12 Affordable Beach Vacations in the U.S. for Summer

A beach vacation is a classic summer escape, but finding the best destinations for a budget-friendly escape can be a bit tricky. As the season is so popular, hotels, resorts, and other accommodations typically charge the highest rates of the year. Choosing the right spot can make all the difference when it comes to affordability, but you need to know where to go. 

Immediately rule out places like Malibu, Nantucket, and the Hamptons as some of the priciest beach towns in the U.S. and even the world. Fortunately, there are plenty of enticing towns across the country that are more affordable than those famous spots, from California’s Central Coast to Maine and Florida.

Located along the Emerald Coast in the Florida Panhandle, Fort Walton Beach is one of the most affordable beach destinations in the region, with accommodations typically 30 to 50% cheaper than neighboring towns like Destin. There are many cheap and free family-friendly activities, like strolling the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk, pier fishing, and of course, simply spending your days on pristine white sands lapped by emerald waters. If you want to splurge a bit on one attraction, make it the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. It offers the chance to get up close to marine mammals, watch entertaining shows, and learn more about various fish, turtles, birds, and other animals through expert chats. 

As a lesser-known beach town on Florida’s east coast, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is far more affordable than Palm Beach or Miami. Nestled between Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach, it offers the state’s classic sugary white sands and brilliant aquamarine water, along with budget-friendly accommodation, from intimate boutique hotels to beachside resorts. Postcard-perfect, the beach pavilion with its array of colorful umbrellas framed by mid-century modern architecture gives it a retro vibe. Tharming, walkable community is packed with an eclectic variety of retailers, gelato shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants.

While Gulf Shores was recently named among the country’s best beaches, it’s significantly less expensive to vacation here as compared to most of its neighbors on the Florida panhandle. Book one of the many family-friendly beachfront rentals with kitchens, and you can cut down on your dining costs too. Plus, you’ll be steps from the 32 miles of continuous sand that sparkles in the sun thanks to its nearly pure quartz composition. You won’t have to spend a thing to spend your days at beaches like Gulf Shores Main Public Beach, a hub with a wide range of amenities and easy access to shops and eateries. 

Sunbathing and swimming are free, of course, but if you have room in the budget, you can go parasailing, take a ride in a fast-speed banana boat, or rent jet skis. At nearby Gulf State Park, there are miles of coastal trails to explore and a huge fishing pier for casting a line.

Myrtle Beach has long been known as one of the country’s most affordable beach vacation destinations. Offering something for everyone, it’s the centerpiece of the “Grand Strand,” with 60 miles of continuous, sandy beach, from Little River at the North Carolina state line to Pawleys Island. That means there’s plenty of room for all the free fun while soaking up the sun and playing in the water, from shelling to swimming. There are also many outfitters offering watersports gear and tours for activities like parasailing, scuba diving, jet skiing, kayaking, and more. 

Cheap activities include taking a spin on the Ferris wheel at the Family Kingdom Amusement Park for a bird’s-eye view over the coast and playing mini-golf at one of the dozens of themed courses for a little family-friendly competition. 

Virginia Beach is slightly more expensive than Myrtle Beach, but it still offers good value, with plenty of midrange hotels and traditional vacation rentals for as cheap as $150 a night. It’s home to 35 miles of uninterrupted sandy beach, with a three-mile-long boardwalk at the center popular for pedaling and strolling, with buskers and food vendors selling cheap eats along the way. Enjoy swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and other water activities as well as typical activities on the sand like sunbathing and sandcastle building. 

One of the highlights here is “Live! On Atlantic,” an events program hosted by the city featuring festivals, concerts, and activities on the oceanfront resort area. Held from mid-June through Labor Day Weekend, it even includes performances right on the Atlantic Avenue sidewalks, including musicians, magicians, jugglers, and more. Even better? Most of it is free. 

Further north, Ocean City is one of the most affordable beach towns on the East Coast for a classic summer vacation. It’s known for its nostalgic boardwalk, 10-mile stretch of sandy beach, and an amusement park with rides like the historic Herschell-Spillman Carousel. It won’t cost you much to rent a bike and pedal around the 2.5-mile-long, more than a century-old boardwalk. Along the way, take a break to walk out over the water on the fishing pier, which offers panoramic views of the boardwalk and the opportunity to see what the anglers bring in. 

Classic vintage motels provide some of the most budget-friendly accommodation in the downtown/Boardwalk area. While they may lack luxury amenities, they provide prime beach access. It’s worth considering vacation rentals with kitchens to save money on dining out, although the least expensive are typically a few blocks from the ocean.

Cape May is a quintessential summer getaway as a Victorian-era seaside resort town with an array of soft sandy beaches like Sunset Beach. Just a short stroll from Cape May Point State Park and the Cape May Lighthouse, many come to search for its quartz crystals, known as “Cape May diamonds.” It’s also one of the best spots for sunset watching, providing a grand finale to any day at the beach. 

In town, shop the boutiques at Washington Street Mall, explore art galleries, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride along the cobblestone streets. There’s plenty of food and drink on offer, including restaurants serving fresh seafood. Many wineries, distilleries, and breweries also offer tastings, including budget-friendly flights. 

Located just south of Portland, Old Orchard Beach is ideal for budget-conscious families and beachgoers of all types. It offers seven miles of sandy beach and New England’s only beachfront amusement park: Palace Playland. Set along the boardwalk, it features the largest arcade in Maine, more than two dozen rides, including gentle rides for the little ones and heart-pounding options like the Drop Zone for thrill seekers. 

At the pier, you’ll find local shops, bars, eateries, and hotels, while down at the sand, there are beach chairs, umbrellas, paddleboards, and kayaks for rent, providing even more fun in the sun. 

South Haven, Michigan, is a top budget-friendly beach town with unspoiled freshwater coastlines minus the high ocean-resort price tags. It’s home to seven beaches along Lake Michigan, with flat, wide shorelines, while its historic South Pierhead Light sits at the west end of the South Pier. Enjoy all the usual beach activities, including building sandcastles, swimming, and kayaking, with vessels available for rent. Families with kids will appreciate the fun splash pad at South Beach, which also has lifeguards on duty during the summer and a playground.

Visit in early August, and you can catch the four-day National Blueberry Festival, which features a parade, live entertainment, and pie-eating contests. You’ll find a mix of affordable rooms at locally-run boutique hotels and chains like Wyndham. 

Moclips is one of the best-value beach towns on the coast of Washington State. Located directly north of Pacific Beach and south of the Quinault Indian Reservation, it’s ideal for a quiet and typically cooler escape far from resorts, with affordable beach cottage rentals and oceanfront lodging. Spend your time beachcombing, kite-flying, fishing in the surf, razor clamming (seasonally from October through May), or stormwatching. It’s also within easy reach of Olympic National Park for hiking trails winding alongside Lake Quinault and through the moss-draped rainforest. 

While Moclips doesn’t offer a lot when it comes to shopping and dining, you’ll find more options just a few miles south in Seabrook. 

Oxnard is more affordable than other beach towns in the area, like Pismo Beach to the north and Santa Monica to the south. It’s less touristy, with more of a residential feel, keeping prices down while offering wide, white sandy beaches without the crowds. Chains like Marriott and the Hampton Inn offer an especially good value. There are seven miles of sand, including family-friendly Oxnard Beach Park and Silver Strand Beach, a popular spot for surfing, with waves for everyone from beginners to the pros. Plus, the calm waters of the Channel Islands Harbor are ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking. 

The northern Oregon town of Seaside has been gaining attention as one of the country’s best budget-friendly beach destinations. In fact, it was covered recently at Beach.com. For those who don’t relish sizzling temperatures, it offers a milder climate, three miles of soft sand, and a beachside promenade ideal for strolling and cycling. Plus, beyond the usual activities on the beach and in the surf, there are many affordable attractions, from the Seaside Aquarium where you can feed the entertaining sea lions to the Funland Arcade. 

Accommodation includes cottage rentals with kitchens that can help you save on dining out, but there are also inexpensive chain hotels right by the beach. That said, there are plenty of cheap, tasty eats whether you want quick seafood or street-style tacos.