Kid-Friendly Beaches

Taking the kids to the beach can be a hit or miss proposition.  Some of the more scenic beaches along the Pacific Coast are too dangerous to swim in.  Some of the sandy spots in Florida are too crowded or too much of a singles scene to be considered family friendly. 

Here are some of the nations most family-friendly seaside spots. 

San Diego probably has the highest concentration of family friendly beaches on the West Coast.  Oceanside Beach has sparsely populated stretches and is a good place for swimming and family fun in the sand. Del Mar Beach, near the famed Torrey Pines golf course, is another family friendly spot that is also a favorite of surfers. 

Florida’s Vero Beach has plenty of family oriented hotels and lodgings and endless stretches of sand.  Parents will feel quite comfortable bringing younger kids to the area’s restaurants. 

The Lake Erie Islands, near Sandusky, Ohio, boast an amusement park, fishing and ferry rides on the lake.  Parents might also enjoy exploring all that the numerous islands have to offer.

Newport, Oregon is a good place for families who love to romp around in nature.  The picturesque shoreline includes spruce forests, tide-pools and animals.  The occasional Gray Whale can be spotted offshore.

South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island Beach has something for everyone.  Golf and seafood will delight moms and dads while dolphin watching tours and endless stretches of sandy beaches are just what the kids ordered.

Stewart Beach in Galveston, Texas boasts family-oriented concerts, sand castle competitions, a beach park and restaurants where parents can feel at easy with even the rowdiest of kids.