6 less-expensive beach vacations in the U.S.

Maybe this wasn’t the summer for a far-flung trip. But even if we’re not exploring the Mediterranean or living it up at an all-inclusive in Mexico, we still crave the beach. Especially a beach relatively close to home that won’t eat up the rest of the year’s vacation fund.

Enter professional travel planners, who shared some of their top domestic picks for budget-friendly beaches with us. With free activities, reasonable accommodations and affordable restaurants, these spots can deliver sun and sand without too much of a sting.

Hollywood, Florida

For a Florida getaway without South Beach party scenes or sky-high prices, Miami-based travel adviser Sharon Concepcion suggests heading a county north to Hollywood Beach. The Broadwalk, a promenade that stretches nearly 2.5 miles, offers a brick-paved surface for jogging, strolling, biking and rollerblading.

"There’s always something fun to find and do," Concepcion said. "Little restaurants, bars, candy shops, clothing shops, better priced, in my opinion, than Miami."

An outdoor theater hosts free entertainment Wednesdays through Sundays, and wave riders unimpressed by South Florida’s swells can pay for time on a surf simulator at the Margaritaville Beach Resort.

If the Margaritaville or Marriott up Ocean Drive stretch the budget, the beach is dotted with mom-and-pop motels. Concepcion suggests families seek out affordably priced chain hotels off the beach and drive or bike to the water; there are several in nearby Dania Beach.

Don’t miss: Le Tub, a former gas station turned heralded burger bar on the Intracoastal Waterway. Waits might be long, and the burgers aren’t cheap, but the $17 starting price tag gets you a 13-ounce patty cooked to order. The views and bathroom decor make this a memorable vacation experience.

The Wildwoods, New Jersey

Jennifer Byrne, CEO of the Tropical Travelers, typically posts TikTok videos from luxury resorts in the Caribbean or villas in Italy. But when she took her son to the Jersey Shore this summer, the Philadelphia-based travel agency owner found some different content.

"They have a bar on the beach now, and I tell you this is the place to be day and night," she said from the beach in North Wildwood. The new bar is on the sand at Seaport Pier on the two-plus-mile boardwalk, where visitors can also find rides, water parks, games and restaurants.

The destination touts five miles of free-to-access beaches in North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, and 12 miles of bike paths, bike lanes and bikeable boardwalk. A critical mass of midcentury architecture inspired the area’s nickname: "Doo Wop Capital of the World."

"That’s a hot spot," Byrne said, noting that vintage motels are in demand. Some can be pricey, but there are options under $250 and even a few under $200.

Don’t miss: The Sightseer Tram Cars, built for the 1939 World’s Fair, have been shuttling visitors along the boardwalk for more than seven decades.

St. Simons Island, Georgia

This laid-back Georgia beach town offers wide swaths of sand, centuries of history and easy access from Interstate 95.

Explore the Fort Frederica National Monument (established in 1736), the St. Simons Lighthouse (built more than 100 years later) and the World War II Home Front Museum to understand the scope of the island’s place in American history. A monument at Fort Frederica also honors the family of Robert Abbott, who was born on the island in 1868 to formerly enslaved people and later founded the Chicago Defender, a daily newspaper.

Vacation rentals are available throughout the island, as are reasonably priced hotels off the beach such as a Hampton Inn for under $150 and the Inn by Sea Island, priced for less than $175 a night.

Travelmation travel adviser Heather Honaker, who lived on the island for four years, recommends Porch, known for its Nashville hot chicken, and Southern Soul Barbecue. Both have been featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." She was a big fan of Barrier Island Brewing, a gathering spot with "great food" that often has outdoor music, for date nights.

Don’t miss: The "tree spirits," images carved into oaks around the island. Most are on private property, but several are available for the public to find.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Summer is low season on this Caribbean island, and snagging a cheap fare on one of the budget airlines that fly to San Juan can make the getaway getatable if you can abide the heat and hurricane threat.

Once there, you could head east to explore the white-sand beaches on the island of Culebra or west to the cliffs of Cabo Rojo. Or you could just get off the plane in the U.S. territory’s capital and start your vacation pronto.

"There is a beach right there, Isla Verde, just minutes from the airport," said Concepcion, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico. The city is full of restaurants, things to do, nightlife options and places to stay — including many under $200 a night.

Concepcion said the option is great "for someone that wants to feel they’re going to an exotic destination and does not have a passport."

Don’t miss: Centuries of architecture and history in Old San Juan, where a self-guided walking tour can take you from fort to church to picturesque plaza.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

For a "more family-oriented" beach town, Concepcion likes this Gulf Coast spot for its range of activities and hotel options that "don’t have to break the bank."

Beachfront hotels can be expensive, but farther inland, the area has budget-friendly chains such as Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express for less than $150 a night in August.

Gulf State Park covers more than 3.5 miles of beaches and encourages visitors to use boxes at access points to grab and leave beach toys; its "Leave Only Footprints" program includes rules and tips on protecting the shores. Within the park, a backcountry trail system includes more than 28 miles of paved trails for bicycling, jogging, wandering and wildlife spotting.

Human-made experiences can be found at nearby mini-golf courses, go-kart tracks and water parks. Find a ropes course, beach arcade and gulf shrimp at Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s, from a family who embodies the beachy spirit. (She is the younger sister of the late singer and business owner Jimmy Buffett.)

Don’t miss: Several tour companies set off from nearby Orange Beach multiple times a day for dolphin-spotting boat trips. Some even offer guarantees.

Ventura, California

Nestled between Malibu and Santa Barbara, Ventura proudly touts itself as "A Beach Vacation You Can Afford." The city’s tourism website shows motels for less than $150, with pricier hotels in the high $300s a night. Many beaches have free or low-priced parking.

Travel agency owner Sonia Bhagwan said she highly recommends the place for families and travelers with pets thanks to the dog-friendly beaches, hotels, restaurants and sites.

"It’s very big on outdoor activities; there’s a walkable downtown," she said.

The city embraces a surf-town vibe, but non-surfers can hit the water via swan-shaped pedal boats at Ventura Harbor Village. Find views and nature by strolling the Ventura Botanical Gardens or hiking the 2,100-acre Harmon Canyon Preserve.

Don’t miss: Channel Islands National Park. The park’s islands, sometimes referred to as the "Galápagos of North America," can be reached by boat from Ventura.