What it’s like to vacation in America’s most expensive summer destinations

By Kathleen Elkins From Business Insider

catalina island
Catalina Island is a picturesque summer destination off the coast of California.Chris Grant/Shutterstock

We’ve given you a glimpse into the fabulous lives of the super rich, noted some of the outrageous things they can buy with their billions, and taken you on a tour of their lavish homes — but how, and where, do the rich spend their summers?

Using Travel Magazine’s ranking of the most expensive summer destinations in the US, we’ve highlighted a handful of resort cities, celebrity playgrounds, and chic summer spots.

The Hamptons, New York
mervas/Shutterstock
The Hamptons, a cluster of affluent communities on Long Island’’s South Fork, are known as the “celebrity summer playground” for a reason. Beyoncé, Scarlett Johansson, and Alec Baldwin are just a fraction of the stars who own homes at the chic summer destination.

Source: Curbed

New York-based Hamptonites can head out on the Long Island Rail Road or Hampton Jitney, a privately owned bus service … or, in lieu of a private jet, they can use Blade, an Uber-like helicopter service between New York City and the Hamptons. A one-way trip will set you back a minimum of $495.

Source: The New York Times

Some of the priciest enclaves are Montauk (pictured), East Hampton, and Southampton.

The seafood is bound to be fresh. This lobster roll is from the Grey Lady, a casual seafood restaurant that recently opened in Montauk.

There’s something for everyone: beach lounging, grass court tennis, fishing, paddle boarding, and fly-boarding for the fearless.

But if you’re ever at a loss for what to do, just check out the luxury properties around you — there are endless mansions to ooh-and-ah over. This particular pad is in Southampton.

Or pack a picnic and soak up the sunsets.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts
holbox/Shutterstock
Cape Cod, the hook-shaped peninsula in southern Massachusetts, is made up of 15 main towns and is the gateway to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, tiny islands that happen to be summertime classics.

Martha’s Vineyard (pictured) also happens to be one of the priciest places to visit, along with Nantucket, Falmouth, and Provincetown.

Here’s Nantucket — specifically Siasconset (known locally as Sconset), where you’ll find a cluster of gray-shingled cottages covered in pink roses.

It’s not a summer on the Cape without a clambake …

Or a sweet sunset.

The Cape is a favorite of the Kennedy family. They’ve been going since 1929, when Joseph and Rose Kennedy bought a summerhouse in Hyannis Port, a small village in Barnstable County.

Source: PBS

Beverly Hills, California
Filipe Frazao/Shutterstock
Another playground of the rich and famous, Beverly Hills rests in Los Angeles County and is home to many Hollywood and pop stars. Taylor Swift reportedly dropped $25 million on a Beverly Hills mansion. Her latest neighbor is Adele, who reportedly bought a $9.5 million private oasis in June 2016.

Source: Business Insider and Business Insider

The glitzy city is a shopaholic’s dream, offering high-end fashion houses and one-off local boutiques. Plus, there’s the world-renowned Rodeo Drive, where you’ll find Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Armani, and more.

You can also give your credit card a workout at one of the many exclusive restaurants. This particular meal is from Il Fornaio Beverly Hills.

You won’t have a hard time finding a rooftop or pool spot to lounge.

Or the best of both worlds: a rooftop pool.

Beverly Hills is less than 10 miles from Santa Monica, another popular vacation spot that borders the Pacific Ocean.

A must-see is the Santa Monica Pier, a national icon that first opened in 1909. The amusement park, Pacific Park, was added in 1996, and today, the pier features shops, restaurants, live music, and even trapeze school.

Catching the pier at sunset always makes for a good photo op.

Laguna Beach, California
Jon Bilous/Shutterstock
You probably know the seaside resort city from MTV’s series “Laguna Beach,” which gave viewers a glimpse into the glamorous lives of a handful of teens living in Orange County.

The cliff-top homes are gorgeous …

The beaches are pristine …

And the golden sunsets are prime.

There’s more to do than just lounge by the ocean: snorkeling, scuba diving, and hiking are just a small portion of the endless activities for outdoor enthusiasts. There are also summer-long art festivals, such as the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters.

Santa Catalina Island, California
Chris Grant/Shutterstock
The picturesque summer spot lies just 22 miles away from the mainland. Those coming from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point, or Newport Beach can get there in an hour via high-speed ferry … or 15 minutes via helicopter.

Source: Santa Catalina Island Company

The colorful island has been inhabited for the past 7,000 years, but it only established itself as a resort community about 120 years ago. In the mid-1900’s, it was a hot spot for the Hollywood elite — and, not surprisingly, a popular place to film. It’s served as the backdrop for hundreds of motion pictures, including memorable classics such as Jaws and Treasure Island.

Source: Catalina Chamber

There’s no shortage of wine. Here’s a shot of El Rancho Escondido — “The Hidden Ranch” — which has been a working horse ranch since 1930 and is now home to Rusack Vineyards, producing chardonnay, pinot noir, and zinfandel grapes.

Source: Santa Catalina Island Company

Nor is there a shortage of views.

Of course, no matter where you decide to kick your shoes off, it’s bound to be a peachy time.

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