In desperate need of a relaxing week at the beach
February 7, 2018 8:01 AM Subscribe
Work is really draining...I'm a social worker. Winter where I live is dreary, rainy, icy and cold. I *need* a vacation in a warm place where I can unwind, walk on the beach, watch waves break (instead of hearts).
I would like to rent an oceanfront house within an eight or nine hour drive of the Washington, DC area the first week of April. How far down south do I have to travel to find warm weather and a nice beach? I'm not interested in a heavily touristy area. I prefer calm and quiet. Any specific beach recommendations to focus my Airbnb search would be greatly appreciated. I'm driving instead of flying because I'm bringing my two dogs, so dog friendly is important. Thanks so much!
I would like to rent an oceanfront house within an eight or nine hour drive of the Washington, DC area the first week of April. How far down south do I have to travel to find warm weather and a nice beach? I'm not interested in a heavily touristy area. I prefer calm and quiet. Any specific beach recommendations to focus my Airbnb search would be greatly appreciated. I'm driving instead of flying because I'm bringing my two dogs, so dog friendly is important. Thanks so much!
The first week in April is spring break for a lot of places that tie it to the Easter holiday, which will drive prices and crowds up.
Destin is Spring Break hell, but maybe some of the other gulf coast beaches? Should be at tail end of your 8-9 hour reach.
posted by TravellingCari at 8:58 AM on February 7, 2018
Destin is Spring Break hell, but maybe some of the other gulf coast beaches? Should be at tail end of your 8-9 hour reach.
posted by TravellingCari at 8:58 AM on February 7, 2018
My sister used to go from DC to Wilmington or the outer banks
You really can't bet on those areas being warm in April - they MIGHT be, but April is still well within the range of potentially jacket weather.
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:04 AM on February 7, 2018 [2 favorites]
You really can't bet on those areas being warm in April - they MIGHT be, but April is still well within the range of potentially jacket weather.
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:04 AM on February 7, 2018 [2 favorites]
To get the Gulf Coast in 8-9 hours from DC you will need to drive really, really fast. DC to Atlanta, which I've done many times, is usually 9-10, and then it's another 5 hours drive from Atlanta to the FL Panhandle beaches.
Savannah is about 8-9 hours and the average high in early April is the lower 70s.
posted by COD at 9:36 AM on February 7, 2018
Savannah is about 8-9 hours and the average high in early April is the lower 70s.
posted by COD at 9:36 AM on February 7, 2018
Seconding that North Carolina is not really warm enough in early April for what you want, and the water will be cold.
posted by desuetude at 9:38 AM on February 7, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by desuetude at 9:38 AM on February 7, 2018 [3 favorites]
Can confirm that North Carolina is not warm enough, because I have done it before and froze. The wind and air temps are cold, not to mention the water. The Gulf Coast is too far. South Carolina and further south are a safer bet.
Tybee Island, near Savannah, has been really nice in March and April when we have gone before. The water was still cold, but it was beautiful on the beach. Several years ago it was not very crowded. There are beaches south of St. Augustine, Florida that are nice and less touristy. You could also look at beaches south of Mrytle Beach.
Like the TravellingCari menioned, be careful around Easter / Spring break for schools. You might want to try for earlier if you are not planning around a school schedule.
posted by bessiemae at 10:08 AM on February 7, 2018
Tybee Island, near Savannah, has been really nice in March and April when we have gone before. The water was still cold, but it was beautiful on the beach. Several years ago it was not very crowded. There are beaches south of St. Augustine, Florida that are nice and less touristy. You could also look at beaches south of Mrytle Beach.
Like the TravellingCari menioned, be careful around Easter / Spring break for schools. You might want to try for earlier if you are not planning around a school schedule.
posted by bessiemae at 10:08 AM on February 7, 2018
North Carolina rec withdrawn! Sorry for the half-assed answer. I have lost all perspective living where the ocean is always miserably cold.
posted by Smearcase at 10:56 AM on February 7, 2018
posted by Smearcase at 10:56 AM on February 7, 2018
St Augustine FL, specifically Anastasia Island. Google sez 11 hours by car. The weather can be gorgeous that time of year, the vibe is mellow, the beach is beautiful.
I searched that week for Airbnb rentals, and there are plenty of private/entire homes/apts for around $100 a night as far as I could tell.
Hopefully this link pulls up the right date range.
posted by lakersfan1222 at 11:03 AM on February 7, 2018
I searched that week for Airbnb rentals, and there are plenty of private/entire homes/apts for around $100 a night as far as I could tell.
Hopefully this link pulls up the right date range.
posted by lakersfan1222 at 11:03 AM on February 7, 2018
And the ocean at that time of year is bracing but not frigid in my experience!
posted by lakersfan1222 at 11:04 AM on February 7, 2018
posted by lakersfan1222 at 11:04 AM on February 7, 2018
Saint Augustine might suit you, it's got some touristy parts but most of it is not. Beautiful beaches and dogs are allowed. The beach nearest to me in Savannah does not allow dogs. Jekyll Island in Georgia apparently does allow them.
posted by mareli at 12:03 PM on February 7, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by mareli at 12:03 PM on February 7, 2018 [1 favorite]
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Social worker to social worker, hang in there and get thee to a beach.
posted by Smearcase at 8:49 AM on February 7, 2018 [1 favorite]