DH & I are so NOT beach people (mostly due to the fact that we turn into lobsters after a mere hour in the sun).
We prefer the mountains. We kayak a lot so we spend some time along the coast, but not baking in the sun. Our vacations are of the active variety- kayaking, hiking, camping, mountain biking. When we go to Maine, we balance our active time with time sitting under a tree or in the park reading, listening to the ocean and/or watching the clouds go by. (Ice cream helps to take it all in...)
DH is not much of a city person. I don't mind a little taste of the metropolitan life once in a while. To compromise, from time to time we seek out small cities for a night or two along the way. It's nice to experience the culture and dining opportunities that a city has to offer.