Owning a Waterfront vacation home is a bucket list goal for many folks, and luckily many states have towns or cities offering coastal charm and luxurious living. 

From the sandy shores and harbors of the Hamptons to the sun-kissed beaches of South Florida, there are plenty of vibrant coastal communities to build a home away from home in. 

But figuring out where to search for waterfront getaways can be challenging if you don't already have a favorite spot. That's why the team at Prevu Real Estate put together a list with some of the top places people look to buy waterfront vacation homes in America. 

Best Places to Buy a Waterfront Vacation Home

• Jupiter, FL
• Key Biscayne, FL
• La Jolla, CA
• Santa Cruz, CA
• Sausalito, CA
• Bainbridge Island, WA
• The Hamptons, NY
• Fire Island, NY
• Cape Cod, MA
• Ocean City, MD

Jupiter, FL

Regarding waterfront vacation homes, it is hard to beat South Florida and its white sand beaches, luxurious homes, and happening cities. 

Jupiter, Florida, is one of the best spots to buy a party pad or a quiet home for relaxing near the water. There is an abundance of marinas, plenty of beaches to hang out at, and an impressive array of restaurants and businesses to frequent. 

Golf and boating go hand-in-hand in Jupiter, and in places like Admiral's Cove, you can buy a home where your front yard is right on the fairway. But if you love the sound of crashing waves, you can find high-rise condos overlooking the breakers of the Atlantic in spots like Jupiter Inlet Colony and Ocean Walk. 

The Loxahatchee River flows through the northern side of Jupiter into the Atlantic Ocean, providing easy access to the deeper waters. Water is a way of life in this South Florida city, and you can commonly find locals paddle boarding or kayaking to popular restaurants right on the river, such as Square Grouper Tiki Bar.

But Jupiter is also known for its art culture, with spaces like the Maltz Jupiter Theatre and the Lighthouse ArtCenter providing a stage for local artists to perform. 

Even if you can't secure a home on the water, Jupiter offers a wealth of marinas and yacht clubs. Places like the Jupiter Yacht Club and Bluffs Marina provide convenient docking facilities and easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. 

If you are a frequent flier, West Palm Beach and Palm Beach International Airport are only about 30 minutes to the south.

Key Biscayne, FL

Located just south of Miami, Key Biscayne is only 30 minutes by car from Downtown Miami and about 40 minutes from Miami International Airport. 

Going to Key Biscayne is an adventure, as you have to drive over Rickenbacker Causeway to reach the Island. Or, if you have a boat handy, you can use the waters of Biscayne Bay and dock at your home or at one of the marinas on the western side of the key. 

But if you buy a condo at a place like the Ocean Beach Club, you can enjoy high-rise views of the Atlantic daily. If you want a home with a dock, you'll have to look to the west, as some houses on the Intracoastal side of the Key Biscayne have private piers  

Some of the most luxurious homes sit on Mashta Island, on the southwestern side of Key Biscayne. 

The residential area of Key Biscayne is sandwiched between Bill Braggs Cape Florida State Park to the south, and Crandon Park to the north, which has an 18-hole public golf course. The island's eastern flank contains some of the best beachfront available in South Florida, and many Miami locals drive to Crandon Park to lounge out at its beach. 

La Jolla, CA

For most, a waterfront vacation home includes some type of private access to the water. But if you yearn for striking cliffs and tidal pools, you'll want to check out the rugged coasts of La Jolla, CA. 

This coveted stretch of the Golden State is known for upscale living and a swanky beach town lifestyle. Homes in La Jolla range from quaint cottages to expansive mansions. 

In places like La Jolla Farms, which is near the University of California San Diego campus, you can find cliffside contemporary beachfront estates and Mediterranean-style villas overlooking the Pacific. To the south, in the Village of La Jolla, homebuyers will find single-family homes, bungalows, and cliff-side mansions. 

The Village offers a quaint array of popular businesses, shops, and restaurants, such as George's at the Cove and The Cottage, where residents can indulge in gourmet cuisine while enjoying stunning ocean vistas. Locals enjoy a vibrant atmosphere here and get to visit art galleries, boutique shops, and cultural institutions like the La Jolla Playhouse. 

While surfing and lounging on the beach are the main pastimes, boaters can still cast a lure in La Jolla. The La Jolla Shores Boat Launch and the La Jolla Yacht Club cater to boaters, providing facilities and services for sailing, yachting, and other water activities.

La Jolla also benefits from its proximity to downtown San Diego and the San Diego International Airport.

Santa Cruz , CA

Folks working in the heart of Silicon Valley have plenty of forested wilderness to explore. But when it comes to beach vacationing, many people go down to Santa Cruz. 

This seaside paradise is only 40 minutes from San Jose, so the proximity to tech centers appeals to many buyers who have to split their time between two locations. Buyers coming here can find single-family homes dotting the cliffs overlooking the Pacific on West Cliff Drive. 

If you want to live closer to Downtown by the San Lorenzo River, you can find condos overlooking the water. Plus, the downtown is right near the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor at Woods Lagoon, which is ideal for docking your boat if you do deep-sea fishing. 

Depending on where you settle, you’ll get to explorer tidal pools and caves or long stretches of beachfront. The expansive sands are also where you will find the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. This amusement park is the town's main attraction, where you can find the Giant Dipper Rollercoaster and other carnival rides. 

The sights of the amusement park are second only to the Santa Cruz Wharf, where you can dine at local favorites like Stagnaro Brother's Seafood. 

Sausalito, CA 

Right on the waters of San Francisco Bay is the picturesque city of Sausalito. Considering the enchanting waterfront, wooded hillsides, and small-town atmosphere, it is hard to believe this paradise on earth is just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. 

Southern Sausalito offers homes right off the water, some even on the beach on 2nd Street. Once you go north of the ferry terminal, the waterfront is dedicated wholly to marinas. Some folks opt to live full-time on their boats, as there is a community of about 400 houseboats in the city. Water sports are popular in Sausalito, and you can commonly find people sea kayaking, paddle boarding, or swimming in the waters of the bay. 

But folks who buy a vacation home in the surrounding hillsides can dock their boats at The Sausalito Yacht Harbor and the Clipper Yacht Harbor, which provide state-of-the-art facilities for boat owners.

Sausalito also has a laid-back and artistic vibe. As folks generally explore Bridgeway down by the water, the street is  lined with unique boutiques, art galleries, and quaint shops. After a day of shopping, you can find folks at local favorites such as Fish and Scoma's, offering fresh seafood and waterfront dining. 

Bainbridge Island, WA 

Many folks move to Seattle for the burgeoning tech scene and fantastic views, but other folks come for the waterfront lifestyle afforded by Puget Sound. 

While the waters are never that warm, many folks move to nearby Bainbridge Island to live up the Pacific Northwest lifestyle. This close-knit waterfront community is a ferry ride away from Downtown Seattle, even though the distance seems greater when looking at the skyline from the ferry terminal at Hornbeck's Split. 

Homes in the area range from mid-century modern compounds to storied craftsman-style homes with overhanging exposed eaves. If you move to towns like Rollingbay or Port Blakely, you can get homes right on the Sound, with incredible views of the Cascade Mountain Range. 

While you get great views in these places, and there hiking trails, you can’t dock a boat on these shallow shores. any vessels you own at the Eagle Harbor Marina or the Winslow Wharf Marina in Winslow. This little town is the central commercial hub on the island, offering an array of coffee shops, restaurants, and clothing stores. Local favorites here are the Blackbird Bakery and Hitchcock Restaurant. 

While the island is wild, there are chances to catch curated art shows at The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, providing a platform or local and regional artists to show off their talents. 

The Hamptons, NY 

The Hamptons are often characterized by chic small-town shopping, sandy beaches, upscale dining, and luxurious waterfront homes. 

Southampton and East Hampton, in particular, stand out for their pristine beachfront and sprawling mansions. But while the rich and famous enjoy staking a claim in much of the Hamptons’ real estate, you can still find charming waterfront cottages in happening spots like Sag Harbor. 

Most homes on the South Fork only offer beachfront property, boat owners can dock their vessels at one of the many marinas in places like Lake Montauk, Three Mile Harbor, and Sag Harbor on the northern side of the South Fork. 

Towns like Sag Harbor, Southampton, East Hampton, and Montauk all have nautical-inspired charm with boutiques, art galleries, and some of the best seafood in New York. Main Street in Sag Harbor is home to great dining, including the restaurant at the American Hotel, but you can also find more down-to-earth eats at places like Corner Bar, where you can enjoy craft beers and pub fare.

Accessibility to NYC is another key feature of the Hamptons. Folks can drive two hours back to the Big Apple or grab an LIRR train.

Fire Island, NY 

If you're looking for a serene place to buy a waterfront home with zero worries about car traffic, you'll want to check out the small towns and communities of Fire Island. 

This barrier island separates the South Shore of Long Island from the Atlantic, creating the Great South Bay. To reach the island, you can hop on a ferry In towns like Patchogue, Smithtown, and Bayshore to reach idyllic communities like Kismet, Ocean Beach, and Davis Park. 

There are no cars or Ubers to get you around, but there are plenty of paths for bikes, tricycles, and the occasional golf cart. These throughways have names like Dune Walk, Neptune Walk, and Sea Breeze Walk, so you can expect to find plenty of folks wandering the paved and boardwalk paths of Fire Island. 

Fire Island offers a charming small beach town lifestyle with vibrant communities such as Ocean Beach and Cherry Grove. These lively towns are home to quaint shops, art galleries, and dining establishments like Cherry's on the Beach in the Grove, or Maguire's Bayfront Restaurant in Ocean Beach.

Fire Island’s housing stock typically offers bungalow-style homes, beachfront cottages, and mid century modern masterpieces. Many people buy homes here and spend time in them for a few weeks of the year, then use the property for vacation rentals. 

Considering how thin Fire Island is, you are only five minutes away from a body of water, either the calm waters of the Bay or the breaking waves of the Atlantic. When it comes to angling or boating, many folks head to marinas like Watch Hill or Sailors Haven to head out for a day of fishing or sailing. 

Cape Cod, MA

If you spend your days in the heart of Back Bay, you likely want a vacation home far removed from the hustle and bustle of Beantown. 

Luckily, folks living in Boston are close to the picturesque shores of Cape Cod. By car, it takes about an hour and a half to reach the Cape via MA-3 or I-495. 

The first town you'll reach is Sandwich, where there is a small harbor in the East Boat Basin and a small main street along Tupper Road. As you head farther east, you will come across the towns of Dennis, Brewster, and Namskatet. 

Homes in this area range from historic Cape Cod-style cottages to modern beachfront estates. Many towns on the northern side of Cape Cod have houses just minutes from the breaking waves. 

In happening haunts like Chatham, you can find plenty of mom-and-pop owned gift and clothing stores, galleries showcasing local artists, and plenty of terrific eateries like the Chatham Bars Inn. 

The fishing in Cape Cod is top tier, thanks to an abundance of Striped Bass, Flounder, Fluke, Blue Fin, Yellow Fin Tuna, and Cod. As such, there are plenty of marinas for captains to dock their vessels at, like Hyannis Marina and the Wianno Yacht Club. 

Ocean Beach, MD 

If you live and work in Washington, D.C., you may consider a waterfront vacation home in Ocean Beach, Maryland. 

This oceanfront oasis has a bustling boardwalk, plenty of houses near or on the water, and ample dock space to park your boat. 

The eastern side of this barrier island is all beachfront, with high-rises overlooking the breakers. On the western side, you will find residential single-family homes, some of which also offer docks to homebuyers. But even if you do not get a house with a pier, marinas like Ocean City Fishing Center and the Sunset Marina provide convenient access to boating and fishing activities. 

Ocean City can access theAtlantic Ocean as well as the calmer waters of Wight Bay, offering variety for boaters. Meanwhile, the Coastal Highway runs north to south across Ocean City, making it easy to explore the restaurants and shops in the area. The Hobbit is a favored locale on Ocean City’s northwestern side, which is the quieter side of town. 

Most vacationers and tourists head south, towards Ocean City Beach and the Jolly Rodger Amusement Park. The boardwalk starts here, and visitors and residents alike can enjoy appetizing seafood at establishments like Fish Tales and Harrison's Harbor Watch Restaurant. 

Interested in buying a vacation home? Browse listings in your favorite waterfront destination and see how much you can save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate.