Sometimes, you need to escape city life and enjoy the beachside breeze, radiant sun, and plant-based grub. From coast to coast, we’ve compiled a list of hotter-than-ever beach towns to catch some rays while devouring amazing vegan food.
Grab your SPF 50 vegan sunscreen and sunglasses, and let this guide be the starting point for your next beach adventure.
Table of Contents
Where is the best vegan beach destination? 7 towns to visit for your next oceanside vacation
Craving a beach vacation but don’t know where to begin planning? These seven destinations offer sunny beaches and plenty of vegan food.
1 Santa Cruz, CA
Why visit? Located 90 minutes south of San Francisco, this college/hippie town is home to VegNews headquarters and, during summer months, is a tourist hot spot. During the height of the season, this city’s main attractions include a boardwalk full of retro arcade games, nostalgic carnival rides, and groovy concerts on the beach.
Where to eat: Santa Cruz understands vegan cuisine. Visit hotspots like grocery store Staff of Life and all-vegan West African-influenced Veg on the Edge, as well as the weekly farmers’ markets, which serve plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables from the region’s many farms. Head toward Capitola on your way out of town and stop by Dharma’s for organic, farm-to-table eats (a favorite among VegNews editors).
Cookman Creamery
2 Asbury Park, NJ
Why visit? An hour and a half from New York City, Asbury Park is a popular destination for nearby beach bunnies and beach bros. It’s replete with local musicians and artists, and the nightlife is an experience not to be missed. Popular music venue The Stone Pony, where rock legends Bruce Springsteen and The Doors have performed, hosts live outdoor music.
Where to eat: Take a stroll through the touristy boardwalk before heading to Cookman Creamery for vegan ice cream flavors such as Blueberry Biscoff and chocolate banana. Before heading to the many bars (Wonder Bar is known for being dog-friendly), grab dinner at the local pizzeria Crust & Crumble, which offers many vegan-friendly Italian options.
Split Bakehouse
3 San Diego, CA
Why visit? San Diego is arguably the vegan hot spot in California. If you’re looking for a fun and foodie-approved activity, take an all-vegan cooking class at Veg-Appeal, or—if you’d prefer to sit in your car to eat—visit the drive-thru at Evolution and head for the beach to catch the sunset.
Where to eat: Have lunch at Veganic Thai Cafe, where a menu boasting mock duck curry and veggie tempura awaits. After dinner, check out the vegan cocktail bar and restaurant Kindred, where fun cocktails with names like Zombie Prescription and Kiss of Steel are the ideal way to end a vegan day. Don’t miss the Grossmont Center food court’s all-vegan bakery Split Bakehouse and El Veganito for vegan Mexican food. For even more San Diego restaurants to try, check out our guide to the city’s best eateries according to a vegan local.
The Surfinista
4 Cocoa Beach, FL
Why visit? Any beach town in the Florida Keys is worth a visit, but the surfer’s paradise known as Cocoa Beach is a crowd-favorite among those in the know. It’s not hard to see why: the ocean views are stunning, and the food is fresh and nourishing. When you’re done with your meal, take a tour of Ron Jon Surf Shop, and when inspiration strikes, grab your surfboard and hit the waters.
Where to eat: Grab a cup o’ joe at the artsy local café The Surfinista, an eclectic art gallery-meets-surf shop-meets-health-conscious restaurant (wraps, bagels, and açaí bowls are central to their menu). Next, venture to organic, vegan-friendly restaurant The Green Room Café, where the calming yellow-and-blue interior serves as the ideal backdrop to a tropical menu featuring açaí and endless bowl combinations such as the Big Surf Bowl (featuring pineapples, strawberries, and guava juice).
Leahi Health
5 Honolulu, HI
Why visit? Oahu’s Honolulu is one of Hawaii’s most popular destinations, and for good reason. It offers the perfect unique blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and historical significance. It is also home to one of the most famous surf and nightlife beach destinations in the world, Waikiki Beach.
Where to eat: For a delicious healthy brunch, you can’t beat a poke bowl or a breakfast taco at Leahi Health. For sushi, Tane is a must-visit, and for fine dining, treat yourself to an indulgent six-course meal at Nature Waikiki. For more recommendations, check out our guide to Honolulu here.
Fala Bar
6 Santa Barbara, CA
Why visit? As well as cultural attractions, historical architecture, and first-class wineries and vineyards, Santa Barbara boasts some of California’s most beautiful beaches, such as East Beach, West Beach, and Arroyo Burro Beach, all of which are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing.
Where to eat: For Mexican-inspired brunch, Rascal’s Vegan is hard to beat. Treat yourself to dishes like the Tofu Scramble Bowl with cashew crema and Spicy Elote with corn on the cob, crushed takis, and almond parmesan. For lunch, a falafel burger at Fala Bar is a must.
Annie O Loves
7 Charleston, SC
Why visit? Charleston, one of the oldest cities in the United States, is close to several stunning beaches, such as Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and Sullivan’s Island. And it’s a foodie paradise, too.
Where to eat: If you’re in the mood for something sweet, head to Annie O Loves for a slice of delicious vegan cheesecake or one of the eatery’s signature Shortcake Jars of Abundance. For a filling lunch, try the vegan lasagna with housemade cheese or the crispy buffalo vegan chicken sandwich at Three Girls on Spring.
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Aruka Sanchir (@ruukes) is the Senior Digital Editor at VegNews.
