Cities That Make A Splash
If your ideal trip involves bustling streets and quiet waves, you'll love these destinations. They offer the energy of a city and the calm of a beach, often within walking distance. You can swim, sunbathe, and still make dinner downtown. Sounds like your kind of balance? It’s time to discover the 20 cities that bring the beach fun to your schedule without breaking the flow.
1. Los Angeles, California
Hop on the metro, and beach time's around the corner. Venice buzzes with street performers and skateparks, while Santa Monica feels more polished. For a longer coastal ride, the Marvin Braude Bike Trail stretches across shoreline neighborhoods where surfers and tourists find their pace.
2. Miami, Florida
In Miami, downtown melts into beach life without effort. The South Beach stays busy, from sunrise workouts to neon-lit nights. Art Deco hotels sit across from tropical waves, and the water welcomes swimmers year-round. Trolleys keep things moving, but most people stroll just to enjoy the heat.
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu's Waikiki Beach feels built into city life. Surfers head out at dawn, and by midday, crowds gather for lessons or shady ocean dips. Even when public buses reach nearby coves, Waikiki keeps many visitors anchored to its pretty views and laid-back rhythm.
4. San Diego, California
Trolleys make beach-hopping feel effortless in San Diego. Each stop promises something different—Be it La Jolla's rocky drama, Pacific Beach's party edge, or Coronado's calm charm. You'll spot sea lions napping beside cafe patios while kids splash steps away. With over 70 miles of coastline, there's always space to sprawl here.
5. Boston, Massachusetts
The Revere Beach remains Boston's breeziest escape. It opened in 1896 and still draws sunseekers, thanks to its Blue Line access. The boardwalk hosts festivals and clam shacks during summer months, while views of planes dipping toward Logan make for unexpected sky-and-surf moments.
6. Seattle, Washington
A water taxi or a quick bus drops you right at Seattle’s Alki Beach. Strollers walk past driftwood and volleyball courts as ferries glide across the bay. Views stretch to the Olympics, giving the area a wide-open feel even on Seattle's coziest, grey-skied afternoons.
7. Chicago, Illinois
Beaches in Chicago hug the lakefront like they belong here. Public transit zips you close to the shoreline, and skyline views turn beach photos into postcards. Oak Street and North Avenue draw crowds, but there's always a quieter stretch for sunbathing or people-watching.
8. San Francisco, California
The Ocean Beach stands wide and rugged, reached easily by streetcar. On windy afternoons, you’ll see surfers zipping through the chilly waves while locals walk the foggy dunes. For incredible snaps, Baker Beach frames the Golden Gate with cliffs and wildflowers just steps from crashing surf.
9. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Smooth bike trails cut through this oceanfront city. Hotels, seafood joints, and street musicians line the boardwalk, where barefoot sand walks meet entertainment. Flights into Norfolk mean you can hit the beach within an hour of landing. This makes the city both spontaneous and scenic.
10. New York City, New York
Coney Island remains unforgettable with its subway access and seaside charm. Locals often choose Brighton or Rockaway when they want fewer crowds in this city. From roller coasters to free boardwalk concerts, beach days in NYC mix Atlantic views with full-on carnival nostalgia right in the boroughs.
11. Tampa, Florida
In Tampa, you don't have to drive far to leave city noise behind. Clearwater and St. Pete are easy to reach through bridges and trolleys. Sunset rituals draw everyone to the shoreline, where you can spot dolphins cruising by. The white sand here welcomes both sandals and beach chairs.
Michel Rathwell from Cornwall, Canada on Wikimedia
12. Monterey, California
California's Del Monte Beach offers tidepooling and kayaking just steps from Monterey's streets. Sea otters float through the kelp, and 17-Mile Drive rolls past views that look painted. The area simply blends marine biology with beach-day ease, especially for visitors staying right in the walkable downtown.
Clotee Pridgen Alloc… on Wikimedia
13. Baltimore, Maryland
Sandy Point gives Baltimore beachgoers a quiet corner of the Chesapeake. Just 45 minutes from downtown, it mixes picnic areas with calm water and bridge views. Paddleboards and grassy patches make this park feel like a getaway without ever leaving Maryland.
Alistair Cunningham on Wikimedia
14. Corpus Christi, Texas
In minutes, you're on the beach watching windsurfers carve the Gulf. North Beach and Whitecap both offer space to sprawl, and the water here never feels too cold. The USS Lexington museum adds a bold backdrop to soft sands and kiteboarding lines in the sky.
15. Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville Beach hits that easy-access sweet spot. Just 20 minutes from downtown, it delivers volleyball and a long fishing pier. Local trolleys make getting there painless, and the beach sits close to one of Florida's most extensive park systems for added adventure.
16. Charleston, South Carolina
Folly Beach in Charleston lets you enjoy sand and seafood without the commute. The short drive brings you into a world of surfboards and pier walkers. Loggerhead turtles return each summer, adding wild beauty to this beach town that hums softly just outside city limits.
17. San Juan, Puerto Rico
Condado and Isla Verde sit close to the city's pulse. These beaches welcome travelers straight from the airport with soft sand and clear water. Resorts and casinos cluster along the shore, creating a space where beach towels meet mojitos in no time.
18. Savannah, Georgia
Tybee Island keeps things playful and relaxed in Savannah. A short drive or shuttle puts you on vast, walkable beaches. Dolphin tours head out daily, and a breezy climb up the lighthouse gives a better view of this quirky beach town that hums with island ease.
19. Long Beach, California
Here, Naples canals bring paddleboarders through sunlit routes, while shoreline beaches stay connected by a dedicated bike path. Public transit keeps SoCal's famous coastlines within reach. Locals mix beach days with pier strolls and a late lunch at Shoreline Village, where the breeze stays steady.
20. New Orleans, Louisiana
Lake Pontchartrain brings the beach vibe inland. Twenty minutes from the French Quarter, its shell-covered shoreline invites kayakers and crabbers. While Pontchartrain Beach no longer runs rides, the spot's legacy lingers in family outings and sunset views stretching toward the city skyline.
