We are rethinking our original vacation plan and are now thinking about going to the beach. I was thinking Kiawah Island; we have been there before. but I need help with some other options. I thought Hilton Head, or Jeckyll Island, but do not know anything about these places. I am open for suggestions. We can go just about anywhere.

We have a 1 year old and he will be traveling with us. we are open to a condo or hotel.

For the best beaches, I'd go to the Gulf beaches in the Florida panhandle rather than Hilton Head or Jekyll Island.

Litchfield by the Sea which is south of Myrtle Beach, SC - Renting a vacation home in Litchfield by the Sea gives you access to a private beach - fewer crowds. Litchfield is much less touristy and hectic than Myrtle. Lots to do too - example: www.litchfieldrental.com/fun.html

the gulf beaches sounds good. Litchfield, I am not sure. I am not crazy about Myrtle Beach, might be too close for me.

It is 45 minutes to MB from Litchfield for heavens' sake. It is a gated community so only residents have access to the beach. In mid-July the beach in front of our villa is totally uncrowded. There are loads of excellent restaurants withing 10 minutes or less drive. There is a variety of accomodations available--houses, condos, etc. We have had a villa there for 8 years and have never been to MB.

As a granpa for a 2yr old I'll stick my nose in this.
The classic out on the beach vacation at the Gulf is not practical with a 1yr old. It's toooo hot and they fry to a crisp. We all know the worst sunburn comes at that age and it is simply dangerous.
Find a nice cool Island house with a shady pool and some space
Sorry for the rant!

Good point about the pool. Litchfield has lovely pools, baby pools.

I think it's OK to take a 1 y.o. to the beach. They really enjoy playing in the sand. But I agree that sunburn is a big problem so limit the beach and the sun to the early morning and late afternoon. And buy a beach umbrella or rent a cabana on the beach to put yourself and your child out of the sun whenever possible. Definitely use sunscreen with 15 SPF. Find a place with a nice pool and a kiddy pool -- maybe one that has a half-shaded pool (which on the Gulf would mean tall landscaping on the far side of the pool). Your child will love playing in the pool and may not like the salt water, nor the sand. Some kids are finicky about the beach. Mine preferred the pool over the beach most of his years. At that age, I'm not sure you would gain anything by being in a place that had activities for children. He's too young. The Radisson at Lido Key has a nice set up for families. And St. Armand's Circle is within walking distance (or running as may be the case with a 1 y.o. toddler).

PLEASE use a 45 SPF on a child that age.

I've been told that anything over 15 is redundant. But if you really want to do it right, use Bull Frog or any of the ones that won't come off by splashing in the water. Or use any of the colored sunscreens that the kids like to put on because you can convince them they're "Indians" for a day.

The last time I was at my favorite almost deserted Panhandle beach we shared the beach with two sisters and their little ones. They set up a gazebo to protect the smallest ones from the sun and even bought one of those little plastic pools at Wal-Mart and filled it with water from the ocean. While the older kids splashed at the ocean's edge the babies splashed in the shade in their own little pool. That group would troup out in the mornings and head back before lunch.

My group would head out to the beach around lunchtime with sun shelters for the pups and we'd frolick for the mid part of the day.

Mid- afternoon we'd come in and the moms and the kids would come back out. It was a great week. We shared the beach for a week and we were the only ones we saw all week.

Sunscreen and early mornining/ late afternoon are the best best for the littlest ones. That's the schedule we used last summer with a 4year old at Jekyll.

I do like Jekyll but for prettier sand and water I prefer the Panhandle.