First beach vacation, where do I go?
 

This is my first time planning a vacation for myself, mother, and boyfriend. I'm celebrating graduation from college! I want to go to a nice uncrowded beach with good sand and clear water. Looking to go sometime in June/July. Unfortunately being a college grad I'm on somewhat of a budget. Any suggestions. I need lots of help.

Everywhere on the U.S. East Coast in summer the prices will be high. I'd reconsider going the 3rd week in September to get good prices (weather would still be warm). I would suggest Rehoboth Beach, DE and your best bet would be to contact a real estate company like Prudential or Coldwater Banker. I stayed in July at a 3 BD house through Prudential for $900-1,000 a week, off season (what I recommended) cut that price in half if you go in September. The place I stayed was 2 blocks from the beach which was very nice, there are some 1 block but oceanfront hotels are small and you need the room with your Mom and bf going with you.

South Florida isn't as expensive during that time because it isn't their peak season.

The panhandle beaches are beautiful but that is their peak season.

Check out Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami Beaches, Boca, and just about anything south of Jupiter. Wide sandy beaches with very warm ocean water.

Water is too cold on the DE, Maryland, and Virginia beaches for me.

VRBO.com for the best deals.

We have stayed in Cocoa Beach, a great place to stay. One place to check is Oceans Landing, right on the beach they have condos and suites they rent out. The units have ample room and work out great for families. It is a private setting and not so busy. If you decide you want more action you can just drive up the coast about a mile to the Cocoa beach pier and beach area where more is going on. Hope this helps. We love it there!

You don;t say where you're from or how you pan on traveling - air or car. Willmake significant differences in price. Also, how you feel about water temps - want to be boiled alive as in FLA or don;t mind cool water - then you can go as far north as NY in June - Cape Cod in July.

Unfortunately uncrowded is usually not compatible with low cost (all those rich people pay a lot to be left alone). Do you have any budget in mind and what does it include?

Thank you for all the great advice! I'm from pittsburgh, don't have any preferences whether i go by air or car and I'm lookin to boil.

Prices in a lot of places are related to when kids are in school or not.

I like the west coast of Florida, from St. Petersberg south to Naples.

In Fort Myers, Naples, and the places inbetween there are inexpensive chain motels inthe built-up areas, away fromt he beach, but it is easy to get to the water and enjoy the Gulf of Mexico.

Hotels right on the water are more expensive, but not ridiculous, especially in early June.

Along the Florida coast there are some state parks with low admission prices, nice water, clean sand, etc. And the entire Gulf-side of Naples is pubic beach. Sometimes it is hard to find parking, but this can be solved.

While Naples is known as expensive, there are lower priced restaurants there, too, so you don't have to be rich.

BAK

At your age, you'd probably like Clearwater. It's a younger beach. There's a Radisson. And an Adams Mark. In June & July you'll get some good prices.

Also check out Treasure Island. The Thunderbird. Or Best Western Sea Castle (gulf-side).