25 Best Beaches in the United States

Clearwater Beach, Florida

Clearwater Beach is known for its pristine white sands and beautiful blue waters.

Popular activities at the beach include sunbathing, parasailing, and boat tours, and dolphin sightings are fairly common in the waters of the Gulf.
The beach is also a regular hub of activity, and event highlights include the annual Clearwater Jazz Festival and a nightly sunset celebration on the pier with live music and street vendors.
A number of restaurants and shops can be found along the beach, and there are also drinking fountains and outdoor showers available for public use.

Clearwater Beach is 50 minutes from Miami.

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

Located on the southwest coast of the Olympic Peninsula, Kalaloch Beach is inside Olympic National Park. The waters are a safe haven for many types of marine wildlife, so sightings of animals like puffins and otters are common.

The beach is home to one of only two campgrounds on the southern coast of Olympic National Park.
Campsites fill up quickly, so visitors are advised to reserve a spot as early in the year as possible.
There is also a lodge located right on the beach, which has rooms and cabins to rent if reserved in advance.

Kalaloch Beach is 3 hours from Tacoma.

Sea Camp Beach, Cumberland Island, Georgia

Sea Camp Beach is a large, undeveloped beach located on the Atlantic side of Cumberland Island.

The large variety of shells in the area makes the beach an excellent spot for beach combing, and visitors may even be able to find shark teeth.
Other popular activities here include stargazing, bird watching, fishing, and boating.
There is a small but popular campground on the beach; reservations are required, and amenities include washrooms, cold showers, potable water, fire pits, and picnic tables.
Anyone wishing to bicycle around the island can rent a bike at the Sea Camp Dock.

The drive from Savannah to St Marys, Georgia is around 2 hours. From there, you can catch a ferry to Cumberland Island.

Hanauma Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii

Formed inside a volcanic cone, Hanauma Bay has been a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park since 1967. The signature curved shape of the bay makes it ideal for snorkeling and swimming.

Reservations are required. Admission is charged for everyone over the age of 12.
Parking at the beach is very limited, but shuttle services make the trip out to the bay several times a day.
A public bus is also available.
Snorkeling equipment can be rented at the beach, and a gift shop and snack bar are on site as well.

Hanauma Bay Beach Park is 25 minutes from Honolulu.

East Beach, Santa Barbara, California

As the name implies, East Beach in Santa Barbara is found on the eastern end of a four-mile stretch of city beach parks.

Visitors to the beach can enjoy picnic facilities, a children's playground, and one of more than a dozen volleyball courts.
The boathouse also offers showers, lockers, and a weight room. Alcohol is prohibited on the beach.
A bike path and a sidewalk pass through the beach, providing access to the other city beaches in the area. Map

The beach is easy to get to and there are many hotels and restaurants to choose from nearby.

Islanders Beach, Hilton Head, South Carolina

Made up of 12 miles of beautiful white sand, Islanders Beach is located on the eastern shore of Hilton Head, SC.

The beach is wheelchair accessible thanks to a boardwalk bridge and beach matting that lead to the ocean, and the water boasts a gentle underwater slope that makes it extremely swimmer-friendly.
Visitors are welcome to use the picnic pavilion and grill.
Permit parking is available for those with annual beach parking passes, and metered parking spots are available for all others.
Other amenities at the beach include bike racks, public washrooms, a children's playground, and outdoor showers.

Coronado Beach, San Diego, California

Coronado Beach is actually home to four distinct beach areas: Coronado City Beach, Tidelands Park, Glorietta Bay Park, and Centennial Park.

The beaches are well known for the presence of mica, which causes the sand to glitter gold in the sun.
Gentle waves make the beaches ideal for skim boarding, swimming, and body boarding, and the wide, flat sandy areas are perfectly suited to relaxing strolls.
Tidelands Park and Glorietta Bay Park are both home to playgrounds, picnic tables, and grassy areas, and volleyball courts, and fire rings are scattered throughout all four areas.
Scuba diving is prohibited. Map

Malaquite Beach, North Padre Island, Texas

Situated near the north end of North Padre Island, Malaquite Beach is made up of roughly 4-5 miles of uninterrupted white sand.

The beach is rarely crowded, and popular activities here include kayaking and windsurfing.
The nearby visitor center features displays on local history and wildlife, and it also offers a gift store and a snack shop.
Various activities and events are held at the Malaquite Beach Pavilion, including guided evening stargazing tours and annual turtle releases.
The Malaquite Campground offers approximately 45 semi-primitive campsites and can accommodate tent and car campers only. Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Map

Malaquite Beach is 45 minutes from Corpus Christi.

Van Damme Beach, Mendocino Coast, California

Located along Little River, Van Damme Beach is part of the 1,830-acre Van Damme State Park on the Mendocino Coast. The beach has an excellent location in a semi-protected cove, making it a popular destination for abalone divers.

Kayak tours and stand up paddle board torus are available for visitors wishing to gain a unique perspective of the coastline or to explore the nearby sea caves; tours can be booked in the beach parking lot. Ten miles of hiking trails lead along the canyon of Little River, and there are several nearby camping areas available for car and tent camping.

If you are interested in visiting Mendocino Coast on your road trip, watch this video about making the most of your time there.

Nags Head Beach, North Carolina

With its 11 miles of sand, Nags Head Beach is a great place to go for traditional beach activities like swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Anyone looking for more adventure can snorkel around several shipwrecks in the area, go dolphin watching, or go kayaking.

Fishing is another popular activity; a fishing license is required, and two public fishing piers are available. Vehicles are allowed on the beach during off-season, but a permit must be obtained from the town. The nearby Jockey Ridge is the tallest natural sand dune system in the eastern United States, and it offers excellent views of the beach.

Ocean City Beach, Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City Beach consists of over 10 miles of clean water and beautiful, well-maintained sand. Surfers and boogie boarders will be pleased by the excellent waves at the beach, and a specific section of the beach is reserved for surfers.

Public washrooms and outdoor showers are available at several locations on the beach. Family-friendly events are hosted at the beach six evenings a week during the summer, and a large boardwalk is located only steps away.

Ocracoke Beach, Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

Located in the Outer Banks, Ocracoke Beach is accessible either by Highway 12 or by kayaking along the beautiful Pamlico Sound. Sixteen miles of undeveloped beach provide plenty of space for visitors to sunbathe, fly kites, and hunt for shells, while the water is popular with swimmers, surf fishermen, boogie boarders, and surfers.

The beach is home to many different species of birds, turtles, and shellfish, and lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of a herd of wild horses. Several sections of the beach are open to vehicles, and the beach is occasionally closed for bird and turtle nesting.

Ogunquit Beach, Maine

Ogunquit Beach is located on a long peninsula that forms a natural barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and the Ogunquit River. The middle section of the beach is often called Footbridge Beach, as it is home to a footbridge that crosses over the river.

Popular activities here include swimming, bodysurfing, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Lifeguards are on duty during the day in high season, and there is pay parking in a large lot at the southern end of the beach. Chairs, umbrellas, and flotation devices are available for rent, and public facilities include washrooms, outdoor showers, a boat launch, and picnic tables.

Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Alabama

With its beautiful location on the Gulf of Mexico, Orange Beach offers 32 miles of soft white sand perfect for sunbathing and building sandcastles. The beach is also home to the largest artificial fishing reef in the United States, making deep-sea fishing expeditions one of the most popular activities in the area.

Visitors can choose to either charter or rent a boat, and those who prefer to stay closer to shore can fish off the pier. Adventure seekers will be pleased to know that a number of companies also offer opportunities to try water sports like parasailing, jet skiing, diving, and paddle boarding.

Saint Pete Beach, St. Pete, Florida

St. Pete Beach is located just off the Pinellas County mainland of Saint Petersburg, and it boasts the longest undeveloped stretch of public beach in the county. The soft white sand of the beach is great for sunbathing, beach combing, and building sandcastles, and the clear, shallow water will encourage even novice swimmers to take a dip.

Visitors can also participate in a number of water sports at the beach , including parasailing, stand-up paddle boarding, windsurfing, and kite boarding. Several small restaurants and bars are conveniently located right on the beach, and metered parking is available.

Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida

Located on the beautiful blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Siesta Beach is known for its sand, which is made out of 99% quartz. The unique composition of the sand means it stays cool no matter how hot the sun.

The family-friendly beach has a shaded picnic area as well as a children's playground, and beach wheelchairs are available for visitors to borrow. An on-site concession stand sells drinks and snacks, and tennis and volleyball courts are also available. There are lifeguards stationed at the beach throughout the summer, and Drum Circles are often held at the beach on Sunday evenings.

South Ocean Beach, Assateque Island, Maryland

Located on the tiny Assateague Island, South Ocean Beach is perfect for visitors looking to experience the wild side of the Atlantic Coast. Assateague Island is well known for being home to herds of wild horses, which visitors will frequently spot.

Vehicles are permitted on the beach if they obtain a permit , and 12 miles of drivable sand make it easy for them to find the perfect spot to go crabbing, clamming, or surf fishing. The beach is also inviting for swimmers, and it boasts some of the best waves in the mid-Atlantic, making it a surfer's paradise.

The Cove Beach, Cape May, New Jersey

The Cove Beach is the best of the famous Cape May beaches, with gray sand and a laid-back atmosphere that welcomes visitors to its shores in every season. During the warmer months, the gently sloping beach is a popular destination for families and anyone who likes to swim, surf, or kayak.

The shape of the beach changes from year to year, but the cooler months always bring excellent opportunities to go bird watching, beach combing, or fishing. A picturesque lighthouse can be seen from the beach, and a nightly flag-lowering ceremony draws local spectators as well as tourists.

North Manitou Island, Michigan

Visiting North Manitou Island is a unique experience; the 15,000-acre island is located in Lake Michigan and surrounded by fresh water on every side. Many visitors to the island choose to camp, and camping is permitted anywhere on the island 300 feet or more inland.

There is one designated camping area, and this is the only place fires are permitted. The island is only accessible by boat, and other popular activities include hunting, hiking, and swimming. Several old buildings are scattered around the island, but visitors are advised to stay away, as most of the buildings are quite decrepit and dangerous.

Atlantic City Beach, NJ

Atlantic City Beach is home to the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk, which has been an American icon since it was constructed in 1870.

This beach has the best of both worlds: beautiful ocean views and a wide variety of stores ranging from boutique shops to candy stores. Those looking to enjoy the beach can enjoy surfing, kayaking, or fishing, and anyone looking for a bit of adrenaline can try windsurfing or parasailing. The boardwalk is also home to a number of different restaurants, casinos, hotels, and family-friendly activities like mini-golf and amusement park rides.

1000 Steps Beach, Laguna

Known for the long, steep staircase visitors must climb to access the beach, 1000 Steps Beach is one of the largest beaches in Laguna. There are actually only 230 steps to the beach, and its well worth the climb. The beach, is perfect for sunbathing, surfing, and snorkeling, and amenities include volleyball courts and public washrooms. When the tide is out, visitors can explore the large caves found at both the north and south ends of the beach. Parking is scarce, and visitors should take care to park in a legal spot to avoid a ticket.

El Matador Beach, Malibu

Accessing El Matador State Beach in Malibu requires climbing down a steep dirt trail and then some stairs, but anyone who can't make the climb can still enjoy the stunning view from the upper cliffs. The beach is quite long, and has plenty of room on the sand for sunbathers. The large waves make this a popular destination for body boarding and body surfing year round. The beach is open 8am to sunset, and pay parking is available during this time. There is no lifeguard tower on the beach, but lifeguards will be on duty during busy weekends in the summer.

Huntington State Beach

Also known as Surf City USA”, Huntington State Beach has been a California state beach since 1963.

It hosts the annual U.S. Open of Surfing, and is widely known as a premier spot for surfing and swimming. In addition to great waves, the large, sandy beach offers volleyball courts and basketball courts.

Other amenities at Huntington Beach include fire rings, washrooms, and a paved beachside trail. Surf fishing is permitted with a valid license. Huntington Beach visitors should be aware that the currents here can be dangerous, and swimmers are advised to use caution even when lifeguards are on duty.