My favorite memories as a little girl are of my family getting a beach house in Sandbridge Beach in Virginia. I knew that no matter what, every year my extended family would be together for one week out of the summer and I always looked forward to it. After hours of sun and sand , we would settle in for dinner and intense rounds of Mario Kart where I insisted on being Princess Peach (woohoo!)
Things changed as I grew up and it became harder to get the family together. I have been looking at taking a beach trip with some of my friends so I thought it would be a good idea to see what vacation rentals people were looking at on AOL Search. The Outer Banks (another personal favorite of mine) tops the list. It is followed by Florida and Myrtle Beach vacation homes.
Do you have any suggestions about the best vacation rental spots? If not, try searching for vacation rentals on AOL Search or check out travel deals on AOL Travel.
Top Searched Vacation rentals on AOL Search:
1) Outer Banks vacation rentals
2) Florida vacation rentals
3) Myrtle Beach vacation rentals
4) Cape Cod vacation rentals
5) Virginia Beach vacation rentals
6) North Carolina vacation rentals
7) Hilton Head vacation rentals
8) San Diego vacation rentals
9) Maine vacation rentals
10) Hawaii vacation rentals
COMMENTS
I would love to rent a vacation home on Whidbey Island, Washington. Its beautiful, clean, friendly and a breath taking view of the Pugot Sound and the Olympia Mountains.
Kathy Webb
Lancaster, Ca
By Kathy Webb on Jun 21st 2007 at 10:23AM
I own a beach house in California near Santa Cruz that is first class all the way. You can check it out at: montereycoast.com Go to vacation rentals, then to Aptos, then scroll down to 409 Coates Dr.
By Peter Herrick on Jun 24th 2007 at 8:29PM
Yachats, OR is pretty cool for a beach area. Cool being the operative word. I left 110+ in AZ , 105+ in CA and over 90 in Eugene last summer. Had to wear jeans and jacket in Yachats, fabulous
By Linda Wehmueller on Jun 24th 2007 at 8:25PM
Sandbridge Beach, Virginia is still beautiful!!!
By Lynn on Jun 24th 2007 at 9:45PM
We have been vacationing at Sandbridge Beach in Virginia for the past 6 years now. It's by far the most relaxing vacation. I have two small children who look forward to the trip year round. We also have extended family meet there too and we rent one large house. It's the best! And very affordable too. If anyone has questions about the area, feel free to ask!!
By Kim Shrader on Jun 24th 2007 at 8:34PM
Lake Tahoe is heaven on earth for all four seasons.
By Paul on Jun 24th 2007 at 8:38PM
We rented a house in Nags Head, NC for the first time in 2005. We had always vacationed in Cape May, NJ before that, always staying in a beachfront motel. What a difference! While Cape May is very family friendly, it's very expensive ($190+ per night plus meals). Nags Head was a bargain! We shared a house with a friend and their family, and it cost us $1100 for the week! We went again last year with 3 other families, and this year there are 5 families total! I can't think of a better, more relaxing vacation than the Outer Banks. I am even considering moving there for retirement!
By Dawn on Jun 24th 2007 at 8:53PM
Kathy from CA, I use to live on Whidbey Island. Oak Harbor is a military town and not very pretty. But other cities on Whidbey are very beautiful, Coupeville, Greenbank and Langly. I do not remember rental houses, but Whidbey offers a lot of Bed and Breakfast, especially in Coupeville. If it is beauty you are looking for try downtown Anacortes (just north of Whidbey). Also try San Juans Friday Harbor.
Hope this helps.
Marge
By Marge on Jun 24th 2007 at 9:09PM
Heaven is in Gatlinburg, TN entrance to the Smoky Mountains National Park. Here you are exposed to the four seasons and the best beauty nature has to offer. You are also within minutes of many attractions in Pigeon Forge, including Dollywood Park.
This place is very friendly and family oriented.
We loved it so mush that we purchased our own (3bed/3bath) Chalet this past year. If you would like to check it out the Internet site is:
www.smokymtncabins.com/bearfootinn/index.htm
When we don't use it we rent it out!
By JUAN HUERTA on Jun 24th 2007 at 9:36PM
Rented a cool house in the California Wine Country with a group of friends - we had a ball. The company even arranged to get us into closed to the public wineries. We sipped and ate till we burst. Check them out at www.beautiful-places.com
Arlene
By Arlene on Jun 24th 2007 at 9:35PM
We have an oceanfront home on Ocean Isle Beach, NC. It is a perfect location. You are 30 minutes from Myrtle Beach and 30 minutes from Wilmington. You can enjoy the quiet family beach or go exploring. When you come over the bridge you can't believe how beautiful it is.
By Anne on Jun 24th 2007 at 9:39PM
Santa Barbara, California is a great place to find a vacation rental. When it is sweltering other places it is cool and smog free because of the automatic air conditioning from the ocean. It is a two hour drive north of smoggy Los Angeles and worth it.
SUE
By suebutcher on Jun 24th 2007 at 9:43PM
I love Bermuda, perfect weather not humid
By Jeannine on Jun 24th 2007 at 10:01PM
Kill Devil Hills is still the finest on the East Coast. No beach badges, alcoholic beverages allowed (within reason of course) on the beach, free parking, and any activity including surfing, fishing, kite flying and swimming available anytime anywhere. Try any of that in NJ and you'll be arrested!!
By wapari on Jun 24th 2007 at 10:42PM
Cape San Blas in the panhandle of FL is my favorite beach with high white sand dunes and green water. Try leasing in Barrier Dunes, gated community with pools and tennis courts. We have "Shore 'Nuff" , a townhouse that is listed with VRBO. It is a wonderful area for shelling, fishing and beachwalking, east of Panama City near Port St. Joe.
By caroline hargus on Jun 25th 2007 at 6:50PM
Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Alabama!! Beautiful white sand and the pretty blue/green water. Plenty of golf courses..lots for children to do..fishing charters every day. All this and for a whold lot less then other beaches..you'll be surprised.
By kathy on Jun 24th 2007 at 11:26PM
Vacation home rentals seem to be the wave of the future but the county that I live in does not allow them. I don't understand why or how they could legally prevent them.
By Washingtonian on Jun 24th 2007 at 10:55PM
Sanibel Island is Great. Especially if you rent a cabin on the beach. Naples has some great beaches. Live Oak, FL is hidden away but an interesting place to stay. At the Swanneee River Park. They have concerts, rentals, canoes etc. Boone & Blowing Rock NC is great. Blairsville, GA is great. Also, if you want to get close to Gatlinburg but not pay the prices, you can find some great prices for rentals in Parrotsville, TN. They a some rentals right on a horse ranch there that are great and reasonable. Take from someone that looks for a bargin because I like to see different places and try new things and take a lot of kids & animals with me.
By Darlene on Jun 24th 2007 at 10:57PM
****
South Texas: Port Aransas and Rockport Texas.
Both are major Beach towns on Gulf of Mexico.
Price is right, Great Beach resorts, do yourself a favor and google these two. You won't be disappointed !!
By Beach Bum on Jun 24th 2007 at 11:35PM
WoW. The Outer Banks of North Carolina are by far the best beach where I have spent my vacations at. I mean the water is so amazingly Trainquil and yet it's Historical witht the National Wright Brothers Memorial being close by. I also highly enjoyed the immense amount of natural bird and fish wild life. I have rented over 3 homes there and eventually plan on moving to Charlotte, North Carolina which is a metropolis located an hour and a half away from the mountains and the Outer Banks. I highly recommend visiting or moving there :D
By Darrin Blake on Jun 24th 2007 at 11:15PM