Hoping to escape the cold this winter? Why not pack up the RV and head to the ocean for a winter beach vacation? No, we’re not suggesting you head to the beaches of Washington and Maine during the cold season, but heading south to places like SoCal and Florida will give you a chance to hit the sand and waves while also enjoying the sunshine and avoiding the cold.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure you pick the perfect beach so you can fully enjoy your escape from the ice and snow. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of the very best winter beach vacations in the U.S.! Pick a beach from this list for the perfect sunny, RV-friendly getaway.
RVs For Rent Near You
Siesta Beach, FL
Let’s start with the western side of Florida, where we find beautiful Siesta Key. Situated just south of the charming town of Sarasota, this amazing beach has been named the best in the country for good reason.
The sands here are some of the whitest and softest in the country, and the water is a stunning blue color. We adore the weekly drum circle that happens each Sunday and could easily attend every single week for the music and dancing alone. This beach also plays host to yoga groups, sand volleyball games, and a number of other community events.
All that said, even just a stroll along the sand, a morning of sandcastle building, or a quick swim is reason enough to visit.
Where to Stay
If you want to visit Siesta Beach in an RV, we highly recommend staying at Turtle Beach Campground. This amazing campground offers beachfront camping on Siesta Key. Sites include crushed-shell pads as well as full hookups, and there are restrooms with showers onsite.
You’ll also find a playground, kayak launch, fishing area, and beach access in the campground—and to top it all off, the park offers free shuttle service to Siesta Beach and Village.
Jetty Park Beach, FL
Located in Port Canaveral, Jetty Park Beach is an awesome place for a number of reasons.
First, the weather is nearly always warm enough for a swim, which makes it the ideal winter beach vacation spot. We also love that this is an awesome beach for brushing up on your surfing skills, and that you can watch the cruise ships come and go from the nearby port and feel the giant watercraft create waves as they pass by. Rocket launches and submarines can also be viewed from this beach on occasion!
Because this beach is located in a county park, you can expect all sorts of amenities you may not find at a typical beach. There are clean restrooms onsite, and the large playground keeps little ones happy. Of course, we also appreciate that this park offers onsite camping.
Where to Stay
Obviously, if you plan to take an RV trip to Jetty Park Beach, it only makes sense that you would stay in Jetty Park Campground. This awesome RV park offers both water-only and water-and-electric sites. There are restrooms with showers in the campground, and both shuffleboard and a horseshoe area are available to campers.
Padre Island National Seashore, TX
Prefer to take your winter beach vacation in Texas? You’re in luck because we have the perfect destination for you: Padre Island National Seashore.
This beautiful natural area is maintained by the National Parks Service, so you can head into your trip knowing you’ll be spending time in a well maintained and unspoiled place. This beach boasts beautiful soft sand, lapping waves, and lots and lots of wildlife.
In fact, this might just be the best beach on our list for spotting animals, both in the water and on the sand. You’ll find deer and coyotes in the dunes, crabs on the shoreline, and plenty of birds around every corner.
Where to Stay
One of the very best things about Padre Island National Seashore? You can actually camp right on the beach! Both Malaquite Campground and Bird Island Basin Campground offer RV and tent camping on established campsites. Malaquite Campground also has restrooms, potable water, and a dump station.
Neither campground has electric hookups for RVs, so keep that in mind before you decide to camp in either one. Want an even more adventurous option? Consider boondocking right on the beach. Just make sure you know how to drive and park on sand, and avoid high tide!
Rent an RV near Padre Island National Seashore!
Orange Beach, AL
Surfing fans should head to Alabama for a winter beach vacation. Orange Beach is well known as a water sports hub, and surfing is at the top of the list of sports people enjoy most while visiting. Both Terry’s Cove and Alabama Point are good spots for hitting the waves, and there are spots where you can rent surf gear if need be.
In addition to being a great place to surf, Orange Beach is also a wonderful place to swim, play in the sand, and just relax and soak up the sun. The fishing pier is wonderful for those looking to cast a line, and the nearby shopping areas and attractions are fantastic!
Where to Stay
There are a number of RV parks in and around Orange Beach. That said, our favorite place to stay is Gulf State Park Campground. This lovely campground features sites with full hookups, a playground, a swimming pool, sports courts, and a boat ramp. You can also access the beach and the pier without leaving the park.
Tybee Island, GA
Planning to spend your winter beach vacation in Georgia? Why not head to the beautiful Tybee Island? Located just outside the historic city of Savannah, Tybee Island has been a favorite vacation spot since the 1800s. People flock here for the gorgeous beaches, yummy seafood, and incredible sunsets.
While the waters here do get pretty cold during the winter months, you can still enjoy beautiful walks on the fluffy sand, along with the amazing views, bike rides, boating, and fishing.
Of course, you’ll also want to explore the galleries and maker’s shops that fill the area, and be sure to check out attractions such as Fort Pulaski National Monument and Tybee Island Light Station and Museum.
Where to Stay
River’s End Campground and RV Park is the place to stay while visiting Tybee Island in an RV. This campground is run by the city and is quite clean and well-kept. The staff is friendly, the beach is only about three blocks away, and there are both dry campsites and full-hookup sites available. Other amenities include sports courts, a pool, and a rec hall.
Doheny State Beach, CA
One fantastic SoCal beach, Doheny State Beach is located in the town of Dana Point. It’s a wonderful state-run beach park that offers excellent surfing, a lovely green lawn for picnicking, volleyball courts and horseshoe pits, and some wonderful tide pools that are chock-full of fascinating little creatures. Many guests also enjoy surf fishing at this park.
Looking for even more to see and do during your visit? We also love that this park is home to a top-notch visitor center that features a number of aquariums, allowing visitors to see what is under the waters they are playing in.
Where to Stay
On top of being an incredible place for a day visit, Doheny State Beach is also an excellent lodging option. You see, this beach has an onsite campground with awesome views of the water. Sites do not have hookups, but there is potable water available and a dump station makes it easy to empty tanks at the end of your stay. Additionally, you will find restrooms with flush toilets and showers in the park.
Rent an RV near Doheny State Beach!
La Jolla Cove, CA
There’s no place quite like San Diego’s La Jolla Cove. This is a favorite hangout for sea lions and you’re pretty much guaranteed to come face-to-face with dozens of these marine mammals no matter when you visit.
Besides sea lions, this small beach also offers excellent conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Since the beach is located within the La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, you can expect to run into a good amount of marine life below the gentle waves, and since the water visibility can sometimes exceed 30 feet deep, you should have no trouble at all seeing the fish and other critters.
Where to Stay
The closest place to stay when visiting La Jolla Cove is Santa Fe Park RV Resort. This is a lovely pick with plenty of shade trees, full-hookup sites, and a swimming pool and hot tub. There is a rec hall and gym onsite, and the dog run keeps pups happy during their time here.
All that said, the nearby attractions are the real reason to stay in this park, and there are plenty of them.
Rent an RV near La Jolla Cove!
Mālaekahana Beach, HA
Last but definitely not least, we simply must recommend a visit to Hawaii for your winter beach vacation. Not only will you escape the cold, you’ll be able to spend your getaway in literal paradise. We honestly can’t think of anything more incredible than waking up on a Hawaiian beach.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of the beaches in Hawaii do not allow camping in an RV. That said, Mālaekahana Beach is an exception, and it is the perfect place to spend your Hawaiian camping beach vacation.
Located outside of Lā’ie on the north side of the island of Oahu, this adorable pocket beach offers a laid-back vibe, incredible sand, and great surfing and bodyboarding. There is an onsite food truck and store in the park, and SUP, kayak, bodyboard, surfboard, and bikes rentals are available.
When the tide is low, you can walk to the tiny island of Moku’auia (“Goat Island”) to see green sea turtles and nesting seabirds. Just make sure you wear water shoes and return before the tide comes in!
Where to Stay
Obviously, you will want to stay in the beach campground while visiting Mālaekahana Beach. The sites offer dry camping only, but there are fire rings, picnic tables, restrooms with flush toilets and showers, and a place to dispose of trash.
It’s also important to note that due to size constraints, large RVs are not generally available in Hawaii. Therefore, you should expect to stay in a campervan rather than a traditional RV.
Rent an RV near Mālaekahana Beach!
There you have it, the best winter beach vacations in the U.S. Choose the one that makes the most sense for you based on where you live, or pick a place you’ve always wanted to visit. Be sure to pack your beach towels, snorkeling gear, and sand toys, then pick up a rental RV and get ready for a fun time soaking up the sun while relaxing in the sand this winter season!
