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May is a sweet spot that isn’t talked about enough.
A majority of the spring rush will be gone, as spring break craziness will largely be a distant thought, and most of us will be saving for summer, especially with gas prices soaring.
That said, many beach vacations are just as great to visit a month before you wait for summer to start.
Of lower prices, fewer footprints and fewer tourists to deal withMay is high on our list for the perfect holiday.
That’s why we like to dive into it From going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) latest report, featuring three great beach destinations for a late spring break, whether you’re Team West Coast or East Coast.
Unfortunately, it’s still your responsibility to avoid sand in the wrong places…
3) Outer Banks: More than a Netflix binge
As many fictional setups as there are on TV, Outer Banks is a real place that might just surpass the Netflix portrayal with wide-open coastlines and charming towns scattered throughout the ever-so-trendy hideaway of North Carolina.
In fact, in the summer you can take the “skin” out of the “shelter” – the secret is out.
That’s why May is the perfect time to cherish for yourself what is now being discovered by everyone and their mother.
With mild weather ranging from 65 to 80 degrees on any given May day (no, that’s not a cry for help), you can enjoy as many blissful days as you can pack in before summer road trippers invade this vast coastline that Netflix made famous.
Ironically, for as many people as they have their cars in the gills, the main attractions without sun or sand are the Wright Brothers National Monument.
History buffs, families, couples and anyone with a pulse will all fall in love with the Outer Banks – just expect a very different atmosphere than the drama-heavy TV series.
The atmosphere here couldn’t be more relaxed.
2) Charleston: where timeless elegance meets the Atlantic Ocean
Let’s face it: as one of the few literal postcard towns in the US, it’s going to be busy all year round.
But then again, May is the rare exception to take some of the hassle out of your day when all you want to do is score a table at a trendy restaurant serving modern Southern cuisine—or Waffle House if you’re like me—and enjoy many of the city’s legendary sights without fending off a swarm of selfie-takers.
Charleston is best known for its timeless European allure, but this historic city is a beach destination as well.
That’s right, you don’t have to deal with all those screaming kids on Myrtle Beach either; you can relax on the outskirts of charleston at places like Folly Beach.
It doesn’t matter if you’re simply looking for a unique coastal escape, a foodie exploring a bucket list restaurant, or a culture vulture looking to immerse yourself in Charleston’s antebellum charm, the city has it all and that’s why it’s so popular.
May sees consistent days of 70 – 85 degrees, perfect for exploring the historic district, vibrant seaside and outdoor patios.
1) San Diego: There’s Never a Bad Day in “America’s Finest City”
The Nevada and Arizona plates run like clockwork across San Diego’s roads in early March, but between then and summer you’ll feel more like a local until the almost certain summer invasion
Take it from a local (me!) that if you’re having a bad time in San Diego, you’re just not the travel type.
‘America’s Finest City’ may be portrayed as having a small-town feel, which isn’t untrue, but it is one of the largest cities in the country and packed with culture and otherworldly landscapes, far from the paradise coastline.
Although beach days are almost mandatory, there are plenty of neighborhoods that tourists don’t know about, like Kensington, North Park and Shelter Island, which feel much more local than busy La Jolla and Mission Beach – both beautiful beach getaways but hardly crowd-free.
San Diego practically begs you to be outside, with mild, sunny days of 65 – 72 days most days. That’s why I always recommend Kensington every restaurant has a patioincluding recently opened Trattoria de Sofiawhen you’re not strolling around the world-famous San Diego Zoo or hitting the beach.
One thing to note though is “May Gray”.
This unofficial weather phenomenon puts a damper on many tourists’ vacations, as San Diego tends to see random cloudy days from mid-May through June, which then switch to “June Gloom” and make exploring one of America’s most beautiful off-shore cities more appealing.
Maybe a nice hike to Potato Chip Rock?
