Budget-friendly Family Beach Vacations

Maine is an ourdoorsman's paradise 12 months a year. Whether you prefer summer or winter activities, Bar Harbor, Maine is a good place to start for budget-friendly vacations:

1. Atlantic Eyrie Lodge, Bar Harbor, Maine
www.atlanticeyrielodge.com

This sparkling clean Bed and Breakfast offers spacious accomodation with two queen-sized beds and a fold out sofa sleeper starting at just $67 a night. Additional perks are free daily breakfasts and complimentary transportation to nearby Acadia National Park. Most rooms have a sweeping Atlantic Ocean view with balcony and there is a heated pool for hot summer days. In addition, this hotel is pet friendly in select units.

Acadia National Park abounds with summer and winter activities, making any month of the year the right time to go. Some of the warmer time activities are hiking, biking and ocean kayaking, for nominal fees or free. Bar Harbor has it's own magic with the quaint little shops, historical buildings and some of the best seafood dining in the country. The kids will like Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium for gourmet-style tasty treats such as banana splits, smoothies, espresso, frappes, specialty coffes and more.
www.acadiamagic.com
www.benandbills.com

2. Oakwood Apartments, Seal Beach, Ca
www.oakwood.com/?source=9474

The stylish and spacious Oakwood Apartments are an excellent venue for vacations and corporate housing. The Seal Beach, Ca location sits on the Long Beach Marina with sweeping harbor and ocean views. These fully contained units come with kitchen, pots and pans, linens, cable TV and more. And Seal Beach Oakwood has a children's playground and BBQ parties for it's guests.

Oakwood is central to Long Beach's tourist activities, where you'll find Shoreline Village for a budget-friendly day at the marina. It houses 13 restaurants, a family spa, and the Pelican Pier for arcade games and carousel. Prices at Oakwood Seal Beach start at $83 a night and, in select units, your pets are welcome. Nearby is Alamitos Bay for swimming, sailboats, kayaks, gondolas and an endless stream of restaurants.
www.shorelinevillage.com
www.beachcalifornia.com/alamitos-bay.html

3. Bahia Resort, San Diego, Ca
www.bahiahotel.com
www.hotels.com/hotel_bahia-resort-hotel_203643_photos.html

Bahia Resort is located on action-packed Mission Bay near Sea World. This family-friendly hotel offers rooms and suites with kitchens, cooking utinsils, dining table for four, two double beds, wireless internet and a livingroom area. Onsite activities include a jr. olympic-sized pool, hydo-therapy spa, tennis court and a varied summer activities center for children.

Dining in the Cafe Bahia for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you may choose contemporary indoor seating or the heated patio for al fresco. The entrees range from simple fare like pizza and burgers to gourmet delights from their signature chefs.

Reservations may be booked directly from their website, or, for an even better deal, try Hotels.com for a bargain price of just $109. All guests at Bahia Resort may have discount admission for Seaworld and the Mission Belle Cruises. If traveling in May, check the website for their special Mother's Day Buffet for $39.95 adult, and the "Knee-High Buffet" for children at just $18.95.

4. The Beach Cottages, San Diego, Ca
www.beachcottages.com

When in San Diego and you wish to have your own private quarters on the sand, the Beach Cottages offers one and two bedroom oceanfront units with fully equiped kitchens, linens, coffee makers, pot, pans, utinsils, TV and a laundry room. Winter rates are the best deals at just $245 a night and the activities take care of themselves with miles of sandy white beach, shops, restaurants, galleries and more. Also within walking distance are boats, tennis courts, golf, and biking on the Boardwalk. For onsite free recreation, Beach Cottages provides it's guests with shuffleboard, ping pong and BBQ's.

One mile away is the family fun center Belmont Park with rollercoasters, tilt-a-wheel, bumper cars, boats, games and seaside dining. Amusement park rides are $1.00 each, or try the all-day wristband for $22.95 for riders over 50 inches, and just $15.95 for kids under that height.
www.giantdipper.com

5. Cottages of Paradise Point, Fort Myers, Fl
www.cottagesofparadisepoint.com

These brightly-colored Bahamian-styled cottages sit right on the Gulf with fantastic water views. The two bedroom units come with a sofa bed in the livingroom and comfortably sleep six. Each sparkling cottage has a fully equiped kitchen, TV, VCR, DVD player and a BBQ on your private deck. Rates start for the "Dolphin" model at just $1700 a week, which is only $283 a night.

The local attractions include parasailing, fishing, wave runners, jet ski, movie theater, bowling alley and casino boat. If you don't want to cook in your kitchen, there are over forty restaurants on the pier and beach front strip. Choose your favorites from the handy Fort Myers Beach Dining Guide to help you with menu options and pricing.
www.fort.myers.diningguide.com/dl1fb.htm