En español | Those of us who love our beaches less crowded and a bit cooler know that fall can be the best time to visit summer hot spots — which are also often more affordable to visit off-season, when hotel and home rental rates in many resort areas plunge.
Consider these eight beach towns — each very different — across the U.S. for an autumn getaway.
Aerial views above beautiful coastal Corona del Mar in Newport Beach, Orange County, California
Newport Beach (California) This lively coastal community an hour's drive south of Los Angeles International Airport boasts more than eight miles of sandy beach and is mostly sunny and warm in the fall. During the day, visitors rent bikes and ride along on the boardwalk, book a harbor cruise, take in panoramic views from the seaside Balboa Fun Zone Ferris Wheel, and can choose from a long list of delicious dining options. Newport Beach is also where Tokyo Olympics beach volleyball gold medalist April Ross grew up; she'd practice on the volleyball courts of Corona del Mar State Beach, where you can watch amateurs and pros serve and spike.
Timothy Swope / Alamy Stock Photo
July 12, 2017 - Holland, MI, U.S - HARBOR SPRINGS, MICHIGAN is a popular tourist spot in Northern Michigan. (Credit Image: © Alexis Simpson via ZUMA Wire)
Harbor Springs (Michigan) The beaches in this historic resort community on Little Traverse Bay in northern Michigan are a few blocks from art galleries, antique stores and B&Bs. In fall, Harbor Springs also makes an ideal base for foliage viewing on the twisting, two-lane “Tunnel of Trees” along state route M-119. The 20-mile drive takes you under arches of blazing color along bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. Stop along the way to taste Tunnel Vision Hard Cider or Michigan cherry wine at Harbor Springs Vineyard & Winery. In town, you can rent a kayak to view fall colors from the water.
ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo
Panama City Beach, Florida Coastline
Panama City Beach (Florida) This popular and affordable Gulf Coast beach destination in northwest Florida is known for its emerald waters (beautiful for swimming and snorkeling), gorgeous sunsets, the stunning St. Andrews State Park and 27 miles of snow-white beach — as well as its accessibility. Beaches are accessible to wheelchairs via ramps, and the city offers free use of beach wheelchairs at the Russell-Fields Pier. Beach Powered Mobility rents various kinds of chairs, including a motorized Beach Cruiser and one that floats. Fall brings anglers in for the Panama City Beach Fishing Rodeo, this year on three weekends from Sept. 23 to Oct. 9.
Solar_Vulpine / Alamy Stock Photo
Delaware Rehoboth Beach boardwalk bicycles biking riding man woman couple public beach rental vacation cottages Atlantic Ocean seashore
Rehoboth Beach (Delaware) Crisp autumn days are made for biking, and the network of flat trails at this beach retreat 2 1/2 hours east of the nation's capital is perfect for recreational cyclists. Joe and Jill Biden, who own a vacation home here, have been known to take a spin. If you like to stroll, hit the mile-long boardwalk and wide expanse of sandy beach — then do as the president does and order a vanilla-chocolate chip cone at Double Dippers or the chicken parm at DiFebo's Restaurant. Or sample wine, craft beer, mead and strawberry brandy on the new South Del Tasting Trail.
Jeffrey Isaac Greenberg 14+ / Alamy Stock Photo
Piedras Blancas Northern Elephant Seal rookery, Pacific Coast Highway, near San Simeon, Central Coast, California, USA
Piedras Blancas Rookery (San Simeon, California) This one's for the animal lovers. You can't walk or swim at this fenced-off rocky beach about seven miles north of San Simeon's Hearst Castle on California's Central Coast. The attraction is the entertaining, cacophonous colony of elephant seals, named for long noses resembling those of pachyderms. September to November, juvenile seals swim toward land, after months at sea. In late November, adult males weighing up to 5,000 pounds arrive to lay claim to territory and mates — often fighting loudly for both. At peak times in the fall, more than 15,000 seals may be basking, barking and biting. Admission is free; just pull into the parking lot off Route 1. Afterward, drive about 45 minutes northwest to the lovely Hearst Ranch Winery and say cheers to a memorable day.
davidwallphoto.com / Alamy Stock Photo
south padre island tx
South Padre Island (Texas) This barrier island offers more than 30 miles of sand on the state's southern tip. While it's known for spring break partying, with plenty of watering holes and live music venues, fall brings room for plenty of other diversions. The South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, for one, has a five-story watchtower where you can train binoculars on a variety of seabirds. And fish are biting in the fall. Take a charter and hook up with tarpon and red snapper or drop a line from a fishing pier.
sergio rodriguez / Alamy Stock Photo
Autumn on Lake Habeeb, Maryland
Lake Habeeb (Flintstone, Maryland) Though only two hours from Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., this manmade 243-acre lake in western Maryland's Rocky Gap State Park isn't widely known — but it has three sandy beaches and what's billed as the bluest water in the state. Come fall, visitors can admire the foliage on surrounding mountains from a canoe or one of many hiking trails. The paved quarter-mile “Touch of Nature” path leads to a fishing dock. The park also offers reasonably priced campsites ($27.50 nightly with electrical hookups) or cabins ($50.50). Visitors 62 and over score 50 percent off Sunday-Thursday stays with a $10 Golden Age Pass, available at the park. Or, for indoor types, there's the nearby Rocky Gap Casino Resort.
Daniel Schreiber / Alamy Stock Photo
Brant Point Light and cabin cruiser yacht.Nantucket MA USA
Nantucket (Massachusetts) The island summer playground of the rich and famous, an hour from Hyannis via high-speed ferry, has more appeal to the everyday traveler come fall. Hotel rates sink, the mood mellows and the foliage is fantastic. You'll have two dozen public beaches to explore — consider bringing or renting a bike — including Madaket (sunset-watching), Surfside (early-morning shell-collecting) and Jetties (unlike many Nantucket beaches, it has restrooms, easy access plus a seaside bar-restaurant open till early October). In town, stroll cobblestone streets and photograph the stately former homes of whaling captains. At night, tables at popular eateries are easier to reserve. Do as the locals do, and dance to live music at the unpretentious Chicken Box nightspot.
Andy Caulfield / Alamy Stock Photo
Kitty Bean Yancey, a former USA Today deputy managing editor, is a travel writer and the winner of multiple Lowell Thomas Awards from the Society of American Travel Writers.
More Fall Travel Ideas
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- What to do and see in Canada's Niagara Falls
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