We have a 9 year old daughter who has asked to "go to the beach" in August. We originally were thinking the Caribbean, but we are a bit worried about the hurricane season.

Any suggestions?

Give us a HINT -- in what part of the country do you want this beach?? You are traveling from where??

Hi Janisj!

We are travelling from upstate NY and we could go to the east or west coasts.

I think she just wants it warm (hot?) by upstate NY standards.

pfranco, if you are worried about hurricane season than you need to skip the beach.

Hurricanes or typhoons can effect the entire east coast, Gulf Coast, west coast, caribbean, Pacific Rim, Indian Ocean, Hawaii, yadda yadda.

Hurricanes intactly travel hundreds of miles and impact areas more than 1500 miles inland from where they made landfall.

Hi GoTravel,

THAT made me laugh! Thank you -- but in all due respect, isn't that kinda like saying don't fly in airplanes because some crash sometimes?

I'm looking for probabilities, I would say. Hawaii or California would seem safer than Florida in August -- or am I wrong?

I know a bad hurricane can affect the entire atlantic coast -- but I am also loking for experience here. You guys have a heck of a lot more experience at travel than I do. Maybe the outerbanks would give a good experience at a low weather risk. Maybe it's flying to CA?

So I will present the question to you this way -- if you had to choose an ocean beach location in August -- baring Europe and the Pacific Rim, where would you choose?

Man, I wish when I asked to go "to the beach" somebody would think "Caribbean."

What about Cape Cod, or Newport, RI?

You need to do a bit more research. Hawaii would seem what you want - but do you want to travel all the way from NY?

CA has wonderful beaches (and not many hurricanes ) - but the eastern Pacific is very cold w/ barely wading temps let alone swimming temps in many places.

Janis is right, not much worry of hurricanes on the west coast of CA. San Diego would be a great spot in August with a 9 year old. Lots of beaches and activities for children.

San Diego/La Jolla/Coronado
August is gorgeous and you could stay at the beach and go to SD Zoo, Sea World..no hurricanes..

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I've lived in Central FL over 15 years and we have had only one year with hurricanes impacting us. Look at all the other areas of the country with very unusual weather now. Nothing is "normal" anymore so just pick and hope for the best.

Why don't you take her to Costa Rica?
Same time zone, relatively short flight, and pretty inexpensive when you get there. I would go to Manuel Antonio, a few hours from the San Jose airport. Look into Si Como No hotel. Kids love it there. You can combine the beach with some nature education in the rainforest as well. One of my favorite trips by far.

I am also in Florida. Hurricane season does not peak until mid September. Worrying about it wont help or change anything.... Go and enjoy yourselves.

You could still go to the Caribbean but purchase travel insurance just in case?

Low humidity and generally sunny on the southern CA coast. Listen to Tahiti Tams and I. Although swimming in the CA pacifc is generally chilly. I do think La Jolla/ San Diego is a little warmer than further north.

pfranco, I am serious.

Just about any coast can get hit with a hurricane or a typhoon and no, no one place has a better or worse chance of being hit.

Your best bet is to pick a place you really want to go and get travel insurance. That way if you do get nasty weather, you can just go elsewhere without taking a hit to the walllet.

Hello Everyone,

This was all really good advice. I think we will do the travel insurance and the Caribbean -- and just not worry about the weather.

Thank you!

The Caribbean should be fun.
Although I have to add/ question: when was the last time there was a damage causing storm in the summer on the west coast in CA?