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Miami, Malibu, and Myrtle Beach seem like famous beaches in the US. But along the coast hidden spots are beautiful without big names though. These beach towns get little attention but have beaches and friendly people.
1. Siesta Key, Florida
Siesta Beach gets ranked among the best in the US and world. Fewer visitors than Miami Key West Destin and Panama City. This island in the Gulf has three beaches: Crescent Turtle and Siesta. All three have fine white sand and cool waves. In the winter, tourists from the North come down. In summer however only people actually visit the beach to relax. People shop, play golf and visit Sarasota to see galleries and museums.
Where to stay: The Inn on Siesta Key is charming and hidden. For a relaxing beach holiday it seems like a cozy haven.
2. Brewster, Massachusetts
From Yarmouth to Chatham, Cape Cod has a lot of famous beach places that are known for having a small-town feel by the water. The beaches in Brewster are calm and great for swimming all summer long, and the town itself is just as beautiful but not nearly as crowded. You can boat and fish off of many of the area’s beaches. If you’d rather do something besides water sports, you can hit the Cape Cod Rail Trail or go to The Brewster General Store or The Brewster Bookstore.
Where to stay: Ocean Edge Resort is huge with many services and fun.
3. Gulf Shores, Alabama
Visit Gulf Shores Alabama right across the line from Florida state. It has white sweet sand along with very clear water actually. You can find pretty empty beaches plus nature to explore really. Visit Gulf State Park to hike bike fish and enjoy quiet bars. Nearby Orange Beach has more night places but is still mostly quiet.
Where to stay: The Lodge offers peaceful eco-friendly stays to enjoy nature. The Lodge focuses on eco-friendly projects and teaching activities for nature lovers. It also has all the modern conveniences you could want for a relaxing beach vacation.
4. Dewey Beach, Delaware
Avoid staying at Jersey Shore basically during the summer vacations. Instead visit Dewey Beach situated on Delaware’s lovely relaxing coast. It has vibrant lively beaches for all visitors to enjoy. The Atlantic Ocean and a bay surround this easygoing surf town. Many enjoy water options like sailing, paddleboarding and surfing with lessons. From major cities Dewey Beach is just an easy drive for weekends. Enjoy breakfast at Dewey Post beers at Dewey Co and night fun.
Where to stay: The Surf Shanty Motel has been updated but still has the retro beauty of its 1970s roots. It is near the ocean and offers free bikes to riders nearby.
5. Fairfield, Connecticut
This beautiful neighborhood town is on the Long Island Sound and has five miles of beachfront land. There are both public and private beaches in Fairfield. The smooth shores are great for swimming, relaxing, and walking. Rent a sailboat and spend the sunny day simply on water. Play volleyball or roast marshmallows at their cool summer bonfires.
Where to stay: Delamar Southport is a small hotel that serves its guests with the warm welcome of New England. You can expect to be greeted with a free drink.
6. Florence, Oregon
This secret gem has miles of beaches along the Pacific Ocean and the Siuslaw River. It’s away from the crowds at Cannon Beach and Seaside. In the 40-mile-long Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, you can ride horses along the water or drive a dune car across the dunes. The Heceta Head Lighthouse is a beautiful and important place that you can reach by trail in just half a mile.
The Sea Lion Caves are the biggest sea cave in the US (over 12 stories high and as wide as a football field), and yes, you can see sea lions lying on the rocks. This is best for travelers who enjoy secret escape hideaways.
Where to stay: Driftwood Shores sits atop Heceta Beach with nice views. A short path leads to the beach. Every room faces the ocean and has either a private patio or deck where you can watch the sunset.
7. Northport, New York
Northport is a beach town on the wealthy North Shore of Long Island (think “The Great Gatsby”). This Victorian-era village of 7,000 people has a lovely downtown area with lots of unique shops like Heartichoke and Nest on Main, restaurants like Rockin’ Fish and Harbor House, and popular spots like Brew Cheese and Sand City Brewing. The town has live music and shows all year long at the John W. Engeman Theater and at its many events, which bring a lot of people to the main street.
After a day of shopping and eating, this beach town sticks out into Northport Bay, a beautiful place for boating, fishing, and water sports. The famous Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium is right across the bay and is worth a visit for its stunning views.
Where to Stay: The Northport Hotel is the newest place to reside. You can stay at The Harbor Rose Bed & Breakfast if you want to connect with history.
8. Kailua, Hawaii
While everyone else is looking for a spot to relax on the sand at Waikiki Beach, you’ll be the smart one who chose to live in Kailua on the windward side of Oahu. Lanikai Beach is actually located nearby here. It is rated beautiful but most visitors actually come from the area. Kailua Beach Park basically leads the way directly to there. There, you can have a picnic or grill just steps from the beach.
If you don’t want to make your own meal, Buzz’s Original Steakhouse is a popular choice. The sweet tiki drinks are surprisingly strong here, and Kalapana Market is a great spot to get a quick bite and a strong coffee to go.
Where to stay: One bad thing about not being well known is that there aren’t many hostel choices. So, the best thing to do in Kailua is to stay in an Airbnb or other short-term rental. Why would you want to rent someone’s house? You can kind of live like locals visiting here truly.
Final Thoughts
These towns not visited enough offer laid-back surf or historic escapes smoothly. Each place offers natural beauty and friendly people with unique charm.
