The phrase “cheap beach vacations” might make you a little nervous. It can bring up images of questionable hotels or camping in the back of a van and trying to convince your family the ocean breeze is “natural air conditioning.”
But here’s the deal: Cheap beaches to visit don’t have to mean bad beaches. You can score an affordable trip without sacrificing all the fun (or your dignity). You just need to know where to look and be willing to make a few trade-offs.
I’ve rounded up some of the best cheap beach vacations across the U.S. that let you enjoy some sun and sand—without sinking your budget.
Cheap Gulf Coast Beaches
1. Galveston, Texas
Stay Nearby: Pasadena, Pearland or League City
Galveston’s the all-in-one budget beach stop. There’s plenty of sand, a walkable seawall and beaches like Stewart Beach, East Beach and Seawall Urban Park all rolled into one. Save big by staying just outside the action in Pasadena, Pearland or League City. The beaches? Classic Texas—no frills, just fun.
2. South Padre Island, Texas
Stay Nearby: Port Isabel or Los Fresnos
South Padre gets wild during spring break, but outside of that, it’s surprisingly affordable and absolutely beautiful. There are lots of family-friendly perks: calm surf for little swimmers, dolphin-watching tours and affordable activities like visiting sea turtle rescues and local nature centers. It’s the perfect mix of chill, budget and beauty—just skip the party weeks, unless that’s your scene.
To save money, stay in Port Isabel or Los Fresnos. Both are budget-friendly towns just a short drive (or a quick hop over the Queen Isabella Causeway) from the island.
3. Corpus Christi, Texas
Stay Nearby: Corpus Christi or Portland
Corpus Christi is the sweet spot for cheap beach getaways. It’s got bigger-city perks, plenty of beaches and even the Texas State Aquarium. Plus, it’s more affordable than you may think. Hit up North Beach or McGee Beach, and stay in Corpus or cross the bay to Portland for some of the best hotel deals in the area.
4. Gulf Shores, Alabama
Stay Nearby: Foley or Robertsdale
Gulf Shore’s got the panhandle vibes, with none of the congestion. Free parking, easy public access and plenty of cheap eats around town. Save even more by staying in Foley or Robertsdale. Both are close enough to beach hop, but far enough to save some serious cash.
5. Pensacola, Florida
Stay Nearby: Gulf Breeze or Milton
Pensacola has that small-town charm but still gives you plenty to do without the wallet panic you get in Destin or Panama City. Enjoy free fishing piers, the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk, and even free airshows from the Blue Angels, if you time your trip right.
Plus, the downtown area is full of affordable local eats and cool coffee shops if you need a break from the sun. You can save big by staying in Gulf Breeze or Milton, where hotel prices are way more budget-friendly but you’re still just a quick scenic drive to the beach.
6. Navarre Beach, Florida
Stay Nearby: Gulf Breeze or Milton
Navarre Beach is the Florida beach that hasn’t blown up on Instagram yet (and let’s keep it that way). Powdery white sand, clear water and budget-friendly spots in Gulf Breeze or Milton make this a top-tier pick for affordable, crowd-free beach days.
7. Tampa, Florida
Stay Nearby: Brandon or Temple Terrace
Tampa’s like the cool cousin of Florida beach towns. It’s laid-back, budget friendly, and still loaded with stuff to do. There’s also easy beach access, plenty of family fun, and some of the best Cuban sandwiches known to man. You can save even more by staying in Brandon or Temple Terrace, both just a short drive away with much cheaper hotel options and some solid local eats.
8. St. Petersburg or Clearwater, Florida
Stay Nearby: Largo or Pinellas Park
St. Pete serves up gorgeous beaches, cool street art and a ton of free activities (hello, waterfront parks). Clearwater Beach is the perfect spot if you love white sand and people-watching. Want to save? Stay inland in Largo or Pinellas Park, where hotel prices won’t give you a sunburn and you’ll still be just minutes from the beach.
Cheap East Coast Beaches
9. South Beach, Florida
Stay Nearby: Hialeah or North Miami
South Beach is iconic, but your bank account doesn’t have to suffer to see it. Skip the beachfront hotels and stay in Hialeah or North Miami. You’ll save big and still be soaking up those white sands and neon lights in no time.
Quick heads-up for families: South Beach is totally fine during the day, especially around the north end, but it can turn into a bit of a party zone in the evenings and during spring break. If you’re traveling with kids, you might want to aim for mornings or explore quieter nearby beaches like Crandon Park for a more laid-back vibe.
10. Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida
Stay Nearby: Oakland Park or Lauderhill
Fort Lauderdale Beach brings Miami vibes without the Miami overload. Stay a little inland in Oakland Park or Lauderhill for affordable hotels that keep you close to the action (and let’s be real, those savings mean more fish tacos).
11. Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Stay Nearby: Jacksonville or Orange Park
Wide beaches, free parking and chill Atlantic vibes make Jacksonville Beach one of Florida’s best cheap beach picks. Stay right in Jacksonville or save even more by bunking up in nearby Orange Park.
12. Pompano Beach, Florida
Stay Nearby: Coconut Creek or Margate
Pompano Beach is low-key awesome if you want a peaceful beach day without dropping your whole paycheck. Stay inland in Coconut Creek or Margate for solid hotel deals and quick beach access.
13. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Stay Nearby: Chesapeake or Norfolk
Virginia Beach gives you classic boardwalk energy with wide, family-friendly beaches. The vibe is lively in the summer, but go in the off-season for cheaper rates, fewer crowds and more space to stretch out. Plus, there’s plenty of free entertainment, like live music and street performers along the boardwalk. You can save big by staying in nearby Chesapeake or Norfolk and still be just a quick drive from the sand.
14. Sandy Point State Park, Maryland
Stay Nearby: Baltimore
Sandy Point gives you beach vibes right on the Chesapeake Bay with a killer view of the Bay Bridge. Stay in Baltimore (about 30 minutes away) for cheap hotels and all the crab cakes your heart desires.
15. Asbury Park Beach, New Jersey
Stay Nearby: Elizabeth
Asbury Park Beach is artsy, retro and packed with boardwalk charm. Stay in Elizabeth for budget-friendly hotels and hop over to the beach via car or NJ Transit—it’s way cheaper than staying on the shore.
16. Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey
Stay Nearby: Brick Township or Toms River
Point Pleasant Beach gives you a classic boardwalk, great beach space and solid food options. Stay in Brick Township or Toms River for cheaper hotels, and you’ll be just 15–20 minutes from the beach, no long drives required. It’s a smart swap that keeps your beach days breezy and your budget intact.
17. Narragansett Beach, Rhode Island
Stay Nearby: Providence
Narragansett Beach is a classic New England gem with soft sand and surfing spots. Stay in Providence for budget-friendly digs and make the scenic 45-minute drive to the shore. Plus, Providence has lobster rolls that won’t destroy your budget.
Cheap West Coast Beaches
18. Baker Beach, California
Stay Nearby: Berkeley or Oakland
Baker Beach gives you postcard-worthy Golden Gate views and a chill local vibe. Pro tip: Skip San Francisco hotel prices and stay across the bay in Berkeley or Oakland. You’ll save big, find great food, and can easily ferry or BART (that’s Bay Area Rapid Transit) your way into the city for beach days.
19. Long Beach, California
Stay Nearby: Carson or Lakewood
Long Beach City Beach brings the SoCal beach scene without the Hollywood drama (or Hollywood prices). You can save even more by staying a little inland in Carson or Lakewood. You’ll get easy beach access and leave enough in your budget for a good taco crawl.
20. Huntington Beach, California
Stay Nearby: Santa Ana or Garden Grove
Huntington Beach is classic SoCal with wide beaches, a bustling pier and great surf. The key to keeping it cheap? Stay in Santa Ana or Garden Grove where hotel prices won’t make you cry. You’re only about 20 minutes from the sand and way closer to budget eats.
21. Ventura Beach, California
Stay Nearby: Oxnard or Camarillo
Ventura is a chill, budget-friendly beach town that gives you those classic California vibes without Malibu prices. Ventura’s downtown is packed with affordable local food, thrift shops and street markets—so you can keep your trip cheap without missing the charm. You can save even more by staying nearby in Oxnard or Camarillo.
Tips to Save Money on Family Beach Vacations
Now that you have an endless amount of beaches to visit, let’s talk travel hacks. Here are seven ways to save money on your next vacation:
Stay near the beach, not on it.
When you’re hunting for a cheap beach vacation, booking that oceanfront room is a guaranteed budget killer. Sure, the view’s nice, but is it $300-extra-per-night nice? Probably not. You can save a ton just by staying a few blocks or miles back—or even the next town over. Honestly, you’ll probably spend most of your time with your toes in the sand anyway, not staring at the ocean from your balcony.
Book early.When it comes to airfare, the earlier you book, the happier your wallet will be. The sweet spot? Somewhere between three and a half months to three weeks before your trip. And if you’re flying, aim to travel on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday—those are usually the cheapest days to fly.
Want to make it even easier? Sign up for flight alerts with sites like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). They’ll send you free deals, but honestly, the paid version is worth it if you’re a big traveler. Hopper is another great app that tracks prices and tells you when to buy. And don’t sleep on Google Flights. It’s my go-to for getting a ballpark estimate of what flights should cost.
Go in the off-season.
This one’s simple: Don’t travel during peak season if you’re trying to score a cheap beach vacation. Spring break? Summer holidays? That’s when everyone and their grandma is hitting the beach—and paying double to do it.
Beat the crowds and the prices by going in the off-season. It may take some calendar finagling, but you’ll score cheaper hotels, quieter beaches and way more peace of mind (and wallet). Less noise, less traffic, more money in your pocket. That’s a win all around.
Choose less popular destinations.
Sure, a trip to fancy (and expensive) 30A in Florida sounds dreamy. But let’s be real, you don’t need a designer beach to have a good time. Why not save your money and head somewhere just as beautiful but way more affordable, like Clearwater Beach or other low-key spots?
When you choose cheaper, less popular destinations, your budget can breathe easier. That means you’ll have more cash for the things that actually matter—like making memories with your people or devouring some fresh-caught seafood. (Both excellent life choices.)
Make your own meals.
Food is expensive. Especially when you’re eating at restaurants. These days, the price of having someone else cook your meals for you is sky-high. If you hit up the grocery store instead, you’re going to save a ton of money. It’s not as much fun to make your own meals, but believe me, it’s worth it.
If you eat 80–90% of your meals at your place for the week, you’ll have way more in the budget for excursions and entertainment. And who doesn’t love a good dolphin cruise?
Ask for a deal (seriously, just ask).
There’s no shame in the deal-hunting game. You’ve heard it before, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. So don’t just accept the room rate at face value. Call the hotel and ask if they can knock it down. If you found an amazing Airbnb or Vrbo, do a little digging. Sometimes the rental company has its own website where they’ll happily give you a better price (because they’d rather skip those extra platform fees too).
Start Budgeting (and Saving) for Your Beach Vacation Now
Finding a cheap beach is just step one. You’ve still got to pay for your vacay. And that starts with a budget.
A budget tells you how much you can actually spend, how much you need to save, and (most importantly) how to keep your vacation from following you home in the form of debt. Because no beach trip is worth bringing a credit card bill back as your souvenir.
Trust me, the sand feels way better when you’re not stressing about your bank account. So, if you know you’re heading to the beach this year, start saving now. Set up a sinking fund and throw money at it every month. The sooner you start, the easier it is to stack up cash without wrecking your budget.
And to keep things simple, use EveryDollar. It’s our zero-based budgeting app, created by Ramsey Solutions, to help you save more money and tell every dollar where to go. Plus, it’s free! (If you love cheap vacations, you definitely love the word “free.”)
Oh, and seriously, don’t forget the sunscreen. SPF 30 minimum!
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