3 last-minute beach vacations from coast to coast

By Vince Font

For as much as people await the arrival of summer with bated breath, it sure has a way of sneaking up on us. And if you’re not careful and if you don’t act fast, it’ll pass you by the way it’s done in years past. With that in mind, here’s a rundown of three of the best last-minute beach vacations: east coast, west coast and in-between (the Gulf Coast, in case you didn’t catch it).

Savor the crisp ocean air at your alfresco table at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel.

Beach vacations in the West
Carmel, officially called Carmel-by-the-Sea, is one of the most beautiful cities on California’s Monterey Peninsula and a perfect beach vacation destination if you’re looking for a more upscale, classy getaway. And it doesn’t get much classier than a stay at L’Auberge Carmel, an 82-year-old wonder of European architecture just four short blocks inland from the beach. This is one of those places that you read about and admire in those “best hotels in the world” articles you see from time to time, but never really think you’ll ever visit. If its plush furnishings and designer bedding aren’t enough to convince you to book a summer vacation stay, maybe the in-room massage and spa treatment will. If you’re not a fan of hands-on relaxation, then a meal at the hotel’s intimate Aubergine Restaurant, where you can choose from any of 4,500 bottles of wine in the cellar below, will certainly do it.

Beach vacations in the EastSituated about an hour away from Jacksonville on the gorgeous Outer Banks islands of North Carolina, you’ll find Atlantic Beach. And once you do, you might not want to “unfind” it ever again. The sense of history in this area is strong, but even stronger is the recommendation to take a beach vacation at the Sheraton Oceanfront Hotel. For the price, you’d be hard pressed to do much better. But monetary value and bang for buck isn’t the only thing this place has going for it. A stay here puts you immediately on the beach, a stroll away from deep sea fishing excursions and scuba diving, and a quick drive from a day spent taking in the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Variety may be the spice of life, but it’s a prime ingredient in summer vacations. The Sheraton Oceanfront’s got that portion of the recipe covered.

Beach vacationsin-between (The Gulf Coast)
You probably never think of Texas when you think about summer vacations and beach frolicking, but unless you want to keep trying out the same-old, you should consider broadening those horizons. Take Galveston, a city in Texas located on Galveston Island on the Gulf Coast about an hour away from Houston. The locals here know all about the Wyndham Hotel Galvez and Spa, but unless you pay it a visit for yourself you won’t really have an appreciation for the diversity that exists in a state you probably assumed was made up of miles of endless road and desert. If so, you’ve probably seen “Giant” one too many times. But enough about movies. The Wyndham in Galveston, also known as The Queen of the Gulf, dates back to 1911 but its amenities are strictly 21st century: it’s got swim-up bars, a full service spa, and an on-site restaurant so good you’ll end up taking breakfast, lunch and dinner there during your stay.

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Vince Font is a travel writer with a deep love of weird, wacky, and off-the-beaten-track vacation destinations — as long as staying in a luxury hotel is part of the deal.

Tagged: Family time, Hotels