Romantic Beach Vacation Destinations Summer 2009

Summer is a short but splendid season, often spentto comfortable bed and breakfast inns. In a city of
with family and friends enjoying the endless array offascinating contrasts and inspiring diversity it is easy
festivals, food, and holidays. The Summer season isto envision yourself letting go of your mainland
also a perfect time for a romantic walk on the beachworries, and spending your Summer vacation in
at sunset during a hot summer vacations evening.  beautiful Key West, Florida. I have personally visited
Put those long Summer days to good use exploringKey West several times, soaking in the memorable
our list of beautiful beaches and vacation spotssites during the 4 hour drive from Key Largo to Key
located across the United States.  This Summer, findWest, and would highly recommend the journey
your special beach destination, soak up the sun andalong scenic US 1 to any vacationer looking for an
play in the pristine sandy beaches while makingunforgettable beach getaway this Summer.
Summer memories that last a lifetime.Home to some of the best beaches in the United
Maine is one of the most popular romanticStates, the Texas Southern Gulf Coast region
destinations of Summer vacationers for a variety ofattracts millions of visitors every year, particularly
reasons. The beautiful, temperate weather and rockyduring the Summer vacation season. With over 350
coastlines with soaring, granite cliffs have providedmiles of coastline stretching in a gentle arc from
unforgettable vistas to Summer travelers for over aSouth Padre Island north to the Louisiana border, this
hundred years.  A popular Maine Summer destinationTexas playground is renowned for its natural beauty
is Bar Harbor, located in the Acadia National Parkand diverse wildlife. The native cord grass and marsh
area, providing beautiful white, sandy beaches andlands provide the ideal ecosystem to support rich
refreshing, cool waters to enjoy and help you unwind.marine life and winter nesting grounds for migrating
Also located within this Summer vacation area alongbirds. In the Northern Gulf Coast area you can
Route 1A in the Southern Coastline region of Maine,explore the historic beach communities of Galveston
are the quaint coastal cities of Portland andand Crystal Beach. Galveston offers 32 miles of
Ogunquit.  Both offer smaller beaches, but aremagnificent, soft sandy beaches, top notch
known for their quiet, romantic shorelines. Tired ofrestaurants and live entertainment, and one of the
the beach?  How about a trip to Maine’s Centrallargest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian
Coastline to Southwest Harbor where vacationers willarchitecture in the country. Another popular Summer
find wonderful boutiques, galleries, eateries, and beddestination in the Texas Gulf Coast area is Corpus
and breakfast lodging unlike anywhere experiencedChristi, offering vacationers a rich blend of culture in
before.  And of course, no Maine Summer vacationthe relaxed atmosphere of a historic coastal port.
would be complete without sampling some of theUpon traveling to Corpus Christi, one can expect to
local fair, including freshly caught lobster, hushfind soothing sea breezes, endless blue skies, and
puppies, fiddle head potatoes, and my personalbeautiful turquoise waters. Visit the bay front
favorite, New England clam chowder.promenade, the arts and museum district, waterfront
Another Summer vacation hot spot is Newrestaurants and entertaining nightlife while vacationing
Jersey’s Southern Shore, with over 140 miles ofin Corpus Christi. South Padre Island is located on the
pristine beaches, renowned restaurants, andtropical tip of Texas bordering Mexico.  It is known
celebrated Summer festivals and events.  This regionas one of the best vacation destinations in the
contains 7 out of the top 10 beaches in New Jersey,country offering beautiful beaches, tall sand dunes,
including the #1 beach, located in Ocean City. Knownand warm Gulf waters. Contrary to popular belief,
as America’s Greatest Family Resort, it is aSouth Padre Island is one of the mildest places in
fantastic place for family reunions, group retreats,Texas during the Summer season, with Gulf sea
and of course, beach weddings. The 2.5 mile longbreezes keeping the temperatures moderate in the
boardwalk is complete with fine dining restaurantshigh 80’s to low 90’s. Some activities to
and downtown shopping area for adults, and twoexplore while vacationing in this top rated Texas
amusement parks, go-cart rentals, and a water parkbeach destination include saltwater fishing, dining on
for the kids. Don’t forget about the manyfresh fish and seafood served at local island
miniature golf courses, enjoyable for the entire family!restaurants, and staying at a historic bed &
There is truly entertainment for all ages in Oceanbreakfast or hotel accommodation. There is certainly
City, NJ. And no trip to New Jersey’s Southernsomething for all travel enthusiasts when visiting the
Shore would be complete without visiting the historic,Texas Gulf Coast this Summer.
Victorian town of Cape May. Cape May offers a wideLocated along the Pacific Ocean halfway between
variety of Summertime activities including listening toLos Angeles and San Francisco, the Central Coast of
the surf caress the shoreline, the thrill and excitementCalifornia stretches thousands of miles from Santa
of walking the boardwalk, climbing to the top of oneBarbara to Monterey. The region is widely renowned
of the many famous Cape May lighthouses andfor it’s romantic, white sandy beaches and
enjoying the towering vistas, and finally, staying at arock-lined coastal views, exquisite wine country tours,
romantic Victorian bed and breakfast on the coastline.and artisan villages. Vacationers can choose from
The New Jersey Southern Shore offers a widequaint, historic bed and breakfast inns to scenic,
variety of activities ensuring your Summer vacationocean-side cottages. During the beautiful, sunshine
will be a memorable one.filled days, discover surfing, water-skiing, golfing,
Known for it’s year round bountiful sunshine andhiking, biking, horse-back riding, bird watching, farmers
crystal blue skies, the Florida Keys region includingmarkets, and film festivals. If you are looking for
it’s neighboring barrier islands, have long been abeautiful blue skies, shopping, dining, endless activities,
favorite destination for Summer vacationers. Keyunforgettable experiences, and a marina
West offers soft, white sandy beaches surroundingcomplimented with a gorgeous beach, visit Santa
its scenic perimeter, and is famous for its outdoorsBarbara, located on the southern end of
activities including world class fishing, diving, waterCalifornia’s Central Coast. Situated near the
sports, and golf. After watching an unequaled KeyNorthern tip of Monterey Bay, 74 miles south of San
West sunset, enjoy the many night life activitiesFrancisco, lies the quintessential beach town of Santa
including live entertainment by the city’s manyCruz. A wide array of attractions await, from Santa
musicians and street artists. Treat your palate to anCruz’s award-winning boardwalk and majestic
island specialty and dine at a local sidewalk cafe orRedwood forests, to arts and culture events, and
gourmet restaurant, and enjoy a nightcap at one ofaward-winning restaurants. An enchanting blend of
the many legendary pubs and open-air island bars.history and natural beauty await, ensuring your
Lodging in Key West is as diverse as the island itself,Summer vacation to California’s Central Coast will
including top notch resorts to traditional conch housesbe a memorable and enjoyable one.