6 Overrated Beach Towns In America + 9 Secluded Gems
Summer vacations often mean flocking to popular coastal hotspots, but are the crowds and high prices worth it? Many famous beach towns have become victims of their own success, losing charm while gaining traffic jams and tourist traps.
Meanwhile, hidden along America’s vast coastlines are peaceful havens with pristine shores and authentic local culture still intact.
1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
What was once a charming getaway has transformed into a commercialized strip of chain restaurants and souvenir shops. Myrtle Beach attracts millions annually, creating congested beaches where finding personal space feels impossible.
The water quality often suffers during peak season, and the nightlife scene caters primarily to college students on break. Consider visiting during off-season if you’re set on experiencing this coastal hotspot.
2. Panama City Beach, Florida
Spring break central has earned its reputation for rowdy parties and overcrowded shorelines. During peak months, finding a quiet spot to enjoy the admittedly beautiful emerald waters becomes nearly impossible.
Panama City Beach suffers from overdevelopment, with high-rise condos blocking ocean views and creating a concrete jungle feel. Traffic congestion can turn a simple grocery run into an hour-long ordeal during tourist season.
3. Santa Monica, California
Beyond the iconic pier and ferris wheel lies a reality of overpriced restaurants and perpetual parking nightmares. The famous stretch of sand often disappoints visitors who discover it’s less pristine than expected.
Santa Monica’s proximity to Los Angeles ensures constant crowds, especially on weekends. Local beaches frequently receive poor water quality ratings, and the homeless situation has become increasingly visible in recent years, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for many visitors.
4. Ocean City, Maryland
Family tradition keeps many returning year after year, but first-time visitors often wonder what all the fuss is about. The boardwalk experience centers around deep-fried foods, tacky t-shirt shops, and overpriced arcade games.
Ocean City’s beaches become so packed during summer that towels touch towels. Water quality issues plague this destination after heavy rains, and the artificial resort atmosphere lacks authentic coastal charm that more discerning travelers seek.
5. South Beach, Miami
Glamorous in movies but often disappointing in reality, this see-and-be-seen destination comes with inflated price tags for mediocre experiences. Parking can cost more than your meal, and beach space comes at a premium during high season.
South Beach’s club scene often features rude bouncers, excessive cover charges, and watered-down $20 cocktails. The beautiful Art Deco architecture remains the area’s saving grace, but the overall experience rarely justifies the exorbitant cost.
6. Atlantic City, New Jersey
Once the glittering jewel of the Jersey Shore, this gambling destination has seen better days. The beaches sit in the shadow of aging casinos, with many areas feeling neglected and past their prime. Atlantic City struggles with urban decay just blocks from the boardwalk.
The water quality consistently ranks below neighboring New Jersey beaches, and outside the casinos, dining and entertainment options remain surprisingly limited for such a well-known destination.
7. Bandon, Oregon
Dramatic sea stacks rise from misty shores like ancient sentinels guarding this Pacific Northwest treasure. Unlike Oregon’s more famous coastal towns, the beaches here remain blissfully uncrowded even during summer months.
Bandon offers world-class photography opportunities along with fresh seafood from local fishing fleets. The charming Old Town district provides shopping and dining without the tourist markup, and nearby cranberry bogs add unique agricultural interest to your coastal getaway.
8. Lubec, Maine
Perched at America’s easternmost point, morning visitors here are the first in the country to witness sunrise. The surrounding waters teem with whales and seals, offering wildlife viewing without the commercial tour boat crowds. Lubec’s working harbor showcases authentic Maine fishing culture.
The nearby candy-striped West Quoddy Head Lighthouse provides perfect photo opportunities, and the international bridge to Canada’s Campobello Island offers two countries’ worth of coastal exploration from one charming home base.
9. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
Accessible only by ferry or private boat, this Outer Banks jewel maintains its isolation from the mainland crush. Sixteen miles of undeveloped National Seashore provide sanctuary for shorebirds and solitude-seeking humans alike.
Ocracoke’s village centers around a historic harbor where Blackbeard once anchored his pirate fleet. Rental bikes replace rental cars as the transportation of choice, and the absence of chain stores or restaurants preserves the island’s distinctive character and unhurried pace.
10. Port St. Joe, Florida
Crystal clear Gulf waters lap against sugar-white shores without the high-rise shadows that plague other Florida beaches. The “Forgotten Coast” nickname refers both to this region’s lack of development and its refreshing absence from tourist radar screens.
Port St. Joe offers world-class scalloping in summer months. The uncrowded St. Joseph Peninsula State Park consistently ranks among America’s best beaches, and the downtown area maintains its small-town Southern hospitality despite the occasional travel article threatening to expose its charms.
11. Chincoteague, Virginia
Famous for wild ponies yet somehow still uncrowded, this barrier island offers a rare combination of natural wonders and small-town charm. The adjacent wildlife refuge provides miles of pristine beaches without a single hotel or condo in sight.
Chincoteague maintains its working waterman culture where visitors can watch fishing boats unload the day’s catch. The island’s famous ice cream shops and lack of traffic lights create a nostalgic atmosphere, while kayaking through peaceful marshlands reveals abundant wildlife around every bend.
12. Dauphin Island, Alabama
Gulf Coast paradise without the Gulf Coast prices or crowds remains the defining feature of this barrier island haven. The western end features miles of undeveloped beaches where seashells outnumber people even on summer weekends.
Dauphin Island’s Audubon Bird Sanctuary attracts feathered visitors from across the hemisphere. The historic Fort Gaines offers fascinating Civil War history, and the laid-back local culture embraces visitors without sacrificing its authentic coastal character to tourism demands.
13. Vashon Island, Washington
Ferry-only access ensures this Puget Sound retreat maintains its peaceful character despite proximity to Seattle. Dramatic beaches strewn with driftwood offer views of snowcapped Olympic Mountains across waters frequented by orcas and porpoises.
Vashon Island’s strong agricultural tradition means farm-to-table isn’t a trend but a way of life. The creative community supports numerous galleries and artisan shops, while the absence of traffic lights and chain stores preserves the island’s distinctive character against mainland homogenization.
14. Folly Beach, South Carolina
Just minutes from Charleston yet worlds away in atmosphere, this barrier island maintains a funky, laid-back vibe despite its proximity to a major tourist destination. Surf culture thrives alongside environmental conservation efforts.
Folly Beach’s iconic pier extends 1,000 feet into the Atlantic. The colorful downtown features independent shops and restaurants rather than chains, and strict building height restrictions prevent the high-rise development that has transformed other Southern beaches into concrete canyons.
15. Montauk, New York
Perched at Long Island’s easternmost tip, this former fishing village offers a rugged alternative to the manicured Hamptons scene. Dramatic bluffs and six state parks provide natural beauty that balances the area’s growing popularity.
Montauk’s historic lighthouse stands as New York’s oldest. The robust fishing fleet ensures seafood reaches local restaurants within hours of harvest, and despite recent development, large stretches of shoreline remain protected from construction, preserving the “The End’s” wild character.