The Vacation Rentals Marketplace Uncovers The Top 35 Beach Escapes in the U.S., Based on Factors such as Affordability, Weather, Local Charm, and More
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – (February 21, 2025) – HomeToGo, the marketplace with the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals, today released its annual 2025 Beach Index, unveiling the top 35 beach destinations in the U.S. ahead of spring break. With sunny coastal escapes ranking as a top travel priority for two-thirds (66%) of U.S. vacationers this year, according to a recent HomeToGo survey*, the company analyzed exclusive internal vacation rental pricing and search insights, alongside data about average temperatures and days of rain, visitor satisfaction, and dining options, to identify the top beaches offering a blend of affordable accommodation, good weather and amenities, and local charm.
“Spring Break continues to be a highly popular time for beach trips across the United States, and with so many destination options available, we are excited to share our annual Beach Index to help travelers navigate the vacation planning waters,” said Eleanor Moody, HomeToGo Travel Expert and Spokesperson. “Every traveler rides their own wave when it comes to planning the perfect beach getaway, which is why we have enhanced this year’s comprehensive ranking to span seven factors. Whether travelers are after blue-sky breaks, savvy stays, or under-the-radar retreats, we hope this report will help pinpoint ideal trips exactly according to personal preferences.”
To rank each beach, HomeToGo researched the following key indicators, calculating scores based on the findings (detailed methodology, including sources, formulas, and calculations can be found HERE):
- Hidden Gem Score: The number of searches on HomeToGo between March and April, with fewer searches equaling higher scores.
- Affordability Score: The median nightly price per person for a vacation rental on HomeToGo between March and April, with lower prices equaling higher scores.
- Heat Score: The average temperature in March and April (°F), with higher temperatures equaling higher scores.
- Clear Skies Score: The average days of rain in March and April, with fewer days of rain equaling higher scores.
- Visitor Satisfaction Score: The rating according to visitor reviews via sources such as Google, Tripadvisor, Yelp, Facebook, with higher ratings equaling higher scores.
- Food & Drink Score: The number of dining establishments within a 15-minute drive, with more places equaling higher scores.
- Local Secret Score: The average distance, in miles, journeyed by travelers to reach each destination, according to search data for vacation rental stays carried out via HomeToGo, with shorter distances earning higher scores, reflecting a location’s status as a regional gem favored by locals.
Here’s a glimpse of what travelers can expect in the top five destinations:
1. Avila Beach, California: Situated in a sheltered cove on California’s Central Coast, Avila Beach is a gem of a destination with golden sand and warmer waters than many nearby beaches. Travelers can kayak and paddleboard, or stroll along sections of the pier extending into the Pacific, offering ocean views and fishing spots.
=2. Kure Beach, North Carolina: With wide, sandy shores and a relaxed pace, Kure Beach offers a quieter alternative to North Carolina’s busier coastal towns for vacationers. Beyond the beach, maritime forests and sand dunes create scenic hiking trails, and the area’s calm, residential feel makes it perfect for those looking to unwind by the sea.
=2. Cherry Grove Beach, South Carolina: A peaceful retreat on the northern tip of the Grand Strand, Cherry Grove Beach is known for its wide, inviting shoreline and the iconic Cherry Grove Pier. Visitors can look forward to the gentle surf that makes it a favorite for families and enjoy the beach’s quiet atmosphere that offers a contrast to the livelier beaches farther south.
4. Saint Joe Beach, Florida: Saint Joe Beach is a laid-back stretch of the Gulf Coast, offering sugar-white sand, shallow waters, and panoramic sunset views. Free from high-rise development, it maintains an open, natural feel, with clear water ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and spotting dolphins just offshore.
5. Vilano Beach, Florida: Across the water from St. Augustine, Vilano Beach combines a rugged shoreline with sweeping coastal views. Its slightly coarser sand and shifting sandbars make it unique among Florida’s Atlantic beaches. A scenic waterfront offers stunning sunset views over the Matanzas River.
Additional key takeaways from HomeToGo’s 2025 Beach Price Index include:
- Average Median Price of a Vacation Rental: In 2025, beach-goers can expect to pay an average median nightly price of $121 per person across the featured destinations on the Gulf, East and West Coasts.
- Beach Bargain: Surfside Beach, Texas (11) offers the most wallet-friendly waves boasting a median price of just $66 per night per person.
- Quieter Coastlines: Spring breakers seeking secret shorelines can head to Duxbury Beach, Massachusetts (35), or explore Bal Harbour Beach, Florida (16), and Avila Beach, California (1), each earning a 9.25+ Hidden Gem score out of 10.
MEDIA NOTE: The full list, destination descriptions, and an interactive map can be found athttps://www.hometogo.com/california/beach-vacation/#beach-index-2025. Images of the top destinations can be found HERE.
Methodology: For the full methodology and more information as to how this guide was created, please visithttps://www.hometogo.com/california/beach-vacation/#beach-index-2025-methodology.
*Survey insights are based on research conducted by HomeToGo among a sample of 800 respondents in the United States. To participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 or older. The survey was carried out online between September 3, 2024 – September 5, 2024. Respondents were able to select multiple answers across a number of questions.
###
About HomeToGo
HomeToGo is the SaaS-enabled marketplace with the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals, listing millions of offers from thousands of trusted partners, including Booking.com, Vrbo and TripAdvisor.
From vacation homes, cabins, beach houses, apartments, condos, house boats, castles, farm stays and everything in between, HomeToGo combines price, destination, dates and amenities to find the perfect accommodation for any trip worldwide.
Founded in 2014, HomeToGo operates local apps & websites in 25 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia-Pacific. HomeToGo also operates brands such as Agriturismo.it, AMIVAC, Casamundo, CaseVacanza.it, e-domizil, EscapadaRural, Kurzurlaub, Kurz Mal Weg, Tripping.com and Wimdu. To learn more, visit www.hometogo.com or download the HomeToGo app.
Media Contact:
Hemsworth
Agency Focused on Driving Brand Awareness, Visitation & Membership for
Metro Atlanta Eco-Tourism Gem Heading into its 50th Anniversary in 2026
ATLANTA – (February 19, 2025) – Hemsworth today announced it has been named the agency of record for Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) a 127-acre nature center located in Roswell, GA on the Chattahoochee River. The award-winning agency will develop a comprehensive public relations and social media plan that will amplify awareness of Chattahoochee Nature Center as a leader in eco-tourism, ultimately increasing visitation and membership heading into the Center’s 50th anniversary next year.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chattahoochee Nature Center to the Hemsworth family and excited to help raise awareness for this remarkable attraction across the Atlanta area, as well as the help share the Center’s story with travelers who are visiting from other areas of the world seeking unique, memorable experiences,” said Samantha Jacobs, founder and president of Hemsworth. “Chattahoochee Nature Center makes an incredible impact on the community in so many ways and there is a wealth of storytelling to be done. We can’t wait to get started, shining light on the wonderful work they are doing around plant and animal rehabilitation, conservation and education.”
Chattahoochee Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving and rehabilitating native Georgia plants and animals through a variety of programs. Visitors to Chattahoochee Nature Center can explore aviaries that protect birds of prey, access the marshlands surrounding the Chattahoochee River, discover an aquarium showcasing freshwater wildlife and experience interactive exhibits designed to provide educational opportunities for all ages. Chattahoochee Nature Center hosts multiple annual events, many of which have taken place for more than a decade. These seasonal events offer visitors an educational experience wrapped in a fun and entertaining format.
“We are excited to embark on this new partnership with Hemsworth and look forward to the opportunity to share our mission with an even wider audience,” said Tamara Kinmon, senior director of camp, marketing, and special events at Chattahoochee Nature Center. “As we approach our 50th anniversary, this collaboration will allow us to amplify our efforts to educate the public on the importance of environmental conservation and the vital role that native plants and animals play in our ecosystem. Together, we aim to inspire even more visitors to experience the beauty of the Chattahoochee River and the work we are doing to protect it for future generations.”
As Chattahoochee Nature Center’s dedicated public relations partner, Hemsworth will work to strengthen the Center’s existing reputation as a must-visit attraction through integrated public relations campaigns. The agency will focus on establishing Chattahoochee Nature Center as a leader in eco-tourism, highlighting its mission and efforts to educate visitors on the importance of protecting wildlife and the environment. Hemsworth will also develop Chattahoochee Nature Center’s social media strategy, creating compelling and engaging content to drive visitation and membership while also increasing attendance at events and annual camps.
MEDIA NOTE: Hi-res images of Chattahoochee Nature Center can be found HERE.
For more information on Hemsworth, please visit HemsworthCommunications.com. Stay up-to-date on the agency and its clients by following @HemsworthPR on Instagram and Hemsworth on LinkedIn or liking the agency on Facebook at Facebook.com/HemsworthCommunications.
###
About Hemsworth
A dynamic, full-service agency, Hemsworth is a top-ranked firm according to O’Dwyer’s PR Report and one of the Top Places to Work according to PR News, recognized for its unique, forward-thinking company culture. With three distinctive divisions – Travel/Tourism, Food/Wine/Spirits, and Franchising/Business Services – Hemsworth represents fresh, up-and-coming businesses as well as leading, renowned global brands. Services include brand communications strategy, media relations, promotions, guerrilla marketing, social media, thought leadership and event planning.
Media Contact:
Kendall Bagley, Hemsworth