These U.S. Beaches Are Still Warm in Fall—and Way Less Crowded

The best U.S. beach town to visit in the fall is going to depend on what you’re after. Do you dream of less-crowded beaches and less beach traffic? Do you revel in those chillier walks along the beach, when the surf is rough, the wind is blowing, and the fog makes for some dramatic scenery? Or, do you just want to take advantage of shoulder season pricing so you can snag a great deal on your vacay?

Whatever the case, whatever experience you’re after, you can find a plethora of great beach towns to visit in the U.S. this fall. Here are nine favorites to consider:

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again—I love Cannon Beach, Oregon, and this beautiful beach town on the Pacific Coast gets even better when fall hits. Sure, the temps aren’t going to be quite warm enough for you to sunbathe in your smallest bikini at all hours of the day. However, if that’s not your jam and you’d rather take scenic beach walks and enjoy the potential for whale watching, then you’ll be set with this fall beach destination.

Plus, autumn is the low travel season here, so you can expect fewer crowds than what you’d get on the beach mid-summer, as well as overall lower travel costs.

Similarly, in mid-summer, Cape May can be packed! Think beach umbrellas as far as the eye can see. Yes, I do still find Cape May to be quite charming in the height of summer, but if you want the charm without the crowds, visit this quintessential Jersey beach town in the fall.

Not only are you going to enjoy relatively warm weather if you visit in early fall, but you’ll also get the potential for bird watching, thanks to the state’s spot on migratory routes. Fall is additionally the perfect time to take in some of the town’s history, via the wealth of Victorian homes and hotels—and if you’re in the Halloween mood, you’ll be glad to know that the area’s history is filled with haunts. 

Book a stay at Hotel Macomber, The Inn of Cape May, Congress Hall, the Chalfonte Hotel or the John McConnell House, all of which are purported to host multiple ghosts each. If you’re not keen on sharing your sleeping arrangements with the spirits, though, you can just head out to the Cape May Lighthouse for a tour and ghosts that will (hopefully) remain behind when you head back to your hotel room.

Newport, Rhode Island knows how to do fall right, with its beautiful scenery and fall foliage, which you’ll want to particularly soak up along the Cliff Walk. Visit the town’s Gilded Age mansions, many of which host seasonal events that are open to the public (ranging from special seasonal dinners to seances). If you’re lucky, you’ll also be able to catch the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, an annual event that takes place every fall and allows you to eat your fill of fresh East Coast seafood, while hanging out right on the wharf. (My husband and I attended this fest years ago for the first time and it’s still one of our favorites—and he doesn’t even like seafood!)

Don’t forget the beach, though. Newport’s First Beach is conveniently located adjacent to the Cliff Walk, and other options include King Park Beach, Gooseberry Beach and the Fort Adams State Park beach.

In South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is known as a family-friendly haven and a golfer’s paradise, and fall is the best time to visit if you want to combine still-warm weather with lower crowds and lower travel rates. The daytime temps here still climb into the high 70s as far into the season as November, meaning you can enjoy the beach during the afternoons, even if you might need to don a sweater at night.

In addition to lower hotel rates and airfare, some Myrtle Beach attractions likewise lower their rates during the fall, and you can find classic fall activities within an easy drive away from the beach, too, including corn mazes and pumpkin patches. Be sure to also check the area’s event calendar before your arrival. You may just be able to catch a fun fall fest—and there are plenty to choose from, like the Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down, Surfside Beach Family Festival, Little River Shrimpfest, the Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival, the Loris Bog-Off and the Irish Italian International Festival.

Travel further south and the weather just becomes even more agreeable, with fall temps stretching up to 90 degrees on South Padre Island. Additionally, even though you’re not giving up any of the great weather, you’ll still see fewer crowds on South Padre Island than you might in the summer.

The only time you might encounter some big crowds? If you plan your visit around the South Padre Island Sandcastle Days festival. However, in this case, you might find that braving the crowds for this event is well worth it. The free fest, which takes place in late September to early October each year, is free and attracts tens of thousands of spectators, who come out to watch master sand sculptors at work. In addition to the sand sculpting competition, the festival also includes family friendly activities for the kids, live music, food and vendors.

For a Florida trip, Amelia Island is a great fall vacation pick, with the lessening crowds making it easier to get out on the beach and, more generally, to just enjoy the island itself without fighting against the hordes of other travelers. You can move a little slower, relax a little deeper and otherwise have a more low-key vacay. Plus, both the air temps and the water temps remain warm enough that you should be able to swim all through the season. 

Want to try your hand at some outdoor activities like kayaking? The bugs aren’t as bad! Want to catch some fall fests or events? Amelia Island Dining Month is September, and the perfect excuse for foodies to visit, while the Island Hop Craft Beer Festival takes place in October.

As a beach lover, this destination should absolutely be on your bucket list, if you haven’t visited yet. And fall? It’s actually the sunniest season in Carmel-by-the-Sea! Additionally, fall brings fewer travelers.

Beyond just checking out Carmel Beach (which, by the way, allows beach fires, perfect for chillier fall evenings), as well as other nearby beach options like the Carmel River State Beach and the beach at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, you should also be sure to spend plenty of time enjoying Carmel-by-the-Sea’s excellent dining, drinking, shopping and arts scenes.

Key West can be notoriously pricey and notoriously crowded, but if this destination is one you’ve been itching to visit for a while, the best time to go is in the fall, when you’ll find the fewest crowds and lowest overall prices. Additionally, many travelers will appreciate that the temps are more agreeable in the fall than in the summer, as they become a little less sweltering. Plus, fall brings highlight events to Key West, including Fantasy Fest in October and the Key West World Championship in early November.

The only thing that’s important to note about visiting any fall beach destination on the East Coast or in the American South is that fall aligns with hurricane season. As such, check the long-term weather forecast before booking any trips on short notice, and for any trips that you’re booking a ways out, go ahead and purchase that trip insurance. You’ll be glad you did if you need to cancel at the last-minute due to a hurricane.

Lastly, if you’ve ever been to Cape Cod in the summer, you know to expect a fair amount of traffic. Luckily, that traffic begins to die down in the fall and you’ll enjoy both fewer crowds and lower travel rates. 

Additionally, fall is the perfect time to not only enjoy the many beaches along the cape, including the Cape Cod National Seashore, but also to explore inland, via hiking and biking (or just strolling around the super-cute little towns). Engage in some agritourism by going apple picking or taking a tour of a cranberry bog, and don’t miss events like the Wellfleet Oyster Fest. All the while, you’ll enjoy ocean water that’s still warm from the summer and tolerable heat during the day.