Happiest Seaside Towns in America

Coastal Living released its TOP TEN list of America’s “Happiest Seaside Towns. Fernandina Beach, Florida lands #4 on the list.

Family Time Seaside in Fernandina Beach, Florida on U.S. Atlantic Coast
Family Time Seaside in Fernandina Beach, Florida on U.S. Atlantic Coast

Fernandina Beach was selected as one of the “10 Happiest Seaside Towns,” by Coastal Living magazine. The list of ten finalists included Fernandina Beach and just one other in Florida (Sarasota), plus some east and west coast towns.

For those who’ve never visited Fernandina, this Victorian-era city on Amelia Island will be memorable. Get a feel of the “Old Florida.” It’s a wonderful place to visit, a great place to call home, and “not soon to be forgotten.”

How does Coastal Living sum up Fernandina? “With pale sand beaches facing the Atlantic and a historic downtown full of Victorian charms, this North Florida charmer of 11,487 on Amelia Island has fun-loving, pirate spirit.”

Fernandina, Home of the Pirates
Fernandina, Home of the Pirates

How Coastal Living Selected All-Star List

How were the towns assessed to land on the “all-star list” to be in the running for “America’s Happiest Seaside Town?” Here’s the criteria for measuring “happiness” by the seaside, according to Coastal Living:

“To choose the finalists, we began by reviewing destinations that have been covered by the magazine and nominated via social media. From there, we looked at rank on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, percentage of clear and sunny days, healthiness of beaches, commute times, walkability, crime ratings, standard of living and financial well-being of the locals, geographic diversity, and our editors’ assessment of each town’s “coastal vibe.” The result: an all-star list for 2017 from every coast!” From the list of ten towns, one will emerge as the most popular choice (via online poll). The May 2017 issue of Coastal Living will feature the #1 town.

Florida Sea Island at Georgia Border

This is not the first time Fernandina has landed on a list for being a special place. Media accolades have been accruing for the past 20 years as Amelia Island near the Florida-Georgia border has become more and more discovered. Back in 2010, Fernandina was on Coastal Living’s list of “Best Little Beach Towns,” see related article. Also called “A town that makes one “feel welcome — for a weekend or a lifetime,” Fernandina Beach appeared on a list of Southern American towns chosen as “Best Small-Town Getaways” by Southern Living magazine.

Shrimp Boat At Sunset, Downtown Fernandina Beach
Shrimp Boat At Sunset, Downtown Fernandina Beach

Enjoyed By Georgians For Generations

Apart from newcomers who hail from around the country and across the globe, Fernandina Beach has been particulary enjoyed by Georgians for many generations. A Southern sea island at the tail end of a chain of islands hugging the east coast mainland, extending from South Carolina down to northeast Florida, some describe Amelia Island as “Georgia with a Florida address.” With its small-town ambiance and Southern hospitality, Fernandina has been a longtime favorite beach escape of Atlanta city dwellers seeking a seaside retreat, along with other Georgia residents from around the “Peach State.”

Birthplace of Shrimping Industry

Fernandina is known as “the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry in America,” and hosts the popular “Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival” (held first weekend in May each year), attracting over 125,000 people to Amelia Island for the event.

UPDATE: Winner Announced

Drumroll…and the winner is a destination on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan (i.e. not actually “seaside” but lakeside)! Congratulations to Grand Haven, Michigan topping the list at #1, with Fernandina Beach landing fourth of the ten. Other towns appearing on the list were: #2 Orleans, MA; #3 Sarasota, FL; #4 Fernandina Beach; #5 Langley, WA; #6 Cape May, NJ; #7 Hilton Head, SC; #8 Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA; #9 Dana Point, CA; #10 Camden, ME. Consider visiting some of these wonderful American towns on your next coastal escape.