Think of the ideal summer and what comes to mind? Sun, sand and sea? Or is your summertime best filled with festivals, food and family? Six travel writers reveal their favorite summertime activities and name their best US summer destinations for 2017.
1. Horseback riding at Pismo Beach, California
Pismo Beach in California is my favorite summer destination for a quick weekend getaway. It’s perfect if you love the outdoors, you can go clam digging, horseback riding on private trails, or go fishing on the pier. I make sure to make a stop at the Cracked Crab for fresh crab, oysters and the delicious crab enchiladas.
Kaila Yu | US travel blogger for nylonpink.tv
2. Festivals at St. Augustine, Florida
I’d have to say St. Augustine, Florida is my favorite summer destination. Aside from the beaches it has so much else to see. They do festivals like nowhere else. Last year I went to St. Augustine’s 450th birthday celebration, but you’ll find smaller festivals occur year round, monthly and sometimes even weekly.
Kathleen Walls | US travel blogger for americanroads.net
3. Charming beachfront at the Hamptons, New York
I love the Hamptons, especially the charming beachfront town of Amagansett. Stretched along miles of beach, this quiet, affluent area has a small downtown with a few restaurants and shops and fantastic farm stands.
Barbara Jean Barrielle | US travel blogger
4. Wine at Central Coast, California
Living in Orange County, California we enjoy road trips and often head up north to the Central Coast (for wine) and then hop up and over to Carmel and Monterey! Best part is I can pack in an hour.
Deirdre Michalski | US travel blogger for tastesandtravel.com
5. Pilgrimage to Jersey Shore, New Jersey
There is nothing like The Shore in the summer! I grew up in New Jersey, but now live in Vermont. I still make the annual pilgrimage back to the Jersey Shore every summer.
Dana Howard Freeman | US travel blogger for danahfreeman.com
6. Family vibe at Coronado, California
I love the family vibe of Coronado in California – so it’s my pick of the best US summer destinations. There’s paddle boarding, swimming and plenty of white sand for sculpting sand castles. For the best breakfast, you can’t go past Clayton’s Coffee Shop on Orange Ave. The 50s style diner also has a walk up window serving pastries and ice cream.
Jacqui Gibson | New Zealand blog manager for fwtmagazine.com