We’re past that point on the calendar when you can get passports for yourself and your kids in time for a tropical holiday beach vacation, at least without biting your nails at the mailbox.
Guess that leaves us with the good ol’ U.S. of A.
Luckily, we’ve got some great beaches here in the U.S. Unfortunately, us yanks ain’t known for the “whole package,” like you find in the Caribbean. The kind of vacation where you lie in a hammock, hold out your hand, and a piña colada magically drops into it is scarce here in the states.
But I know of at least three good secrets:
Florida: Just north of Jacksonville, Amelia Island Plantation offers all-inclusive packages, including green fees and carts, meals in nine restaurants, and—I am not kidding here—video game console rentals. Calling all families with teens….
Hawaii: One of the few all-inclusives on the islands (Hawaii isn’t known for this option, though I’m lobbying for change!), the Kona Village Resorts on the fabulous Big Island offer a “Togethering” package: one bungalow at the regular rate, and the second one at half off, plus meals half off, plus, well, everything half off. This is great for large, extended families who love each other very much but are not actually interested in staying in the same room together.
California: It’s technically not all-inclusive, but Paradise Point Resort and Spa in San Diego offers something worth mentioning: complimentary breakfast every morning, plus SeaWorld (which, by the way, is within walking distance of the resort).
That’s about as American “beachy” as you get. Seriously.
—Meredith
