As you sit at your desk, as you walk your dog, as you pay your bills, you feel that something is missing from your life. Everywhere you look you see responsibility and constraint, and while youre glad you have a job to worry about and a roof over your head, sometimes you just wish it would all go away and be replaced with something that calms you down. It sounds like youre in need of a vacation, specifically a vacation that will wash away your stress and scrub the residue of city life from your skin. The sand, salt, and rhythm of the beach would be an excellent way to accomplish these goals, so think about making your way to the coast before your regular routine really starts to get you down.

Obviously there are about a billion miles of coastline to choose from once you decide youre up for a beach visit, so deciding where to park your parasol may be a challenge. If you want to make it easy on yourself, follow the well-beaten path to Florida where the peninsula stretches on and on, providing a spot for everyone whos looking to soak up some sun. From crowded to secluded, youll surely see something you like. Just as pleasing are Floridas outlying islands, namely the Keys. This too-cool-for-school group of stragglers is pretty eclectic and tends to make you feel like youre in the Caribbean rather than the ol USA, so if escaping is your true wish, get yourself down here.

The best way to embrace your beach experience is to hole up in your very own villa, condo, or cottage by the sea. Vacation rentals were born to exist by the ocean, as seclusion, peace, and privacy go hand in hand with the tranquil sound of waves and gentle trade winds looking to lull you to sleep. Nothing compares to turning out all the lights, pushing the windows open, and reclining on your lanai with your face turned to the stars.

If youre smart youll leave your laptop and phone turned off as you spend your time taking your morning jog along the surf line, reading novels, and strolling through the sand with your bare feet. A beach house will allow you to make your way back and forth from home to ocean in the blink of an eye, so wherever you end up settling down you wont have to worry about the price of gas. This alone is priceless, and will do wonders for your state of mind.

If youre looking for a truly quiet experience, take the time to seek out a little bit of beach that seems untouched by human footprints. It might take longer to get here, but the feeling of being out of earshot from parties, motorboats, and the shouts of children will definitely make your troubles worthwhile. Hawaiis wallflower of an island, Molokai, tends to draw fewer crowds than its tourist heavy sisters, yet is just as beautiful and inviting. The same goes for St. John, in the Caribbean. The other Virgin Isles might steal the spotlight, but this largely undeveloped gem has some of the most beautiful sights youll ever see.

If you would like a little city experience to even out your beach vacation, think about California. When you want to be alone, you can slip away to your cute cottage that is just a few steps from the Pacific. When the need to people watch or grab a delicious bite to eat strikes you, you wont be far from San Diego, so hop into town for a quick refresher course on the topic of civilization. Remain anonymous or make new friends, this is your vacation so you decide what to do.

The beach scenarios are endless, as are the details of the property that youll call your own for a few privileged days. Because youve been looking forward to freeing yourself from all that is currently dragging you down, do things right and start looking now for the exact place that has the power to unlock the relaxed person that lives inside of you, the one thats been dying for some attention lately.

Go online to peruse the thousands of Beach Vacation Rentals that exist out there, and find the one thats right for you.