Summer getaways for an active outdoor vacation
From blissful beaches to wildlife-speckled forests, here are four destinations that offer fun summer getaways for active vacationers.
By Veronica Stoddart | April 9, 2026
If you like staying active while on vacation, then an outdoorsy summer getaway might be exactly what you need. From family-focused beach destinations and wildlife adventures to fun-filled surfer paradises, you can live out your endless summer fantasies. Not sure where to go? Read on for our favorite destinations where open-air activities reign, and you can choose to stay in oceanfront resorts, intimate forested retreats, and everything in between.
Beach nirvana in Los Angeles
Famous for its boho beach culture and laid-back sunny vibe, Los Angeles is an active traveler’s dream. With 76 miles (122 kilometers) of coastline, you’ll find bike paths, volleyball courts, skate parks, and sunbathing along its iconic sandy shores. Perched on the ocean, The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel is the ideal place to stay, just minutes from the golden sands of Huntington Beach, a world-class surfer paradise. The whole family will enjoy the resort’s two pools, waterslides, private cabanas, and beachfront fire pits, as well as rental bikes to explore the oceanfront Huntington Beach Bicycle Trail. Afterward, unwind at Drift, a Waterfront Spa, and feast on seafood specialties at the resort’s Henry’s Coastal Cuisine. For the perfect nightcap, head to Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge for expertly crafted cocktails at Orange County’s highest coastal rooftop.
Family fun in the sun in San Diego
Indulge in the active SoCal lifestyle in sun-drenched San Diego, where fun-filled beach activities complement the family-friendly attractions. Known for its nearly perfect weather and 70 miles (113 kilometers) of show-off beaches, the city is home to a world-renowned zoo, multiple theme parks, and the massive Balboa Park, which is full of scenic gardens and multiple museums. A stay at the iconic, Victorian-style Hotel Del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton gives families easy access to all these activities, as well as Coronado Island’s stunning coastline, perfect for surfing, boogie boarding, and paddle boarding. You can take a dip in the resort’s Cabana Pool, break a sweat in a fitness class, sign up for surf lessons, or breathe easy at beach yoga. At day’s end, toast the dazzling sunset at one of the resort’s seven dining venues.
Surfing heaven in Australia
Catch a wave on the Gold Coast, a city in Queensland, Australia, acclaimed as a world surfing capital. Queensland’s sunny climate and 44 miles (70 kilometers) of beaches make it ideal for a summer getaway. Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences puts you in the middle of the action. Just a two-minute walk from the celebrated Surfers Paradise beach, signing up for surf lessons is easy. The hotel also features four swimming pools and two fitness centers for active vacationers looking to maintain their routine. In need of some pampering after all that physical activity? Head to eforea Spa for a range of soothing treatments. Visiting local theme parks is another action-packed way to spend the day before settling in for coastal-inspired fare at Ms Margot’s Bar & Eats, the hotel’s signature restaurant.
Wildlife adventure in Kenya
Swap the beach for the forest at Kenya’s Karura Forest Reserve. Located in Nairobi, this 2,500-acre (1,000-hectare) oasis is home to nearly all of the 605 wildlife species found throughout the capital city. For a unique, active vacation, immerse yourself in this natural wonderland with bird and butterfly watching, cycling, and horseback riding under the wooded canopy. It’s all at your fingertips at Kwetu Nairobi, Curio Collection by Hilton, a boutique hotel on the forest’s edge. Cool off in the hotel’s pool, work out in the gym, or take an evening walk through the woods. Then savor local and international flavors when you take your pick from the hotel’s six restaurants and bars, including Kenyan coffee tastings at the 1893 Brew Bar and Mediterranean favorites at Meko. Don’t miss nightcaps at Upepo, the hotel’s high-energy rooftop bar.
Veronica Stoddart
The former travel editor of USA TODAY, Veronica Stoddart is a multiple award-winning writer with more than four decades in travel journalism. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, AARP The Magazine, Hemispheres, Food & Wine, Los Angeles Times, Frommers.com, and RobbReport.com, among dozens of outlets. She specializes in culinary and cultural travel, cruising, and national parks and received TravMedia’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for Travel Journalism. A travel addict, she has visited more than 110 countries on all seven continents, reporting from many of them. A high-profile expert in travel and tourism, she has served as a frequent speaker or panelist for more than three dozen professional organizations.
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