Take a Labor Day Road Trip

So, you've been scouring the Internet searching for that perfect house plan for your coastal property (shameless pitch: Coastal Home Plans has the largest selection of coastal-centric home designs on the web!). We have a suggestion for you as Labor Day Weekend approaches: take a break! You can get back to the computer first thing Tuesday. With the extra day off that the holiday brings, we say, why not visit one of your favorite coastal places?

Take an end of summer road trip
You'll be amazed at how many ideas you'll get for your own home building project by getting away from your home building project. Take a road trip to one (or more) of your favorite coastal towns to find inspiration for the home you'd like to build. Without fail you'll see delightful details that you can incorporate. Remember to take plenty of pictures and keep them in a clip file. Doing this type of recon will help you figure out what you really like - and don't like - about particular design styles, building materials and colors. As a bonus you'll get to hang out at the beach before the water gets too cold and grab a few "right off the boat" seafood meals. You know your favorite coastal places, but here a few that we love that have plenty of delightful residences worth checking out:

Charleston, SC - Best home viewing is Downtown Peninsula, Mount Pleasant (I'on, Old Village), Sullivan's Island and Daniel Island. For "beachy" homes go to Isle of Palms or Folly Beach. Head to The Boathouse at Breach Inlet (Isle of Palms) for great seafood and views.


Siesta Key, FL - Hit the road to Siesta Key to see cute beach bungalows, jaw-dropping oceanfront estate homes and everything in between. Hop across the bridge at Stickney Point Rd. to get to Coasters Bar & Grill. Their Intracoastal location is perfect for watching the parade of boaters float by and you'll satisfy you're culinary needs by sinking your teeth into a near perfect grouper sandwich.


Southport, NC - This small coastal town offers up a quaint Main Street, a nice variety of historic and new homes to ogle and easy access to the Bald Head Island Ferry for those looking to extend their house viewing adventures. Grab a bite at Cape Fear Restaurant where the cooking is down home (go for the fried fish and hush puppies) and the views are spectacular.


Half Moon Bay, CA - Here's one for you West Coasters. Half Moon residences are best viewed from the seat of a bicycle. Park at the Ritz-Carlton and head north toward town. As you get closer to town you'll get up close views of fun, funky and downright cool homes that hug the bike trail and the Pacific Ocean. When hunger calls, for an upscale treat, make reservations at award winning Cetrella (who can resist the scallop dishes?). Or, if you prefer a more casual setting head to Miramar Beach Restaurant for a meal with a view.

Peaks Island, ME - Hop on the ferry to Peaks Island from Downtown Portland to spend a delightful day sightseeing, bicycling and dining. This small community is easy to get around by two-wheeler. Take a left after you get off the ferry and walk several blocks and you'll find the friendly folks at Brad's Bike Rentals. For a measly $9 you can rent a bike for 3 hours. You can choose from a stable of refurbished bikes - nothing fancy, but all in good working condition. We could have spent 100 hours checking out all the amazing cottages and homes on this island. Whether by building code or good sense, all of the homes here are of a scale that fits the place, which gives this community a certain soulfulness. After you've worked up an appetite, wheel into the Inn on Peaks Island for a cask conditioned Shipyard Ale and a delicious Lobster Roll sandwich. Lucky, lucky you!

Drive safe on your Labor Day Road Trip and we'll see you back online at Coastal Home Plans when you return. As always, we're here to help you find the perfect home design for your place on the coast.