How we research

We have visited some of the places we write about. Most of what we publish comes from research rather than our own trips, so here is where it comes from.

• Lifeguards, beach rules and parking come from official city, county, state park and National Park Service pages. Our newer guides link that page in the post.
• Weather comes from NOAA climate normals, the typical temperatures for each month.
• Hotel rates come from Booking.com and other major booking sites. For our cost comparisons, we search the same weeks in every town.
• Hotel details come from the hotel’s own website first, then its listings on booking sites.
• Things to do come from official tourism boards and the attractions’ own websites.

Our newer guides link each source, and many say when we checked it. In those guides, if we cannot confirm something, such as whether a beach has lifeguards, we leave it out rather than guess. Rates, hours and rules change, so check the details with the hotel or the beach before your trip.

How we make money

Some links on LayzTravel go to booking sites such as Booking.com, VRBO, Expedia, Hotels.com and GetYourGuide. If you book through one of them, we may earn a commission from that site. We don’t add any fee to what you pay. Prices are set by the booking sites and the hotels, and they can change.

Those commissions help support LayzTravel and the research behind it. A commission does not decide which places we include or how they rank. You can read the details on our affiliate disclosure page.