My boyfriend and I would like to take a 5-day beach vacation this summer but we're not sure where to go. We live in Manhattan and want to escape the city for a bit! There is much of the US that we haven't seen so we're a little overwhelmed with options. Currently we're considering islands off the coast of the Carolinas (including Bermuda though that's not in the US), Cape Cod, or California (possibly San Diego). Our criteria are a nice beach and a cute or interesting town. We're both pretty active so we don't want anyplace to secluded but we want something relaxing. Since we live in NYC so we can find a flight almost anywhere relatively cheaply and would ideally like to spend under $200 a night for lodging (ideally a lot under $200 but I'm not sure what the options are).
Thanks for your help!

One of the Charleston beaches and probably Wild Dunes.

i'd do three nights in martha's vineyard and two on nantucket. you wouldn't need to rent a car on either. can get around by public transport, scooter or bikes.

Thanks GoTravel and Itt. I think, personally, I'd rather go where the water is a little warmer than it is in New England. I'm a bit of a baby in that respect. I've heard the water at the Cape is REALLY cold, even in summer.
What beaches in Charleston are best?
What about Cali? I've heard it's not as humid out West. Any particular beach destinations there you'd recommend?

California is going to have the same problem as the beaches in New England; very cold water. The Pacific is so deep that it is hard for the water to warm up.

Wild Dunes in Charleston would be my first pick. Twenty minutes to downtown Charleston for excellent dining and shopping plus gorgeous beaches and a great range of accommodation options.

Water temps will be at least 85 degrees. You will not be cold!

San Diego in August is great. Yes the water is not as warm as the caribbean but it is not San Francisco cold.

The beaches are great. The town has lots to do. The weather is perfect.

HOw about travel time to West Coast for only a 5 day beach vacation? I'd say SC or NC coast but have some sort of trip insurance in case of hurricanes - water will be plenty warm that time of year.

leahinsc,
I guess we're not overly concerned with travel time because we're assuming that we'll be able to get a direct flight out of JFK or LGA. Maybe that's not true but I am pretty sure there are flights avail to most cities in CA.

wow, that must be great - being in ASheville we have to connect to almost everywhere - except NYC!

I totally agree with GoTravel about Charleston. You will love the town...great food, history, shopping. Wild Dunes is really nice or Seabrook but it is a little further drive from town.

If you want Cali, how about Carmel/Monterey? Great shopping, food and wine tasting. You can also catch some beach action.

You guys have been so helpful! Thanks for being patient with all my questions! I think we're leaning more towards Cali because of hurricane season. I definitely don't want to be in Charleston during a hurricane & I don't even want to take the chance of that ruining our trip.
However, are there reasonably priced places to stay on the beach in CA? Any recommendations for Carmel? We do love wine...

One more thing. We'd love to do Martha's Vineyard as well but I just looked up some postings on that and it seems that lodging would be outrageously expensive and hard to find at this short notice. Unless, of course, anyone has any hidden B&B or hotel gems... Then, we'd definitely consider going there!

MHO is that it depends on how important it is for you to be able to enjoy going in the water. New England and California ocean water is too cold for me!

Flights to Cali take at least 10 hours, as many as 14 from New York, due to the required change of planes in Miami or other intermediate stop. And Cali is also some distance from the Pacific; however the water off Colombia is definitely warmer than it is off California.

There haven't been too many reports of drug cartel murders coming out of Cali lately, so maybe it's an okay destination. Bit of a long way for 5 days, though.

I think she means cali - fornia.

Isle of Palms is probably cheaper than Nantucket. The best place to stay is Wild Dunes. It is a posh resort wrapped up in a golf course. You can golf, take a kiyak through the marsh or rent a bike. Charleston is 20 minutes a way. Charleston has a Bermuda feel to it with its pastel colored houses.

There is other less expensive lodging on Isle of Palms. If you can stay a week, look at www.vrbo.com for rentals.

If you can come late August, early Sept. the rates are lower, but the weather (hurricanes excluded) is better.

s...we stayed at the Carmel Valley Ranch. It is about a 10 minute drive from downtown Carmel. There are a few tasting houses in Carmel Valley and St. Julian Winery is there too.

We were there in Feb. so I can't really help with the beaches but there is access right from downtown Carmel.

We go to Charleston every year but have stopped going after the end of July after the last few years of hurricane seasons. Growing up, we always went for August and September. It is less expensive and the weather was always great (except for Hugo!). You DO NOT want to be on a island in a hurricane.

Good luck!

I suspect Gardyloo was being a tad bit sarcastic. I have never heard California referred to as Cali. Why not just abbreviate it as CA? Calling it Cali is like calling San Francisco, Frisco. It's just not done.

Just ask LL Cool J..."Going back to Cali, Cali, Cali"

Not sure if you have already considered it but what about one of the great towns along Lake Michigan. Great white sand beaches that stretch for miles and the water will be warmer than the Pacific or Atlantic ocean. Traverse City is a great quaint town with good beaches, nightlife, casinos, etc. Another popular destination is the South Haven / Saugatuck / Grand Haven area.