Best Beaches in the U.S. for Families, Backed by 20,000+ Reviews

When it comes to a family vacation, there are few destinations more appealing than the beach. A great family beach strikes a balances between stunning natural beauty with kid-friendly features. Think gentle, shallow waves perfect for splashing or soft sand ideal for building castles, searching for seashells, tossing a Frisbee or flying a kite. Having lifeguards on duty is crucial for families with kids who want to swim, and it’s handy to have access to rental gear like paddleboards. Nearby attractions (whether it’s an amusement park, a playground, or restaurants) can make your visit all the more enjoyable.

No matter what your idea of the perfect family beach vacation is, having explored many in various destinations across the country, I can practically guarantee that one of these best beaches in the U.S. for families will inspire you to book that next beach trip.

Poipu Beach is one of the best beaches in the U.S. for families, located on what’s widely regarded as the most beautiful island. Lush Kauai has an ordinance prohibiting new buildings from being taller than the tallest coconut tree, helping to maintain its striking natural beauty. Poipu lies along its southern coast in the island’s most popular resort area and has a protected cove on the left side of its sandbar, creating a natural “kiddie pool,” ideal for the little ones to safely play and swim. Plus, you can often watch the sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals that bask in the sun along the shore. 

Safe for Little Swimmers: Lifeguards on duty daily, typically from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Family Amenities: Poipu Beach Park has a playground, picnic tables, restrooms and showers, with several restaurants nearby.

How Families Rate It

As the most populated island in Hawaii, Oahu offers the widest range of attractions and activities, with the best stretches of sand for families found at Ko Olina. This series of four lagoons, each with a sandy bottom and surrounded by white-sand beaches, has calm, shallow water perfect for kids to swim and splash around. The lagoons, connected by a paved walking path, are no more than six feet at their deepest areas, and other activities like snorkeling and paddleboarding are possible too. While located at the Ko Olina hotels, you don’t have to be a guest to access them as they’re available to the public. 

Safe for Little Swimmers: No lifeguards, but the water is calm and shallow.

Family Amenities: Water sports, umbrellas and lounge chair rentals, picnic areas with BBQ pits and eateries are all available.

How Families Rate It

There’s something for everyone at Seaside Beach, including active families who can enjoy two miles of soft sands for kite flying, Frisbee tossing, sandcastle building, searching for sand dollars and much more. There’s a 1.5-mile promenade that runs alongside it, perfect for a ride with a wide range of bike rentals available, including e-bikes, surreys, cruisers, tandems and kids’ bikes. Don’t miss the chance to feed the harbor seals at the Seaside Aquarium right along the promenade. They’ve even taught themselves how to perform tricks in hopes you’ll toss one their way. 

Safe for Little Swimmers: Staffed lifeguard tower from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.

Family Amenities: Parking and public restrooms at the 12th Avenue Beach Entrance; many restaurants and an arcade nearby.

How Families Rate It

The beach at the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is officially called Santa Cruz Main Beach, but growing up in the area, we just called it the Boardwalk Beach. In the summer, expect the long stretch of sand to be packed with sunbathers, volleyballers, boogie boarders and all sorts of other beachgoers. It’s an ideal place to wade in the waves or bodysurf in between relaxing beneath an umbrella (although you’ll need to bring your own). Plus, the amusement park is packed with rides like rollercoasters and options for the little ones like a Merry-Go-Round and Boardwalk Racers with buggies that have a horn to honk while cruising the track.

Safe for Little Swimmers: Lifeguards typically on duty from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends during the spring and fall. 

Family Amenities: Multiple paid parking lots, shops and eateries nearby, plus public restrooms along the beach.

How Families Rate It

Offering a vast expanse of soft, golden sands that span 3.5 miles, Santa Monica State Beach is one of the most family-friendly in the Los Angeles area. It offers just about everything beachgoers of all types could ever need, with opportunities to swim, paddleboard, build sandcastles and more. Plus, the Annenberg Community Beach House has a splash pad and swimming pool, while the famous Santa Monica Pier is home to an aquarium and Pacific Park with a Ferris wheel, roller coasters and other rides. There are several parks with playgrounds and you can even rent lounge chairs that come with waiter service. Or simply toss down a beach blanket and hang out for the day. 

Safe for Little Swimmers: Lifeguards on duty year-round, generally from sunrise to sunset.

Family Amenities: Parking lots and street parking nearby; aquarium, pool, shops and restaurants within a short walk.

How Families Rate It

Coronado Beach is legendary, located on Coronado Island near downtown San Diego, surrounded by San Diego Bay and the Pacific. It’s linked to the mainland by the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and the Silver Strand (a sandy strip of land). The beach is known for sparkling under the sunny skies as the sand contains the mineral mica. It’s popular for beachcombing with lots of seashells to find, building sandcastles, sunbathing, surfing and swimming. The waves are gentle, making it ideal for children to play. At low tide they can search for colorful starfish, sea anemones and hermit crabs in the tidepools. 

Safe for Little Swimmers: Lifeguards are staffed year-round at the permanent lifeguard station, while additional lifeguards are staffed in seasonal towers in the summer.

Family Amenities: Free parking along Ocean Boulevard; showers, restrooms and picnic areas nearby.

How Families Rate It

Who says a beach vacation has to involve the ocean? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore along Lake Michigan offers spectacular dunes that kids (and adults) can climb for an incredible view and then roll or run down. While there are many different options to choose from, Good Harbor Beach has a low slope and gentle waves with shallow, warm water in the summer that’s ideal for the younger ones. It’s also popular for sandcastle building, sunbathing, and strolling. Plus, you can enjoy sunset bonfires at the end of the day. 

Safe for Little Swimmers: Shallow water for kids to safely splash around.

Family Amenities: Parking areas, roadside parking, pit toilets and potable water available; the Dune Center nearby has full bathrooms, vending machines, and a store.

How Families Rate It

Perfect for families, Hampton Beach not only has a wide shore with soft, white sand, but a lively boardwalk lined with ice cream shops, pizzerias and other food stalls, souvenir stores and arcades. The beach itself is an over 1.3-mile stretch ideal for sunbathing, sandcastle building and swimming. It’s generally considered suitable for kids who want to swim, especially at the Main Beach area which has consistently good water quality. There are also areas with tide pools that children often enjoy exploring. Plus, free nightly entertainment is hosted on the Seashell Stage, including Monday Night Movies, live music and weekly fireworks.

Safe for Little Swimmers: Lifeguards are on duty 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily from mid-June through Labor Day weekend, with weekend coverage during the first half of June and September.

Family Amenities: Paid lots and metered parking, restrooms, snacks and restaurants available nearby.

How Families Rate It

Cape May has been called the country’s original seaside resort getaway for generations. Of the stretch of boardwalks and beaches the Jersey Cape is known for, The Cove at the very end of the Promenade is often considered the best for families due to its wide expanse of soft sands and gentle slope. There’s a short and easy entrance to the shallow waters, especially at low tide. The pools that form are ideal for those who are hesitant to swim in the ocean. It’s also possible to take a walk to a lighthouse and search for shells that wash up near the jetty. 

Safe for Little Swimmers: Lifeguards on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, typically from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Family Amenities: Metered street parking; beach equipment rentals and food options nearby with restrooms situated every half-mile along the promenade.  

How Families Rate It

Also known as Crescent Beach, Fred Benson can be reached with just a short ferry ride to Block Island from the mainland. It’s been named “Best Beach for Families” by Coastal Living as it offers everything parents and kids could want, from ice cream to a wide, white sandy beach with gentle surf. It’s ideal for sunbathing, beach games and swimming, while scenic trails nearby are ideal for exploring nature on foot or two wheels. Boogie boards, umbrellas and beach chairs are available to rent too.

Safe for Little Swimmers: Lifeguards on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, typically from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Family Amenities: Small parking area plus roadside parking nearby along with beach equipment rentals, various food options and restrooms situated every half-mile along the promenade.  

How Families Rate It

Ocean City has been a favorite among families for generations, with wide sandy beaches, a boardwalk, and amusement park rides. The main beach is simply called Ocean City Beach, spanning 10 miles with plenty of space for all types of beach fun and relaxation from sunbathing to swimming, surfing and sandcastle building. If you want to fly a kite and don’t have your own, pick one up at the Kite Loft on the boardwalk nearby. The boardwalk also offers places to rent a bike, or even a surrey so you can pedal with the whole family. There are arcades with games, quirky shops selling souvenirs and all sorts of eateries too. Of course, the kids will probably want to enjoy the classic rides and games at Jolly Roger Amusements.

Safe for Little Swimmers: Lifeguards (called Surf Rescue Technicians here) are on duty from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily during the summer patrols; permanent lifeguard stations are staffed year-round from 9 a.m. to dusk.

Family Amenities: Ample free parking with numerous public restrooms and rinse stations available throughout the beach and boardwalk.

How Families Rate It

Offering 35 miles of sandy beach along the Atlantic Ocean with three miles of boardwalk, Virginia Beach is a prime destination for a family summer vacation. There are two fantastic beach playgrounds right at the beach with a variety of fun equipment, including Grommet Island Park on 2nd Street along the oceanfront. Enjoy the usual beach activities on the sand and perhaps rent bicycles from one of multiple outfitters to explore the boardwalk, lined with nearly endless shops and eateries. You’ll want to stop to take advantage of the photo-op in front of the 34-foot-tall Neptune statue at Neptune’s Park. Fishing, parasailing, kayaking and dolphin-watching boat tours are just a few of the other activities available. 

Safe for Little Swimmers: Lifeguard patrols and permanent lifeguard stations staffed year-round from 9 a.m. to dusk.

Family Amenities: Paid parking lots and garages nearby, with many family-friendly restaurants on the boardwalk and Mission Boulevard.

How Families Rate It

Surfside Beach is just nine miles south of the more well-known Myrtle Beach, a hub for the 60-mile span of beaches known as the Grand Strand. Stretching for two miles, it’s been called the “family beach” with its pristine sands that are cleaned daily while offering a laid-back atmosphere and gradual slope down to the water with gentle waves for swimming. Older kids, teens, and adults can enjoy thrilling banana boat rides or parasailing.  The Surfside Pier is popular for fishing, and there are several eateries nearby serving fresh seafood and more. Plus, there are multiple waterparks nearby and stand-up paddleboarding is possible on the Intracoastal Waterway. 

Safe for Little Swimmers: Lifeguards on duty daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from mid-May through mid-September 

Family Amenities: Parking lots and metered street parking available; public restrooms, foot showers, and full showers at beach access points.

How Families Rate It

Clearwater Beach offers sugary white sands and calm, shallow waters that are ideal for families with younger children. Plus, there is a wide range of activities and attractions, from dolphin watching tours to a pirate-themed boat, an aquarium and Pier 60, which has a large playground, restaurants and nightly entertainment. Many different types of watersports are possible, including SUP, kayaking, jet skiing and parasailing with an aerial view of the stunning shoreline and turquoise Gulf waters.

Safe for Little Swimmers: Lifeguards on duty daily year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; lifeguard towers staffed seasonally. 

Family Amenities: Public restrooms and foot rinse stations along the beach; playground and multiple eateries on Pier 60; public and private parking lots and garages nearby.

How Families Rate It

Process: To evaluate how well these beaches serve families in the “How Families Rate It” section using data science, we used a multi-phase, sentiment-aware text mining approach. Our process combines large-scale qualitative data collection with structured thematic classifications, lexicon-based sentiment scoring, and weighted synthesis to surface dominant themes and emotional patterns across representative experiences for these beaches.

Extraction: We extracted every review on Google Maps for each of these beaches to ensure our dataset captured contemporary visitor experiences. A total of 19,964 reviews were collected.

Family Reviews: We then compiled a custom lexicon of over 80 family-relevant keywords and phrases, which were manually grouped into high-level themes such as “amenities,” “safety,” and “cleanliness.” To ensure we captured all family-relevant phrases correctly, we used a reverse-ordered, regex-escaped regular expression pattern. A list of matching keywords with corresponding themes was extracted, allowing us to conduct multi-label thematic tagging.

Sentiment: For sentiment classification, we used VADER (Valence Aware Dictionary for Sentiment Reasoning), scoring each review into positive, negative, and neutral polarity. This allowed us to map thematic sentiments across the corpus by attributing the review’s sentiment classification to its corresponding theme.

Quality Control: We then filtered the dataset to only include reviews containing at least one matched family-relevant keyword. To identify high-quality reviews, we used a heuristic quality gate, allowing only reviews with at least 12 words through. A total of 7,782 reviews across these beaches were included in this filtered dataset.

Qualitative Synthesis: We then computed keyword-weighted relevance scores for the remaining reviews. Keyword frequency was our base metric with a layer of adjustment based on sentiment polarity to surface the reviews that contain the most dominant, widely held emotional themes. These reviews were deemed to be the most representative samples for each beach. This theme-sentiment matrix was used to create short-form, auto-generated narrative commentary summarizing each beach’s family-relevant reputation, as reflected by reviewer emotions. A master summary was created that includes all derived metrics, enabling a multidimensional comparison of family-friendliness across these beaches.