We have 3 weeks (Sept. 22 to Oct. 12) that we would like to spend in a small, walkable, peaceful town on a beach. We'd probably fly from Denver, then rent a car. We're 81 & 78, so not looking for activities so much as good food and nice sandy beaches for long walks. Just realized that our passports expire December 17 so we probably should stay in US.
We're thinking Florida? Or ??? We'd appreciate any suggestions/ideas.
I can recommend Tybee Island, Georgia. I have a beach house there and really enjoy it. It is only 20 to 30 minutes to Savannah where there is a ton to do and great restaurants. So you get the benefit of a small island and a city with nice activities. On Tybee, the whole island is flat so you can walk it, bike it or rent a golf cart. It is not a fancy island so there are no resorts or spas. As I always tell people when I describe Tybee, "it is like living in a Pat Conroy novel". We have a restaurants like Sundae Cafe and Sea Wolf Lodge (where the Food Network visited.), a historic light house, and a marine science center. Before I bought my house, I rented "Cottage on the Green" which I can highly recommend. That cottage is one level, very comfortable and nicely decorated. It has been in a lot of magazines. It is a very short walk to the North Beach from the cottage. You can also hire Sundial to take you in a boat to visit Little Tybee and see all the animals in the marshes (it is my company's favorite activity). If on your walk you get tired, then you can call Breezy cab who will come and pick you up for $3-5 a person and take you any where on the island. Tybee is a turtle sanctuary so you might see some nests hatch. As the site of a former military base, many of the buildings have been restored including the Tybee Post Theater where there are movies and musical entertainment.
Coldwater ocean categories:
I don't know if anything in So Cal is necessarily peaceful or inexpensive, but certainly beautiful...Laguna Beach, Encinitas, Del Mar.
The Oregon coast is amazing...Bandon to Cannon Beach
Cape Cod
CA Central Coast Avila Beach; Morro Bay to Pismo Beach and inland visits to San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles
Monterey
Warm ocean water categories:
We just were in Sarasota. I've never seen such large white sandy beaches, so I would think anywhere between Marco Island and Siesta Key or Bradenton
My pick is Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. On the Altantic side just north of Ft. Lauderdale. No high rise developments along the beach, small town center with some very good restaurants, and a great beach. And some public transportation that is handy.
Ps --- Get your passport renewal started this week.
Take a look at Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island. It is a beautiful island in northeast Florida (airport in Jacksonville) with wonderful beaches, terrific local restaurants, historic downtown, two state parks including a fort with an interesting history, etc.
We lived there for over 12 years and joked that we “lived on vacation”. Wherever you go, hope you enjoy!
My first thought was Sanibel Island near Ft Myers but I havent been since devastating Hurricane Ian on Sept 28, 2022. I specifically mention the date because your travel time is during Hurricane season. If you go to FL I’d get trip insurance. This island is known for its awesome shelling. The Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is excellent too for wildlife opportunities.
Your dates coincide with hurricane season in Florida. I would suggest the central coast of California...Avila Beach, Morro Bay, Shell Beach, Oceano, Grover Beach...all near to each other and small and charming. Short drives inland take you to wineries and missions, Arroyo Greande and San Luis Obispo. Down the coast to Carpinteria Beach and Santa Barbara, up the coast to Santa Cruz and Monterey. October is the beginning of the season for Monarch butterfly migration to Pismo Beach. Whale migration has been hopping lately. Nice walks at Montana de Oro State Park as well as along the many beaches in the area. Thursday night is the street fair music and arts and restaurant street cooking in San Luis Obispo. Besides wine tasting, there is olive oil tasting in the hills around SLO The rolling hills of California with its coastal live oaks and wild oats are beautiful. Also up the coast is San Simeon with Hearst Castle, and nearby Seal Beach (elephant seals give birth there), plus lighthouses to explore.
We have made many road trips to the area and never tire of it. You would be there at a lovely time of year. And there is lots to do, but you can take it at a leisurely pace. I hope you find a place to stay that you can relax and enjoy to the fullest!
Charlene,
P.S. We are 80 and 81, and don't do hikes....leisurely beach walks are up our alley!
You might Google the towns I mentioned to get an idea of what they are like. San Luis Obispo is a college town, so is larger than the beach towns.
Try Fairhope, AL. That gives you all the beaches on the coast from Ft Morgan to Destin. And Mobile's right across the bay for good food.
I'd also look at Port Townsend, or Friday Harbor, WA.
Sea Ranch or Ft Bragg, CA are nice.
Wow — what a great response. I really appreciate not only the detailed suggestions but the reminder about hurricanes and yes, Frank, I looked up online application so we’ll send in our passport renewal this week.
Some of these places are new to me and very intriguing. If they don’t work out for this last-minute trip, I’ll have a good list for future beach escapes. Thanks again for your help. And now I have some research to do.
St. Augustine, FL
My daughter and her family like Indian Rocks Beach. She told her aunt about it, and now it's her favorite place, too.
I don't think the six-month validity rule applies to Mexico, only validity through duration of trip. If that opens anything up.
I'll add another vote for Port Townsend, WA. It's just the right size for a visit. There's whale watching, day trip to a San Juan Island. There's Fort Worden - with great beaches, historic military bunkers. There's a nice downtown, with great architecture and a few really nice restaurants. There are two used book stores, art galleries, and even a movie theatre. It's my favorite small town.
I f you like history, St Augustine would be interesting.
I too agree with the suggestion of Port Townsend - it's a very pretty little town in its own right and is central via the ferry system to other destinations around Puget Sound for casual day trips, not to mention easy access to the north entrance of Olympic NP.
With a car you'll be able to cover a lot of ground - all of it beautiful coastline - and if you can sort out your passport renewal in time a trip up to Victoria for a day or two (from nearby Port Angeles) would be memorable. You wouldn't need a car for that one.
Six-month validity is not required for land/water travel to Canada, either. Your driver's license and birth certificate are likely adequate, as well.
Port Townsend is an excellent suggestion! I would not have thought of that but it actually offers everything they want—-charming walkable town, nice beaches, a good number of excellent restaurants, and access to places like Whidbey Island (with nice beaches) and Olympic National Park for daytrips.
Here is the town’s website:
The main beaches are at Fort Worden State Historical Park, a “repurposed” army facility from WW!. The park offers miles of easy forest trails as well as 2 very nice beaches—-one sandy, one rocky. It also offers lodging, including units with nice kitchens, in the renovated officers’ quarters. There is a restaurant onsite and many more 5-10 minutes away in the downtown.
Take a look at the photos (use the “see all photos” button)
https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/fort-worden-historical-state-park
Book the housing here:
https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/fort-worden-historical-state-park
Your timing will have you there for the famous Kinetic Sculpture Race on October 5-6. This is a 2-day “race” of very creative hand-built, human-powered vehicles that must travel on land, in the water, through a sand trap and a mud pit, and more. It is a very fun event to see, with lots of community spirit. Here are some photos from past races:
https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/kinetic-skulptures-to-race-through-port-townsend/
There is also a party with music, and some kind of chefs’ event.
But in case coming to the Pacific Northwest does not sound appealing, I will say a few things about the Central California coast area and beaches. My first choice for a quiet, charming small beach town would be Avila. With emphasis on the “quiet”. This town is at the end of a road several miles off the freeway—-no through traffic. Nearby Shell Beach and Pismo Beach are right ON the busy 101 freeway, and their long lovely beaches are just blocks away from the freeway. They offer nice restaurant options that you would want to visit, but I personally would much prefer to stay in Avila. (I will confess that I spent most of my early childhood summers here, but the town has been completely re-built since then so it is not just nostalgia that makes me recommend it).
If Avila seems too small, my choice would be the Morro Bay Area, but staying in adjacent Los Osos for better walking access to the Long Beach on the Sandspit. There are a number of nice little vacation rentals in this town, and a small “Main Stree” with a few shops and restaurants. But many more restaurant choices in Morro Bay just 5-10 minutes away.
If you have a computer or tablet with Satellite View you can look at all the recommendations you have been given. That will give you a different perspective than photographs—-size of the beach, size and layout of the town, green space, access to the beach, etc., as well as nearby “negatives” like a freeway, junkyard, strip malls, industrial park, who knows.
CA native.
Beach towns:
Avila
Capitola
Cambria
Carmel
Cayucous
Fort Bragg
Half Moon Bay
Morro Bay
Pacific Grove
Trinidad
FYI if you stayed in Cambria you could also visit Hearst Castle.
I truly appreciate all these thoughtful, detailed responses. I spent the day researching them on the computer & my head is spinning! So many appealing places. So we decided we’ll divide this into two 10-day trips — the west coast this fall and then the east/gulf in spring. And we’ll still have options waiting on our list.
Our goal is to find one or more familiar places we can visit between European vacations. We aren’t ready to leave Colorado permanently but we do miss the sea air. And all the extra oxygen at sea level!
Thanks again for your help.
the west coast this fall and then the east/gulf in spring
Fabulous
Brilliant idea.
Gotta say I’m partial to Half Moon Bay in the Fall because of Arata’s Pumpkin Fram. Many outings there with Mom and Dad over decades.
That and the Cioppino at Duartes Tavern in Pescadero http://www.duartestavern.com/ is wonderful.
I will say the Beach at Morro Bay provides a lovely walking option. Breakfast at the Bayside Cafe is a preferred stop when I’m in that part of the state. Never fails to deliver a tasty and filling meal.
Great idea!
We are partial to Port Townsend and the Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach in particular. But we did a driving trip to the south last year and Mobile caught our attention. We also had a great time outside of Charleston at Mount Pleasant in South Carolina. Lots to see and do and a very calm beach at Isle of Palms.
So many choices!
I don’t think Half Moon Bay meets their criteria of a small walkable beach town. It is yet another California beach town strung out along a highway, in this case busy Highway 1. No real walkable downtown. And being so close to the Bay Area, lodging prices are very high.
The Pumpkin Festival brings so many people into town the traffic is horrible. Good news is they will be too early for that and will miss it. Friends who lived in nearby El Granada complained bitterly about the Pumpkin Festival before they gave up and moved to Oregon.
If the OP wants California beaches they should stick to the Central Coast., which some small beach towns that fit their wishlist. There are nice some beaches north of San Francisco on the Sonoma and Mendocino coast but no real beach towns. Trinidad in the far north redwoods is nice but I am not convinced it meets their criteria.
Might be some Oregon coast town that fit but I don’t know that area. The only Washington coast town I give 5 stars is Port Townsend, but it is not on the Pacific Ocean, it is on the Salish Sea. (Aka Puget Sound). So no real waves on the beach. But it does have an attractive Victorian downtown area with shops and galleries and nice restaurants. I think the local farmers market will still be going on then too.
I was so disappointed in my long-awaited trip to Laguna Beach. It's a beautiful spot, but there is very little beach access for tourists. The beach is mostly lined with buildings you can't get around. Compare that to Oregon, where all beaches are open to everyone.
And the decision is …. Avila Beach, California for a week in late September. One big factor was ease of access: it’s a 2 1/2 hour flight nonstop from Denver to San Luis Obispo, and then 10 miles to Avila. We could even take an Uber from the airport if we decide not to rent a car.
We reserved an oceanfront room at the Inn at Avila, with a balcony facing the sea and all kinds of amenities (breakfast, beach chairs). If we like Avila Beach, we’ll do some scouting while we’re there for other lodging options for a future, longer trip.
We had never even heard of Avila, but that’s the beauty of this forum . . . thanks to you, we found a place that seems exactly what we’re looking for. And a list of great alternatives for future getaways. I really appreciate everyone who took the time to share their suggestions & experiences. I’ll report back on Avila Beach after our trip.
Jekyll Island in Georgia. Driving distance to Savannah and Jacksonville. No traffic lights on island. Lots of bike trails. Some very quiet beaches. Nearby St Simon’s Island is a bit busier.
Great decision! Well done.
BTW Sasha did you walk along Main Street in Half Moon Bay. Visit Pasta Moon? Have coffee and a pastry at the bakery? Just curious.
Oh, I am glad you made that choice, and so jealous!
Avila is a special place to me. I mentioned spending time there in my childhood, but I didn’t say why. My grandfather owned what was the only motel in town there in the 1950’s, along with an adjoining “trailer park” (now it would be called an RV park). My family would spend a month or two there each summer, in a funky little 3-bedroom unit with a tiny kitchen. My dad worked in LA and drove up to stay with us on weekends. And my uncle’s family was there too, in their little trailer. Lots of beach time, hanging out in the water with my cousins, cookouts on the beach, fishing from the main pier with my dad and my brother. . . .It was pretty idyllic. My dad claimed this was the safest beach on the California coast, with no riptides and very regular wave action. I was allowed a lot of freedom there even at 8, 9, 10 years old, and knew most of the storekeepers in town. It was pretty idyllic.
Except. . . The pipeline connecting oil tankers moored at Port San Luis with the large tanks up on the hill leaked. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that enough attention was paid to this to do something about the 40-50 years worth of oil leaking into the soil. A decision was made to tear down the existing town and haul away all the contaminated soil. Here is a report from a San Francisco newspaper in 1998:
Under terms of the pact announced yesterday, Unocal will literally destroy the San Luis Obispo County hamlet in order to save it.
The streets will be dug up to get at the 400,000-gallon petrochemical reservoir, a potent brew of gasoline, crude oil, diesel fuel and other noxious substances. The entire business district and about six square blocks of private dwellings will be demolished and rebuilt. Excavation is expected to start by the end of the year, and nobody knows when residents will be able to move back in.
After the soil was replaced, the town was rebuilt with the nice hotels, shops and restaurants you will see today. You will be staying at one of the best, especially with a view of the water. A few blocks to the west, the Lighthouse Suites resort occupies the space where my grandfather’s motel and trailer park once sat. The tackle shop, barber shop, and fish ‘n chips joint that occupied the frontage along the oceanfront street (still named Front Street) are no more. But the town is still quiet and peaceful, at the end of a road in a place that few have heard of. And the beach is as beautiful as ever, with the 3-4’ waves coming in in a regular pattern, in a continuous line that would build up, crest, and then break, not all at once, but in a smooth progression sliding from right to left as you faced the sea, like a musician performing a glissando on the piano keys. I hope you get to see this.
And I hope you enjoy your time there. I look forward to your trip report.
Yay! I posted Avila first! OK, it's not a contest and lots of others agree (: but I wanted to share another life altering opportunity while you are there. So, a number of years ago while we were staying there, I believe we stopped at Avila Valley Barn or it could have been See Canyon Farm Stand and that is where I purchased my first bag of Paso Almond Brittle by Paso Almonds. You'll thank me for this. Their website will tell you all the places you can buy it in person (it's seasonal) in SLO and the central coast, and everyone on the forum will thank me because you can buy it online now. I wish I had a vested interest in it other than I love it, and often buy it for those gifts you buy during the holiday season as a hostess gift/party gift and gift to yourself! Enjoy! You will have a wonderful trip!
And Charlene, you definitely will want to rent a car. There's lots to explore nearby beyond Avila.
Wow Lola, I have vague memories of an oil spill in that area years ago but I didn’t realize the extent of the damage … demolishing & rebuilding the town. That’s really interesting background to have for our visit.
And KD, we love almonds! We’ll look for Paso Almond Brittle — hopefully it’ll be in season. Really looking forward to this trip!
Charlene,
I am guessing your trip to Avila Beach has happened. Did you enjoy it? Most of us love to hear if our ideas have panned out. I hope it went well.
Hi Judy -- Yes, we have returned. I did write a little trip report but maybe should have just added it here?
At any rate, Avila Beach was a lovely little beach town that, on the first day, seemed to meet all of our criteria. But we hadn't anticipated (or packed for) the chilly, foggy days we encountered for most of the week. We still did a lot of walking -- around town, to the port, along the beach -- but realized we should have had a car, to do some exploring inland. Lesson learned! Despite the weather it was a fun little getaway and we're glad to have gone there.
Thanks to the forum, we now have a list of other places to explore. And we were REALLY grateful that people steered us away from the Florida/Georgia coast during hurricane season!
Charlene, this year it wasn't the Georgia/SC coast that got the hurricane-it was the mountains! People kept asking if our house on an island near Charleston was ok and nothing had happened except that the power company people were all in the Upstate and Aiken. And Mobile and the FL Panhandle have escaped so far this year.
