The Best Beach House Rentals for a Dreamy Getaway

Find group-friendly Airbnbs in some of the country’s best beach towns, from Santa Barbara to Nags Head.

Airbnb
Airbnb
We independently source all of the awesome products and experiences that we feature on Thrillist. If you buy or book from the links on our site, we may receive an affiliate commission — which in turn supports our work.

When it comes to planning a vacation, one priority always stands out among the rest: find an awesome vacation home. Even better? Find an awesome vacation home in one of America’s best beach towns—especially as we inch closer to the first day of summer.

Airbnb is a great place to find incredible group-friendly rentals, especially since you can use the filters to find houses with direct beach access. (And let’s be honest, what good is a beach vacation if you don’t have direct beach access?) To help you get started, we rounded up some of the best rentals in Santa Barbara, Nags Head, Tybee Island, and more of our favorite coastal cities across the country. All you need to do is pack the sunscreen.

beach house airbnb nags head
Airbnb
Nags Head, North Carolina

8 guests/$443 per night

 

Nags Head is an excellent East Coast option for surfers, shoppers, or anyone wanting to see some of the country’s tallest sand dunes. This charming cottage (dubbed “The Salty Seahorse”) is a 1-minute walk from the ocean, and the hosts even provide beach gear to save you some suitcase space. When you need a break from the sand, cool off in the house’s private pool or watch the waves from the second- and third-floor balconies (complete with Adirondack chairs).

 

What guests say: “The Salty Seahorse is incredible! It is a lovely home, so close to the beach, and so relaxing. It is clean, the hosts are so kind and great communicators, and the decor is so cute. We absolutely loved our stay!”

beach house airbnbs hawaii
Airbnb

6 guests/$770 per night

 

If you’re looking for great beaches on Oahu, you should make the surf town of Haleiwa your home base. Two of the best beaches are the sea turtle haven of Laniakea and the surfer paradise Sunset Beach—the latter of which is just a 1-minute walk from this stunning villa. You’ll probably spend most of your time on the sand, but a saltwater pool, gas grill, outdoor dining area, and plush beds are waiting for you when you get home.

 

What guests say: “This property did not disappoint. It is the perfect location if you are looking for a North Shore vacation. The property is very clean and well appointed. Nothing but 5 stars all around.”

beach house airbnb georgia
Airbnb
Tybee Island, Georgia

8 guests/$386 per night

 

Tybee Island is just 30 minutes from downtown Savannah, but its sandy beaches, classic lighthouses, and overall laid-back vibe feel a world away. This beachfront bungalow perfectly encapsulates the dreaminess of the island, especially when the morning light hits the screened-in porch just right. It takes a few seconds to walk to the beach and about six minutes to walk to the main downtown strip, so put away your car keys and enjoy island living for a few days.

 

What guests say: “Excellent place to stay! Peaceful bliss on the beach where dolphin sightings and beautiful sunsets happen daily! The house is a short walk to shopping and restaurants. Our family has stayed at Patrick’s place twice and plans to for many years to come!”

beach house airbnb cannon beach
Airbnb

10 guests/$842 per night

 

It may look more like a luxurious ski chalet, but this is very much a beach house—in fact, Oregon’s famous Cannon Beach is literally right across the street. The beach is a great place for misty morning strolls, while the surrounding town has plenty of charming galleries and mircrobreweries to keep you busy for days. Back at home, unwind in the private hot tub, cook some dinner at the gas grill, then watch the sunset from the massive wall of windows.

 

What guests say: “This home is perfect for a family trip to the coast. The house has everything you need, plus some of the most beautiful ocean views you could imagine. If you are on the fence as to whether this home is the one to book, just do it! You will not regret it.”

beach house airbnbs
Airbnb

8 guests/$1,223 per night

 

Located about an hour south of Tampa, Anna Maria is a delightful little island town with quiet beaches, seafood shacks, and tons of opportunities for kayaking and snorkeling. This four-bedroom house is close to both downtown and the beach (like...right on the beach), so you can sample all of the town’s best offerings in one stop. The home also features tons of comfy seating, a fully stocked kitchen, and several balconies affording views of Tampa Bay.

 

What guests say: “Great house and owners. The beach is literally 3 steps from the house. It is adjacent to all of the local restraunts and is perfect for families.”

beach house airbnb rhode island
Airbnb
Narragansett, Rhode Island

9 guests/$554 per night

 

With its surfable beaches and abundance of seafood restaurants, Narragansett is about as quintessentially New England as beach towns get. This cozy cottage is steps away from the shore (the host provides beach chairs), and has a lovely fenced-in yard with a grill and patio. A few deep breaths of that salty ocean air, and you’ll be recharged in no time.

 

What guests say: “Clean and cozy house in an amazing location! We were so close to the beach that we were back and forth all day. Our host Nicole was incredibly responsive and clearly put effort into setting things up for a smooth and comfortable stay.”

beach house airbnb saugatuck
Floathaus of Saugatuck

4 guests/$410 per night

 

Since Lake Michigan is basically like the ocean for midwesterners, we absolutely consider Saugatuck (on the western coast of Michigan) to be a beach town. And when it comes to rentals, you really can’t get any closer to the water than this: an adorable, two-story houseboat that floats directly on Lake Michigan. The hosts provide kayaks for exploring the lake, and guest also have access to the marina’s community pool.

 

What guests say: “The place was spotless and located in the perfect spot so you are close enough to walk into town, head to the beach or even make a quick drive over to one of the many nearby towns! Staying on a houseboat was such a cool experience and this one set the pace for comfort, cleanliness, beauty and incredible design.”

beach house airbnb santa barbara
Airbnb
Santa Barbara, California

8 guests/$1,447 per night

 

If you watched It’s Complicated and immediately started dreaming about having the same life (and home) as Meryl Streep’s character, then this Santa Barbara rental is for you. The appropriately bougie house is surrounded by fruit trees and a garden, and it affords Pacific Ocean views from the two patios and hot tub. (There’s also a pool in the backyard.) As for the interior? Well, let’s just say the decorator definitely nailed the whole Coastal Grandma aesthetic.

 

What guests say: “A beautiful oasis. The property at this location is amazing. We enjoyed lots of outdoor time exploring the paths and swimming in the pool.”

Want more Thrillist? Follow us on InstagramTwitterPinterestYouTubeTikTok, and Snapchat.