10 Unique Places to Travel off the Beaten Path

From ritzy surf towns in France to dog beaches in Santa Cruz, we've listed places off the beaten path for you to explore.  In a recent giveaway on Instagram we asked our fans where their happy place was in this world. We loved the answers so much we wanted to share them. Some are unexpected, some are off the beaten path and some are right there in any guidebook. Enjoy the ride.

1. On the cliffs in Biarritz, France “Watching surfers there is breathtaking” -@olgathesurfer. This luxurious beach town is on the Southwest coast of France only 22 miles from Spain. Biarritz sounds like a good compromise vacation. You have the oh la la glam of France mixed in with some sandy toes and maybe a shaka or two.                                                                                                                 
2. Manhattan Beach “On the sand right in front of the surf”-@jeff_strauss. This beach has a laid back California feeling. It is a large clean beach and the pier is great for grabbing a sandwich and watching the surfers. There is even a small donation only aquarium at the end of the pier. A great escape from the hustle of L.A.                                                                                                                                 
3. Sunny Cove, Santa Cruz, CA Sunny Cove is a small secluded beach surrounded by bluffs. It also doubles as a playground for your furry friends. What dog lover doesn’t love a dog beach? If you want some excitement there is cliff diving, but be sure you are diving in the right spot. Sunny Cove is also know for marine life sightings, keep a look out for sea otters, dolphins and whales. If you want to wrap up the California beach experience campfires are also allowed. Make sure to follow local regulations for the fire and pick up that poo.                                                                                                                                                  
4. Placencia, Belize. “After a long week of snorkeling and sailing with friends” -@lg.jamieson. Placencia is a beach resort on an itty bitty peninsula off the Caribbean coast of Belize. Think sailboats, beaches lined with palm trees and brightly colored houses. You can scuba the Belize Barrier Reef or cruise around all day on a sailboat. On the Northside of the peninsula is Seine Bight, which is a Garífuna community known for traditional dances and drumming.                                                                                                                 
5. Yuba River, California This is everyone’s best summer day just waiting to happen. There are endless sparkling swimming holes to swim around in until dusk. Bring a lunch, your family or friends and float away. Since the river is huge some popular spots are the Oregon Creek Swimming hole and the South Yuba River Trail campground which has been described as an “Instagram worthy spot”.                                                                                                                                                              
6. Margaret River in Western Australia “At night. Trillbillmillions of wonderful stars and countless shooting stars” - @Janinereith. Margaret River’s coast is know as a world class surf break otherwise know as Margs. The beaches are beautiful and there are wineries everywhere. But according to our source, when the sun goes down is when it is really breathtaking.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
7.  Canggu Beach, Bali Canguu beach is located on the southern coast of the island of Bali in Indonesia. There you will find beautiful rice fields, a lot of surfing and plenty of private rentals to give you a secluded vacation. Since there is much more to see in Bali most people spend only a few days here, if you are a surfer you could spend longer. There is also a surf retreat called the Chillhouse which looks like a sweet place to get you surfing.                                                                                 
8. Hanalei Bay, Kauai “First time I stood up surfing and one of my fondest family vacation memories” -@rewagner13. Hanalei Bay is a truly magical place. Go there to meet another version of yourself without stress or worry. It is located on the north side of the beautiful island of Kauai. As mentioned above, it is a great place for people learning to surf. There are a few breaks in this bay, some are for beginners and some are not depending on the swell. The sleepy town of Hanalei is nested in the foothills of towering green mountains perfect for hiking. The hike to Hanakapiai Falls is rewarding and worth the 8 hour roundtrip trek. Treat yourself to guavas along the way and and take a dip under the chilly waterfall once you arrive. If you are not up for an all day hike there are plenty of other shorter options.                                       
9. Butterfly Beach, Santa Barbara CA “Butterfly beach is where my late mother spent time in college, where my husband proposed to me and the beach where my son loves to play.’” -@hjludwick.  Butterfly beach is a soft sand beach in front of the Four Seasons in Santa Barbara. This beach seems to elicit a peaceful feeling, even those who are not beach people admit to feeling something different here. There is something special about this place. Is it the stunning view of the California Coast or is there just a special something in the salty air? You decide.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
10. Tuckahoe Acres, DE Yes, Delaware. You don't see too much about this state but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth making the trip. There is a seasonal campground resort called Tuckahoe Acres on the Indian River Bay in Dagsboro, DE. They allow dogs and cater toward the good ‘ole family life. Typical magical summer days happen here, like swimming in the river, crabbing and outdoor movies.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Thank you to everyone who entered and shared their happy place. Your stories are touching and we read every single one :) Also, photo credit and thanks to Ian Gampon / Hanalei Bay, Martin Konopacki / Night Sky over beach, and Torbackhopper / Butterfly Beach                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             A friendly reminder when traveling is to please leave places cleaner than when you found them. Picking up trash, even what was not yours, is very helpful and may even save an animal's life. Let's make sure these beautiful places are thriving for generations to come.