Families may differ over what makes for a great beach vacation. But there are certain things that all parents know you can't live without: wide open strands, ice-cream cones, and kid-oriented amusements for days when the sun won't shine or building sand castles loses its charm.

Come with us to three destinations that offer all that and much more: a sun-soaked California surf town, a nature-oriented Wisconsin getaway, and a laid-back North Carolina barrier island with miles of sand.

So what are you waiting for? Gather up those beach toys and head for the shore.