12 Best Beach Getaways For Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend is often regarded as summer’s “last hurrah.” It’s the perfect opportunity for a beach escape, but it generally requires advanced planning. That means if you haven’t already booked your accommodation (and airfare, if necessary), you won’t want to wait much longer. A wealth of destinations await, whether you’re looking for a more wild and remote stretch for spending time in nature or a beach destination with quintessential white powdery sands and lots of activities to enjoy. 

Having lived in and visited many of the nation’s coastal areas, these spots never fail to disappoint and are some one of the best Labor Day beach getaways in 2025. 

Located about 20 miles off the Southern California coast, Catalina Island is an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy some of the best snorkeling in the continental U.S., along with beautiful beaches, each of which offers its own unique charms. Some of the most popular include South Beach, Avalon and Descanso, with plenty of amenities. Shark Harbor and Emerald Bay beaches provide a more tranquil atmosphere. The water that surrounds the island is crystal clear and home to abundant marine life, with one of the highest concentrations of fish you’ll find anywhere off the California coast. Those who prefer not to get wet can join glass-bottom boat tours to explore the underwater world. 

Hiking, biking, golfing, walking food tours and a wealth of shopping, dining and nightlife opportunities are all available here too. For something unique, take a tour of the bison, descendants of a movie set herd that were left behind in the 1920s.

Located only about 35 miles north of Jacksonville, easily accessed by one of two bridges, Amelia Island is home to 13 miles of pristine sandy beaches. From Boneyard Beach with its sun-bleached driftwood to secluded stretches in Fort Clinch State Park, and Main Beach, for the quintessential “day at the beach” experience with a wide range of facilities, there’s something for everyone here. Horseback riding tours along the sand at sunset are popular along with everything from sailing to cycling and golfing.

The town of Fernandina Beach boasts an especially appealing historic district with an impressive mix of architecture, including Victorian, Gothic, Italianate and Queen Anne. Many of the buildings are home to quirky boutiques, art galleries and eateries featuring fresh, local seafood. 

The town of Orange Beach is renowned for some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, with nine miles of sand that glistens under the frequent sunshine, as it’s primarily made up of quartz. With the water it edges bluer than blue, the contrast creates a stunning scene. Fill your Instagram feed, sculpt a perfect sandcastle, or join a dolphin cruise. There are so many here, sightings are guaranteed with Dolphin Cruises Aboard the Cold Mil Fleet. In fact, the animals enjoy playing in the wakes of the boats. 

If fishing is your thing, Orange Beach is one of the best destinations for deep-sea fishing, home to the largest artificial fishing reef in the country. You can fish right from the pier, book a fishing charter, or rent a boat and head out on your own. Labor Day weekend also brings the Labor Day Art Walk and many of the bars and restaurants will be hosting special events too.

Padres Island National Seashore spans roughly 70 miles along the Gulf Coast as the world’s longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island. There are no roads, just unspoiled white sands. It’s the perfect place for those who want to be immersed in nature with camping the only option for accommodation here. Instead of fancy resorts, take advantage of the opportunity to beachcomb, build sandcastles, swim, surf, fish and more. Seashell collectors will find prime shelling territory at both Little Shell and Big Shell beaches, including coquinas, cockles and quahogs. Birding enthusiasts can watch for 360 different species too. 

Couples seeking a romantic beach getaway might want to consider Mackinac Island. The beaches here have smooth, flat stones rather than sand but the water tends to be strikingly clear, providing spectacular views and great opportunities for swimming or just relaxing by the water, perhaps occasionally skipping stones. The entire island is virtually car-free, providing a tranquil setting while the downtown area boasts beautiful architecture. Cycle along the coast enjoying the views and be sure to take a horse-drawn carriage ride, the most romantic way to see the sights. 

Adding to the fun over Labor Day weekend in 2025 is the jazz concert series that opens on August 29 at the famous Grand Hotel’s Theatre. The historic hotel also provides the perfect base for couples with a swimming pool and elegant dining. 

Charleston is a popular choice for those who want to enjoy a variety of activities on and off the beach. Over Labor Day weekend you can attend the annual Greater Charleston Lowcountry Jazz Festival, which features a fusion of cuisine, culture and music, including big-name musicians with this year’s line-up including contemporary jazz artists Eric Darius and Bob James. Of course, Charleston is renowned for its mouthwatering food scene, including plenty of Southern comfort fare. 

You’ll find some of the prettiest beaches on the east coast in the Charleston area too, whether you’re looking to worship the sun, kiteboard, surf, or swim. Folly Beach is only a 20-minute drive from downtown and especially ideal for swimming and shell collecting with more than 700 different types, including angel wings, coquinas, cockles and jingles. Be sure to keep an eye out for the fossilized shark teeth that occasionally wash up on the shore too. 

Only seven miles off the Cape Cod coast, the island of Martha’s Vineyard hosts the Annual Labor Day Artisans Festival which showcases the works of island artists, including fine art, ceramics, jewelry, furniture, clothing and more. It’s even possible to watch the artisans at work, creating masterpieces like scarves using the wool harvested from their own sheep. 

Of course, there are picturesque beaches on Martha’s Vineyard too like Menemsha in the tiny fishing village of Menemsha with its colorful seafood shacks, and Joseph Sylvia State Beach, shared by the towns of Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, known for its calm waters for wading or swimming. A few of the other notable spots include East Beach along the eastern shore of Chappaquiddick known for its outstanding birdwatching while typically providing a more peaceful experience. Long Point Beach is a great spot for water sports, including stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, with tours available. 

Cumberland Island is easily accessed by a 45-minute ferry ride, departing from the visitor center in St. Mary’s, located less than an hour’s drive north of Jacksonville, Florida along the coast of Georgia. Once here you’ll discover miles and miles of unspoiled white sands and opportunities for swimming with the water providing sweet relief from late summer’s heat. Watch for the wild horses, hike or bike the numerous trails and look for seashells. 

There are countless treasures waiting to be discovered on this island too, including sand dollars, heart cockles, coquinas, moon snails and even shark’s teeth. Interested in history? Take a guided tour like the Lands and Leagues Tour for insight into the island’s intriguing past and landmarks like the ruins of a Gilded Age mansion built by Carnegie robber barons.

In Northern California, just 30 miles south of San Francisco, the seaside town of Half Moon Bay offers wide sandy beaches that are popular for everything from surfing and bodyboarding to fishing and sunbathing. Horseback riding, biking the paved path running alongside the bluffs and whale watching are all possible too. Plus, there are tasty cold brews to be found at Half Moon Bay Brewery and lots of fresh seafood at restaurants throughout the area, like Sam’s Chowderhouse at Pillar Point Harbor. 

For even more fun, Labor Day weekend is when the annual Kings Mountain Art Fair takes place, featuring local musicians, artists and vendors. 

There’s a ton of fun to be had in Seaside, including nearly two miles of soft sands and a promenade that runs right alongside it, providing everything from opportunities for scenic strolls, bike rides, sandcastle building, kite-flying and more. It’s not the best for swimming because of its powerful waves, but it feels great just to dip your toes in the chilly water on a warm day. Just south is the Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site with scenic hiking trails, and in town, you’ll find numerous attractions, including arcade games and an aquarium with harbor seals. 

As any great beach town offers, you’ll find plenty of fresh seafood here, from halibut fish ‘n chips and chowders to Dungeness crab (I highly recommend family-owned Bell Buoy, here since 1946). 

Pensacola is one of the best beach destinations in the Florida panhandle. It the perfect place to spend your days soaking up the sun and swimming, with soft, powdery sands and shallow water ranging in shades from emerald to turquoise and royal blue. The snorkeling is outstanding with lots to see among the reef from angelfish and parrotfish to octopi and stingrays. Afterward, enjoy the Pensacola Beach Pier where you can catch a colorful sunset and dine at one of the multiple restaurants serving fresh fish and seafood.

Olympic National Park is vast, spread over 922,650 acres in a remote corner of the Pacific Northwest. It offers everything from a wild coastline to pristine rainforest and mountains. Kalaloch Beach is the perfect place to base yourself for a Labor Day beach getaway, with a variety of accommodation options from cabins at Kalaloch Lodge to an RV park and campground. The beachcombing is fantastic here with gnarled driftwood and even the chance to find treasures like Japanese glass fishing floats and fossils. Tidepooling is popular with colorful starfish, hermit crabs, anemones and more. Keep an eye out for other marine life too, including sea lions, seals, dolphins and whales. 

When you’re in the mood for a break from the sand, head inland to enjoy the miles and miles of hiking trails bringing views of everything from cascading waterfalls to ancient moss-draped trees, deer and mountain goats.