The Best Beach Towns in the U.S. to Visit in the Off-Season

The prized upper central coast of California, right above Big Sur, has beach gems from Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz to Monterey. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a sleeper hit of the California coast. The shoreline is as idyllic as the cozy wine town is inviting. Point Lobos State Park is where you’ll find miles of stunning shoreline. And while the crowds come in the summer and fall (because it’s still quite warm in September and October), they’ll peter out by November. You’ll find you have the beach to yourself from November through March, and the wineries—like De Tierra Vineyards and Holman Ranch Estate—are especially cozy this time of year. Stay at The Hotel Carmel in a cozy, California-chic fireplace suite.

The gateway to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor cools off by mid-September and is a somewhat overlooked fall destination, as road trippers instead head to New Hampshire and Vermont in search of foliage. Acadia puts up phenomenal colors each autumn, and the leaves hit their peak earlier than they might in New Hampshire and Vermont, featuring awe-inspiring colors by early October. In terms of getting you a vacation spot that can do both, Acadia offers both beautiful foliage and great beaches in their off season. Sand Beach and Town Beach are two Bar Harbor classics. While here for the weekend, stay at The West Street Hotel, nestled in downtown Bar Harbor right on the waterfront.

Hilton Head is a majestic southern destination, with beautiful beaches, an iconic lighthouse, endless golfing on public and private courses, and American historical sites. For a locals-only beach, head to Adler Lane Beach—and be sure to stroll along Burke’s Beach, one of the classic Hilton Head spots, and the more rugged Fish Haul Beach Park, where you might spot a hermit crab or two. Stay at The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts partner, known for their gorgeous Harbour Town Pool, with three golf courses and access to the Sea Pines Beach Club.

The intimate town situated on the Puget Sound, Port Townsend is known not only for their coastline, but for the 300 Victorian homes found lining Main Street and sprinkled throughout town. It’s also a great jumping off point for travelers looking to explore Olympic National Park, just 50 miles away (about 70 minutes by car). As the crisp fall air moves into Washington, Port Townsend is a perfect weekend trip from Seattle—just a two-hour drive—with a vibrant downtown arts and culture scene, high-end wineries, breweries, and cideries, and great restaurants. For a beautiful beach walk, amble along the Puget Sound from Point Hudson to Fort Worden State Park at low tide. Stay at The Manresa Castle Hotel, a 40-room historic boutique hotel built in 1892, flanked by Washington’s snow-capped peaks.

Florida beach towns don’t have a designated off-season the way New England beach towns do. But exploring in shoulder season—which falls in November—means you miss the rain, the heat isn’t overpowering, and the crowds have thinned. Among the chain of barrier islands off the northeast coast of Florida, Amelia Island offers 13 miles of pristine beach and is best visited in November, when the beaches are quiet but the water still sparkles. You may come for the ocean swimming, but you’ll stay for the quaint town and freshly caught seafood and fine dining options. Perhaps the best restaurant on the island can be found at your hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts partner, which is known for their highly coveted restaurant, Salt. Salt is so named because the kitchen uses 50 types of salt from around the world to flavor their seafood-focused menu.

There are two distinct off-seasons on South Padre Island; September to December gets much quieter and is favored by golfers in search of rolling, waterfront fairways all to themselves. And then there’s January to March, which is a little too cold for some Texans to venture out to South Padre. The result, in both off-season subsets, is serene beaches, great hotel rates, and the truly refreshing feeling of not running into anyone on spring break. On South Padre Island, explore the beaches—sun-soaked in any season—and stay at the luxury condos at Peninsula Island Resort & Spa Hotel.

Northern Michigan may seem like an unlikely four seasons destination. And yet, with some of Lake Michigan’s best beaches and beautiful fall foliage, Traverse City sees tourists from May to October. It’s much quieter in the winter—with fewer travelers willing to brave the cold coming off the Great Lakes—but there’s distinct beauty in the snow-capped serenity. There’s also a number of outdoor winter activities, from ice fishing and skating to tubing and snowshoeing. To see the Traverse City beaches in any season, visit Clinch Park and Bryant Park. Stay at The Homestead Resort in Traverse City, right on the shores of Lake Michigan, a gorgeous luxury venue for golfing and uninterrupted relaxation.

Welcome to the Golden Isles—also known as St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Brunswick, Georgia. St. Simons is a true beach town, known for the Marshes of Glynn, St. Simons Lighthouse, and beautiful golden sand covering East Beach and Gould’s Inlet. The lively restaurants—from The Half Shell SSI to Coastal Kitchen—will be more relaxed once October rolls around, but the fall weather is still nice enough for al fresco dining. Stay at The Lodge at Sea Island, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts partner, where guests will enjoy lavish treatments at The Spa at Sea Island, rooms with golf course or ocean views, and 24-hour butler service.