5 Awesome Beaches Perfect for Families

Taking a beach vacation is a wonderful choice for families this summer. Beaches provide the perfect backdrop for an amazing summer trip, making them the perfect option for your family trip this year. But not all beaches are created equal. In addition to having family-friendly shorelines, these five awesome beaches have tons of other amazing attractions perfect for families.

Beaches that are perfect for families

Destin

With crystal blue water and soft white sand beaches, you’ll instantly fall in love with Destin. And its beauty is matched by tons of family-friendly fun. From pirate boat rides to a cool marine park, your kids will have a blast at this beautiful Florida destination. In addition to all the fun activities available at this family-friendly beach location, you can rest easy on your beach days knowing your kids are safe playing in the calm ocean water.

On top of an amazing beach, Destin is also home to other family-friendly attractions. For rainy days, head to Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone, which features an air-conditioned arcade in addition to a ropes course, mini golf, and trampoline park. Or for more water fun, check out Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park with more than 40 water play areas and a five-story water slide.

San Diego

With a variety of amusement parks, educational activities, and beautiful beaches, your family will have nonstop fun during a San Diego vacation. For a kid friendly beach adventure, visit Coronado Beach. You’ll love the calm waters and laid-back atmosphere. And if your family is searching for a break from the sun and sand, your family will have a blast at Legoland or SeaWorld.

This city is also filled with fun educational options for your family trip. For animal lovers, your kids can pick from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park or the traditional San Diego Zoo. And marine animal fans can enjoy a viewing a variety of fish and other sea creatures at Birch Aquarium. This California destination is also home to a variety of great museums from Old Town California, where your family can step back in time to the spot where the first Spanish settlers arrived to the state, to the New Children’s Museum, which features a variety of interactive activities perfect for an escape from the beach.

Ocean City

The big draw to this fun beach town is the amazing boardwalk. The Ocean City Boardwalk is filled with classic carnival rides, a huge arcade, and a Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum. And if you can pull your kids away from the boardwalk during your trip, you’re sure to find a ton of other great family-friendly options. For more thrilling rides, head to Jolly Roger Amusement park or take a step back in time to Frontier Town Western Theme Park.

And we can’t forget about the reason you’re visiting Ocean City – the beaches. Ocean City beach features more than 10 miles of shoreline for your family to enjoy. And Ocean City Beaches are alcohol-free and are fully staffed by lifeguards all summer long, making them a safe family-friendly option for your beach vacations. For a unique beach experience, head to nearby Assateague Island National Seashore. It’s an amazing spot to relax in the sand and catch a glimpse of wild ponies roaming the shoreline.

Myrtle Beach

With more than 60 miles of shoreline, this South Carolina destination is another amazing family-friendly beach vacation option. Known as the Grand Strand, this huge stretch of white sand beach is filled with natural beauty perfect for sand castle building and swimming in the salty water. And with nearby marshes and streams, Myrtle Beach is a great option for adventurous families who enjoy water activities, like kayaking and paddle boarding, or on-land fun like hiking and ziplining.

Known as the golf capital of the world, Myrtle Beach is a golf-lovers dream, so you can be sure to find some amazing mini golf options your kids will love on your trip. For more family-friendly fun near the beach, check out the Boardwalk area, then head over to Family Kingdom, a seaside theme park with a variety of rides for kids of every age.

Santa Barbara

This California beach town is made up of three different beaches – east, west, and Leadbetter. For family-friendly fun, head to East Santa Barbara, which features lifeguards on duty, a playground, and picnic areas. For more ocean fun, check out Santa Barbara Harbor, which his home to more than 1,000 boats, or do a little shopping and eating at Stearns Wharf.

Santa Barbara is also home to some family-friendly fun away from its beautiful beaches. Animal lovers can enjoy the Santa Barbara Zoo, which is home to more than 500 animals on 30 acres of land. The city also has tons of amazing cultural attractions perfect for families, including the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Botanical Gardens, and Old Mission Santa Barbara.