I just found out that I'm pregnant, delivering in February, and I just NEED to be on a beach for a few days in my second trimester. I'm hopeful that we'll be able to avoid a hurricane if we go to the Atlantic/Gulf since it appears to be a (relatively) inactive season this year (but, of course, we know you never can be certain -- we're willing to risk it!)

Suggestions about where to go would be most welcome given the following criteria:

1. Within the U.S. and accessible to a solid hospital

2. Ideally would be able to get a non-stop flight from St. Louis (or, barring that, two short flights) -- this means Hawaii is off the table.

3. Combination of best beaches (with water that will be warm enough to swim in during September) and a cute, walkable town with restaurants and shops. Obviously not looking for the party scene for this trip.

If you go in early September, the water off of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida should still be warm enough for swimming.

In South Carolina look at beach areas near Charleston such as Wild Dunes on Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island or fly into Savanna and visit Hilton Head, S.C. Also check out places on Sea Island, Georgia, Amelia Island or Fernandina Beach, Florida (near Jacksonville), on the west coast of Florida look at Senibel or Captiva Islands (fly into Fort Meyers) or in the Panhandle area look around Destin, Florida.

Thank you for all these suggestions -- looking into them all now!

The Pacific Ocean in California is pretty cold most of the year, in San Diego in September it might be 70F. Not sure what you consider warm or cold.

Agree that the water temp in San Diego waters in September might be 70F. The air temperature will, however, be high. We do have lovely beaches and you would find nice little walkable towns with shops and restaurants in Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, and Carlsbad. Southwest has a couple of nonstops each day from St Louis. We have several excellent hospitals. For babies, the most used is Sharp Memorial Hospital's Mary Birch Pavilion. More San Diego babies are born there than anywhere else. All three of mine were and two of my granddaughters. They also have a NICU and are right next door to Rady Children's Hospital, with a connecting passageway.. Scripp's Memorial Hospital also has a maternity unit and so does UCSD Health in La Jolla.

Fly N/S on Southwest to Fort Lauderdale.

If it was me I'd head to San Diego (nonstop on Alaska Airlines from STL) and look for a place (hotel, Airbnb) on Mission Bay. Mission Bay is shallow so very warm; however you can cross the narrow isthmus that separates the bay from the Pacific (via very fun Mission Beach, which meets your town qualification) where there's a fabulous beach, an old-fashioned amusement park, lots of fun shops and cafes, etc.

When I was a kid we'd spend at least one weekend during the summer at the Bahia resort - San Diego Hotels Bahia Resort Hotel - in one of their bayfront rooms -






It's a very old-fashioned sort of place, but great fun, and VERY convenient to Mission, Pacific and Ocean beaches, as well as San Diego's Old Town. The water will be warm, or out on the Pacific side of the peninsula, the surf will definitely be up.

Cape Cod is beautiful in September, water is warm.

If you want to swim in the ocean I wouldn't go to California. Also, don't discount the risk of wildfires in September, you really don't want to be here during the bad air quality then.


I would recommend the Gulf Coast of Florida..was going to say near Pensacola..but flights are an issue. Maybe fly to New Orleans and then drive east?

Or if you don't mind Allegiant, they fly to Destin apparently!

September at the SC coast is gorgeous--THE most beautiful time of the year. The suggestions around Charleston are good.
You could fly to Myrtle Beach and go a little south to Pawley's Island/Litchfield for a beautiful quiet beach.

As much as we love San Diego, the Pacific is typically much rougher than the Atlantic; but September is their hottest month for sure. Check flights into Philly and consider Cape May, NJ. Perfect strolling, good shopping, excellent restaurants, gentle surf. Look into Congress Hall there. FL: St. Pete beach, Long Boat Key, Sanibel are great. Will you have back-up resv for storms/hurricanes?

Gardyloo - your photos sure bring back memories! I grew up in San Diego and was a babysitter on call for the Bahia hotel as a teen!
AbbeyAbbey - People often don't realize it, but San Diego summers start with 'June gloom' - foggy, overcast and cool and full blown summer is August and September. The crowds have gone home in Sept and so it is a wonderful month for a beach vacation there.

I agree with gardyloo, the Bahia is a perfect place to go. You are footsteps away from Mission Bay and across the street from the Pacific Ocean. There is also the Catamaran Hotel just up the road with the same options.

I swim in the ocean and the water temp in Sept is generally around 75 degrees at most of our local beaches. September and October are our hottest months and the water, whatever temp, feels great.

You can check San Diego County beach water quality here:

County of San Diego Beach Water Quality

Generally speaking the beach water is checked by City lifeguards and warnings are posted on the lifeguard towers daily. The problem beaches are generally La Jolla Cove (due to Sea Lion and sea bird excrement), and the South Bay ocean waters generally around Imperial Beach due to raw sewage from Tijuana. Other than that most beaches are good.

It is not advisable to swim in the ocean at least 24 hours after a rain storm due to storm drain contaminants. Rain is not a problem though especially in Sept.

It's the Children's Pool that's always contaminted because of seals, not the Cove.

Just curious where you got this info?

You can get up to date info here

County of San Diego Beach Water Quality

As usual, I'm always curious as to where you get your info nanabee, since it's so often wrong or outdated?

According to all information the problem is the Cove (the Children's Pool can't be accessed by the public or humans so it isn't an issue as far as contamination).

I live here locally and no one would say the Cove is NOT contaminated and a NOT MAJOR problem discussed on news stations, in the local news papers, and a major topic for local businesses, and our local City Council.

Call for action on sea lion problem at La Jolla Cove - CBS News 8 - San Diego, CA News Station - KFMB Channel 8

La Jolla Cove filth will drive tourists away - The San Diego Union-Tribune

La Jolla Cove unsafe for swimming - The San Diego Union-Tribune

'We feel slighted': La Jolla Town Council says it's 'unheard' in City decisions on sea lion issue - La Jolla Light

La Jolla Sea Lion Situation Now A ?Crisis? | KPBS

Exactly what information is wrong mlbg?