The best US beach towns for a weekend getaway

The main requirement of a great beach town is, obviously, proximity to a great beach. But even though there are thousands of beautiful seaside towns across the country, not all of them make for an ideal weekend escape — whether due to inconvenience, lack of charm or some other factor.

So we've taken the guesswork out of the planning equation for you, and rounded up a list of U.S. towns that are relatively close to cities and airports, have plenty of activities and, of course, offer easy access to a beautiful beach (or two or three).

Related: 7 great family beach vacations to kick off summer

Ogunquit, Maine

Lighthouses, lobster shacks, rocky coves, quaint houses — everything that comes to mind when you imagine Maine, you can find in Ogunquit. Main Beach and Footbridge Beach are the most convenient beach options from town, but you can also head a bit farther out to Wells Beach or Drakes Island Beach for a day in the sun. Don't leave Ogunquit without strolling scenic Marginal Way, eating dinner in Perkins Cove and checking out the Ogunquit Museum of American Art.

The town is a popular summer destination, so expect crowds or plan to visit during the calmer shoulder season. It's just over an hourlong drive from Boston, and there are plenty of train and bus options. It's also about 45 mins from Portland International Jetport (PWM), which offers flights from many destinations across the U.S.

Related: How to save thousands on a luxe weekend getaway to Maine's coastal towns using points

Encinitas, California

No U.S. beach town list would be complete without a California destination. In a state famous for its picturesque Pacific coastline, it's impossible to choose the best beach town. But for an easy weekend getaway with plenty of things to do, you can't go wrong with Encinitas. About 30 minutes from downtown San Diego and about two hours from Los Angeles (you can even take the Amtrak there), this town is home to the San Diego Botanic Garden and stellar hiking spots like San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and Annie's Canyon Trail, as well as a smattering of art galleries, clothing stores, breweries and farmers markets.

The best beaches for lounging include Moonlight and Swami's, while the best for surfing are Grandview and Beacon's. And of course, you'll find all the taco stands, surf shops and palm tree-lined streets that you'd expect from Southern California.

Related: The best hotels in San Diego

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Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

While the Outer Banks beaches are well-known for their beauty, they sit more than three hours from most of North Carolina's major cities (and that's not even factoring in summer traffic). Wrightsville Beach, on the other hand, is just about a two-hour drive from Raleigh and Durham and near a small regional airport. In addition to its clean and expansive beaches, the town boasts great surf conditions, seafood restaurants, bars, cafes, watersports equipment rental shops and a vibrant college-town energy.

You can top off your weekend getaway with a scenic bike ride along The Loop or a sunset boat ride. The beauty and convenience of Wrightsville (and nearby Wilmington) have even attracted Hollywood producers, so fans of shows like "One Tree Hill" and "The Summer I Turned Pretty" might recognize some of the filming locations.

Provincetown, Massachusetts

As you drive through Cape Cod, you'll pass historic Sandwich, commercialized Hyannis, upscale Chatham and plenty of other seaside towns. But for the perfect combination of stunning natural coastline and fun activities, drive all the way to the end of the cape: Provincetown.

This beach town is colorful, lively, easy to reach and famous as an LGBTQ+ vacation destination. In less than a two-hour ferry ride or a three-hour drive from Boston, you can shop along Provincetown's Commercial Street, pop into art galleries, sample fresh seafood, attend a comedy or drag show, head out on a whale watch, or admire the dramatic sand dunes of Race Point Beach at the very tip of the cape.

Related: Hyatt expands to Provincetown on Cape Cod (kind of)

Destin, Florida

Florida is basically synonymous with beaches, and there are seemingly endless weekend getaway options. But the panhandle beach towns along Scenic Highway 30A are definitely worth a quick trip. Specifically, Destin offers white sand, turquoise water, beachfront bars and restaurants, shops, watersports, deep sea fishing tours, sunset cruises and more.

The beach town is drivable from parts of Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana, and there's also nearby Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS). JetBlue recently launched direct service to VPS from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), making Destin convenient even from the greater New York City area.

Related: JetBlue TrueBlue program: Earn and redeem points, transfer partners and more

Cannon Beach, Oregon

One of the most photographed destinations on the Oregon coast, Cannon Beach is known for its dramatic sea stacks, upscale accommodations and miles of scenic shoreline. While you're in town, head just north to explore the forested trails and sweeping ocean viewpoints in Ecola State Park, book a whale-watching excursion or end the day with a bonfire on the beach. Beyond its natural beauty, Cannon Beach is also home to a thriving arts community, with dozens of galleries, studios and annual festivals showcasing local artists.

Less than two hours from Portland International Airport (PDX), Cannon Beach is an easy weekend getaway. If you're looking to escape some of the crowds, though, drive about 20 minutes south to Manzanita, a quieter beach town with charming cafes, independent shops, art galleries and wide stretches of sandy shoreline.

Saugatuck, Michigan

A town doesn't have to be beside the ocean to be a beach town, and no place proves that point more than Saugatuck. Walkable, charming, artistic and family-friendly, Saugatuck sits on the shores of Lake Michigan, about two hours from Chicago and three hours from Detroit. Visitors can satisfy virtually any craving at the ice cream shops, breweries, diners and cafes of downtown. There's also a plethora of resorts and boutique hotels to choose from (including some points-friendly options).

Once you've spent enough time sunbathing and swimming at renowned Oval Beach, you can hike the sand dunes, go for a dune buggy ride, taste wine at a nearby vineyard or check out the art exhibitions downtown.

Related: 10 points hotels to book near major cities for an easy, last-minute summer getaway

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Delaware is small but mighty when it comes to beach options, and Rehoboth Beach is probably its best. This beach town attracts sun-seekers from Philadelphia (about two hours away), as well as Baltimore and Washington, D.C. (each about 2 1/2 hours away). Family-friendly, LGBTQ+-friendly, nature-centric and food-forward, you will find something to enjoy in Rehoboth no matter who you are.

Some of the best things to do in Rehoboth include strolling the boardwalk, visiting Funland amusement park, relaxing at Cape Henlopen State Park and browsing the shops at Penny Lane Mall.

Related: The best coastal hotels to visit during your next seaside getaway