The Best Beaches for Your Summer Vacation

With summer so close and school almost out, it's the perfect time to think about taking that much-needed vacation with the family. Whether you travel during early March or you can't get away until late September, the beach is still the place to be. That's why I've selected some of the best family beaches in the US.

Virginia Beach (Virginia) is known as "Heritage by the Sea." It's one of the most famous beaches on the Eastern Seaboard.

It has outdoor activities, wellness, fishing, golf, kid's activities, shopping, and more. Virginia Beach has three beaches: the Chesapeake Bay; Resort Area; and the Sandbridge. Hotel accommodations are available on North Beach; Beach Street; South Beach; the Chesapeake Bay Area; and the Inland or Town Center Areas. Upcoming events include the Shamrock Marathon 2009, March 21-22; the Stars and Stripes Explosion on July 4; and the East Coast Surfing Championships, at the Oceanfront, August 23-27. From the west, take I-64, US-460 or US-58. From the north and south, take I-85 or I-95, US-17, or US-13 (crossing the world-famous Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel). For more information, call (800) VA BEACH.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is known as "America's Beach." Comprised of several beaches, this community is filled with stretches of sand bar islands and lots of American history. Beaches include Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo, Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Hatteras, Frisco, and Ocracoke.

All beaches include camping, golfing, fishing, wildlife, boating, diving, wind surfing, surfing, and biking. Check out Wild Horse Safari, Segs-On the Beach, or Kayak Corolla, all part of the Outer Banks #1 Family Eco-Tours. Visit the 414-acre Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head; see Roanoke Island, in search of the Lost Colony, in Manteo; check out the Cape Hatteras National Seashore or the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse; fish at the Outer Banks; departing, by ferry, for Ocracoke Island; or visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic, where more than 2,000 ships sank, near Rodanthe; or visit the Wright Brothers Memorial at Kill Devil Hills.

Upcoming events include the Kitty Hawk Kites Fly into Spring, March 25-26 at the Jockey's Ridge State Park, in Kitty Hawk. Individual cottages are available in Avon, Duck, and Kill Devil Hills. Bed & Breakfast accommodations are available in Avon, Buxton, Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Nags Head, Ocracoke, and Wanchese. Click on http://www.outerbeaches.com/OuterBanks/Directions/ns for directions. For more information, call (877) 629-4386.

Pismo Beach, Long Beach, and Newport Beach (California) California has many beaches but these three beaches are special because their family-oriented atmosphere is sure to bring your clan together for some serious fun near the Pacific Ocean.

All beaches have beach swings, slides, and playgrounds. Nearby activities include Disneyland, Legoland, the Balboa Bay Club, and more. Known as "the clam capital of the world," Pismo Beach has horseback riding; biking; pet friendly beaches; bowling; tennis; and an old-fashioned 1200-foot pier. It is located south of San Luis Obispo on US-101.

Mother's Beach at Marine Park, Long Beach, has a four-acre Marine Park with volley ball courts, a play area, and picnic sites. Marine Stadium has water skiing and boat racing events. It has a sand beach, rest rooms, picnicking, and ample parking. Take Marina Green Park off Shoreline Drive, continue to Bluff Park at the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue or proceed on Ocean Boulevard towards the peninsula.

Located in Orange County, Newport Beach has two beaches. It has a sports museum, a Ferris wheel, Fashion Island, and more. Activities include surfing, volley ball, and bike paths. Facilities include a pier, lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and fire pits. Municipal beach is located west of Balboa Avenue, south of 61st and North of Island Avenue. Santa Ana River County Beach is located at Seashore Drive between Summit and 61st streets. Lodging accommodations range from affordable to luxury. For more information, call (800) 94 COAST.

St. Petersburg/Clearwater Beach and Sanibel Island & Captiva Island (Florida) These beaches provide the entire family with an ultimate vacation experience. With a humid subtropical climate, the temperature is just right for beach weather, with the rainy season occurring from June to September.

Inside the Pier building at St. Petersburg Beach, there are Aquarium, shops, restaurants, and live music. At Clearwater Beach, Pier 60 has a large playground, a long pier, and a free daily Sunset Festival with artisans, face painting, and street performers. Take the trolley around St. Petersburg/Clearwater, between St. Petersburg and other tourist attractions. Choose from a Bed & Breakfast, a luxury resort, a hotel, an inn, or superior small lodging. For more information, call (877) 352-3224.

Sanibel Island is located on the Gulf of Mexico, off Fort Myers. With shallow beaches, it is considered one of the world's top shelling spots. Fun activities include biking, bird aviary, boating, and weekly crab races. A short bridge links Sanibel Island to Captiva Island over Blind Pass. Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa, overlooking the island, is an 80-acre resort with Kids Club for ages 5 to 12. On Capitva Island, the South Seas Island Resort, has family activities, kids club, Parrot's Arcade, kayaking, and white-sand beaches. For more information, call (239) 472-1080.

Hilton Head Island (South Carolina) is the 2nd largest Barrier Island on the East Coast. Located in the Southeastern part of South Carolina, it is about 12 miles long and 5 miles wide.

Enjoy the "Old South" as you wad through the shallow waters, feel the gentle waves, and stroll pass sand dollar-dotted shores. At Adventure Cove, challenge yourself with 36 holes of adventure golf on two Caribbean-style courses. Water activities include Adventure Cruises Shelter Cove; Dolphin Cruise-Nature Cruise; Mighty Mako Fishing Charter; and Palmetto Bay Marina. The climate is semi-tropical and activities include Dolphin watching; boating; miniature golf; biking; sailing; stunt skateboarding and rollerblading; and more. For more information, call (800) 523-3373.

Poipu Beach Park (Hawaii) is comprised of two of Poipu's most popular beaches; Poipu Beach and Brennecke Beach. Poipu Beach was named "America's Best Beach" by the Travel Channel. Brenneck Beach is famous for its easy-to-catch body boarding and body surfing waves.

This crescent-shaped beach on Kauai's sunny south shore has shallow waters, offers surfing or body-boarding lessons near a reef, and has two championship golf courses. It has year-round sunny weather, cool trade winds, white sandy beaches, and clear blue waters. Activities include downhill bicycle tours; helicopter tours; kayaking; the Koloa Heritage Trail; scuba diving; and more. Free shuttle service is available. Accommodations include Bed & Breakfast & Inns; cottages & villas; hotels; and vacation rentals. For more information, call (808) 742-7444.

Daytona Beach (Florida) is labeled "the World's Most Famous Beach." It has 23 miles of sparking Florida sand, wildlife excursions on the Halifax River, and the Marine Science Center.

In early February, NASCAR fans come to see the Daytona International Speedway to see the Daytona 500. In early March, there is Bike Week; in July, there is the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 race; and in mid-October, there is Biketoberfest. Other activities include the water park; go-kart tracks; parasailing; miniature golf; the planetarium; and more. Family attractions include Sunglow Fishing Pier; Air Florida Helicopters; Sun Splash Park; and Hawaiian Falls Golf. For more information, call (386) 255-0981.

Coronado (California) is home to the famous Hotel de Coronado and is considered one of the world's top resorts.

Coronado Central Beach runs along Ocean Boulevard. Amenities include restrooms; shower facilities; lifeguards; tide pools; fishing in front of the Hotel del Coronado; and free parking. Accessible wheelchairs are also available to the public. Other activities include beach volleyball, biking, and more. The island has 15 hotels, including three world class resorts; 1,792 hotel rooms; and 71 highly acclaimed restaurants. For more information, call (619) 522-7300.

Orient Beach State Park (Long Island, New York) is located on the tip of Long Island's North Fork. It has a 300-foot sandy stretch and its natural habitat includes a rare forest growth of blackjack oak.

Open year-round, this park has a beach, picnic tables with pavilions, a playground, recreation programs, a nature trail, hiking, biking, fishing, environmental tours, and a food concession. Swimming season opens in late June and continues to early September. Area accommodations include hotels, inns, and more. Access the beach by traveling SR 25 to North Country Road. For more information, call (613) 323-2440.

Cannon Beach (Oregon) is set against old-growth forests and the 235-foot high Haystack Rock. Located on the Pacific Northwest Coast of Oregon, Cannon Beach is surrounded by the rugged natural beauty of forests, ocean beaches, and rivers.

In 1806, Captain Clark, of Lewis & Clark, traveled south to Cannon Beach to secure needed blubber from a whale beached near the mouth of Ecola Creek. This famous beach is made up of Arcadia Beach (about 3 miles south of Cannon Beach, off Hwy 101), Indian Beach (located on the far north end of Cannon Beach), and Crescent Beach (off the beaten path). Indian Beach is a popular place for surfers and kayakers.

Amenities include fishing; golfing; museums; public swimming pools; hiking, horse, and bike trails. Upcoming events include Spring Unveiling, May 1-3; Sandcastle Day, June 13; Stormy Weather Arts Festival, November 6-8; and Haystack Holidays, November 28-December 13. For more information, call (503) 436-2623x3.

Coast Guard Beach (Massachusetts) This Cape Cod region of Massachusetts is located in the heart of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It is also where the Mayflower first sighted land on November 9, 1620, after 65 days at sea.

Coast Guard Beach is famous for its vast beaches, pounding surf, fried seafood, and ice-cream shops. Activities include body boarding, skim boarding, surfing, swimming, and walking. Amenities include a bathhouse, restrooms, showers, wheelchair ramps, lifeguards, and payphones. There is a $15 parking fee via shuttle bus at the 450-space Municipal lot. Travel 1 miles east on Doane Road, accessible via the entrance to Salt Pond Visitor Center off Route 6, then follow the brown and white signs to the beach. For more information, call (508) 487-6983.

Cape May (New Jersey) This National Historic District in southern New Jersey is famous for being one of the top birding sites in North America.

Cape May has amusement park excitement and is close to the animated boardwalk of North Wildwood. Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, top-rated seafood-centric restaurants, fishing, tours, golfing, boat cruises, whale watching, roller blading, and more. Take Route 109 South across the bridge into Cape May. For more information, call (609) 884-9525.

From the Virginia Beach, Virginia to Cape May, New Jersey, I selected beaches appropriate for the entire family. With gas prices rising and the economy in dare straits; I was able to find affordable beach communities, conveniently located next to major intersections, interstates, and highways. All beaches are appropriate for the entire family.