Offseason Beach Getaways: 8 Ideas for Fall · Compass and Coastline

When summer’s hustle and bustle fades away, the beach transforms into a peaceful retreat perfect for fall getaways. This is the magic of offseason beach trips for fall! Let’s explore eight U.S.coastal towns, each with unique appeal during the autumn season. Whether you’re looking for a tropical warm weather escape or flannel shirts and leaf peeping, here are some ideas to start planning your fall vacation…

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Why You Need an Offseason Beach Getaway

While summer might seem like the obvious choice for a beach getaway, here are a few reasons I think fall at the coast is the BEST time for a beach trip:

Temperatures are cooler, making long walks on the beach and sightseeing more enjoyable without the sweltering heat of summer
It’s less crowded, since you’re avoiding the throngs of summer tourists that flock to the beaches during spring break and summer vacation
Many coastal towns have their own fall festivities that you can enjoy. Think local harvest festivals, farmers’ markets with seasonal produce, and charming autumn fairs (see below for a few of my favorites!)
In many destinations, fall is considered the off season, or “shoulder” season so you can typically find better deals and save some money on your trip
The months of November and December are great times to see manatees in Florida or whales in California

Fall Beach Activities

While beach trips in fall might not revolve around sunbathing and swimming, they actually could depending on the destination you choose. That’s the beauty of an offseason beach vacation, there’s something for everyone, and no shortage of activities to keep you entertained.

Looking for a crisp and cool fall beach getaway?

Beachcombing becomes an adventure as you search for unique seashells and driftwood that might be more plentiful in the offseason. The cooler temperatures also make it an ideal time for beachside bonfires, where you can roast marshmallows and enjoy the glow of the fire as you watch the stars.

Additionally, fall is an excellent time for outdoor sports like kite flying or beach volleyball, provided the wind conditions are right. And let’s not forget about the breathtaking fall hikes along coastal trails for panoramic views of the ocean and the changing landscape.

What about a warm and sunny fall beach getaway?

The beach is not just for summertime; it’s a tropical playground all throughout the year. Less crowded beaches means more unobstructed views along the shoreline, perfect for long walks or simply relaxing with a good book under the sun.

If you’re looking to swim or get in the water, it’s totally doable in the fall offseason, especially in beach towns along the Gulf of Mexico. Surfing, fishing, and boating are all on the table too!

8 Offseason Beach Getaways

Let’s talk destinations! Starting with the coolest temp spots, we’ll warm things up as we go through this list of my recommendations for a perfect fall beach getaway during the offseason. For several of these destinations I have a full travel guide with more details, so be sure to click through to read more. Here’s the criteria I used to select these spots:

The fall months are considered the “offseason” for this destination
There are at least 2 unique fall festivals or events that take place seasonally
I’ve personally been there and can give personalized recommendations

1. Traverse City, Michigan

Annual Highs and lows by month: September 72° / 52°, October 57° / 41°, November 45° / 31°

If I had to play favorites… Traverse City Michigan would win hands down in the crisp/cool fall getaway category! This small coastal town located along Lake Michigan oozes with fall charm, because everywhere you look there’s fall foliage, vineyards, delicious cider and gorgeous waterfront scenic drives. It’s an absolute dream! Here are a few photos from when I visited Traverse City for the first time, and a few fall events to know about:

Mission Point Lighthouse in Traverse City

Downtown Traverse City’s Halloween Walk
Traverse City Beer Week
Take a winery tour on the Traverse Wine Coast
Check out a Ciderie – my favorite was Taproot Cider House
Take a sunset sail

Must Bring to Traverse City: a beanie for those chilly fall temps!

Where to Stay in Traverse City: Delamar Traverse City (pictured below) is the best! Cozy fireplace vibes, waterfront with amazing outdoor spaces, adjacent to a park, and walkable to downtown shops and restaurants.

2. Santa Barbara, California

Annual Highs and lows by month: September 77° / 59°, October 74° / 56°, November 70° / 50°

As a former southern California resident, I thought I knew all my favorite beach towns and cities. That is, until I went to Santa Barbara and was totally blown away. It has such a picturesque setting, the Pacific Ocean perfectly framed by the mountains… chef’ss kiss! Add to that great restaurants, unique museums and cultural sites, and a friendly vibe, and that’s Santa Barbara. I’m obsessed.

Butterfly Beach in Montecito/Santa Barbara

Must Bring to Santa Barbara: a cozy sweater because you’ll definitely want to spend time by the water. I’m loving my Barefoot Dreams cardigan for fall!

Must See in Santa Barbara: The clocktower at the County Courthouse has panoramic views of SB, hands down a must do. For a fun photo op, check out the Chromatic Gate – there’s free and easy parking in the nearby park.

View from the top of the Courthouse Clocktower

Want more Santa Barbara? Check out my full travel guide 1 Day in Santa Barbara: Best Beaches & Things To Do

3. Outer Banks, North Carolina

Annual Highs and lows by month: September 78° / 72°, October 70° / 63°, November 61° / 52°

When it comes to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, I couldn’t pick just one town! This region is known for their warm fall temperatures paired with great fall foliage. If you want the beachy vibes but also want to “feel like it’s fall”, you can get that in the OBX. There’s just a unique and historical feel to the Outer Banks that I love so much, it would be a great fall trip to take.

Must Bring to the Outer Banks: a lightweight jacket so you can bundle up a bit around sunrise and sunset when the air is brisk. This jacket from Athleta I love for a cool rainy fall day

Must See in the Outer Banks: I loved Jeanette’s Pier for rocking chairs, fishing and a cool gift shop. For history buffs check out the Wright Brothers Memorial, the site of the first successful airplane flight. Better yet, take hang gliding lessons!

4. Virginia Beach, Virginia

Annual Highs and lows by month: September 81° / 65°, October 72° / 53°, November 62° / 44

Another spot on this list where you feel like you’re at the beach but also get a cool fall breeze is coastal Virginia. I particularly love the Virginia Beach boardwalk, it’s iconic! There’s literally always something going on, from festivals to live music, artists, great food and more. I also love that you’re nearby to Norfolk, which is super fun to explore as well.

Vibe Creative District murals in Virginia Beach

Must Bring to Virginia Beach: a cute hat because you’ll want to spend all your time outdoors. This roll up travel sun hat is my current go-to

Must Do in Virginia Beach: Bike the boardwalk! I love, love, love how Virginia Beach is set up, with a separate bike lane adjacent to the main Boardwalk. Also highly recommend checking out the Vibe Arts district for TONS of cute murals and unique shops and restaurants.

Bike lane on the Virginia Beach boardwalk

5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Annual Highs and lows by month: September 84° / 66°, October 76° / 55°, November 68° / 44°

Craving more sunshine than fall colors? Myrtle Beach might be just the spot for you. This picture-perfect little southern beach town has so much to offer. I personally love Myrtle Beach and the surrounding area, so venture out from the beach a bit to explore more of coastal South Carolina, it’s got perfect sunny fall weather to offer and lots of attractions in addition to the beach.

View of the “Grand Strand” in Myrtle Beach

Must Bring to Myrtle Beach: beach sandals for walking because there’s an amazing beachfront Boardwalk and entertainment district, along with lots more to see and do. I love my OIukai Kamola ones so much because they’re cute but also supportive

Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach: A lovely hotel that’s beachfront and central to most everything in Myrtle Beach is the Hilton Grand Vacations Ocean Enclave. I loved how spacious and modern the rooms were, the two pools as well as oceanfront restaurant and bar. Highly recommend!

6. Panama City Beach, Florida

Annual Highs and lows by month: September 85° / 74°, October 79° / 65°, November 70° / 55°

I’m definitely biased adding Panama City Beach to this list, since I live in this Gulf Coast beach town! But one thing I love about PCB is how chill it is during the fall, with a steep drop off in tourism after the end of summer. Fall is where it’s at! It still feels warm, but less sticky humid and less rainy than the summer months too. Plus there’s just enough of that fall flair with some of these fun seasonal events:

Must Bring to Panama City Beach: A great beach towel because PCB has the BEST white sand beaches in Florida. I am continually impressed by this beach blanket from Tesalate that’s lightweight, sand-resistant, super absorbent, dries quickly and… is easy to travel with! How many beach towels can check all those boxes? This one is my favorite because of the subtle pattern and gorgeous orange (perfect for fall ) color.

Must See in Panama City Beach: Check out St. Andrews State Park for pristine beaches, Back Beach BBQ for an amazing meal, and Parlor Doughnuts or Sweet Cone Alabama for a sweet treat.

Want more Panama City Beach? Check out my full travel guide THE BEST TIME TO VISIT PANAMA CITY BEACH (AND 40 UNIQUE THINGS TO DO)

7. Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama

Annual Highs and lows by month: September 87° / 70°, October 80° / 60°, November 71° / 48°

Ooh how I love coastal Alabama! I visited for the first time during the holiday season last year and fell in love. You can definitely find cooler weather, especially in the mornings and evenings, making it perfect for a fall beach bonfire. This beach town has a less crowded, slower pace which I love.

Must Bring to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach: polarized sunglasses for all the sunshine that coastal Alabama gets. I have a super cute pair of pink polarized ones that I absolutely live in

Where to Stay in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach: I cannot recommend enough the Lodge at Gulf State Park. Sit by the fire pit and watch the sun go down, it’s heavenly! This eco friendly hotel has too many amenities to list, is oceanfront, and perfectly situated between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach so you can enjoy them both. This was my #1 favorite hotel I stayed in throughout my 2023 travels!

Want more Orange Beach? Check out my full travel guide Visit Orange Beach Alabama: things to do on your vacation

8. St. Pete/Clearwater Beach, Florida

Annual Highs and lows by month: September 88° / 78°, October 83° / 73°, November 76° / 64°

This region of Florida has been one of my favorites for the last decade! From Clearwater to St. Pete Beach and all the little communities in and around, this region is packed with fun and things to do. It’s the warmest destination on this list, so head here if you don’t care about the fall foliage and want to soak up the sun. You will definitely not get bored in the St. Pete and Clearwater area, it’s a perfect fall beach getaway.

Views of Clearwater Beach from Jimmy’s Crows Nest

Must Bring to St. Pete/Clearwater Beach: a cute fall swimsuit because the Gulf of Mexico waters are still warm enough for swimming in the fall months

Must See in St. Pete/Clearwater Beach: The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is phenomenal to see marine animals up close and learn more about them. As a bonus, they also feature movie props from A Dolphin’s Tale that was filmed there!

Want more Clearwater Beach? Check out my full travel guide SEE AMERICA’S #1 BEACH WITH THIS CLEARWATER BEACH ITINERARY

Honorable Mention: Coastal Fall Events

While I haven’t personally been to these beach towns, the fall events they have planned were too good not to mention!

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware has a Sea Witch Festival annually, featuring Halloween theme with a coastal twist
Fall in Hawaii? Yes please! Check out the Food and Wine Festival
Visit coastal new England at the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Fest
If a pumpkin regatta doesn’t scream fall, I don’t know what does! Head to Maine for the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta
See 100 bonfires floating on the three rivers of the city in Providence Rhode Island at WaterFire

Planning Your Perfect Fall Beach Trip: Tips and Tricks

Before you book your trip, here are a few key details to know about:

Don’t forget to check for any off-season deals or packages that local accommodations might offer. Many beach resorts and rental properties have lower rates in the fall, giving you more bang for your buck.
Be sure to pack layers, as the weather could fluctuate more especially in the morning or evening. A warm sweater or light jacket will come in handy for those cooler, breezy beach walks or if you’re boating
Before you go, check out my post on What To Pack for Florida: Essentials you Need

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