Looking for Family Friendly Beach Vacation Ideas?

We have gone to the Outer Banks off the coast of North Carolina for the last 3 years and highly recommend it. We go with friends (including 6 kids under the age of 4). We rent a house right on the ocean with a private pool and beachfront access. It's very relaxed and fun for the kids. We also like be in a location where we can walk to the main shopping area. We stay in Corolla, but there are many great places to stay depending on what you are looking for (Duck, Kitty Hawk, etc.)

Here's a couple of rental websites:
http://www.corollaclassicvacations.com/
http://www.twiddy.com/

Note: rental costs vary significanly depending on what time of year you go.

We took our 2 year old daughter on a GREAT family vacation down to Hilton Head Island, SC. It was an AWESOME family time! We also drove, went the end of October and it was really gorgeous driving through mountains with the leaves at peak colors. Anyway, there are a ton of vacation condo's down there for rent where you can have your own private home on the beach. I highly recommend the Marriott Surf Watch hotel. (Go to www.marriott.com) These are individually owned condo's/timeshares run by Marriott. Five star! You can rent bikes onsight & ride all over the island, there are two pools (one indoor, one outdoor), these are beachfront as well. Honestly, we had the best time. Enjoy your vacation!!

Hi A.,
A couple years back we took a family vaction to the Outer Banks in NC. We stayed in Waves and our house was a short walk over 1 sand dune to the beach. There are only a couple of rental companies in that area, you can do a search online. They have houses for rental of all sizes and different ammenities. Ours had a pool, jacuzzi, pool table and even a small swingset for the kids. Many of the houses were several bedrooms--set up for more than one family to vacation. We had 10 people with us that year and rented a 6 bedroom house for a week at $600/room. Everyone pitched in $100 for the week for groceries and split up cooking/cleaning up duty. We did make a few excursions--we visited Kitty Hawk, The NC Acquarium and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It was the most relaxing vacation we had ever been on and our children keep asking when we can go back. :) If not for you right now, maybe when your child is a little older and maybe with planning you can share a trip with friends or family.

Try Amelia Island. Beautiful beach! we also like the Lodge at Ponte Vedra just south of Jacksonville. That's close to St Augustine which has shops, restaurants and history.

I recommend Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. In particular, I recommend Sea Pines Plantation, which is the area on the southern tip of the island. There are houses and condos (called villas) that you can rent by the week during the summer. It is the best family vacation place ever!

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Hi A. Key West, Florida is a very nice place to visit. We go there every year in mid October and it's hot and warm all year round. Everything is pretty much in walking distant. And there is plenty to see and do. Go online and check it out.

Hi A.,
I hear that Myrtle Beach is nice...check it out!

Happy New Year!