Today, bikinis are a common sight on the beach. But one thing's for certain, even as fashions come and go, the beach will always be a perfect destination for a summer vacation.

“It's a great getaway from our daily cares and work,” Rugh said. “Watching the waves and listening to the birds can be soothing. It is also educational for children, who pick up shells and drag seaweed out of the surf.”

The collection above features a vintage look of vacationers and beachgoers from around the world from the early 1900s to the end of the 1970s. For more information on the evolution of the family vacation, read Rugh’s book, “Are We There Yet?: The Golden Age of American Family Vacations.”