Best Family Beaches in the U.S.

For many families, the height of summer vacation is a fabulous trip to the beach. From north to south, east to west, the U.S. is blessed with wonderful beaches. Here is a list of some excellent kid-friendly beaches in the U.S.

Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Seven miles of sandy beach await you and your family at Old Orchard Beach. Palace Playland, the amusement park on the beach, offers rides and arcade games for kids of all ages.

Events
There is fireworks display every Thursday evening from Jun 24 to Labor Day, culminating with the biggest display on July 4^th (Independence Day). That same weekend (Jul 3-5), there is a parade and the annual Family Sand Sculpture Contest is held.

How to get there
You can take the train from Boston to Old Orchard Beach from May to late Octorber. (Amtrak service from Boston to Portland, Maine). The train station is 100 yards from the beach.

Best time to visit: June to September

Ogunquit Beach, Maine
Artists know a picture-perfect town when they see one. Ogunquit is such a lovely coastal town that many artists have settled there to capture the scene on canvas. A popular summer spot for families, Ogunquit beach offers 3.5 miles of beautiful white sandy beach, and over a mile of walking path on a cliff that meanders along the ocean called Marginal Way. Start or end your day at the quaint fishing village of Perkins Cove before hitting the beach.

How to get there
Ogunquit is 1 hour's drive north of Boston.
Once there, you can get around on their old-fashioned trolley.
Best time to visit: June to September

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire
Located along the short New Hampshire shoreline, Hampton Beach is a favorite family beach. There are lots of activities in the summer. Stroll along the mile long boardwalk, get something to eat at Hampton Center, play mini golf and check out the amusement arcade. Make unforgettable memories at this pretty family beach.

Events
Children's Festival (Aug 16-20)
Fireworks display every Wednesday evening from May 30^th to Oct 9^th
10^th Annual Sand Sculpting Competition (Jun 19 - Jun 30)

How to get there
Hampton Beach is about an hour's drive from Boston, 20 minutes from Newburyport, Ma and Portsmouth, NH. Get there early to find a parking space!
Best time to visit: June to September

Coligny Beach, Hilton Head, South Carolina
Hilton Head is truly a family vacation paradise. Located off the southernmost tip of South Carolina, the sneaker-shaped island is a haven for golfing, biking, tennis and kayaking. Meticulously developed into communities called "plantations," Hilton Head offers a wide array of hotel, timeshare and housing developments, great restaurants and miles of bike paths. Despite 12 miles of sandy beaches, there are only four main entrances for the general public. However, you can bike or take a shuttle to one of many of the well-maintained beaches around the island.

One popular beach is Coligny Beach at South Forest Beach Drive. Amenities include clean restrooms, outdoor showers, water fountains, shops and restaurants. At low tide, you can often see pods of dolphins close to the shoreline as they feed on trapped fish.

Best time to visit: April to October, with July and August the hottest times of the year

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
With 60 miles of sandy beaches, over 100 golf courses, a great number of amusement and water parks, miniature golf, arcades, IMAX 3-D theater, and watersports from kayaking to parasailing, is it any wonder that Myrtle Beach is America's favorite family vacation destination? Every summer, families flock here to enjoy all the attractions the Grand Strand has to offer. Shimmering soft white sand on wide extensive beaches are of course the main attraction, inviting families to swim, surf and sunbathe. Anglers of all ages are invited to participate ithe Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo Competition, which runs from April 1^st to October 31^st.
Events:Sun Fun Festival (Jun 4-5)

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
Voted one of the top ten beaches in America in 2008, this Florida state park is an excellent place to bring your family. Located in quiet Key Biscayne, it is a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of Miami. The park has over a mile of beach for walking and swimming. Visitors can also picnic, bike, kayak and fish. The park has a lighthouse; you can climb the 109 steps to the top to catch a breathtaking view of Miami and Key Biscayne. Tours to the Lighthouse are free Thursday through Monday. There are a couple of restaurants on site offering authentic Cuban cuisine and fresh seafood. Walk over to No Name Key to see boats all waiting for good weather to cross to the Bahamas.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
1200 S. Crandon Blvd
Key Biscayne
Best time to visit: All year round

Fort De Soto Park, Tierra Verde, Florida
Pristine soft white sand that stretches for miles in a tranquil setting is the signature of this county park. At low tide, you can walk out quite a ways and scoop up some beautiful sand dollars and shells. There are two fishing piers, both with food and bait concession, souvenir shop and snack bar, pavilions with picnic tables and BBQ grills, nature and canoe trails, an old fort, a campground and a boat ramp, and plenty of parking and restrooms throughout the park. You can rent kayaks and bicycles on site. Fort De Soto is a popular site for weddings, family reunions, and company picnics. It was voted the nation's #1 beach in 2005.

Events: Guided Nature Walk every weekend
Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S
Tierra Verde, Florida
Fort De Soto is a half hour's drive (14 miles) from St Petersburg, Florida, about 50 minutes (37 miles) from Tampa, Florida, and about 2 hours (120 miles) from Orlando, Florida.
Best time to visit: All year round

St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida
The Florida panhandle is renowned for its sugar white sand beaches and emerald green waters. If you are looking to get away from civilization, and you love nature and wildlife, head over to St. Andrews State Park. With two and a half miles of beautiful sandy beaches, swimming, snorkeling, shelling and surfing are popular activities here. Walk the trails to catch a glimpse of a host of birds and other wildlife, including alligators and white tail deer. There are pavilions with picnic tables, a full facility camping site and a visitor center.

St. Andrews State Park
4607 State Park Lane
Panama City, Florida 32408
Best time to visit: March to September

Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
Just over the bridge from San Diego is the peninsula of Coronado. Victorian homes and bungalows lining Ocean Boulevard and the centerpiece of town, the Hotel Del Coronado resort, simply exudes small-town charm. The expansive and beautiful Coronado Beach is great for flying kites, playing frisbee or volleyball, swimming, surfing, sand sculpting, tide pooling and for watching the sunset. From December to February, you can even watch whales as they make their migration south. The calm, fairly warm water with mild tides makes this beach a family favorite.

You can get to Coronado via ferry or car from downtown San Diego

Sources:
http://www.visitmaine.com/region/beaches/
http://hamptonbeach.org/
http://www.hhisland.com/
http://www.discovermyrtlebeach.com/thingstodo.cfm
http://www.floridastateparks.org/default.cfm
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm