Thanks to their popularity among the world's rich and famous, not to mention their indulgent portrayal in more than a couple films and TV shows, beach getaways have taken on a rather luxurious reputation. And with the assumption of luxury, of course, comes the assumption of price. You can't blame the everyday tourist for his or her perception. After all, the flippant excess of drinks topped with two umbrellas, a slice of orange, four fragrant rose petals, and a whole kiwi gives the impression that at the beach you have to pay for a bunch of extraneous ornamentation. However, beach getaways can be surprisingly economical for one simple reason: at the beach, you don't have to spend. Unless traveling to high-end resort areas, beaches are free to use. You are more or less just paying for the accommodations. This is a stark contrast from city sightseeing vacations in which you can be sure to fork over hard-earned cash at every turn. Museums, tours, professional sports, concerts, theme parks - the cost adds up quickly. It can't be denied that there are plenty of things you could buy on the beach - food, drinks, sports rentals and equipment - but you also have the economical option of entertaining yourself rather than paying someone or something else to do it for you. Here we'll provide an extensive look into popular beach destinations, what types of activities are best suited to each beach, and also make some lodging recommendations for each location. Southeast Singer Island, Florida - Glistening white sand, towering palms waving slowly in the breeze, the gentle roll of a sparkling blue surf, Florida's Singer Island captures everything iconic about beach getaways. What's better, even though you are technically on an island, you'll be only minutes away from lively South Florida. In other words, if you do feel like getting away from the beach, you actually have that option. Singer Island is a resort town, however, so don't expect to throw on your flippers at Motel 6 and then hit the beach. Still, Singer Island is a more reasonable value-for-money proposition than most other West Palm Beach destinations, and certainly a better choice than Miami which offers the same experience for 20-30% more money. Do: Anything and everything. Singer Island represents the very signature of beach getaways. Stay: For an affordable choice in West Palm Beach Resorts, try Hilton Singer Island. Tampa, Florida - Tampa doesn't actually have any top-notch beaches to speak of in town, but it's a smart choice for keeping your lodging costs down while visiting the more acclaimed coastal cities of Clearwater and St. Petersburg (often called St. Pete). In Clearwater you'll find a more traditional experience with soft sand and fairly gentle waves, while not far away in St. Petersburg you'll find the boating and fishing is a major draw, so anglers take notice. Since you'll be staying out-of-town anyway, keep your travel costs down and arrangements simple by staying as close to Tampa International Airport as you can. Do: Swimming and lounging at Clearwater. You can enjoy beach sports if you come early, but by mid-day the beach will be too busy to run around. Bring your tackle along to St. Pete for a fruitful fishing excursion. Stay: For a choice in hotels near Tampa Airport, consider Embassy Suites Tampa Airport Hotel. Biloxi, Mississippi - After three rough years since the terrible tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, Biloxi is finally beginning to rebound. Lodging accommodations are still slight along the oceanfront, but the sugar-white beaches of the Gulf Coast today offer as much resplendent beauty and communal celebration as they ever have, if not more. Never famous as a swim spot, the coast of Biloxi is actually far more popular for water sports and activities. Jet Ski riding, parasailing, boating, even snorkeling, these are the main entertainments of Biloxi beach getaways. Be sure to shop around to find the best price on rentals. Do: Water sports, fishing. Stay: For Biloxi vacation rentals, consider the Ocean Club at Biloxi. (Note: the Ocean Club is not a hotel, it provides condominium rentals.) West Dana Point, California - Surfers be advised, Dana Point is where it's at. Dana Point is a great middle ground for visiting all the world-class surf spots along California's most Southern Coast. The Trestles at San Clemente, Huntington Beach's famous "South Swell", and the gentle crests of San Onofre are all within a short drive from Dana Point. Doheny State Beach is especially renowned as the one-time location of the "Killer Dana", a remarkably powerful seasonal wave pattern. Unfortunately, the expansion of harbor facilities eliminated the Killer Dana, but it's still a dynamite destination for surfers of any skill level. Do: Surfing, swimming Stay: For affordable luxury among Dana Point, Laguna Beach hotels, choose the Doubletree Gust Suites Doheny Beach. Oxnard, California - Another fantastic surfing destination with some other thrills thrown in, the real surprise about Oxnard is that it hasn't made a bigger name for itself in the tourist trade. Oxnard is home to more than 20 miles of gold-sand beaches known for quick surf tides, big breaks, and for now, surprisingly little foot traffic. Although this has dwindled in recent years, Oxnard's beaches are also famous for their large sand dunes. So much so, they've even been used to mimic African deserts for film and TV productions. Do: Surfing, swimming, lounging, beachfront hiking Stay: For Oxnard, California oceanfront hotels, a convenient choice is Hampton Inn Channel Island Harbor Hotel (Oxnard). Redondo Beach, California - Redondo Beach differs from some of the other destinations on this list that are merely fortunate to be near a beach. In Redondo, the beach is the lifestyle. Surfing on Christmas and New Year's Day is not only common, it's a tradition, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a more vibrant and positive beachfront community. Redondo Beach is an especially good choice for surfers, swimmers, and beach volleyball enthusiasts as the game has become a bit of a local pastime with several high-profile tournaments. This is a high-cost city, however, so shop around for deals when making buying decisions. Do: Swimming, beach volleyball, surfing, Jet Ski riding, body boarding, beach sports Stay: For affordability in Redondo Beach hotels, consider Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach. San Pedro, California - San Pedro is a coastal suburb in the massive Los Angeles metropolitan area, and while you can find charming enough beachfronts in San Pedro near the Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro is really just a waypoint to the illustrious Catalina Island. Like Tampa above, San Pedro is a place you stay to avoid the exorbitant prices of where you really want to be. Catalina Island offers brilliant cerulean ocean and a mercurial personality that is hard to rival anywhere on Earth. However, it is astoundingly popular, so don't expect to be alone. Tourists are restricted from a number of activities in several places, notably surfing, but the beauty and experience, not to mention the fun of the ferry ride over, make it worth a least one visit per lifetime. Do: Lounging, sightseeing, swimming, picnicking Stay: Among San Pedro, CA hotels, the Doubletree San Pedro is reasonable and offers a shuttle to the Catalina Ferry. Santa Barbara, California - Santa Barbara is sometimes referred to as the "Riviera of the West", and it's no wonder why. Although not far from the bustling surf beaches of Redondo and Dana Point geographically, Santa Barbara is light years away in attitude. The residents and tourists of Santa Barbara prefer a quieter, more epicurean lifestyle where the focus is as much on gourmet cuisine, high fashion, and supple luxury as it is fun in the sun. If your idea of beachfront paradise is lying back in a comfy chair with a good book in one hand and an effervescent cocktail in the, then Santa Barbara is the beach getaway destination for you. Do: Lounging, boating, beachfront dining and drinking, tanning, and if you really look around, you just might find a nude beach or two Stay: Among hotels in Santa Barbara, the Holiday Inn Santa Barbara hotel is a rewarding choice. An Unexpected Choice Chicago, Illinois - Florida, California - these are excellent but hardly surprising options for having an exciting beach getaway. If you think outside the box, you might just stumble into some beachfront fun in a destination as unlikely as Chicago, Illinois, where Lake Michigan is a major swimming and sunning location. Up and down Chicago and the North Shore you can find mile after mile of smooth, family-friendly beach that avoids the pretension and hoity-toity-ness of places like Catalina Island and Singer Island. Oak Street Beach, Rogers Park, and Rainbow Beach are among the city's most popular, but don't be afraid to travel further north to look for even more surprises. Naturally, this being a lake and Illinois, there are certain difference to consider. Surfing or other surf based activities are more or less out, and unlike most California destinations, you do have to be mindful of the season. Specifically, summer is the time for beaches in Chicago. Do: Lounging, swimming, R/C boating, hiking Stay: This is a bit wider of an area as the beaches extend well into and past the North Shore, so there are multiple recommendations: For a hotel near O'Hare Airport, try the Wyndham O'Hare. For a cosmopolitan hotel in downtown Chicago, the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago. For a North Chicago hotel, consider the Doubletree Wood Dale. For further northwest Chicago hotels, consider the Doubletree Chicago-Schaumburg. Looking for More? With so many options dedicated to beach vacationing while scrimping the change, it felt only appropriate to give a brief taste of the other side. Here are two beach getaway options if you really feel like going all out: Mexico - Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, the Mayan Riviera, Ixtapa, Manzanillo, Huatulco, the list of pristine beachfront paradises in Mexico could on and on, and the trick to truly living it up in Mexico is to go all-inclusive. For an upfront price, you'll receive luxurious accommodations, three meals a day, snacks, unlimited drinks (including alcohol at most resorts), free entertainment, and typically access to a private beach. Equipment rentals and excursion activities will often carry an additional cost, but that varies by resort. The real benefit of all-inclusive resorts is that they capture that do-what-you-want-when-you-want freedom. For the best nighttime scene, Cancun is virtually the party capital of the world. If you're more into the actual beachfront lifestyle, Puerto Vallarta should be the go-to choice. Do: The sky's the limit. Stay: Consider these Mexico all inclusive resorts by Barcel. Dominican Republic - Sun-dappled beaches, jewel-toned waters, and the jubilant warble of tropical birds - the Dominican Republic is another world entirely. All-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic offer a lot of the same features as those in Mexico. Yet, the Dominican Republic truly feels as many miles apart as it really is. The vibe of the Dominican Republic is quieter and calmer with an even greater emphasis on palatial luxuries. Where Mexico is the hotspot for globe-trotting party-goers, the Dominican Republic has a much more executive, even presidential feel, where they wow you with genuine service and not just a salsa beat. Do: Once again, you name it, you got it. Stay: Consider these Dominican Republic vacations and resorts by Barcel. The Affordable Choice Unless comparing to certain ski resorts or big city boutiques, you're probably going to pay more per night to stay near the beach. That's just an unfortunate reality in our culture of tourism. However, unlike those ski lodges and big cities, which will suck you dry on entertainment and transportation costs, beachfront destinations leave the additional costs up to you. In other words, beaches have plenty of entertainment options to sink your life savings into, but they're also crawling with free attractions well-rounded for the whole family. Start looking into a charming beach getaway, and you'll find that paying more for the room doesn't necessarily mean paying more. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Lodging links: North Chicago hotel, Biloxi vacation rentals (not a hotel), West Palm Beach Resorts.