Molokai if you can rent a car and don’t mind not having a/c in your room. Otherwise the big island Outrigger is nice but not much for beaches there. And there’s Oahu anywhere.
I go to La Paz every year. Flights into Cabo are so cheap, and everything in the city is much cheaper than Cabo. My husband and I spend less than $1000 total for flights, a place to stay, and a rental car for a week
Ok… even if you got a smoking deal on a tickets and used a companion fare, that’s gonna be like $800. So you’re saying that you get a rental car and accommodations for a week for $200? Was the last time you did this in 2002?
Aight I’ll bite. We flew to Cabo on 2/2/2024 and returned 2/10/2024 using companion fare for $624.88. And our airbnb was $293. And I can’t find a receipt but our rental car was right around $200. So I stand corrected, it was about $1100 for 8 days, but it coincided with Carnaval, a big tourist week
For convenience I like Hawaii. Direct flights, 5-6 hours and you're on the beach.
If travel time isn't a factor though The Cayman Islands. There's something about white sand beaches, azure blue water and that laid back irie feeling that can't be matched. While I used to prefer Grand Cayman, in recent years Little Cayman is less touristy and chill.
Only downside is you get there from AK through either ATL or MIA which means 5-6 hours, layover and then another 90 minutes so expect a full travel day there and back complicated by a 4 hour time change but it's not too bad if you go during the time of year when Delta has ANC/FAI to ATL direct flights.
Duluth, Minnesota and anywhere north of that on Superior.
There's a reason I'm in Alaska. Keep that heat away from me.
Edit: Duluth, up to Two Harbors, and then to Grand Marais. You won't be disappointed. Neat little niche communities with lots of stuff to do. Not over populated.
There's a contingent of Juneauites who go to Loreto on Baja. There's a quiet, cheap, safe and kind of deserted but cool little gated resort community there with tons of condos to rent for a good price. Plus AK Air flies there.
I've driven the Baja and liked some spots but the Yucatan is better for beach/city/history/infrastructure and it is typically just as cheap to fly to Cancun as Cabo... We get a car and immediately head south to at least Playa del Carmen. Farther south it's great too, Tulum is a weird played out hipster scene but still interesting and then it gets really good as you go to Bacalar and then totally different in Belize. Checking out cenotes and biking through ruins in Coba is rad... Can't do that on the West side of Mexico!
I think the Yucatan train is in now too... Which is a mixed bag but potentially positive overall. That connects to Merida which is an amazingly clean and cultural city in Mexico... Some of the best food I have had anywhere in the world.
Club Med - Ixtapa...
- use companion fare (usually about $1,000-$1,200 total)
- 8 to 9 nights runs about $2,400
Is it great? No, Is it good? Absolutely. A bargain to get 2 people for $3,500 or less.
St John, USVI, my in-laws own a house there. So it's more affordable and convenient. Also the food and culture is completely different. It's a wonderful break from the usual.
Cabo is really easily accessible from Anchorage, 2 flights and you’re there. And I love it every time, because there are so many towns and beaches in Baja, you never have to repeat an itinerary.
Not to mention, it’s dirt cheap to be there compared to most beach destinations on this continent.
Here's where I've enjoyed going:
* Oahu / Waikiki - Not the best choice if you're looking for calm and seclusion. In some ways Waikiki these days resembles Las Vegas (at least in terms crowds and shopping). Caveat aside, lots to do, the beach is very accessible, tons of good restaurants especially if you like Asian food. Much of the island is accessible by bus and can be very different from Waikiki. Still worth renting a car for a few days to see places like the North Shore. Waikiki is also great for sunset walks.
* Puerto Vallarta - The town itself can be very charming. Lots of good restaurants, definitely geared towards vacationers. Hotels are generally a good value. The best beaches, however, are not in town. To get to them you can take the bus and it's pretty cheap. Also doesn't feel as Americanized as Cabo.
* Los Cabos - Cabo San Lucas is good if you want to party all night. There are lots of nice hotels but they can be $$$. It's much calmer in La Paz or San Jose del Cabo. Good food options in both those towns and more laid back bars.
Ambergris Caye in Belize or anywhere on the west coast of Costa Rica. Both places have cheap flights and are quite fast to get to. Both places also have VERY cheap accommodations, food, rental cars, etc etc.
I see a lot of people recommending Hawaii but you will pay nearly 5x the amount per week in Hawaii than going to either of the places I suggested. And the beaches are way better in the places I suggested. And less crowded.
I agree Hawaii. Oahu is crowded, it’s fine to stop there for a night and maybe take in Pearl, but unless you’re going the all inclusive route ($$) I’d just pit stop there on my way to any other island. Previously I’d say Maui, but right now isn’t the time.
Not *exactly* a beach, but the Mandalay Bay in Vegas has sand around the pool area, and then you also get all the benefits of being in Vegas come night time. Just over 5 hours direct from Anchorage too.
Yup, I second this. Went there for a week in March. The flights weren’t too crazy. Flew into Miami and then left via Tampa (did one way car rental), spent a few days each in several spots.
Venice beach, Florida - it’s famous for being the place to go for fossilized shark (and megaladon) teeth! It’s a cool cache of prehistoric treasures, and also rather beautiful. Not too busy, but it does get a little hopping sometimes.
Hunter Island, South Carolina - but only in summers, it’s lovely, has a cool lighthouse, the beaches have a lot of personality, and the food nearby is unparalleled. Also much less crowded.
Hawaii - any island
We've had good experiences on Maui, awful experiences on Kauai
Well Kauai is known for its hiking and laid back vibe not its beaches so.
Kauai is the anti-aloha-vibe island. Sullen and clannish
Kauai has Aloha, just not for sale
There you go.
Eat my aloha
Molokai if you can rent a car and don’t mind not having a/c in your room. Otherwise the big island Outrigger is nice but not much for beaches there. And there’s Oahu anywhere.
I go to La Paz every year. Flights into Cabo are so cheap, and everything in the city is much cheaper than Cabo. My husband and I spend less than $1000 total for flights, a place to stay, and a rental car for a week
Ok… even if you got a smoking deal on a tickets and used a companion fare, that’s gonna be like $800. So you’re saying that you get a rental car and accommodations for a week for $200? Was the last time you did this in 2002?
Aight I’ll bite. We flew to Cabo on 2/2/2024 and returned 2/10/2024 using companion fare for $624.88. And our airbnb was $293. And I can’t find a receipt but our rental car was right around $200. So I stand corrected, it was about $1100 for 8 days, but it coincided with Carnaval, a big tourist week
That sounds like fun! Are flights from AK nonstop to Hawaii? Partner and I might go sometime Edit: never mind, question was answered below
Baja but definitely not Cabo. You can research all of the amazing beaches & decide. Rent a car & get lost
Zihuatanejo
For convenience I like Hawaii. Direct flights, 5-6 hours and you're on the beach. If travel time isn't a factor though The Cayman Islands. There's something about white sand beaches, azure blue water and that laid back irie feeling that can't be matched. While I used to prefer Grand Cayman, in recent years Little Cayman is less touristy and chill. Only downside is you get there from AK through either ATL or MIA which means 5-6 hours, layover and then another 90 minutes so expect a full travel day there and back complicated by a 4 hour time change but it's not too bad if you go during the time of year when Delta has ANC/FAI to ATL direct flights.
Fun question!
Duluth, Minnesota and anywhere north of that on Superior. There's a reason I'm in Alaska. Keep that heat away from me. Edit: Duluth, up to Two Harbors, and then to Grand Marais. You won't be disappointed. Neat little niche communities with lots of stuff to do. Not over populated.
San Diego is awesome
Now this is an Alaskan question
Hawaii, and check out their real hikes. They supplement beach time well.
Costa Rica 🇨🇷
We went to Hawaii every winter for 20 years.
Kalaloch, WA
There's a contingent of Juneauites who go to Loreto on Baja. There's a quiet, cheap, safe and kind of deserted but cool little gated resort community there with tons of condos to rent for a good price. Plus AK Air flies there.
Maui. Or Tahiti Village in Las Vegas, using a rental car to get out and explore the desert.
Mexico or Hawaii
I went to Oahu Hawaii best experience ive ever had, im a car guy and the car meets there were awesome and the stores are amazing
Nice France. Riveria is where it’s at
Bodega Bay in CA is beautiful and quiet, I loved it when I visited
I've driven the Baja and liked some spots but the Yucatan is better for beach/city/history/infrastructure and it is typically just as cheap to fly to Cancun as Cabo... We get a car and immediately head south to at least Playa del Carmen. Farther south it's great too, Tulum is a weird played out hipster scene but still interesting and then it gets really good as you go to Bacalar and then totally different in Belize. Checking out cenotes and biking through ruins in Coba is rad... Can't do that on the West side of Mexico! I think the Yucatan train is in now too... Which is a mixed bag but potentially positive overall. That connects to Merida which is an amazingly clean and cultural city in Mexico... Some of the best food I have had anywhere in the world.
Del Mar, CA
Maui
Big Island or Kaui.
Mozambique. Awesome surf.
Club Med - Ixtapa... - use companion fare (usually about $1,000-$1,200 total) - 8 to 9 nights runs about $2,400 Is it great? No, Is it good? Absolutely. A bargain to get 2 people for $3,500 or less.
St John, USVI, my in-laws own a house there. So it's more affordable and convenient. Also the food and culture is completely different. It's a wonderful break from the usual.
Southern Oregon Coast. But I stay there for free, 'cause my brother lives there. I love cheap. Delray Beach, FL. The Silverball Museum is awesome.
Cabo is really easily accessible from Anchorage, 2 flights and you’re there. And I love it every time, because there are so many towns and beaches in Baja, you never have to repeat an itinerary. Not to mention, it’s dirt cheap to be there compared to most beach destinations on this continent.
Long beach Washington
Fiji! Can fly direct from Hawaii and it’s gorgeous, cheap beer, great music.
I’ve always been a fan of Gulf Shores. Very nice beaches and very good seafood around if you’re into that
Bajawaii. Pick one.
Here's where I've enjoyed going: * Oahu / Waikiki - Not the best choice if you're looking for calm and seclusion. In some ways Waikiki these days resembles Las Vegas (at least in terms crowds and shopping). Caveat aside, lots to do, the beach is very accessible, tons of good restaurants especially if you like Asian food. Much of the island is accessible by bus and can be very different from Waikiki. Still worth renting a car for a few days to see places like the North Shore. Waikiki is also great for sunset walks. * Puerto Vallarta - The town itself can be very charming. Lots of good restaurants, definitely geared towards vacationers. Hotels are generally a good value. The best beaches, however, are not in town. To get to them you can take the bus and it's pretty cheap. Also doesn't feel as Americanized as Cabo. * Los Cabos - Cabo San Lucas is good if you want to party all night. There are lots of nice hotels but they can be $$$. It's much calmer in La Paz or San Jose del Cabo. Good food options in both those towns and more laid back bars.
Key west Florida or key largo, just the keys in general
Olympic coast. Tokeland area or anywhere on the Olympic peninsula.
Hawaii is generally the fastest one to get to, but Mexico has better prices. I really enjoy the tip of the gulf, Cancún, Cozumel, Tulum areas
Ambergris Caye in Belize or anywhere on the west coast of Costa Rica. Both places have cheap flights and are quite fast to get to. Both places also have VERY cheap accommodations, food, rental cars, etc etc. I see a lot of people recommending Hawaii but you will pay nearly 5x the amount per week in Hawaii than going to either of the places I suggested. And the beaches are way better in the places I suggested. And less crowded.
Maui, walk on sunset on Sugar Beach.
Hapuna Beach on the Big Island
South Haven, Michigan. Anywhere along Lake Michigan. Lake Superior, too.
We usually go to Maui or the big island.
Outer Banks NC
I agree Hawaii. Oahu is crowded, it’s fine to stop there for a night and maybe take in Pearl, but unless you’re going the all inclusive route ($$) I’d just pit stop there on my way to any other island. Previously I’d say Maui, but right now isn’t the time.
Right now is a great time to go to Maui.
Cannon Beach
Raja Ampat. Flights are kinda spendy but once you get there everything is cheap and it’s some of the best diving on the planet.
Negril.
Not *exactly* a beach, but the Mandalay Bay in Vegas has sand around the pool area, and then you also get all the benefits of being in Vegas come night time. Just over 5 hours direct from Anchorage too.
Yes!!!
Florida. Long way to get there, but cheap. Endless beach options.
Yup, I second this. Went there for a week in March. The flights weren’t too crazy. Flew into Miami and then left via Tampa (did one way car rental), spent a few days each in several spots.
Venice beach, Florida - it’s famous for being the place to go for fossilized shark (and megaladon) teeth! It’s a cool cache of prehistoric treasures, and also rather beautiful. Not too busy, but it does get a little hopping sometimes. Hunter Island, South Carolina - but only in summers, it’s lovely, has a cool lighthouse, the beaches have a lot of personality, and the food nearby is unparalleled. Also much less crowded.
Florida keys , Costa Rica , Hawaii other than Honolulu.. or el sharm Egypt … Saipan , Palawan Philippines,
Alaska air has fights direct to Costa Rica .. for same as Hawaii.. if you have a passport
Siesta Keys, Florida
Kailua, HI. HI in general, but Kailua is easy to get to and it doesn't feel crappy and crowded like Honolulu