For travelers seeking casual retreats for sand and surf, these uncrowded and unpretentious spots from Florida to Hawaii make ideal (and affordable) trips.
In the free and easy days of summer, the quest for a great American beach town like Boca Grande, Fla., is a national passion. Beach towns are a mainstay of the hot months, a beacon for countless citizens looking for a reprieve from the daily grind. The Great American beach town, apart from being idle as all get out, is also resolutely democratic, conscious that the sand belongs to all. These spots serve as emblems of our God-given right to get too much sun and to eat tasty—if nutritionally unfortunate—fried food.
So get that beach chair and cooler ready—and prepare for the simple pleasures of summer at one of these classic retreats  … Details