Atlanta, Georgia is a metropolitan city located about 250 miles inland of the Atlantic Ocean. While Atlanta is not a coastal city, it is located within an hour's drive from several lakefront beaches, as well as a couple hours' drive to get to tourist destinations on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.
Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier is the closest beach-side experience a person traveling from Atlanta, Georgia can get. Lake Lanier is a freshwater lake located in northern Georgia, created by the damming of the Chattahoochee River in 1956. The area draws thousands of tourists to its sandy shores each year, as well as numerous boaters and jet-skiers; there are no lifeguards on duty. Several resorts sit on the shore around the lake. The driving time from Atlanta to Lake Lanier is just over an hour.
Lake Allatoona
Lake Allatoona is located in Georgia, just northwest of Atlanta. The lake -- which has 270 miles of shoreline -- has campgrounds and resorts open for the summer season, when many tourists head to the lake to hit the beaches. Other popular entertainment at Lake Allatoona includes jet-skiing, picnicking and boating. Major beaches on Lake Allatoona include Acworth Beach and the beach at Sweetwater Park. The drive from Atlanta to Lake Alattoona -- inside Red Top Mountain State Park -- takes about 40 minutes.
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is one of Georgia's Golden Isles, located off the coast of mainland Georgia. Visitors reach Jekyll Island via Jekyll Island Drive; many are motivated to make the trip because of the island's beautiful white beaches and clear, aquamarine water. The island offers 10 miles of unspoiled beaches, and Jekyll beaches are known for their bounty of shells and sand dollars. The drive from Atlanta to Jekyll Island takes about five and a half hours.
St. Simons Island
St. Simons Island is another one of Georgia's coastal Golden Isles, part of Glynn County. The small island is located less than half a mile from Georgia's mainland, and connected by East Beach Causeway. The island has two public beaches: Massingale Park Beach and Coast Guard Beach Station. Visitors flock to these beaches to enjoy hunting for seashells, fishing, hiking and swimming. This beach -- about a five and a half hour drive from Atlanta -- has a lifeguard on duty between June 1 and Labor Day.
Tags: from Atlanta, Jekyll Island, drive from, Lake Allatoona, Lake Lanier, drive from Atlanta
