Coast More, Pay Less: How and where Americans can save on summer beach travel
Key Takeaways
- As searches for Airbnb stays in US coastal towns this summer surge nearly 20 percent among families, Airbnb is spotlighting American beach towns where families can get the most for their money.
- In over 60 percent of US coastal towns, rentals on Airbnb are more affordable for families than other comparable lodging options, saving them approximately $300 per three-night stay.
- In 1 in 5 US coastal towns, Airbnb rentals are often the only affordable option—preserving beach access for families who require a 2-bedroom stay for under $300 a night.
Key Takeaways
- As searches for Airbnb stays in US coastal towns this summer surge nearly 20 percent among families, Airbnb is spotlighting American beach towns where families can get the most for their money.
- In over 60 percent of US coastal towns, rentals on Airbnb are more affordable for families than other comparable lodging options, saving them approximately $300 per three-night stay.
- In 1 in 5 US coastal towns, Airbnb rentals are often the only affordable option—preserving beach access for families who require a 2-bedroom stay for under $300 a night.
The American beach vacation is a beloved summer tradition. Across US beach towns, for example, searches by families for Airbnb stays this summer are up nearly 20 percent.1 However, traveling to the coast is increasingly out of reach for many families with 79 percent of Americans saying they’re worried about the rising cost of travel, according to a recent survey.
To help families get access to the beach without breaking the bank, Airbnb is highlighting 23 family-friendly beach destinations where families can make their dollars go further this summer, especially by staying at an Airbnb. From the sand dunes in Florence, Oregon to the emerald waters of Gulf Shores, Alabama, see the full list of coastal destinations here.2
Airbnb is often the only affordable option for families in US beach towns
According to new data, a family of four or more saves an average of $300—or about 30 percent—on a three-day weekend by booking a two-bedroom rental on Airbnb over comparable lodging options in US coastal towns.3 In over 60 percent of US coastal towns, Airbnb listings are more affordable for families than traditional lodging options like hotels.4
In some beach destinations, that gap goes even further:
- In 1 in 5 coastal towns across the US, short-term rentals are typically the only accommodation option where families can spend, on average, less than $300 a night.5
- In nearly 67 percent of Delaware coastal towns, Airbnb is often the only affordable accommodation option—preserving beach access for families who require a two-bedroom stay for less than $300 a night.6
- Across the Massachusetts coast, a family of four or more saves an average of $600 per three-night trip by booking a two-bedroom Airbnb over comparable lodging.7
For families navigating a tighter summer budget, that difference can make or break whether they’re able to visit.
“Family beach vacations shouldn’t feel like a luxury, but for too many families, it’s become one,” said Laura Spanjian, Airbnb Director, Global Campaigns. “From Massachusetts to California, Airbnb hosts help keep our country’s coastline affordable. And our Coast More, Pay Less list makes it even easier for families to find more affordable places to visit this summer, where staying at a short-term rental can help their dollars go further.”
“For too many families, the cost of travel has quietly decided who gets to make memories and who doesn’t,” said Yumeka Rushing, Chief Strategy Officer, NAACP. “Short-term rentals are helping change that, giving families more affordable options for the kind of getaway others have long taken for granted. Airbnb’s Coast More, Pay Less campaign is a real step toward making travel and leisure something every family can access, not a privilege reserved for a few.”
There are a number of ways Airbnb also aims to help make trips more affordable, including helping guests spread the cost of their stay with features like Reserve Now Pay Later and Pay Over Time. This gives guests booking stays with a moderate or flexible cancellation policy the chance to reserve a listing without paying anything upfront at the time of booking.
Introducing the Coast More, Pay Less list
Airbnb’s Coast More, Pay Less list highlights 23 family-friendly US beach destinations where families can get the most for their money and where Airbnb offers real value: room for the whole family to spread out, proximity to the water, and a price that makes the trip feasible. From a small-town fishing harbor in Northern California to a laid-back Gulf Shore town in Alabama, these are the places where the family beach vacation is still within reach.
Here are our 23 Coast More, Pay Less destinations for 2026:
- Arcata, CA
- Crescent City, CA
- Eureka, CA
- Bethany Beach, DE
- Cocoa Beach, FL
- Fernandina Beach, FL
- Fort Pierce, FL
- Gloucester, MA
- Bay St. Louis, MS
- Gulfport, MS
- Atlantic Beach, NC
- Florence, OR
- Seaside, OR
- Yachats, OR
- Edisto Beach, SC
- Surfside Beach, SC
- Rockport, TX
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Ocean Shores, WA
- Gulf Shores, AL
- Grand Isle, LA
- Ocean City, MD
- Wildwood, NJ
Arcata
Ideal for families wanting to trade scorching summer valley heat for cool coastal air, offering a quirky college-town square where you can catch a local Humboldt Crabs baseball game after hunting for agates on Mad River Beach.
Stay HERE.
Crescent City
Perfect for Northern California families seeking a rugged two-for-one vacation, where you can explore tide pools right next to the historic Battery Point Lighthouse and walk among the giant redwoods just fifteen minutes inland.
Stay HERE.
Eureka
Great for an architectural and coastal retreat; families can cruise the smooth waters of Humboldt Bay on the historic M.V. Madaket ferry and visit the Sequoia Park Zoo’s famous elevated Redwood SkyWalk.
Stay HERE.
Bethany Beach
Widely known as one of Delaware’s “Quiet Resorts,” it provides a peaceful, lower-stress alternative to neighboring boardwalks while still offering free family bonfire nights and movies right on the sand.
Stay HERE.
Cocoa Beach
The ultimate launchpad for Space Coast families, offering smooth, wide sands perfect for beginner surf lessons at the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop and unforgettable views of rocket launches from the beach.
Stay HERE.
Fernandina Beach (Amelia Island)
A historic gem for North Florida locals looking for Old Florida charm, featuring a quaint Victorian downtown, wild-roaming sea turtles, and horse-drawn carriage tours.
Stay HERE.
Fort Pierce
A hidden haven for Treasure Coast families who want to avoid massive tourist crowds, boasting shallow sandbars at Jetty Park and a world-class Manatee Observation Center right on the water.
Stay HERE.
Bay St. Louis
A creative, laid-back sanctuary for Mississippians, offering calm, shallow Gulf waters alongside a highly walkable historic downtown packed with local folk art galleries and friendly seafood shacks.
Stay HERE.
Gulfport
The action hub of the Mississippi coast, perfect for in-state families who want to pair a classic day on the white-sand beach with a visit to the Mississippi Aquarium or the nearby multi-acre water park.
Stay HERE.
Atlantic Beach
A favorite Crystal Coast tradition for NC families, loved for its exceptionally clean water, great fishing piers, and its close proximity to the historic trails and wild horses of Fort Macon State Park.
Stay HERE.
Florence
A paradise for adventurous Oregonians, where you can explore massive coastal sand dunes on a buggy, sandboard down the hills, and tour the spectacular, sea-lion-filled caves just up the highway.
Stay HERE.
Seaside
The quintessential, classic Pacific Northwest beach town for in-state families, featuring a historic 1920s oceanfront promenade, a public aquarium where kids can feed harbor seals, and bumper cars.
Stay HERE.
Yachats
Known as the “Gem of the Oregon Coast,” it is best for families who prefer rugged nature over commercial boardwalks, offering dramatic black-basalt crashing waves, tide pools, and the nearby Cape Perpetiva scenic area.
Stay HERE.
Edisto Beach
One of the last completely uncommercialized beaches in the state, making it a beloved tradition for SC families who want a slow-paced getaway focused entirely on crabbing, shelling, and biking under live oaks.
Stay HERE.
Surfside Beach
Officially certified as the first autism-friendly travel destination in the country, this “Family Beach” offers a highly inclusive, community-focused vibe with a brand-new fishing pier and gentle surf.
Stay HERE.
Rockport
A peaceful, wave-free alternative to busy commercial ports, boasting Texas’ very first eco-certified blue-wave beach with ultra-shallow waters perfect for toddlers and great bay fishing.
Stay HERE.
Virginia Beach
Ideal for in-state families looking for variety, seamlessly blending a lively, iconic three-mile oceanfront boardwalk with the quiet, dolphin-filled waters of nearby First Landing State Park.
Stay HERE.
Ocean Shores
A sprawling peninsula where families can actually drive their vehicles right onto designated stretches of sand, rent beach-going mopeds, or fly kites in the consistent Pacific breeze.
Stay HERE.
Gulf Shores
Sugar-white quartz sand and warm waters, excellent deep-sea fishing charters and a giant beachfront state park.
Stay HERE.
Grand Isle
A great retreat for families looking for top-tier offshore fishing, crabbing off public piers, and spotting hundreds of species of migratory birds.
Stay HERE.
Ocean City
The ultimate high-energy summer vacation for Marylanders, famous for its world-renowned three-mile wooden boardwalk packed with historic amusement rides, arcade games, and famous hot fries.
Stay HERE.
Wildwood
A nostalgic paradise for Jersey families, boasting massive beaches that don’t require a paid beach tag, neon-lit 1950s architecture, and three massive amusement piers extending right over the ocean.
Stay HERE.
Gloucester
New England’s oldest fishing port and a beloved tradition for Massachusetts families, offering a working waterfront rich with maritime history, world-class seafood, sandy beaches, and stunning rocky coastline that has inspired artists for over a century.
Stay HERE.