The beach holiday is the platonic ideal of vacations: what nearly every traveler, whether active or armchair, dreams of. Soft sand, shady palms, a cold drink, a warm surf—what more could you want?

To help you choose a beach destination for your next family vacation, U.S. News considered factors like safe waters, kid-friendly attractions, dining options, spacious accommodations and ...

MAKE MEMORIES: 25 best family vacation spots in the U.S. for ... who was drawn there by the black and gold sand beaches, sunshine and warm weather, picturesque Mount Teide, and five-star hotels.