Venice Beach has a hedonistic carnival atmosphere with artists, street performers, body beautifuls exercising, music, food smells, shopping and markets, music and lots of things happening. In summer it’s everyday and in winter it kicks off at the weekend, but the long flat beaches lined with tall palm trees and the cafes and shops of a busy seaside front are the perfect place to stroll, ride a bike or chill, and with the chillin’ crowds comes the entertainers and vendors, which in turn attracts more chillers and tourists and the cycle continues. The Venice in the name comes from the artificial canals dug during the founding of the town as a seaside resort at the turn of the 20th Century.

A ‘muscle beach’, skate park, basketball courts and volleyball court are included in people’s understanding of Venice Beach, which mainly means the promenade and Ocean Front Walk, but you’ve probably seen it in a film and know that already – Venice beach is in loads of films…

Boca Grande was once only a place for the retired to put up their feet, but the carefully guarded secret of this island town has recently escaped, and now more people are discovering the quiet solitude that is Boca Grande. The beaches are in peak condition for sunbathing and lounging in the sand. And unlike many beaches in Florida, Boca Grande has no raucous nightlife or rowdy college students.

Ocean City is the quintessential boardwalk carnival for the East Coast. Perfect for families, Ocean City has roller coasters, arcades, water parks and even sky diving. And the beach itself isn’t bad either. Ocean City has great water for fishing and boating.

Yes, Maryland is famous for its crab, but there’s no shortage of food choices in Ocean City. Eat carnival-style hot dogs and French Fries on the boardwalk, have a two-scoop ice cream cone at one of the beach’s many ice cream parlors, and of course there’s always the all-you-can eat fresh seafood buffets.