best beaches in america
1. Francis Beach, Half Moon Bay, California
If you want to do more than sunbathe, this is the beach for you. Francis Beach is located on the south side of Half Moon Bay State Park. Visitors can bike along the Coastside Trail, surf, or camp at 52 campgrounds that accommodate RVs, tents, and trailers. You can also ride horses on the numerous trails surrounding the beach.
2. Cannon Beach, Oregon
Known for its expansive shores and stunning views of Haystack Rock, it’s no wonder Cannon Beach was named one of the 100 most beautiful places in the world by National Geographic. It’s about an hour and a half from Portland, but you might not want to go too far because there’s so much to see in this seaside village. Cannon Beach is one of America’s premier art towns, so be sure to check out the many art galleries and festivals throughout the city.
3. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
If you’re looking for a tranquil beach vacation, Kiawah Island Beach is the place for you. The beach stretches for 16 miles and is approximately 32 miles from downtown Charleston. Kiawah is a private, gated community, so public beach access is at Beachwalker County Park on the western end of the island. It’s an ideal place to enjoy South Carolina’s natural beauty. Kiawah Island’s preserved marine forests and wetlands are perfect for wildlife viewing. Be sure to stop by the award-winning Kiawah Island Golf Resort and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, a sprawling oceanfront mansion with a 5-star Forbes rating.
4. Twelvemile Beach, Michigan
As you might expect, Twelvemile Beach is a 19-mile stretch of sand and pebble shoreline perched on a plateau above Lake Superior on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Access is also very convenient. Twelvemile Beach Campground offers direct access to the beach from the parking lot and several flights of stairs. A great place for long walks on the beach. Camp at one of 37 locations along the coast, picnic under towering pine trees, or stargaze in the sand dunes.
5. Assateague State Park, Maryland
With more than three miles of beach, Assateague State Park is a great place to surf, swim, and sunbathe. As Maryland’s only oceanfront park, it’s also a great spot for exploration. Visitors can kayak through coves along the coastline or hike through wetlands to see wildlife up close.
6. Punaluu Beach, Hawaii
Punaluu Beach, located just off Mamalahoa Highway on Hawaii’s east coast, is a must-see. Note: Consider bringing water shoes due to sand. hot. The heat of the black sand attracts green sea turtles, so if you stick around you might see them sunbathing. Ninole Cove, accessed via a path from the parking lot, offers excellent snorkeling. You can also follow the same path for a short hike under towering coconut palms.
7. Sand Beach, Acadia National Park, Maine
This 290 meter long sand beach is nestled between the mountains of Mount Desert Island. However, don’t be fooled by the name. In fact, most of the sandy beaches are made of shell fragments. Please be careful. Water temperatures usually do not exceed 50 degrees. If swimming isn’t your thing, check out the various hiking trails surrounding the beach. Follow the coastal trail past Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff.
8. Spectacle Island, Massachusetts
Spectacle Island is just a 20-minute boat ride from downtown Boston. Take a ferry to the island with Boston Harbor Cruises. Please reserve your tickets online in advance as they often sell out quickly. The island itself opens in May and closes in October. While you’re here, be sure to admire the abundance of sea glass the island is famous for (but don’t bring your own). There are also eight miles of hiking trails and numerous beaches with sweeping views of the Boston skyline.
9. Schoolhouse Beach – Washington Island, Wisconsin
Named after a small wooden schoolhouse that once stood on Washington Island, Schoolhouse Beach is truly unique. The entire beach is made of limestone, so be sure to pack flip-flops. Washington Island is just a short ferry ride from Door County and is known for its vast lavender fields. Pick your own lavender at Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm or visit the gift shop where you can find fragrant soaps and delicious lavender sweets.
10. La Jolla Cove, California
Come to the beach and watch the wildlife. La Jolla Cove’s smooth rocks and sandy beaches are an ideal sunbathing spot for sea lions and seals. You might spot leopard sharks and sea turtles on a guided kayak tour of Seven Caves. Stroll through the shops along Prospect Street in La Jolla Cove’s Gem District. End the day with a cocktail at George’s at the Cove’s rooftop bar overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
11. Clearwater Beach, Florida
At Clearwater Beach, you’ll find the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. The sandy beaches and warm water are the perfect place to relax in the sun, but this small town also has a lot to offer. Visit artists and musicians at Sunset at Pier 60 or take a booze cruise around the bay on a tiki boat. For a quick bite, try Frency’s Rockaway Grill. Featured in Food Paradise, this restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining as well as live music.
12. Stearns Park Beach, Ludington, Michigan
Stearns Park Beach is one of USA Today Travel’s Top 50 Great American Beaches and definitely lives up to its hype. Perfect for those looking for a bit of adventure. The south end of the park is home to the Ludington Area Jaycees Mini Golf Course and Skate Plaza, as well as volleyball nets and an open area for grilling. Watch the sun set over Lake Michigan from the North Breakwater Lighthouse pier and grab a bite to eat at a nearby kiosk (famous for their fried Oreos).
13. Pope Beach, South Lake Tahoe, California
Located 5 miles outside of South Lake Tahoe on State Route 89, Pope Beach is the perfect tranquil retreat. The sandy beach and surrounding pine trees overlook the Sierra Nevada mountains and crystal clear water. Pope Beach is very accessible and visitors can access it by hiking or biking using the Pope/Baldwin Bike Path. Soak up the beauty of Lake Tahoe on a scenic helicopter tour and end your day with a bite to eat at Sonney’s Bbq Shack Bar and Grill.
14. Higgins Beach, Scarborough, Maine
Known for its small-town New England charm, Higgins Beach is located in a residential neighborhood dating back to the 1800s. There are plenty of reasons to take the drive to Higgins. Located 16 miles from Portland, the winding roads surrounded by towering pine trees are the perfect way to start a beautiful day. This water is perfect for kayaking and fly fishing (a very popular activity at Higgins).
15. South Carlsbad State Beach, California
This three-mile stretch of beach is popular with divers, surfers, and sunbathers. Camping here is very popular during the summer months. With more than 200 campsites perched on the cliffs above the beach, it’s no wonder campers must reserve in advance. While in Carlsbad, don’t miss Carlsbad Ranch’s flower fields, which boast 50 acres of vibrant blooms overlooking the coastline.
Read more: Summer Guide to Encinitas, California
16. Berks Beach, Hilton Head, South Carolina
Berks Beach is about an hour’s drive from downtown Hilton Head, but it’s well worth the visit. The quiet, soft white sand beach is easily accessible by bike, and paved paths lead to tennis and basketball courts. Spot dolphins on a boat tour of Hilton Head or tour Harbor Town Lighthouse.
17. Mustang Island State Park, Texas
Mustang Island State Park has activities for all types of beach lovers, including surfing, geocaching, and camping. Rent a kayak and explore Corpus Christi Bay by paddling the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail, which runs along the west coastline. The 32 km long trail is perfect for viewing wildlife, especially coastal birds and turtles. Spend the night at one of the many campsites and soak up the sun on the white sand beaches.
18. Turner Beach, Florida
Across the bridge to Captiva, Turner Beach is famous for its sunsets and cannonballs. The rock jetty is perfect for fishing and stargazing. You can also swim, but please be careful as the current is relatively strong. There are many beachside pubs just across the bridge. Mad Hatter and Lazy Flamingo are two of the area’s most acclaimed restaurants.
19. Mohegan Bluffs: Block Island, Rhode Island
The best of New England. About an hour’s ferry ride from Rhode Island, Block Island has only one grocery store and no chain restaurants. It is lined with cozy inns and quaint boutiques. Located at the base of Mohegan Bluff, this protected beach overlooks the misty Atlantic Ocean and is set against a backdrop of vast clay cliffs. The walk to the beach is quite challenging, 141 steps to be exact, but the views are truly unparalleled.
Read more: Visiting Newport, Rhode Island
20. Venice Beach, California
Known for its quirky seaside promenade, Venice Beach is perfect for those looking for a sunbathing break. On the promenade, you can listen to musicians, watch street performers, or join the drum circle that plays daily on the beach. Grab a snack from one of the many food trucks lining the boardwalk, or visit the upscale galleries and boutiques on Abbott Kinney Boulevard. A must-see is the Mosaic Tile House, where the entire house is covered in mosaic and tiles.
Read more: How to spend a weekend at Venice Beach
21. Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Old Orchard Beach has a lot to be thankful for. With seven miles of sandy beaches, visitors are sure to find a variety of activities. Old Orchard Beach Pier is a great place to shop, eat and drink. Palace Playland, a waterfront amusement park, is filled with rides and arcade games (and, of course, a Ferris wheel).
22. South Beach, Miami, Florida
Miami is known for its glittering nightlife, Art Deco architecture, and sandy beaches. Naturally, visitors can find all of the above in South Beach. Although it may be crowded, the beach is a great place to tan and swim in the warm waters. Visitors can learn about Art Deco history on a walking tour or shop at the open-air Lincoln Road Mall, which features a variety of restaurants and bars.
23. Coast Guard Beach, Massachusetts
Coast Guard Beach, nicknamed “The Great Beach” by Henry David Thoreau, lives up to its title. The beach is named after the Coast Guard building located on the dunes above the beach. More than 32 miles of coastline is the perfect place to relax with soft sand and calm waters. From Memorial Day through mid-September, visitors can park in the Little Creek parking lot and have a shuttle to and from the beach. Visitors can visit the Lobster Shanty to eat traditional New England lobster rolls or browse for antiques at one of Eastham’s many shops.
twenty four. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia
Unsurprisingly, Driftwood Beach is named for the giant driftwood trees that line the shore. The coiled branches and famous pastel sunsets make for great photos. There is also plenty to do on Jekyll Island. Moss-covered trees, quaint cottages built in the 1800s, and towering sand dunes make this island worth a visit. After a day of sightseeing, head to Fuse for some froyo.