Myrtle Beach is a family-friendly beach destination—which means in addition to great beaches, there’s plenty to do when the kids are sick of making sand castles. Amusement parks, water sports and golf courses are nearby. And family-friendly dining and hotels abound.

As Baja California Sur’s capital, La Paz is mostly used as a jumping-off point for Cabo San Lucas’ beach resorts. However, its old-world charm and pleasant waterfront promenade featuring international art and restaurants overlooking the grey whale–inhabited water are reasons worth sticking around.

San Diego embodies laid-back California culture, complete with a Boardwalk, surfing communities, and outstanding Mexican food. Breathe in the fresh ocean air at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, then gobble down a fresh fish taco at a La Jolla seafood joint. The naval aircrafts at the USS Midway Museum will have you standing at attention. A free Sunday concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the perfect way to unwind after a Saturday night bar-hop in the thumping Gaslamp Quarter.

With the dramatic backdrop of 12,200-foot Mount Teide towering behind the resort, Adeje makes an unforgettable holiday destination. Adeje is less than two miles from the boisterous nightlife of Playa de las Americas, allowing visitors to choose whether to take it easy or to party. Bake in the sun on black volcanic sands before cooling down at a water park, such as popular Siam Park, or out windsurfing. Barranco del Infierno, Hell's Gorge, is a lush oasis, perfect for hiking.

Far from Ibiza's party towns, Santa Eulalia del Rio attracts a calmer clientele with its white-sand beaches and laid-back nightlife. Traditional Mediterranean buildings and a 16th-century church overlook a yacht-filled marina, while Ibiza's only river borders the town's southern reaches.