3 Fabulous Beach Vacations for a Sun-Soaked Escape
Discover three fabulous beach vacations perfect for easy, sun-soaked escapes, from Alabama’s white-sand beaches to Florida favorites St. Pete-Clearwater and Amelia Island. Image: Alabama's Beaches
Spring is a sweet spot for beach travel, especially along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, where warm weather arrives before the summer crowds. From the laid-back ease of Alabama’s Beaches to the sunshine-filled shores of St. Pete-Clearwater and the relaxed, historic charm of Amelia Island, these three coastal escapes make planning feel refreshingly simple. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or just craving a change of scenery, the coast is calling!
Alabama’s Beaches
In Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan, the sand isn’t just underfoot. It’s a lifestyle choice. The famously squeaky white shoreline sets the rhythm, drawing kids, grandparents, and first-timers into the same agreement: take your shoes off, watch the tide, and accept that eating ice cream before dinner is a great decision.
Beyond the shoreline, nature quietly shows off. At the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and along the trails and freshwater lake at Gulf State Park, migratory birds, coastal wildlife, and peaceful stretches of beach offer moments that feel delightfully removed from the crowds.
History also runs deep here. The stone walls of Historic Fort Morgan anchor stories of military strategy and daily life shaped by the Gulf. Nearby sites trace even earlier chapters, including the Native American village visited by Achuse in 1539, long before Plymouth Rock entered the picture.
Then there’s the food. From waterfront seafood spots to chef-driven restaurants, local pride is served fresh. If there’s a line, join it! And yes, more than 50 spots serve Bushwackers, the coast’s unofficial signature drink.
Off the beach, the fun continues at The Wharf, with its amphitheater and towering Ferris wheel, plus golf, mini golf, helicopter rides, and the always-popular Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Save time for a round of golf or mini golf (perfect for all levels of play), helicopter rides, and the always-popular Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
Get ready to slow down and enjoy the freedom that comes with a getaway to Alabama’s Beaches. The rest takes care of itself. You’ll get it when you get there!
Amelia Island, Florida
Along Florida’s northeast coast, Amelia Island is the kind of place that encourages you to exhale and stay awhile. Just 30 miles from Jacksonville, the island trades crowds for calm, inviting you into a slower rhythm where golden sand, maritime forests, and Atlantic breezes do most of the talking.
Days here unfold gently. Families stretch golden hour with guided horseback rides along the shoreline, while kayakers and boaters scan the water for dolphins, osprey, and the rare (and endangered) right whale passing offshore. Bikers trace paths from river to ocean, and at Fort Clinch State Park, shaded trails weave through coastal ecosystems before opening to quiet, shell-strewn beaches.
History is layered and proudly preserved. Once inhabited by the Timucuan people, the island later flew eight different flags, earning nearby Fernandina Beach its distinctive sense of place. That heritage extends to the table, too. Fernandina is the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry, and today’s dining scene spans fresh-off-the-boat seafood spots to refined coastal kitchens.
Accommodations mirror the island’s understated elegance, from storied resorts like the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and Omni to charming bed-and-breakfasts in the historic district. However you stay, Amelia Island rewards visitors who come ready to wander, linger, and let the day unfold naturally.
St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida
Situated on a sun-drenched peninsula along Florida’s west coast, St. Pete-Clearwater delivers an easy blend of beach time and cultural buzz. With 35 miles of sugar-white sand and calm, emerald Gulf waters, it’s no surprise these beaches are regularly ranked among the best in the world. Days naturally begin barefoot, linger under umbrellas, and end just in time for sunset shows that never seem to repeat themselves.
Beyond the shoreline, the destination earns its nickname as the Arts Coast. World-class museums like The Dalí Museum, the Chihuly Collection, and the Museum of Fine Arts anchor a creative scene filled with galleries, live theater, concerts, and hundreds of vibrant outdoor murals. Condé Nast Traveler even named St. Pete one of the top small U.S. cities for big-time art.
Food and drink keep pace. Fresh seafood leads the way, but the dining scene spans rooftop Gulf-view restaurants, sidewalk cafés, cozy coffee and wine bars, an emerging kava culture, and a craft beer scene locals love to brag about. For classic waterfront fun, St. Pete Pier and John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk deliver markets, cruises, dolphin sightings, and family-friendly energy.
Come for the beaches. Stay for everything else that sneaks happily into your day.
This article is sponsored by Alabama’s Beaches.
Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor and Lead Nashville Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.