Hate Crowds? 12 Quiet Beaches for Labor Day Weekend

Marking the unofficial conclusion to summer, Labor Day weekend is a popular time to travel. Roughly a quarter of Americans vacation during this time, and over half choose beach or waterfront destinations. Of course, that means it can be challenging to find a stretch of sand that isn’t jam-packed. Fortunately for those who hate the crowds, it’s still possible to score a relatively quiet spot. 

Secluded beaches, barely touched by humans, still exist in the U.S., and they can be surprisingly accessible, especially if you’re willing to take a hike or hop on a boat to reach them. Some can even be accessed with just a short walk, overlooked by more popular neighbors.

From Southern California’s shores to islands off the Atlantic coast, these are the best to consider for a more peaceful Labor Day weekend. 

Kauai is an ideal choice for those who plan to extend the weekend into a longer getaway and enjoy the ultimate in relaxation. The Garden Isle is a blissfully lush paradise with a slower pace of life and beaches like Polihale that can be enjoyed without the crowds. Located on the west side of the island, an hour’s drive from popular Poipu, the last five miles of roadway is bumpy and unpaved, but easily traversed by most standard vehicles. Your reward for the effort is a vast, remote stretch of soft sands and dunes where relatively few others are around.

The water is typically calm enough for swimming this time of year, but you’ll want to be cautious of the strong currents. Otherwise, simply dip your toes in the surf, beachcomb, picnic, sunbathe, and look forward to watching a glorious sunset. 

Compared to hotspots in Malibu like Zuma and Surfrider, Lechuza Beach stays relatively uncrowded, even on holiday weekends. Access is required via a walk through a residential path as there is no dedicated parking lot. Street parking is possible near the access points off Broad Beach Road (Bunnie Lane, the West Sea Level Drive gate, and the East Sea Level Drive gate). 

Once there, you can enjoy a stroll along the half-mile stretch of sandy shore, explore tidepools at low tide, or simply spread out a towel to relax with views of picturesque rock formations and the spectacular Malibu sunsets. Surfers can join the locals by hitting the waves near the northern end of the beach. 

The Point Reyes National Seashore covers 80 miles of shoreline about an hour’s drive north of San Francisco. There are dozens of sandy beaches, most of which only get moderately busy on a holiday weekend, so you’ll have a myriad of choices here. For something more easily accessible, head to Drake’s Beach. You won’t be alone here, but it’s just a short walk from the parking lot to the sand, and there’s plenty of room to find your own space. Take a stroll along the shore beneath the dramatic sandstone cliffs, and watch for elephant seals that often lounge on the sand. 

For the adventurous seeking total tranquility, take a 5.5-mile hike along the Coast Trail to Wildcat Beach. Rugged and almost always empty, it even has a waterfall that tumbles right onto the sand.

Further north along the Del Norte Coast in Redwood National and State Parks near Crescent City, Enderts Beach requires a scenic 1.5-mile trek beneath tree tunnels and coastal bluffs. Your reward for the walk is a stunning driftwood-strewn shoreline with massive, protected tide pools. At low tide, you’ll often see starfish, anemones, and all sorts of other sea creatures. Head to the top of the bluffs for the chance to spot cetaceans, including blue whales, gray whales, and humpback whales. The waves are powerful, the currents are strong, and the water is freezing, so there’s no swimming here, but the quiet beauty of the place is unrivaled. 

Located along Oregon’s southern coast, Cape Blanco State Park is renowned for its rugged shoreline and dramatic sea stacks, including the iconic Needle. It’s also home to the state’s oldest standing lighthouse, built in 1870, a historic settler’s home, and over eight miles of scenic hiking trails, including paths leading to the beach where agates can be found. They also provide access to the Sixes River, popular for fishing. While the lighthouse does get quite a bit of foot traffic, the beach is often empty, in part due to the lack of immediate access and frequent windy conditions.

Set along Washington State’s wild and rugged coastline, Kalaloch Beach isn’t nearly as busy as nearby Ruby Beach, although the parking lots can fill quickly by late morning. Bypass popular spots like Beach 4, which gets the biggest crowds at low tide, and head to Beach 1 or Beach 2 instead. Located right off Highway 101, there is roadside pullout parking that’s often missed. You’ll simply take a short footpath through the rainforest to get to expansive, peaceful stretches of driftwood-strewn sands. 

With over five miles of beach, it’s ideal for long strolls, or you can sit on one of the large pieces of driftwood and watch for harbor seals, bald eagles, and gray whales that migrate by between May and November. Dramatic sunsets conclude many days here, and as temperatures drop, if you want to stick around, enjoy a beach bonfire. 

The remote coastal community of Matagorda sits near the mouth of the Colorado River, about two hours southwest of Houston, providing access to nearly 60 miles of sandy beach. Vehicles are allowed on 23 miles of beach east of the river for camping and exploring, but the rest is made up of vast, empty stretches, accessible only by canoe, kayak, boat, or other watercraft. Kayaks are available for rent at Matagorda Bay Nature Park, where you can paddle through the wetlands and watch for over 370 different bird species. Fishing is popular along the shore or from the two lighted piers.

Broadkill Beach offers miles of open sand and stays remarkably quiet during Labor Day weekend, compared to popular spots like Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, and Lewes. The limited parking and public access points help to keep the crowds away, making it easy to enjoy much of the shoreline all to yourself. Plus, the gentle waters of the bay provide a safe place for swimming and kayaking. Plus, bonfires are allowed, ideal for evenings spent under the stars.

Assateague Island National Seashore is home to unspoiled stretches of soft sand, dunes, and pine forests. As it’s a protected natural area with strict capacity limits and no major commercial development, the beaches feel tranquil even on a popular holiday weekend. It’s an ideal destination for slowing down and enjoying nature, including the free-roaming wild horses, descendants of domesticated horses that have been here for centuries. 

Beyond watching the horses, you can paddle in peaceful bayside coves, go crabbing and fishing, and beachcomb for shells along nearly 40 miles of shoreline. 

While the main beach in Virginia Beach will be busy over the holiday weekend, Sandbridge is tucked away just south, providing a wide, five-mile stretch of soft, uncrowded sands. By heading further south into False Cape State Park, you’ll find even more remote beachfront, accessible only by foot, bike, or tram. Popular water activities include bodyboarding and beginner-friendly surfing. Or, rent stand-up paddleboards, canoes, or kayaks and paddle through the calm, western inlets. Fishing off the public pier and hiking in nearby wildlife refuges are also possible.

One of the most undeveloped and remote coastal destinations in North Carolina, Carova is nestled at the northernmost tip of the Outer Banks. Access is only by four-wheel drive, but it keeps the crowds away, appealing to those seeking solitude and stunning natural beauty for an off-the-grid beach experience. 

There are no attractions, boardwalks, restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, or resorts at Carova, with accommodations consisting entirely of vacation rentals. Bring all your own supplies and enjoy a place ideal for connecting to nature, with just maritime forest and open shoreline. Carova is perfect for long, peaceful walks, shelling, kayaking, surf fishing, and wildlife watching. 

Cumberland Island National Seashore can only be accessed by ferry from St. Mary’s. As the ferry has a daily cap and there is no bridge, the number of visitors is strictly limited. That means you can look forward to an incredibly peaceful experience, even on Labor Day weekend. The scenic 45-minute ride will put 17 miles of undeveloped shoreline, live oak forests, and wild horses right at your doorstep. Many like to camp for a true back-to-nature experience, but there is one historic inn. Greyfield Inn is a historic mansion providing the island’s only commercial lodging. 

Enjoy strolls along the coast while searching for shark teeth, swimming, and hiking or biking the over 50 miles of trails that wind beneath oak canopies and through palmetto groves. There are no vehicles allowed on the island, which means quiet is virtually guaranteed, other than the sounds of the waves and the seabirds.