When it comes to family beach time, the key is that the beach can't be the only draw. Lets face it, sometimes kids get bored. Sometimes they get antsy. Sometimes one child wants to hang on a beach chair all day while another wants nothing more than to be in the surf. You can argue if you want, or you can look for a family spot that has plenty to do, and if you're lucky, even some kid –specific programming. A good family beach can mean a great family vacation. From resort playgrounds to beachside rentals here are some of my favorites.

1. Balboa Peninsula Beaches - Newport Beach, Calif. Balboa Pier tends to be the main draw on the peninsula, and, because the beaches surrounding the pier aren't officially named, the locals refer to this area simply as "the beach at Balboa." A great spot for families of all ages, you can rent boogie boards, bikes, skates, blades, towels and chairs at the pier, or experience the quieter spots along the harbor as well as a calm beach along Bay Avenue. You'll also find a playground with swings and a jungle gym on the south side of the pier. There are plenty of places to get food and drinks, cookout areas, and lifeguards on duty. Take a short walk from the Balboa Pier on the ocean side of the peninsula to The Fun Zone on the harbor side, where you can check out the Ferris wheel and bumper cars or rent jet skies to rough-up the calm waters of the bay.

The masses are heading out of town this summer. More people are going to Europe than have over the past few years--and it's not just because of the Olympics. I'm part of the trend, but I'll be steering clear of the crowds in Greece and visiting another part of the Mediterranean altogether: the Croatian Islands. I travel a ton for work, but like everyone else, my vacation days are limited. I don't want anything to happen to spoil my precious vacation, so it's imperative to have the right coverage.

And no, I'm not talking about beach cover-ups! Whether you're on the shores of the Mayan Riviera or the French Riviera, in a tiny village on the Amalfi Coast or a thriving Grecian metropolis--even if you're at the Acropolis--the fact is that you need to think about travel insurance.

Action beaches, to me, are sandy spots where activities and people come together, and there is a palpable vibe. Action beaches don't have to mean adventure, though sometimes they do. Action beaches don't have to mean it's a scene, but of course, they often are. What an action beach must be is action-packed in some way or another. A word to the wise: Most of these spots are crowded all the time, but that's the price one pays to get a piece of the action. And don't let that stop you – there's a reason these beaches beckon. I like these beaches because they offer a particular window into the culture of the place (and in most of the cases below, a slice of Americana that is rarely seen). Ranging from the highbrow to lowbrow, sexy to seedy, these beaches often feature people who are more evocative than the views. Below, you'll find my selection of 10 beaches in the U.S. or nearby where you can find action--and a lot of it.

1. Atlantic City Beach - Atlantic City, N.J. What you may not know about AC is that it's one of America's oldest, seaside-resort communities-- its history is longer than its famed four-mile AC boardwalk. Given the millions that Atlantic City churns out annually, the beach has only just gotten a piece of the action, which was more than overdue. A $24 million replenishment plan is underway to add sand, dune grass, and fencing to protect it. Many hope it will turn the tide and popularity of this spot too. Just steps from the sand, adults can test their luck in the casinos. Although visiting card-sharks might not know it, during the summer, the beach offers volleyball, sailing, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, and surfing. (Supposedly the best waves are found at Delaware and Raleigh Avenues, particularly in late August and September.) Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day. So if you're looking to mix it up this summer, Atlantic City is one place to try your luck.