America’s Best Beach Towns for 2021
DESTINATION & TOURISM PATRICK CLARKE JUNE 18, 2021
Stellar Seaside Settings
The beach will always be a popular setting for summer vacationers and after a 2020 summer travel season subdued by the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers will be flocking to America’s top beach destinations in droves this time around. But which offer the best experience in 2021? WalletHub recently compared 145 oceanfront beach towns across 62 key indicators of livability, including many that apply to travel such as weather, average daily COVID-19 cases in the past week per capita, beach water quality, number and diversity of attractions, walkability, restaurants and nightlife establishments, among others. Here’s a look at some of the standouts.
Santa Barbara, California
While ranking number one for the highest housing costs is bad news for prospective residents, travelers can have a great time in Santa Barbara without breaking the bank. This top 15 beach town, also known as the American Riviera, is a must-stop for road trippers cruising California’s Pacific Coast Highway and features plenty of amazing ocean and mountain views as well as beach access, the historic Stearns Wharf and lively State Street boasting tons of bars, restaurants, shops and sites like the Old Mission.
Kailua, Hawaii
Located on the east coast of Oahu, Kailua ranks tops among the 145 beach towns that WalletHub analyzed for safety. The category takes into account factors such as violent crime rate, lifeguards per capita and average daily COVID-19 cases in the past week per capita. It’s also home to one of the best beaches in the entire country. Coastal expert Dr. Beach points out that “Kailua Beach Park is a beautiful white sand coral beach with generally small waves, making it great for swimming and kayaking.”
Sarasota, Florida
It might come as a surprise to some that Sarasota offers as many nightlife establishments per capita as marquee beach destinations like Miami and Key West but that’s just one of WalletHub’s many interesting findings. Located south of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota draws tourists eager to experience its cultural attractions and beautiful beaches like the nearby white-sand Siesta Key.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Boasting a whopping 60 miles of coastline and a wide range of attractions to suit visitors of all types, it’s no surprise to see Myrtle Beach ranks among the top beach towns for 2021, with North Myrtle Beach ranking as high as fifth. Further south, Myrtle Beach also performs well in WalletHub’s weather category, which considers metrics such as water temperature and the number of disasters.
Laguna Beach, California
Hugging the Southern California coastline between Los Angeles and San Diego is Laguna Beach, a seaside destination renowned for its laidback beaches, secluded coves and hiking trails as well as its art galleries and museums. Attracting culture seekers, surfers and travelers of all types, everyone stopping in Laguna Beach can appreciate the destination’s amazing sunsets.
Naples, Florida
Tying for the most nightlife establishments, restaurants and coffee shops per capita among the 145 beach towns up for consideration, Naples on Florida’s Gulf Coast was found to be the best beach town to live in for 2021, earning a total WalletHub score of 64.86. The popular shopping and golf destination also ranks a solid 16th for affordability, which could inspire some summer visitors to make it a permanent stop.
Lahaina, Hawaii
A former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and historic whaling village, the Maui town of Lahaina is home to one of the “Top Ten Greatest Streets,” according to the American Planning Association, in Front Street. Lahaina is also famous for its stellar climate and relentless sun, which combined with its oceanfront location make it a must-visit for travelers visiting the Aloha State in 2021.
Destin, Florida
On Florida’s often overlooked Emerald Coast is where travelers will find Destin, a hidden gem offering visitors world-class beaches and golf as well as a family-friendly boardwalk and a wide range of activities spanning both land and sea, from sandcastle lessons and fishing to snorkeling and dolphin encounters.
Santa Monica, California
Like Santa Barbara, affordability isn’t Santa Monica’s strong suit but there’s no denying this beach town’s charm. Visitors will be met miles of attractive beach, a downtown offering plenty of dining, shopping and entertainment, including the Third Street Promenade pedestrian mall and the Santa Monica Pier stretching directly out into the Pacific Ocean where you can pair thrill rides, food and drinks with some of the best views in all of the country.
By: PATRICK CLARKE JUNE 18, 2021 DESTINATION & TOURISM, TravelPulse, America’s Best Beach Towns for 2021, recovered from: https://www.travelpulse.com/gallery/destinations/americas-best-beach-towns-for-2021.html?image=4
