Best U.S. Beaches to Visit in Winter
Winter travel doesn’t always have to mean snow boots and frozen sidewalks. Sometimes the best way to survive the season is to run straight toward the coast. Beaches in winter carry a different kind of energy—less crowded, more raw, and often warmer than the place you left behind. The best U.S. beaches to visit in winter aren’t just about sunbathing; they’re about finding space, warmth, and a break from the grind.
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach is the classic winter escape. Even in January, the water is warm enough to swim, and the city hums with energy. The beaches stretch wide, the sand is soft, and the vibe is pure escape.
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Waikiki is more than a postcard. Winter here means steady sunshine, surfable waves, and nights that don’t require a jacket. This place will be busy but still worth it, especially when the mainland feels frozen.
Santa Monica Beach, California
Santa Monica isn’t tropical, but it’s steady. Winter here means cool mornings, bright afternoons, and sunsets that feel cinematic. The sand is wide, the pier adds character, and the Pacific keeps things alive.
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Clearwater is one of the best U.S. beaches to visit in winter if you want calm water and soft sand. The Gulf stays gentle, and the boardwalk gives you something to do when the sun dips.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach in winter is quieter, stripped of its summer chaos. The beaches are still wide, the air is crisp, and the ocean feels like a reset button. Winter here is about space and quiet.
Coronado Beach, California
Coronado is polished but welcoming. Wintertime brings cooler air to inviting beaches. The sand is golden with shimmer, and the historic hotel adds something that feels timeless.
Key West, Florida
Key West is the farthest south you can go without leaving the mainland. The cold season here means beaches that stay warm, sunsets that stop you in your tracks, and a pace that slows everything down.
South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre is underrated for winter. Walk the edge of the surf for hours; it’s long and open, the Gulf stays mild, and the crowds thin out after summer. It’s the kind of place where you can walk for miles with only the sound of waves. And seagulls. The seagulls are serious in Padre.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores is a southern gem. Alabama has mild weather, beaches that stretch forever, and seafood that tastes like the season. It’s quieter than Florida but just as rewarding.
Malibu Beach, California
Malibu is dramatic. Here, there are waves crashing against cliffs, beaches that feel cinematic, and a kind of raw beauty that doesn’t need summer heat to impress.
Grab the Sunscreen
Running away to the beach doesn’t erase the season—it just shifts it. The best U.S. beaches to visit in winter aren’t about chasing perfection. They’re about finding warmth, space, and a reminder that even in the coldest months, the ocean still moves and that the sun is still shining. Somewhere.
