Virginia Beach

It's hard to believe we're talking about Labor Day already. After such a long and dreary winter for so much of the U.S., it seems like summer has whizzed by. Nonetheless, Labor Day weekend is often the last chance for many Americans to take one last warm vacation before settling in for the fall and winter. To help you plan that last hoorah, we've put together this list of some of the best beach destinations to spend Labor Day weekend.


Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Myrtle Beach is a classic beach destination. From water sports to fishing to amusement parks to golf, Myrtle Beach has the full package. However, Labor Day weekend is also one of its busiest weekends of the year. Nonetheless, it's one of the best beach destinations for the budget traveler. This is also the weekend of the Labor Day Weekend Beach Boogie and BBQ Festival, which is worth a visit.

St. Augustine, Florida: As the oldest city in the U.S., St. Augustine is a great spot for its balance of history, culture, and beaches. This is a stark contrast to many beach towns that don't have the same cultural experiences that you can have in St. Augustine. With its location just south of Jacksonville and within a short drive of some of Florida's best beaches, this is a great spot for one last beach vacation for the year.

Santa Catalina Island, California: Santa Catalina Island is a great pick because it offers an island experience, but just off the Pacific Coast. We recommend one of the many great guest homes or bed and breakfasts as your lodging of choice. For a quaint beach town where you can walk to everything you need, few rival with Santa Catalina Island.

Virginia Beach, Virginia: This is one of the best weekends of the year to visit Virginia Beach, Virginia because of the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival, which takes place Labor Day weekend. The event includes live music, food from local restaurants, and other activities. This year's music lineup includes ZZ Top and the Stone Temple Pilots.

Hermosa Beach, California: Like some of the other destinations on this list, Hermosa Beach makes it because of some of the events that take place Labor Day weekend. Labor Day weekend in Hermosa Beach means the largest arts and crafts fair in Southern California. The event is more of a weekend party, with arts and craft vendors, delicious food, live music, and beer and wine gardens. With its location just steps from the beach, you'll be enjoying a lot of time outdoors for that last summer vacation.

Photo: Jason Pratt