Best Family Beaches
Family-friendly beaches have something for all ages. Whether it’s gentle surf that is perfect for swimming, miles of soft sand great for walking and sandcastle building or opportunities for learning and entertainment, the best family-friendly beaches allow all family members to go home happy.
While the East Coast’s Atlantic waters and the Northwest’s Pacific waters are sometimes too cold for enjoyable swimming, they offer a variety of other fun activities for beachgoers. For example, New Jersey’s Cape May has a beautiful beach as well as quaint, tree-lined streets filled with ice cream shops, restaurants and boutique hotels, and there’s a nearby amusement park to explore. In the Northwest, Cannon Beach near Portland, Oregon has a wide beach that lends itself to kite flying, tide pool exploring and fun sandcastle creating.
If you’re looking for beaches with slightly warmer waters for your family, we’d recommend Southern California’s beaches. Coronado Island in San Diego has a beautiful, wide beach set framed by the Victorian Hotel Del Coronado. The beach is a popular spot for surfing, boogie boarding and bike riding, and the island’s cute shops are fun to explore for everyone. Southern California waters aren’t warm year-round, though. If you’re looking to travel to warm waters in the middle of winter, we’d suggest beaches in Florida and Hawaii, both of which have bathwater temperature oceans even in the middle of January!
California Family Beaches
No matter what type of family-friendly activity you’re looking for, California’s beaches have it. While the Northern waters are usually too cold for enjoyable swimming, San Franciso-area beaches are in close proximity to the city, which offers a host of enjoyable activities for the family. Picnics, campfires and ocean-life learning activities are just some of the family-friendly beach activities which can be enjoyed in Northern California.
Southern California beaches are famous for their wide expanses of sand perfect for sunbathing and people watching, and the warmer waters are great for swimming, snorkeling and surfing. Many of the beaches in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas have concrete or wooden boardwalks lined with shops and amusement park rides which are fun for kids and adults alike. Some of the most luxurious hotels can also be found here, most of which offer kid-friendly activities so that parents can enjoy an afternoon on their own. Find out California kid friendly beach hotels here.
Best Family Friendly Beaches in California
Florida Family Beaches
There is no shortage of activities for families on Florida’s beaches. Whether you’re looking for snorkeling, water sports, top-notch hotels, shopping or shell collecting, chances are Florida has just the beach you’re looking for.
Florida is famous for its sunny weather and clear, warm waters which are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. On Daytona Beach, kids and adults can take eco-education excursions on the Halifax River, where fun and learning can be had all in one afternoon. Sanibel Island has beautiful, soft white sand and shallow water that’s great for small kids to splash around in, and adults can enjoy the golf and shopping, which are only steps away.
Florida’s beaches also offer a wide variety of upscale hotels and resorts which have activities for all ages, from swimming lessons to pampered afternoons at the day spa. Many hotels offer baby sitting services so that parents can enjoy and evening or afternoon alone as well.
Best Family Beaches in Florida
Hawaii Family Beaches
Hawaii’s beaches are world-renowned for their pristine, romantic landscapes and fun water activities. Many of the beaches are wonderful family retreats as well. An impressive array of underwater life means great snorkeling and diving opportunities for kids and adults, and luxurious hotels which offer day spas and day care services cater to adults who’d like a day to themselves while the tykes stay entertained.
Poipu Beach Park on Kauai has a shallow cove which allows young chidren to explore and splash around, and older kids can enjoy an afternoon of surfing and body boarding lessons at the lifeguard protected beach. Nearby championship golf courses and snorkeling activities can entertain mom and dad as well.
Oahu has over 100 miles of beaches, and the South Shore is especially attractive to families. Bath-water temperature oceans, picnic areas and amenity-laden five star resorts mean fun for everyone.
