6 romantic US beach vacations for couples

There’s something about a long stretch of sand that pushes the tension right out of your body. Sunny weather, soothing waves, low stress; what better locale for a romantic getaway with your partner? From the rugged shoreline of northern Oregon to the pristine sandy stretches of Florida’s Gulf Coast, the U.S. has no shortage of beaches that make for the perfect couples’ vacation.

Each destination on this list offers a wide range of experiences for couples, whether it's enjoying a chef-led dinner show, camping on the beach, watching manatees frolic, or touring historical mansions in between surfing sessions. Ahead, you’ll find six must-visit beach destinations for the ultimate romantic getaway—and the award-winning hotels, restaurants, and activities to experience along the way.

One of the best beaches in the world according to our Travelers’ Choice Awards, Siesta Key draws in travelers from all over the globe thanks to its super-fine sand—but it’s surprisingly never overcrowded. Here, couples can experience the best the Gulf of Mexico has to offer: tranquility, excellent seafood, and dreamy views of the blue-green waters. Grab your mat and begin your day with a yoga session at Siesta Key Public Beach ($10) before heading to Sun Garden Cafe for a hearty breakfast. After resting up, take a sightseeing tour with Key Life Charters, also a recent Travelers’ Choice Award winner, where you and your partner can experience snorkeling, tubing, sandbar hopping, tiki bar pub crawls, and more.

Spend the night at either The Sea Spray Resort, ranked #1 on the island, or Tropical Beach Resorts, which offers a variety of suites with full kitchens. Spend the day at any of the other nearby beaches (Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach are both within a 10-minute drive). If parasailing is on your list of “couple goals,” try Parasail Siesta for an exhilarating flight over the gulf. Afterwards, cool off with a sweet treat at Made In Rome Organic Gelato or indulge in seafood tapas at The Cottage. And when the sun goes down, head over to The Hub Baja Grill for frozen margaritas and pink-orange sunset views.

You’ve undoubtedly heard of the Outer Banks, but North Carolina’s Emerald Coast is a well-kept local secret with expansive, swoon-worthy beaches just 2.5 hours outside of Raleigh. In particular, Emerald Isle on Bogue Banks is an ideal place to relax, unwind, and do absolutely nothing. Think: laying low at a vacation rental, cooking up local fish from the seafood market, and completely detoxing from social media while staring at the Atlantic Ocean together.

If a bed and breakfast accommodation is more your style, check into the Lighthouse Inn & Suites, a Travelers’ Choice Award favorite in 2022. After soaking up the sun on the beach or fishing for flounder at the ocean’s edge, try delicious Southern cuisine at The Trading Post, which serves classic dishes like fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese and shrimp and grits. Pro tip: Order all the sides you can here, like the collard greens, mac & cheese, and cucumber salad. Since the island is small, many restaurants in the area—including The Trading Post—do not take reservations, so arrive early to avoid a wait.

For outdoorsy couples who want to experience the alluring magic of the Redwoods, book a campsite at Gold Bluffs Beach in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Sites fill up quickly, but it’s worth the advanced planning for a few nights around these majestic giants. During the day, hike through a variety of well-kept trails that span several miles through the trees, just be sure to bring a compass and snag a trail map at the visitors center as cell service is scarce.

If reservations fill up at Gold Bluffs Beach, set up camp a little further south at Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which contains over 53,000 acres (17,000 of which are old-growth Redwood forests). Pack an inner tube for lazy afternoons in the South Eel River, less than a one-mile hike from the campsites.

No matter which campsite you choose, have enough gas in your tank before heading into the Redwoods forests, as markets and gas stations can be hard to come by.

It’s not all about NASCAR races in Daytona. Home to one of the best beaches in the U.S.—23 miles of it, to be exact—the sand is packed down so hard that you can drive on it. To soak in views of the beach and the Atlantic, book a stay at either the Nautilus Inn or the Holiday Inn Resort, both of which are oceanfront and Travelers’ Choice award winners.

Start your trip at the Cracked Egg, a classic diner and favorite amongst locals, before heading out to the beach directly across the street. There are many public beach access points along the strip, where you can drive in and park your car right next to your sun chair. Grab a seafood lunch with ocean views at Crabby’s Oceanside and, when it cools off, head out on a two-hour equestrian adventure to ride horses together throguh the surf. Finish the evening with a seafood dinner at Our Deck Down Under and a romantic nightcap and charcuterie board at Madeline’s Wine Bar.

Looking to go beyond the beach? Hop in the car and make a stop at the historic Ponce Inlet lighthouse and its museum before continuing south to the quaint town of New Smyrna—about 30 minutes from Daytona Beach—where there’s plenty of shopping, restaurants, and nature experiences. Dinner at The Garlic is an absolute must, with its decadent Tuscan-style food, eclectic décor, and bustling atmosphere.

And if you love manatees, take a 30-mile drive inland from Daytona Beach to Blue Springs State Park, where hundreds of manatees roam, rest, and roll around in the crystal-clear waters. You can kayak, snorkel, and swim while you’re there for some soul-cleansing nature time together.

For a cultural New England vacation, Newport offers excellent food, historical tours, sightseeing, and, of course, beaches. Check out Easton’s Beach for surfing (parking is $15 per day) or Gooseberry Beach (daily passes are $30 per day). Ocean Drive, a 10-mile coastal stretch with shoreline views and historic mansions, is also worth your hard-earned vacation time.

When you’re not at the beach, spend a day visiting those spectacular mansions from the Gilded Age—including The Breakers, The Elms, and Rosecliff—on a trolley tour that hits Newport’s many sights. For a luxurious night of romance, splurge on The Chanler at Cliffwalk, a historic hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, or opt for a quaint bed-and-breakfast experience at Almondy Inn, another Travelers’ Choice winner. Score dinner reservations at the top-rated Dining Room at Castle Hill Inn, a farm-to-table experience located inside the 19th-century Agassiz Mansion, or, for a more casual experience, try Brick Alley Pub before taking a romantic stroll along the harbor after dessert.

Oregon’s rugged scenic coast offers a dreamy escape for couples. Start your day at Cannon Beach with organic cold brew and a croissant at Sleepy Monk before heading to Haystack Rock at low tide (check the tide schedules beforehand), where you can see the abundance of protected marine life that thrives there. The best time to visit is late July through early October, when the temperatures are a bit warmer and there’s less fog and wind on the shore.

For a gourmet date night, EVOO offers an intimate culinary experience with chef Bob Neroni at the helm. Dine on mouth-watering dishes made from seasonal, local ingredients while also learning how to recreate them at home. A master of edutainment, Neroni breaks down the complexities of cooking while serving up ample wine and three (yes, that’s right) entreés.

Spend the night enjoying a beach bonfire with s'mores over at Surfsand Resort before heading to your oceanfront room with a built-in fireplace and ethereal views of Haystack Rock. The next day, try a beer flight at Public Coast Brewery, a local distillery with a rotating selection of seasonal beers made from fresh ingredients (like blueberries from their farm). For dinner, sample some of the best seafood on the coast at The Wayfarer, like the clam bake (an eclectic mix of dungeness crab, prawns, and local clams) or the buttery braised Alaskan halibut served over fennel sauce.