Time for a little R&R.
Walk to the beach from this property in South Padre Island, Texas.
Vrbo
Welcome to shoulder season: The post-Labor Day purgatory between peak summer and the busy holidays where the tourist crowds thin out, school is back in session, and the light jackets come out of the closet. But according to Vrbo, it’s the ideal time to plan a beach vacation.
New data from the online rental marketplace reveals that vacation home prices in many popular U.S. beach destinations are anticipated to drop more than 25% this shoulder season. From oceanside homes with private pools in South Padre Island to coastal cottages in Gulf Shores, shoulder season travelers can also enjoy better vacation home selection and less crowded beaches during this time compared to busier summer months.
“We weren’t sure if shoulder season would happen this year because demand for summer beach vacation homes has been so high, but based on Vrbo pricing and availability data, we’re happy to see that shoulder season has returned,” said Vrbo spokesperson Alison Kwong in a statement. “Families can still head to the beach and enjoy a sunny, warm vacation even during the traditional fall months, at a lower price.”
Curbing key travel costs even further, domestic airfare is down 19% and rental car prices have dropped 21% this fall. So mark the calendar, request that PTO and check out some of these affordable getaways.
Vrbo’s top shoulder season beach destinations
- Outer Banks, North Carolina
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Fort Walton Beach, Florida
- Panama City Beach, Florida
- Ocean City, Maryland
- Gulf Shores, Alabama
- South Padre Island, Texas
- Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
- Corpus Christi & Port Aransas, Texas
- Miramar & Rosemary Beach, Florida
Mariana Best is the Associate Commerce Editor for Hearst Newspapers. When she’s not scouring the internet for the best deals, Mariana can be found walking her pet bunny, Atticus, around scenic San Francisco.
