Alabama's Gulf Shores provide white sandy beaches which are both perfect for a family holiday, and a quieter alternative to the heavily crowded beaches of Florida. The Gulf Shores provide a family friendly environment full of sunbathing, watersports and golfing opportunities, as well as plenty of theme parks and attractions which are great for kids.

Among the busiest tourist spots in Texas, Port Aransas is a small city, but incredibly popular due to its excellent fishing and beaches. It's based on small Mustang Island, just off the Gulf Coast. Port Aransas can make the perfect location for a family holiday, but as it is also a popular destination for college students on spring break, you may want to check your dates before you book! A humid sub-tropical climate similar to South Florida is just one of the regions attractions, but the town's small size and the popularity of its beach means that hotel prices can be very high indeed.

The beach at Port Aransas is one of its main draws, and you will probably spend at least a few days here, especially as you're allowed to drive cars and even park (if you have a permit) on the 18 miles of beach! Along with sunbathing and reading a good book, the beach provides opportunities for a wide range of water sports, such as water skiing, parasailing, surfing and windsurfing. You can also perfect your swing while the kids are swimming by trying out the course at the Newport Dunes Golf Club. It's a challenging course, and the views are truly spectacular out over the sea. But in addition to these predictable holiday pursuits, the authorities have also been aiming to build the city's tourism revenues by promoting eco-tourism, so there are also a great many bird hides, kayak paddling trails and there is also a large nature reserve under construction which will soon provide opportunities for hiking and wildlife spotting.

The Southern Oregon coast is home to isolated beaches, rugged cliffs with breathtaking views of the Pacific and quaint seaside towns. If you stay in the Bay Area, go whale watching at Coos Bay or explore the region on a bike or a hike along the coastline. Antique shoppers will want to explore old town Bandon while golfers hit the links at the world-renowned Bandon Dunes golf course. And don’t forget to bring your fishing gear – you’ll want to cast for salmon and other Pacific Northwest fish at Gold Beach, one of the region’s top fishing spots.

The Central Oregon Coast is a great place for fishing, clamming, hiking, golfing and other outdoor activities. Take the kids and visit the Sea Lion Caves near Florence, the world’s largest. Head up to Newport for a view of the state’s second-tallest lighthouse and shopping in this seaside town popular with vacationers for the last century. Go fly a kite on the beach in Lincoln City, kite capital of the world.

The Northern Oregon Coast offers a relaxing way to enjoy the region. A stay in the scenic town of Astoria on the Washington border will allow you to explore the western edge of the Lewis and Clark trail, with views of the Columbia River and the Pacific. Walk the sandy beaches in Seaside and Cannon Beach and then grab saltwater taffy and other treats while shopping these seaside towns.