The American beach experience can be entertaining, rustic or luxurious, with 23 states blessed with bountiful beachfront on the Atlantic Ocean east coast, the Pacific west coast and the Gulf of Mexico in the south.
And from sea to shining sea in the United States, there is a beach for every fancy. From predictably palm-lined coasts in Hawaii, California and Florida – where the waters stay balmy enough for swimming all year – to surf-rich sections of state parks and national seashores where seasonal sunseekers fill the sands in the summer, there’s an enclave for every traveller.
Families drawn to Orlando’s theme park diversions in Florida can visit the Sunshine State’s hundreds of miles of Atlantic and Gulf beaches, with their bustling boardwalks extending the holiday fun.
On the opposite coast, Washington state’s Olympic National Park offers mountains, temperate rainforests and sunsets on the sand.
But many of the country’s loveliest beaches – although this is in the eye of the beholder’s personal preference for sand, pebbles, rocks or cliffs – can be found just around the corner from their popular touristic counterparts.
In this list, we’ve combined the best of both, with unmissable icons alongside local favourites. Read on for some ideas for where to hit the country’s best sand and surf.
Coopers Beach, New York
On the south shore of New York’s Long Island, Coopers Beach offers some of the best public beach access in the Hamptons. With white quartz shores and towering sand dunes sheltered from the cold Labrador currents, this Southampton enclave is a perpetual favourite for New Yorkers escaping the city for fun in the summer sun and also took second place in Dr Beach’s annual top 10 ranking.
Where to eat: A 50-year institution, Shippy’s (shippys.com) serves local clams on the half shell and delicious, huge German pretzels.
Where to stay: The 1708 House (631 287 1708; 1708house.com) is a historic bed and breakfast dating to the early 18th century. From $395/£311 per night.
Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
Emerald-hued Kauai island in Hawaii maintains its lush rainforest with plentiful tropical rain, so for a beach vacation choose the drier southern side of the island. One side of Poipu Beach’s two distinct stretches of sand fronting the Pacific Ocean has a shallow sandbar where children can play, with lifeguards on duty. Or, rent snorkels and fins nearby at Snorkel Bob’s (snorkelbob.com) to scout for surgeonfish, wrasse and goatfish among the healthy corals.
Where to eat: Uncle’s Shave Ice and Tea does the best passionfruit shave ice on Kauai.
Where to stay: Rooms at Ko’a Kea Resort on Poipu Beach (888 603-9263; koakea.com) have private lanais to take in the views. From $649/£512 a night.
Alys Beach, Florida
The Florida Panhandle beaches are known for their powder sands, rare coastal dune lakes, hiking and biking trails. One of the area’s most spectacularly scenic beach burgs along Scenic Highway 30A is Alys Beach, where white-washed buildings are set against the cerulean Gulf of Mexico. Divers can visit the country’s first permanent underwater sculpture garden at the Underwater Museum of Art (umafl.org), created as new marine habitat for local wildlife.
Where to eat: Locally sourced produce and seafood star at George’s at Alys Beach (georgesatalysbeach.com), a favourite for fish tacos and lobster rolls.
Where to stay: Stay in nearby Sandestin at Hotel Effie (833 873 3343; hoteleffie.com) to enjoy the rooftop pool. From $254/£200 per night.
Pescadero State Beach, California
Pescadero State Beach makes for a quintessential stop along Northern California’s spectacular stretch of Highway One (popularly known as the Pacific Coast Highway). Pull off the road to stroll the glorious mile-long sandy shoreline fringed by rocky cliffs and tidepools, where beachgoers delight in spotting sea urchins, starfish and hermit crabs.
Where to eat: Family-run bakery Arcangeli, located in the nearby town of Pescadero, makes a garlic herb and artichoke bread with a devoted local following.
Where to stay: There is a main lodge, cabins and tented bungalow accommodations at eco-adventure resort Costanoa (650 879 1100; costanoa.com). Rooms from $159/£125 per night.
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Pair Charleston’s culinary and historical highlights with Kiawah Island, just 25 miles south. The upscale beach offers 10 miles of beaches, sand dunes, marshes and maritime forests to explore, including Marsh Island Park’s mile-long boardwalk through coastal hammock habitats. Sporting tip: The island’s Kiawah Resort is also renowned for its Pete Dye-designed Ocean Course.
What to eat: Settle in for a seafood tower of oysters, caviar deviled eggs and lobster tail overlooking the ocean at The Ocean Room (kiawahresort.com).
Where to stay: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (888 601 4904; kiawahresort.com) epitomises southern coastal glamour, with towering oak trees surrounding the 255-room oceanfront property. From $275/£217 per night.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
On the Atlantic coast, about an hour east of Orlando’s theme parks and near Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach’s golden sands are backed with billowing dunes and you can even see sea turtles nesting during the summer months at nearby Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, just north. Watch surfers catch waves from a perch at the Cocoa Beach Pier or tackle lessons yourself from Ron Jon Surf Shop.
Where to eat: Sip a piña colada and share poke nachos overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at Coconuts on the Beach (coconutsonthebeach.com), the area’s iconic waterfront watering hole.
Where to stay: A talking parrot, loaner surf boards and hammocks greet you at Beach Place Guesthouses (321 783 4045; beachplaceguesthouses.com). From $179/£141 per night.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
With a historic oceanfront boardwalk stretching for three miles and the ViBe Creative District hosting farmers markets and art walks, this beach community in southeastern Virginia on the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay ticks all the boxes for family fun. Entertainment is easily found with the hands-on Virginia Aquarium offering boat tours to spot bottlenose dolphins and the annual East Coast Surfing Championships held here in August.
Where to eat: Fresh crab cake platters and seafood – they’ll also cook your own if you catch it – and sunset views over Lynnhaven Inlet await at Dockside (fishingvabeach.com).
Where to stay: Settle in for coastal cottage vibes at The Inn at Old Beach (757 204 1438; transcendentstays.com), a boutique property just a four-minute walk to the sand. From $164/£129 per night.
Windansea Beach, California
La Jolla Shores Beach might be better known but San Diego locals adore Windansea beach, just a few miles south, where surfers seek waves boosted by an undersea reef system. Sandstone rock formations partition the beach and create secluded areas to bask in the Southern California sunshine.
Where to eat: Expect elevated seafood – Hokkaido scallops, baked mussels and dungeness crab cakes – and Pacific views at Sea & Sky in La Jolla.
Where to stay: California Craftsman architecture and Pacific Ocean views welcome you to The Lodge at Torrey Pines (858 453 4420; lodgetorreypines.com). From $659/£520 per night.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina
Managed by the National Park Service and covering more than 70 miles of North Carolina coastline, Cape Hatteras National Seashore is America’s first national seashore and a true national treasure. Some of the east coast’s best surf spots are found here; look for breaks on Bodie Island and Hatteras Island.
Where to eat: Just north of the lighthouse, Diamond Shoals Restaurant’s clam chowder has a cult following.
Where to stay: With 13 waterfront rooms, The Inn on Pamlico Sound (866 995 7030; innonpamlicosound.com) is great for boutique Outer Banks vibes. From $236/£186 per night.
Ship Island, Mississippi
This barrier island 12 miles off the coast of Mississippi within Gulf Islands National Seashore is only accessible by private boat or by seasonal public ferry (making the 55-minute crossing from Gulfport between March and October). You might lose cell service on arrival but your reward will be in gaining access to the protected and pristine Gulf of Mexico beaches.
Where to eat: Try creative dishes at Vestige, located in the charming coastal community of Ocean Springs, like sushi rolls starring local fish and Mississippi rice.
Where to stay: Beatnik (228 285 7424; thehotelbeatnik.com) in Ocean Springs has cabins with outdoor showers and a communal pool and firepits. From $160/£126 per night.
Indian Shores, Florida
The mostly residential beach community of Indian Shores occupies a sand-spun barrier island about 25 miles west of the Tampa International Airport on the Gulf of Mexico. Simply lounge on the sugar white sands or rent a paddleboard from Mad Beach Surf Shack to explore the surrounding waters, which are as clear as the Caribbean.
What to eat: Find fresh snapper, grouper and other Gulf catches on the menu at Salt Rock Grill.
Where to stay: Certified B Corporation Legacy Vacation Resorts Indian Shores (727 596 7719; legacyvacationresorts.com) has accommodations right across from the beach with a fishing pier and barbecue area. From $184/£145 per night.
Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
When it comes to New England’s best beaches, the hook-shaped peninsula of Cape Cod delights with lighthouses, seafood shacks and quaint beach towns dotting sandy shores. The Cape’s finest beaches are found within Cape Cod National Seashore, 40 miles of protected national coastline offering walking trails, swimming beaches and drive-up beaches.
Where to eat: Grab a picnic table under an umbrella outside to tuck into potato-crusted cod and tuna poke at Mac’s Chatham Fish & Lobster.
Where to stay: Chatham Bars Inn (508 945 0096; chathambarsinn.com) has a private beach and a fleet of boats for sailing trips. From $900/£710 per night.
Waimea Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
Quieter than popular Waikiki, Waimea Bay’s tropical water warms towards 25C and can be calm as a swimming pool. During heavy winter swells, there’s no place better to sit on the sand and watch surfers ride monstrous big waves; Waimea Bay is known for its legendary right-hand point break that rolls into clean barrels when the conditions are right.
Where to eat: Hit the food truck at Pupukea Grill for tuna poke bowls made with sushi grade fish.
Where to stay: Hammocks sway between palms at Ke Iki Beach Bungalows (1 866 638 8229; keikibeach.com) in nearby Haleiwa. From $895/£707.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
South Carolina’s 187 miles of coastline offers boundless opportunities for beach explorations in both elegant and rustic fashion, but it’s hard to top Hilton Head Island when it comes to the state’s best public beaches. Birders should visit Audubon Newhall Preserve, where more than 140 species, including red-bellied woodpeckers and ruby-throated hummingbirds, can be sighted.
Where to eat: Sample local specialties of hot blue crab dip and crab cakes before dining on a seafood feast at waterfront hotspot Poseidon (poseidonhhi.com).
Where to stay: The oceanfront Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort (843 842 8000; omnihotels.com) has three golf courses and three pools. From $500/£394 per night.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Alabama’s far-briefer stretch of Gulf of Mexico coastline is every bit as beautiful as Florida’s just east – particularly around the seaside community of Gulf Shores. Grab a cycle from the bike-sharing program at Gulf State Park to pedal the coastline past lakes and through palmetto forests.
Where to eat: Order oysters on the half-shell and peel and eat shrimp at rustic gulf front seafood shack Sea-N-Suds (sea-n-suds.com).
Where to stay: Located within the state park, The Lodge at Gulf State Park (251 540 4000; lodgeatgulfstatepark.com) has rooms overlooking the sand dunes. From $189/£149 per night.
Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
With more than 66 miles of Texas coastline, Padre Island National Seashore is a paradise for water sports such as fishing, kayaking, kiteboarding and surfing. Nearby Corpus Christi has a lively downtown, designated a Texas Cultural District, Tex-Mex cuisine, local seafood and unique annual festivals – visit in February for Barefoot Mardi Gras.
Where to eat: Try the sopa de mariscos (seafood soup) and chicharron de pescado at Muelle 37, hidden in a non-descript shopping mall.
Where to stay: Seashell Village Resort (seashellvillage.com) has suite and cottage options just steps from the sand.
Kalaloch Beach, Washington
In a country full of breathtaking nature, visit Olympic National Park for its old-growth forests, glacier-capped peaks and 70 miles of rugged coastline pounded by the Pacific Ocean. Driftwood-covered Kalaloch Beach on the Olympic Peninsula is a spectacular setting for a coastal walk; look for migrating grey whales from April through June.
Where to eat: Order local razor clams and dungeness crab at Creekside Restaurant.
Where to stay: Kalaloch Lodge (866 662 9928; thekalalochlodge.com), located within the national park, overlooks the majestic driftwood beach. From $350/£276 per night.
Spring Lake, New Jersey
Bypass some of the busier spots of the Jersey Shore for the gorgeous beachy hamlet of Spring Lake in New Jersey’s Monmouth County. Full of history, culture and two miles of gorgeous beachfront, the town served as a summer getaway for industry barons in the mid-1800s. Victorian architecture abounds in the stately mansions and inns, and the southern beach jetties lure boardriders for barrels when the surf is up.
Where to eat: St. Stephen’s Green Publick House serves an Irish-inspired brunch and delicious Galway smoked salmon.
Where to stay: The Ocean House Bed & Breakfast (732 449 9090; theoceanhouse.net) has a wraparound porch prime for sipping summer cocktails. From $339/£315 per night.
Butterfly Beach, Santa Barbara, California
Surfers and sunbathers alike flock to this Santa Barbara beach, popular with locals thanks to its proximity to the vibey beach town of Montecito. While susceptible to tides, Butterfly Beach has a unique east-west orientation that it’s possible to watch both sunrise and sunset from its golden shores. In clear conditions, you can spot California’s Channel Islands, about 20 miles offshore.
Where to eat: It’s a short walk from the beach to Italian pizzeria, Bettina, where the cacio e pepe arancini are a must.
Where to stay: Rosewood Miramar Beach (805 900 8388; rosewoodhotels.com) is the only hotel in the area located on the beachfront. From £529/£417.
Manzanita Beach, Oregon
Just south of Cannon Beach and its famous Haystack Rock formation, Manzanita Beach in Oregon beckons for long walks along the hard-packed white sand beaches and a break known for consistent surfing conditions year round. Bahama Mama’s rents beach cruisers, surfboards, skim boards and wetsuits – the water temperature hovers around 15C in summer – to make braving a dip irresistible.
Where to eat: Big Wave Cafe is a beloved mom-and-pop spot (a small family-run business) for fish and chips made with Alaskan halibut.
Where to stay: Choose from cabins, lofts and oceanfront homes at Coast Cabins (503 368 7113; coastcabins.com). From $455/£359 a night.
Lakes and rivers
The US has more delightful swimming spots than you’ll find solely on its coastlines. Everywhere from the Great Lakes to the Rocky Mountains, you’ll find locals lounging, swimming and boating on inland lake and river beaches. Here are a few to bookmark.
Sand Harbor State Park, Nevada
On the northeastern shores of Lake Tahoe near Carson City, Nevada, Sand Harbor State Park has a golden sand beach for launching a dip into the lake’s dazzling turquoise waters or spending time in the shade under one of the park’s towering cedar trees.
Wirth Lake Beach, Minnesota
This urban beach can be reached by biking or walking from any point along Minneapolis’ Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, making it a favourite summertime spot for a city swim. There are sand volleyball courts, a floating swim dock and a fishing pier, too.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Colorado
A surreal experience awaits visitors to this Colorado national park with sand dunes backed by Rocky Mountain peaks. A melting snowfield fuels Medano Creek from late-April to early June, creating a shallow stream along the base of the dunes.
Blackwater River State Park, Florida
Inland from Navarre Beach in Florida’s panhandle, the tannic waters of the Blackwater River are a popular place to go tubing and kayaking between relaxing on white sand beaches formed in the river bends.
Sleepy Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
There are miles of sand dunes to explore at this sublime national park, where the waters of Lake Michigan are so clear and blue you could mistake it for the sea. It is a taxing, 2-mile climb down (and back up) the biggest dune but easier access to the water can be found at the Lakeshore’s Esch Beach.
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
