Typical hotel prices: Mid-range hotels around Rockport often run roughly $150–$230 per night in summer, with cheaper motels and off-peak dates frequently dipping under $150.

Parking & access: Rockport Beach uses a simple vehicle fee system — as of 2025, a day pass is about $10 per vehicle, with an annual pass available for regular visitors. Walking or biking into the beach is free.

Why it ranks so high: You get a clean, well-maintained beach with manageable lodging costs and simple, predictable parking fees.

Typical hotel prices: Budget and mid-range hotels commonly fall in the $160–$260 per night range in summer, with cheaper options if you stay a short drive from the beachfront.

Parking & access: At the main public beach areas, all-day parking is usually around $15 per vehicle, with some lots offering 4-hour options. The beach itself is free to access on foot.

Value summary: For families who want a “beach resort” feel without four-figure trip costs, Gulf Shores delivers a strong balance of price and experience.

Typical hotel prices: In peak season (July to mid-August), mid-range hotels typically sit around $150–$200 per night. Shoulder months like May and September are often noticeably cheaper.

Parking & access: Beach access itself is free. Municipal and private lots around town generally charge modest hourly or daily rates in summer, but you can save by parking a bit farther from the pier and walking.

Value summary: Compared with big-city coastal destinations, Old Orchard keeps both lodging and daily costs more manageable while still offering plenty to do.

Typical hotel prices: Mid-range hotels generally average around $160–$220 per night on typical summer dates, with cheaper rooms available a bit away from the oceanfront or on less busy days.

Parking & access: Pedestrian access to the beach is free. Driving and parking directly on certain sections of the beach is allowed with a day fee or permit; county information shows daily beach-driving fees around the $30 per day mark for non-permit vehicles, with separate annual options for frequent visitors.

Value summary: Being able to choose between free pedestrian access and paid drive-on access gives travelers flexibility in how they manage costs.

Typical hotel prices: In summer, many mid-range stays land roughly in the $140–$220 per night range, and there are budget motels that can often be found from about $80–$120 per night, especially mid-week.

Parking & access: Beach access is free, and many hotels include parking. City lots and meters vary, but you can often keep parking costs modest with a bit of planning.

Value summary: When you factor in fairly normal meal prices and lots of free or low-cost things to do, Myrtle Beach is still one of the better “budget big-beach” options in the U.S.

Typical hotel prices: Recent data shows many beachfront hotels averaging around $110–$150 per night, with some properties and inland hotels offering stays under $100 depending on the season.

Parking & access: The city’s beach parking permit is relatively low-cost — around $12 for a yearly permit that covers designated city beaches. Separate state and national park areas may charge per-vehicle or per-person day-use fees, generally still reasonable for a full day at the beach.

Value summary: If you’re willing to drive a few minutes between different beach spots, Corpus Christi gives you lots of coastline for a relatively low overall price.

Typical hotel prices: In busy season, many standard hotels fall roughly in the $120–$190 per night range, with cheaper rates often available mid-week or in early/late summer.

Parking & access: Beach use is free — no beach tags required. The town provides a mix of free and paid parking, including a free Park & Ride lot just across the bridge, plus city and private lots closer to the beachfront with daily or hourly rates.

Value summary: Free beach access plus the ability to choose between free park-and-ride or paid closer-in parking makes Ocean City easier to do on a budget.

Typical hotel prices: Inland and budget-oriented hotels can sometimes be found under $150 per night, while many well-rated stays closer to the oceanfront often fall in the $200–$300 per night range in busy periods — still cheaper than some nearby high-end coastal areas.

Parking & access: City and state beach lots generally use a day-use model. Typical posted fees are around $15 per vehicle for day use in many official lots, with some city beach parking rising higher on peak days. Annual passes are available for frequent visitors.

Value summary: For travelers already eyeing Southern California, Huntington Beach can be a more cost-effective base than the priciest LA and Orange County beachfronts.

Typical hotel prices: Recent analyses of beach hotels show average nightly prices often around $250–$320 per night in busy periods, with occasional lower deals if you book early, stay inland, or travel in shoulder season.

Parking & access: Around core areas, city parking typically runs on a paid system (for example, hourly rates in many public lots), but policies like a free first 30 minutes and free parking on Sundays help keep the cost from spiking for short visits. Nearby Gulf Islands National Seashore areas use a per-vehicle entry fee that’s valid for multiple days.

Value summary: Pensacola Beach is not the absolute cheapest on this list, but compared with places like Key West or high-end South Florida, it still counts as a more budget-friendly Gulf Coast alternative.

Typical hotel prices: Data from major booking platforms shows average double-room prices around $170 per night, with many summer stays in the $160–$240 per night band and some earlier-booked motels from about $120 and up.

Parking & access: Along the seawall, paid parking is typically around $2 per hour with a daily cap, while designated beach parks and access points often charge a flat day-use fee (commonly around $15 per vehicle) or offer a seasonal pass for frequent visitors.

Value summary: When you combine moderate hotel averages, flexible parking options and free shoreline stretches, Galveston remains a strong value, especially for drive-in travelers from Texas and nearby states.