Classic American Beach Towns: What's New This Season
An update on the best new restaurants, places to stay, and goings-on-about-town in some of our favorite summer destinations, from Catalina Island to Cape Cod.

With summer still going strong, we're still savoring escapes to some of our favorite American beach towns: the blue-blooded appeal of Presidential getaways like Newport; the gray shingles and blue hydrangeas of Nantucket; the white sands and southern charm of Georgia’s Golden Isles; the California cool of Coronado. And while we love so many of these destinations for their quaint, humble appeal, we're also happy to report that in 2017, these getaways are anything but tired, with all kinds of new shops, restaurants, and events to check out—and not to mention posh hotel renovations, new launches, and more.

Coronado
Stay at a resort-within-a-resort in one of the Coronado’s most picturesque buildings, observe sea lions from a private yacht, and catch a local production of Much Ado About Nothing in this little island town outside of San Diego.

Nantucket
There’s never more excitement to be found on the “little grey lady,” as this quaint New England Island is affectionately known, than during summer’s breezy season.

Cape May
This summer in the pastel-colored, Victorian town of Cape May, visitors can sip craft beers at the annual Craft Beer and Crab Festival, and celebrate summer with a weekly clambake at America’s oldest seaside resort.

The Hamptons
As New York City’s summer playground, there is always a handful of exciting things happening in the Hamptons. This year is no different, with a slew of new restaurants, revamped hotels, and can't-miss events.

Catalina Island
Exclusive hotels, two top-tier ice cream parlors, a recently revamped museum, and more make this popular escape from Los Angeles even more appealing this summer.

Newport
Perfectly preserved Newport, Rhode Island, has long served as the playground for the nation’s most well-to-do families—a designation the locale owes as much to its famous fixtures of the past (Gilded Age Mansions and Colonial architecture among them) to its attention to the pleasures of today. Top-notch hotels, fine restaurants, and the most elegant events keep America’s leisure-seekers coming, and this summer’s lineup of activities is no exception to the long-standing rule.

San Juan Islands
This 172-island archipelago, located off Washington’s northwest coast, was long ago nicknamed the Gourmet Archipelago, thanks to a farm-to-table food scene that dates back to the late-1800s. Today, hyper-local culinary offerings still abound, alongside scenic hotels and vibrant festivals.

Cape Cod
This season on Cape Cod, a classic resort debuts an expansive spa, the 14th annual Cape Cod Jazz Festival brings big names, and more.

La Jolla
This summer in the boho-luxe town of La Jolla, a luxury multiplex’s programming is in full swing, Mexican restaurants add to the California-fresh dining scene, three hotels put their best foot forward, and more.

Florida Keys
Kitsch aside, this sporty, laidback archipelago is full of natural splendors found nowhere on the mainland, which is located roughly 15 miles away. From two new top-notch stays to sailing and diving experiences, here are a few new ways to best experience these coral cays.

Outer Banks
Sanderling Resort unveils another phase of its multimillion-dollar renovation, along with a partnership with local adventure sports venue Kitty Hawk Kites. A new lunch spot brings seafood and sushi to hungry beachgoers, and rum lovers can take a distillery tour.

Camden
Located in a beautiful area where the mountains and sea converge, this stunning seaport town in Maine has a slew of new restaurants, hotel updates, and cultural events to keep new and returning visitors happy.

The Golden Isles
With a handful of dining opportunities (including a Shrimp & Grits festival on Jekyll Island) and plush expansion to a few of our favorite accommodations, all four islands that make up Georgia’s Golden Isles are calling travelers to their shores this summer.
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