The 2017 finalists were selected by Coastal Living editors based on past inclusion in magazines, as well as nominations garnered through social media.
AMELIA ISLAND, FL – Northeast Florida’s Fernandina Beach, located on Amelia Island, was named one of “America’s Happiest Seaside Towns” by readers of Coastal Living magazine, finishing in the #4 spot. Rounding out the Top 10 list are destinations such as Hilton Head, South Carolina; Cape May, New Jersey; Camden, Maine; Carmel-by-the-Sea, California; and Sarasota, the only other Florida town to make the list in the magazines’ sixth annual competition.
“Year after year, Fernandina Beach’s storied past, historic downtown, quiet beaches and quaint, coastal culture continue to charm visitors,” said Gil Langley, president and CEO of the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’re delighted that readers of this top magazine have recognized the warmth and southern hospitality our happy little seaside town embodies.”
Coastal Living announced the results of its sixth annual America’s Happiest Seaside Town award on January 27, ranking the seaside towns that received the most votes from readers. The 2017 finalists were selected by Coastal Living editors based on past inclusion in magazines, as well as nominations garnered through social media. The criteria included the town’s 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 Coastal Living editors’ assessment of each town’s overall “coastal vibe.”
Coastal Living is the authority for those captivated by the coast and the ultimate resource for travel tips and destination guides for readers who live in or love the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf shores of North America.
The winning town will also be featured in the May 2017 print issue of Coastal Living, on newsstands nationwide on April 13, 2017. The full list is published exclusively online, at CoastalLiving.com.
