We asked travel planners about budget-friendly beaches, and their picks stretch from the Gulf Coast in Alabama to Ventura, California. Each coastal gem delivers the sun and sand without too much of a sting. Try New Jersey’s Wildwoods if you want an alternative for luxury Caribbean resorts. History buffs should check out St. Simons Island in Georgia, which hosts a number of notable landmarks. And for those sick of the party scene, try Hollywood, Florida. “There’s always something fun to find and do,” said Sharon Concepcion, senior director of sales for the Vacation Group. “Little restaurants, bars, candy shops, clothing shops, better priced, in my opinion, than Miami.” On Instagram |