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What attractions can visitors find on beach boardwalks?
- Many beaches offer bustling boardwalks with amusement rides, museums, ice cream parlors, and candy shoppes, along with opportunities for water and beach sports for the entire family to enjoy.
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What special events do some beaches host?
- Some beaches host annual kite festivals, sandcastle competitions, or family beach sport challenges, offering fun and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages.
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Do beaches offer educational programs?
- Yes! Many beaches provide educational programming, leading families on guided nature hikes or teaching visitors about local marine life and coastal ecosystems.
Orange Beach, Alabama
Relax on sugar-white sands and enjoy exciting water activities.
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Where is Orange Beach located?
- Orange Beach is a popular hub for watersports along Alabama's Gulf Coast, located conveniently between Mobile and Pensacola, Florida.
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What makes Orange Beach special?
- The beachfront city, which overlooks beautiful Mobile and Perdido Bays, is home to the Gulf's second-longest pier and is a great choice for families looking for a beach getaway.
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What entertainment options are available at Orange Beach?
- The Wharf entertainment complex offers a laser tag arena, a mini golf course, and one of the Southeast's tallest Ferris wheels, while the nearby Park at OWA boasts high-thrill rides and roller coasters.
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What family-friendly attractions are there?
- Families will also love the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, popularized as the "Little Zoo That Could" by Animal Planet.
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What activities can families enjoy at Orange Beach?
- Kid-friendly dolphin and fishing charters are offered by excursion companies, with fun pirate-themed cruises available for the entire family.
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What are the beach conditions like at Orange Beach?
- 32 miles of pristine white sand beaches won't disappoint, with lifeguards on duty to watch over young ones between March and September.
Coronado Municipal Beach, San Diego, California
Walk along soft sands and admire the iconic Hotel del Coronado.
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What is Coronado Municipal Beach?
- Coronado Municipal Beach has been ranked as America's best beach by the popular annual survey by "Dr. Beach," ranking the nation's public beachfronts by a combined scale of environmental quality and visitor amenities.
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What makes Coronado Municipal Beach unique?
- The spectacular San Diego beach, which showcases unique glittering sand due to the presence of mica, is home to four separate beachfront areas, including Centennial Park, Coronado City Beach, Glorietta Bay Park, and Tidelands Park.
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Is Coronado Municipal Beach safe for families?
- All beachfront areas are safe for young ones to play at, with calm tide pools located near the historic Hotel del Coronado, constructed in 1888 as one of the American West's most impressive 19th-century resorts.
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What activities can visitors enjoy at Coronado Municipal Beach?
- Volleyball courts abound for visitor use, with ideal weather conditions for kite flying and skimboarding year-round.
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What nearby attractions are available?
- The nearby Moo Time Creamery is a popular spot for frozen treats, while fire pits along the beach's northern end make for great s'mores roasting sites.
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Where is Coronado Municipal Beach located?
- Map
- Strand Way, Coronado, CA 92118, Phone: 619-552-7300
East Beach, Santa Barbara, California
Play beach volleyball and enjoy stunning ocean views.
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What is East Beach?
- East Beach is a world-famous volleyball beach in Santa Barbara, flanked by some of the city's most beautiful and luxurious resorts.
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How is East Beach separated from West Beach?
- The beach, which is separated from nearby West Beach by the bustling Stearns Wharf, offers ideal amenities for a family day outside, including children's play areas, rollerblading paths, and lifeguards staffed on duty daily during the summer months.
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What watersports are available at East Beach?
- Kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and sailing are popular watersports, with rentals available through East Beach Rentals.
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What activities can families enjoy at Stearns Wharf?
- A plethora of family-friendly activities are offered at Stearns Wharf, including the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History's Sea Center, which offers a 1,500-gallon tide pool and a shark touch tank.
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What treats can kids enjoy near East Beach?
- Afterwards, kids can try delicious specialty candies at Mother Stearns Candy Company or choose from 32 flavors at the Great Pacific Ice Cream Company.
- Where is East Beach located?
Van Damme Beach, Mendocino Coast, California
Kayak through sea caves and explore rugged coastal beauty.
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What is Van Damme Beach?
- Van Damme Beach is a lovely day-use beach located within Van Damme Beach State Park, at the edge of the Little River near the town of the same name.
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Why is Van Damme Beach popular?
- The beach is a popular spot for beginner swimmers, kayakers, and scuba divers due to its calm water conditions, created from rocky shields on either side of the beach that protect waters from strong waves.
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What activities are available at Van Damme Beach State Park?
- Families can also hike, mountain bike, fish, and wildlife watch within the state park's nearby grounds, which include a quarter-mile ADA-accessible boardwalk within a beautiful pygmy forest.
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Are there camping facilities at Van Damme Beach?
- Camping areas include hike-in sites within a spectacular redwood forest area, located within easy walking distance of the beach.
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What programs are available for children?
- Summer interpretive programs are offered for young visitors ages seven to 12, including campfire programming and junior ranger activities.
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Where is Van Damme Beach located?
- (Map)
- 8001 Highway 1, Little River, CA 95456
Santa Cruz Beach, California
Ride the Giant Dipper and enjoy lively boardwalk attractions.
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What is Santa Cruz Beach?
- Santa Cruz Beach is one of Southern California's great throwback beach resorts, known around the nation for its century-old boardwalk, which was constructed as the "Coney Island of the West Coast" in 1907.
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What historic rides are at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk?
- Today, it is home to two National Historic Landmark rides, the vintage Looff Carousel and the thrilling Giant Dipper Roller Coaster.
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What attractions are available at the boardwalk?
- Over 40 other rides and attractions are also offered at the free-admission boardwalk, along with an indoor arcade, miniature golf course, laser tag arena, and the scenic Sky Glider funicular, which offers spectacular views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
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What food options are available at the boardwalk?
- Classic boardwalk delicacies are offered at every turn, including deep-fried Twinkies, funnel cakes, churros, and saltwater taffy.
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Are there special events at Santa Cruz Beach?
- During the summer months, weekly outdoor movie and concert series keep the fun going throughout the evening hours.
Santa Cruz Beach, 108 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, Phone: 831-420-5270
Clearwater Beach, Clearwater, Florida
Swim in turquoise waters and stroll along Pier 60.
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What is Clearwater Beach?
- Clearwater Beach is a laid-back beachfront city located conveniently between Tampa and Orlando, serving as a popular launching-off spot for family vacations to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Busch Gardens.
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Why is Clearwater Beach famous?
- Its pristine white sand beach has been consistently ranked as one of the top beaches in America by international publications such as USA Today, stretching 2.5 miles along the Gulf of Mexico on a barrier island off the Florida coast.
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What water activities are popular at Clearwater Beach?
- Jetskiing, parasailing, and stand-up paddleboarding are popular activities in the water, while rollerblading and cycling paths span a beautiful beachfront promenade area.
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What attractions can families enjoy at Clearwater Beach?
- A plethora of family-friendly attractions line the lively Pier 60, which hosts nightly street festivals featuring craft vendors, musicians, and performers.
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What is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium?
- Family attractions include the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which offers Sea Life Safari eco-tours giving young ones up-close experiences with marine life.
St. Pete Beach
Relax on soft sands and enjoy vibrant waterfront dining.
© Jeff Kinsey/stock.adobe.com
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What is St. Pete Beach?
- St. Pete Beach has been ranked as one of America's best family beach towns by Parent Magazine and TripAdvisor, known around the country as Florida's "Sunset Capital."
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Where is St. Pete Beach located?
- The charming, relaxed beach town is located on a barrier island near St. Petersburg, offering a lively downtown district along Corey Avenue lined with eclectic boutiques, restaurants, and bars.
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What is the weather like at St. Pete Beach?
- The area receives an average of 361 sunny days per year, ensuring that any family vacation at any time of the year will offer perfect temperatures and calm, clear water conditions.
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What cultural attractions are available?
- The Gulf Beaches Historical Museum showcases interesting exhibitions on the area's history, while the historic Don CeSar Hotel offers luxurious accommodations and grand architecture.
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What family-friendly activities can visitors enjoy?
- Families can enjoy pirate-themed cruises aboard Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise or zip down three-story water slides at Tradewinds Island.
Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida
Walk on powdery quartz sand and swim in clear waters.
© FotoMak/stock.adobe.com
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What is Siesta Beach?
- Siesta Beach is a beautiful pure quartz sand beach on Siesta Key, located near Sarasota and acclaimed as one of America's most stunning powder white sand beaches.
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What makes Siesta Beach unique?
- The eight-mile beach's cool, soft sands are perfect for strolling, retaining their texture and temperature year-round for safe play for young ones.
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What amenities are available at Siesta Beach?
- Children's playgrounds, concession stands, and volleyball and tennis courts are offered on-site, with lifeguards staffed on duty during the summer months.
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Is Siesta Beach good for swimming?
- Shallow waters make for excellent swimming conditions for novice swimmers, with beach wheelchairs available for visitors with mobility concerns.
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What is available at the nearby town center?
- The beach's nearby town center is home to more than 100 boutiques, restaurants, and bars, offering up cuisines to suit any taste, including popular ice cream parlors and candy shoppes to satisfy kids' sweet tooth.
Sea Camp Beach, Cumberland Island, Georgia
Explore unspoiled shores and enjoy a secluded island escape.
© Alex Papp/stock.adobe.com
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What is Sea Camp Beach?
- Sea Camp Beach is the closest visitor beach to Georgia's Cumberland Island National Seashore, only accessible from the mainland via ferry service.
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What wildlife can be seen at Sea Camp Beach?
- Family visitors to the island can observe a wide variety of native animal species, ranging from wild horses and boar to armadillos, deer, and a large number of seabird and migratory bird species.
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Are there any educational programs at Sea Camp Beach?
- Nature programming led by seashore volunteers offers information on the island's flora and fauna, perfect for educational family trips.
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What amenities are available at Sea Camp Beach?
- Fire rings, grills, and picnic tables are offered at several sites on the beach for day use, with public showers and restrooms available for families to use after a day of swimming and beach play.
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Is camping available at Sea Camp Beach?
- Overnight stays are offered at Sea Camp Campground, which connects to the beach via a quarter-mile boardwalk.
- Where is Sea Camp Beach located?
Hanauma Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
Snorkel with colorful fish and explore vibrant coral reefs.
© claudiaf65/stock.adobe.com
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What is Hanauma Bay Beach Park?
- Hanauma Bay Beach Park has been voted as one of America's top beaches for visitors of all ages by Dr. Beach, attracting more than a million annual visitors to swim and snorkel within its protected marine life conservation area.
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Where is Hanauma Bay Beach Park located?
- The underwater park, which was established in 1967, is located within the volcanic cone-formed Hanauma Bay, less than 10 miles from the lively Oahu town of Waikiki.
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What marine life can be found in Hanauma Bay?
- Over 400 species of native Hawai'ian tropical fish line the bay, including the humuhumunukunukuapua‘a, the official state fish of Hawai'i.
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What educational opportunities are available?
- A marine education center is a must for first-time visitors, with a nine-minute informational documentary detailing the bay's diverse flora and fauna and unique ecosystem.
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Are there any facilities at Hanauma Bay Beach Park?
- A snack bar is offered along the park's upper level, with tram service available for a nominal fee between levels.
7455 Kalaniana'ole Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96825, Phone: 808-396-4229, website link, Map
Map:
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Orange Beach, Alabama
- 2. Coronado Municipal Beach, San Diego, California
- 3. East Beach, Santa Barbara, California
- 4. Van Damme Beach, Mendocino Coast, California
- 5. Santa Cruz Beach, California
- 6. Clearwater Beach, Clearwater, Florida
- 7. St. Pete Beach
- 8. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida
- 9. Sea Camp Beach, Cumberland Island, Georgia
- 10. Hanauma Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii