My baby's leaving for the summer and Cheap Beach Vacation Spots?

[Riven]

I figured just as well pile them together. My friend and her daughter usually go back to California during the summer. This summer they're going for six weeks, and invited my 9 ( soon to be 10 ) year old to go. I was really torn, but have decided to let her go. She will get the chance to have a great experience and do a ton of things, and see things I have not gotten to see. They are going to camp for two weeks in Tahoe and spend the rest in Bakersfield area. Her dad has a pool with slide, they'll go shopping, to the beach, and probably Disneyland.

Which brings me to... my 6 yr old. She desperately wants to go to the beach. Well she'd really love Hawaii but who wouldn't, lol. Since her sister will be gone I thought maybe we could plan a trip for her. It doesn't need to be fancy or some place famous or anything like that. I was hoping to find something that was semi-close to a major airport, then we could rent a car, etc. Would love a hotel on a beach, but that's optional. Is there something close to where you live? Somewhere you've been like that? Let me know, I'd love some input!

 

[minrex]

Lake McConaughy?

 

[Riven]

She'll know when it doesn't have sea shells, lol. She's a bit too smart for her age!

 

[Rickman]

Might try Chicago during the 'Taste of Chicago', or anytime if you don't care for crowds;
1/2 hr. from O'Hare
Ocean - size lake, with many beaches and hotels with a lake view
Great America is an hour North
Rental cars with GPS

 

[Riven]

It's got to be a ocean beach with waves and sea shells.

People always think of going to the usual places like Myrtle beach, Miami, stuff like that but I was thinking of a little out of the way type of place. When my dad lived in NC we went to SC beach, and it was pretty laid back. Kind of one of those laid back places where the tourists don't flock to would be awesome.

I'd love to go to New Orleans but now I think isn't a good time, especially to go to the beach.

 

[Jazicat]

Have you looked at prices to San Diego? I think it's sometimes cheaper than Los Angeles and would be lots of fun.

 

[Essentia]

I like St. Augustine, FL. While it's still FL, it's not the same type of touristy.

It's super historical (oldest city in the US) with a ton of stuff to do, plus it's also on the coast which means waves and sea shells.

http://www.oldcity.com/

 

[Diamond Dreams]

I highly recommend Port Townsend, WA. We have beaches everywhere and 2 mountain ranges. Hiking, biking, swimming, whale watching, boating, festivals, shopping and wondeful resturants. It's about 2 hours from Sea-Tac airport but it is a beautiful drive/ferry ride.

 

[Riven]

I've kind of thought about San Diego but I thought it might be pretty busy, lol, well touristy? My grandma is a travel agent but I wanted to find out about some places that people don't commonly visit! I'm going to look into all of these suggestions!

 

[Riven]

I just did some looking on St. Augustine and it looks wonderful. I found some beach front hotels for about $130 per night in that area too! My dad lives in Daytona, haven't seen him since '01.

 

[Rickman]

I think Florida, with a chance to see Dad after 9 yrs. and your daughters first meeting with him, trumps California!
Oil slicks or not!
You'd be making two people very happy, too!

 

[3CsMommy]

Daytona sounds like the best idea to me too.

 

[Riven]

Well, if the oil is there by the time we go, it will kind of defeat the purpose ( which truly is to take Andi to the ocean). I love my dad and all, but he moved when I was 15, and only came back once. For my brothers wedding. We went to see him in 98 when he lived in NC.

Airfare anywhere right now looks pretty high. Maybe I'm just spoiled by flying with my grandma because we get travel agent and companion rates...