Vote for the 2018 Happiest Seaside Town
Anna Maria, FLAnchoring the north end of the seven-mile-long barrier island of the same name, this little city is a compact dreamscape of white-sand Gulf beaches, an Old Florida vibe along charming Pine Avenue, and natural gifts. (The entire city is a bird sanctuary.)
Bellport, NYA gorgeously unassuming little seaport on Long Island’s South Shore, this village holds a royal flush of pleasures: a small-town community feel, Colonial-style architecture, a charming marina, and even its own performing arts center, all just 90 minutes from New York City.
Bluffton, SCWith a picturesque little downtown at its heart, a gracious waterfront along the May River, and easy access to the beaches of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton maintains its Lowcountry charms in the midst of one of the country’s hottest real estate markets.
Cambria, CAThe neighbor of media magnate William Randolph Hearst’s opulent estate also plays home to this artsy, nature-loving village halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, in the food-and-wine hot spot of San Luis Obispo County.
Cannon Beach, ORKnown best for sweeping, tawny beaches and its intensely photogenic Haystack Rock, this small coastal village just 80 miles from Portland is also home to a colorful, walkable downtown and a hopping art scene.
Cape Charles, VAA Cinderella of the Chesapeake, this up-and-coming Eastern Shore gem has transformed itself into a lively beach town with great seafood, a buzzing downtown, and charming historic homes.
Hampton Beach / Hampton, NHWith roots back to the 1600s, this New Hampshire Seacoast town is best known for Hampton Beach, its fun-loving oceanfront resort village with a lively boardwalk, broad beaches, and spirited New England pride.
Ocean City, NJRenowned for its world-famous boardwalk and amusements, Ocean City possesses pristine, pale-sand beaches and a family-friendly style that makes it a year-round treasure of the Jersey Shore.
Traverse City, MIProud to be the cherry capital of the world (and home to more than 40 wineries), this cultured town on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay has miles of beaches and hiking trails.
Vero Beach, FLSophisticated and low-key, this under-the-radar jewel of the Atlantic Coast has it all: art, food, shopping, historic architecture, gorgeous ocean beaches, and a blissful absence of high-rise buildings.About the Voting
How we picked the finalists:
To choose the 2018 finalists, we called for nominations via social media. From there, we looked at their rank on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, percentage of clear and sunny days, healthiness of beaches, commute times, walkability, crime ratings, standard of living and financial well-being of locals, geographic diversity, and our editors’ assessment of each town's “coastal vibe.” The result: an all-star list for 2018 from every coast! (Previous winners were not eligible.)
How often can I vote?
You can vote once per minute. Votes are limited to one per IP address.
The Results
The final rankings will be revealed online Tuesday, June 12, 2018! Don’t miss it!