. Delaware: Rehoboth Beach
Delaware's most popular beach town draws tourists from the tri-state region, who love the nostalgic vibe of the boardwalk and shopping districts.
How about renting your very own holiday apartment? The Tides 107 Condo complex is just a few steps from the beach and around 600 meters from the fun Boardwalk.
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9. Florida: Amelia Island
This serene island on the northern Atlantic coast side of Florida has long been a beach destination known for its cultural offerings in addition to its stately homes.
Just a two-minute walk away from the beach, the Seaside Amelia Inn offers guests complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas; a great touch from a great hotel!
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10. Florida: Key West
Key West is paradise on earth. There are candy-colored homes, coral reefs to explore, exceptional seafood and an overall "vacation" atmosphere where you can really let your hair down.
Visiting Key West is all about treating yourself, and staying at The Gates Hotel certainly fits the bill! Just a 10-minute walk from the Key West Tropical Forest.
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11. Florida: Matlacha
It might not be as well-known as other Florida beach towns, but this small island is simply adorable. Brightly-hued homes and galleries mingle with fishing boats and nature lovers.
The Angler’s Inn is a great little find in Matlacha, with the added bonus of free parking, air con in all rooms and a flat screen TV to boot!
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12. Florida: Palm Beach
Since its founding, Palm Beach has been synonymous with luxury. There are some of the most beautiful mansions you'll see, along with the gorgeous shopping district on Worth Avenue.
Palm Beach is all about unadulterated luxury, so there really is no other option that to stay at the amazing Four Seasons resort!
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13. Florida: St. Augustine
St. Augustine is filled with historic sights, ranging from the oldest wooden school house in America to the oldest masonry fort in the United States. You can even visit the Fountain of Youth.
The Jaybirds Inn is a cute eco-friendly boutique hotel that has a lot of character, nestled in the heart of the country’s oldest continually occupied city.
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14. Georgia: Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is known for its dramatic scenery, ranging from marshlands to unique beaches, like the highly photogenic Driftwood Beach.
The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is the absolute best place to stay near Driftwood Beach, located in the heart of the historic town and just a short drive from 14km of stunning white sand coastline.
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15. Georgia: Tybee Island
Just down the way from gorgeous Savannah is its "official" beach: Tybee Island. This barrier island has picturesque southern architecture, but is also known for its seasonal population of loggerhead turtles.
It’s all very casual on Tybee Island, and the Admiral’s Inn is the perfect place to stay for comfortable accommodation complete with an outdoor pool.
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16. Maine: Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is an area with two distinct personalities. On one side is the preppy vacation destination complete with a quaint shopping district, on the other is the stunning Acadia National Park.
The Bar Harbor Grand Hotel is definitely the place to be It’s a short drive from the sandy beach and even closer the amazing Acadia National Park.
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17. Maine: Camden
Like other New England beach towns, Camden is decidedly more popular in the summer (the populations swells to three times its year-round size then). One visit to this historic and creative town will make you want to join the masses who summer here.
The great thing about the 16 Bay View hotel in Camden is that each room offers a sun terrace with views of the sea, meaning that you can enjoy the outside even when you feel like staying in for a couple hours!
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18. Maine: Rockport
Rockport is a town over from Camden and has a slightly sleepier feel. Yet it is just as stunning as its neighbor, so much that it is an art colony for the many artists who become inspired by the striking shores.
With glorious oceanfront views and individually decorated rooms, the Strawberry Hill Seaside Inn is a great choice for a break in Rockport.
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19. Maryland: Ocean City
Though Ocean City has plenty to do in terms of entertainment, it's not exactly a beautiful town. However, there are still pockets of calm to be found — especially by the water, where you could find an abandoned pier.
Grand Hotel Ocean City is located just off the Boardwalk and features stunning views of the ocean, as well as a full-service salon for when you want to treat yourself.
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20. Maryland: St. Michaels
While this isn't on a true "on the ocean" beach, St. Michaels is a gorgeous harbor on the Eastern Shore that has the quaint feel of a 19th-century village.
For a classic-feeling Maryland stay, the St Michael Harbour Inn Marina and Spa is definitely the way to go. It’s total luxury with onsite spa, restaurants and outdoor swimming pools.
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21. Massachusetts: Chatham
You could fill an entire list of beautiful beach towns with entries solely from Massachusetts. Chatham is located on the southeastern-most tip of Cape Cod and boasts a rich history that goes all the way back to 1665. From the classic New England architecture to the 19th-century lighthouse, it's a place that often feels as if time has stood still.
The Old Harbor Inn is a wonderful bed and breakfast just a 3-minute drive from the Cape Cade National Seashore. It’s quaint, but it still has great features like a gym and a flat screen TVs in every room.
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22. Massachusetts: Nantucket
Does it get any more classic than Nantucket? Once a 19th-century whaling hub, today it's a vacation haven filled with fantastic old buildings.
The Roberts Collections is a complex of four unique houses with a large shared courtyard, and it makes for a really unique and special stay in Nantucket.
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23. Massachusetts: Provincetown
Originally founded in 1620, Provincetown is yet another gorgeous Massachusetts beach town. However, the vibe is a bit more fun and energetic than the more staid destinations. While you do find the traditional New England homes here, you also find an eclectic array of entertainment from cabarets to nightclubs.
Provincetown is great place for eclectic partying, so you need somewhere like the Carpe Diem Guesthouse and Spa to relax and recharge during the day!
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24. Massachusetts: Oak Bluffs
Victorian homes in pastel hues dot the Martha's Vineyard neighborhood of Oak Bluffs, giving the town an old-fashioned feel. Basically, every photo is Insta-worthy here.
The Pequot Hotel is a wonderful Victorian style bed and breakfast that is nestled in amongst the charming cottages of Oak Bluffs, and Martha’s Vineyard is just a stone’s throw away.
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25. New Hampshire: Hampton Beach
This small coastal town has a bustling boardwalk, but also no shortage of gorgeous homes, inns, and restaurants.
The Ashworth by the Sea Hotel is the perfect place to base yourself when visiting Hampton Beach, with multiple dining options and a wonderful indoor pool.
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26. New Hampshire: New Castle
With a population of under 1,000 people, this town is very, very small. Interestingly enough, it's also the only New Hampshire town situated entirely on islands. Despite that, the area is popular for tourists, who particularly seek out the many fine dining options here.
Wentworth By The Sea is a Marriott Hotel, but is still has that feeling of quaint seaside dwelling that people love so much when visiting the New Hampshire coast.
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27. New Jersey: Cape May
Cape May is one of the jewels of the New Jersey shoreline. Famous for its Victorian homes, the area is also becoming increasingly known for the number of wineries just outside of the beachfront area.
If you want to do Cape May in style, then there is no other choice than the Grand Hotel, a wonderful beach front complex that is just 2km from the Cove.
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28. New Jersey: Ocean Grove
If you like tiny homes, you'll love Ocean Grove. Between blocks of pretty cottages and a main street with an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, you'll find these teeny tent homes that are decorated with flair every summer.
Make sure that you stay in the Ocean Plaza Hotel, just 400 meters from the glorious beaches and one of the best reviewed hotels in the whole of Ocean Grove.
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29. New Jersey: Spring Lake
Incredible estates fill this perfect shore town, where lawns are impeccable and gardens thoughtfully-designed. There is also a small main street with a few boutiques, but the main draw is the neighborhood (and the peaceful beach).
The Hewitt Wellington Hotel is a fantastic boutique hotel that offers a delightful stay in Spring Lake. With an onsite restaurant and the Atlantic Ocean just 5 minutes’ walk away, you have the best of both worlds!
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30. New York: Montauk
Considered the more down-to-earth of the Hamptons towns, Montauk is a haven for surfers (and those who wish they were surfers). The atmosphere is laid-back, with just the tiniest smidge of starch. The homes are gracious, but it's the kind of place where you can happily play frisbee with your pup.
When you see pictures of the Surf Club Resort, you will see exactly why it’s our favorite pick for a stay in Montauk. Perhaps a 550-foot-long private beach might have something to do with it!
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31. New York: Sag Harbor
This village is incorporated in East Hampton and Southampton, bringing a sweet small-town feel to the area. Like Nantucket, the town was once a hot bed for whaling. Today, you can buy old-timey cottages where captains once lived, then brush up on your history at the Whaling Museum. The puns write themselves: It's a whale of a time!
Somewhere like Baron’s Cove is the perfect choice for a Sag Harbor vacation, complete with onsite restaurant and saltwater swimming pool.
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32. New York: Shelter Island
This island (at the eastern end of Long Island) is both wild and luxurious. You'll see huge mansions, but also a more untamed landscape thanks to the Mashomack Preserve.
When it comes to Shelter Island, we love the Pridwin Hotel, with an outdoor pool overlooking a glorious bay and an amazing private beach to sunbathe on!
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33. North Carolina: Southport
Pinterest dreams start with Southport, another town on the scenic Brunswick Islands. It's not just about the serene neighborhoods — you can wile away a day searching for gorgeous shells, or take in the interesting sight of a maritime forest. Oh, and you can take a ferry to Bald Head Island from here.
The Hampton Inn Southport is conveniently located along the highway, and is just a short drive from everything you want like the beach and the North Carolina Maritime Museum.
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34. Oregon: Cannon Beach
You might recognize this sight from the opening scene of The Goonies. This is Haystack Rock, a sea stack that's one of the main attractions of this pristine beach.
For four-star luxury, the hacienda themed Blue Gull Inn is the premium vacation spot in Cannon Beach, with delightful guest cottages dotted around a central courtyard filled with roses.
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35. Rhode Island: Newport
Before there was Palm Beach or the Hamptons, there was the original beach playground of the insanely wealthy: Newport. Here, the giant mansions were ironically called "cottages," and feature such subtle features an all-gold room.
The Hotel Viking opened in 1926 and has been one of the most popular places in stay in Newport ever since. It’s less than a mile from the famous Cliff Walk and there is the added bonus of an onsite spa.
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36. South Carolina: Folly Beach
This island beach town is in driving distance to the always-gorgeous Charleston. Colonial-style homes and palm trees dot the neighborhood, while those who take to the beach will usually get to see adorable dolphins frolicking in the waves. Though there is a strong nightlife here, your best evening plan may be to stay put on the beach, where you can often see the incredible sight of the Milky Way.
The Tides Folly Beach Hotel is the best choice for a stay at Folly Beach, complete with an onsite restaurant and bar, as well as modern benefits like free Wi-Fi throughout the building!
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37. South Carolina: Hilton Head Island
The Lowcountry island has long been a favorite vacation destination, which does mean there are plenty of tourist-y attractions to take in. But plenty of beauty can still be found in the region's stately homes and lovely natural landscape.
Whenever you have the opportunity to stay at a Marriott resort, we suggest you do it! The Hilton Head Marriott Resort and Spa offers the kind of luxury that ensures your vacation is an unforgettable one.
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38. Virginia: Chincoteague
The sister island of Assateague, Chincoteague is famous for its wild horses. But unlike Assateague, Chincoteague has a residential neighborhood — and it's comprised of some of the most adorable cottages you'll see.
A town with such a great name deserves an equally great hotel, and the Marina Bay Hotel and Suites is just that. You even get a complimentary breakfast to stand in great stead for a busy day’s vacationing!
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39. Virginia: Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a small city rather than a town, but its pristine coastline is worthy of our list. Take a trip away from the high-rises to the rugged splendor of the Back Bay National Refuge or explore the trails of the First Landing Park. Then, head over to the city's thriving creative district for lunch and shopping.
There is nothing better than being right on the ocean, and the aptly named Surfbreak Oceanfront Hotel is the perfect place to stay when visiting Virginia Beach.
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