15 Best Beaches in the USA: From Atlantic Sunrises to Pacific Sunsets

15 Best Beaches in the USA: From Atlantic Sunrises to Pacific Sunsets

15 Best Beaches in the USA: America’s 95,000-plus miles of shoreline harbor sandy surprises for every type of beachgoer — sun worshippers, boogie boarders, sand castle sculptors, restless book readers — and increasingly, passionate travelers looking for an unspoiled beach to escape modern life.

The result is a coast-to-coast bucket list: 15 Best Beaches in the USA that rise to the top, for water clarity, gorgeous scenery, activities, accessibility, and that extra intangible, the longevity of the good memories. Each spotlight in the series runs two to three times longer than 150 words to help you with helpful hints, seasonal advice, and local flavor so you are able to plan a dream trip while knowing that it can be a doable one.

How We Chose the “Best”

To create a list that provides a mix of headline grabbers and unsung gems, we mixed hard data with field notes. We cross-referenced E.P.A. water-quality assessments, Blue Flag sustainability scores, NOAA surf and tide charts, and state-park visitor statistics. We combed traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, Google, AllTrails, and others and fact-checked with local tourism boards and lifeguard associations. Criteria leaned heavily towards

(1) water & sand quality; (2) distinctive surroundings or wildlife; (3) breadth of activities – which runs the gamut from snorkeling to dune hikes; (4) accessibility and on-site facilities at each place; and (5) the value of conservation or ecology initiatives that protect these shores for the kids that will follow us.

“Every beach needed to have that ‘wow’ factor,” she said, “something you can’t get at any other beach, whether that’s cliff jumping into Pacific turquoise, photographing wild ponies at dawn or standing under a 450-foot sand dune that leads to freshwater so blue it could be the Caribbean.” With the methodology in place, the shortlist more or less created itself — here are the winners, progressing from west to east and a touch north to south.

Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Three miles of golden sand fringe Maui’s west coast, with, just offshore, sapphire shallows that are home to first-time snorkelers and ripened free-divers. The day starts early in these parts; hang with the locals at Black Rock as they gather for the sunrise Honu Patrol, gobbling up algae along the basalt cliffs. By midmorning, lessons in surfing unfurl in waist deep-rollers and stand-up paddlers float north toward Kahekili Marine Reserve.

Don’t leave without seeing the nightly cliff-diving ritual: At dusk, a torchbearer jogs the spine of the cove, illuminating tiki flames on his way to a 30-foot leap into mirror-calm water — a tribute to the 18th century exploits of King Kahekili. April to June and September to October brings calmer seas and smaller crowds; winter brings the migrating humpbacks, which spout offshore. Budget bites lurk inside the Whalers Village food court, where $5 loco moco bowls energize a sunset swim.

It can be steep parking; get there before 9 a.m. for free roadside spots south of Hanakao‘o Park. Kaanapali’s USP? A resort strip that bafflingly manages to coexist with crystal reefs, cultural storytelling, and up-for-grabs front-row Hawaiian sunsets that bleed purple before dropping into the sea over Lanai.

Siesta Key Beach, Florida

Step onto Siesta Key and your feet tell you something’s different about this beach: The sand is nearly pure quartz, a result of eons of Appalachian mountain rivers carrying fine particles down to the Gulf of Mexico, where they were deposited on the coastline. That’s because it’s 99 percent pure quartz, ground off Appalachian granite and then tumbled south for eons until every grain is a snowflake in miniature.

Families appreciate the shallow Gulf incline — children can wade out 30 yards and still be chest-high — while parasailors glide by, looking like neon kites. For the early birds, volleyball courts are claimed and sunrise yoga commences near pavilion #3, while every Sunday evening a drum circle pounds tribal beats while fire-spinners juggle flaming poi under a rinsed-out pastel sky. High season (February–April) attracts snowbirds, so go in October when water temps are still at 26°C and hotel prices are 30% lower.

Free parking — more than 800 spaces — makes day-tripping a breeze; an on-island trolley shuttles beachgoers to turtle-nesting areas at Point of Rocks. Post-swim, saunter over to Siesta Village for the best blackened-grouper tacos and the kind of tart, key-lime pie that will make you smile. One award after another garnishes Siesta, but one stroll on that sanitary quartzy speaks volumes.

El Matador State Beach, Malibu, California

If Malibu had a secret diary, El Matador would own its most personal entries: vaulted sea caves, wave-carved arches and tide-pool pockets alive with anemones and purple urchins. Access is via a corkscrewing cliffside staircase — difficult enough that tour-bus throngs maintain some distance, providing photographers with unobstructed horizons. Arrive two hours before sunset to capture golden rays slanting through archways, then stay as the Pacific combusts into vermilion behind jagged silhouettes of rock stacks.

High tide engulfs most dry sand, so check the charts and aim for minus-tide afternoons, when you can meander north toward secret coves. Facilities are limited — vault toilets and a small pay-and-display lot — so bring water and snacks; the payoff is raw, cinematic coastline unspoiled by concessions. Post-shoot, you’re minutes from Malibu’s seafood shacks: order shrimp ceviche tostadas at Malibu Seafood, staged roadside with a billion-dollar view. El Matador’s magic? In a city where celebrity is a way of life, it’s the cliffs and crashing surf that eclipse every selfie.

Coronado Beach, San Diego, California

Coronado unspools in a glittering ribbon below the historic Hotel del Coronado — a  Victorian grand-dame whose turrets have welcomed presidents, princes and Marilyn Monroe. The beach sparkles, literally: Mica flecks in the sand reflect the sunlight, leaving gold-leaf glimmers. Families plant their umbrellas near the lifeguard tower 2, where sandbars tame the surf into boogie-board heaven; farther south, dog owners unleash their pups in a designated canine zone. Navy SEALs can occasionally be seen jogging by during BUD/S training, a reminder that this postcard isle is an active military base.

Surf schools pitch morning tents, and nearly wheelchair-accessible mats stretch all the way to the tideline, while beach wheelchairs can be borrowed for free from lifeguards. In summer, the water is an average 22°C, while in winter, shell collectors have the beach to themselves. During — go for a bike ride or run around the edge of the San Diego Bay, with ample opportunities to stop and pet dogs at the many (and I mean many) dog parks in between — and after sunset — often a cotton-candy gradient of peach-lavender — eat fish tacos at Miguel’s Cocina or toasted-coconut ice cream from Mo0Time Creamery.

There is free parking along Ocean Boulevard; be wary of street-sweeping signs. Coronado shows that luxury resorts, together with egalitarian public access actually can occupy the same stretch of sand.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina

Seventy miles of windblown dunes, maritime forests and shipwreck-strewn shoals give Cape Hatteras its “Graveyard of the Atlantic” nickname. But these days the danger attracts kite-surfers, fishermen and solace-seekers, not unsuspecting sailors. Unfurl a 4×4 permit, let the air out of the tires, and head up the sand highway to mile-marker 55, where shelling results in Scotch bonnets and sharks’ teeth after a good storm.

Inland since 1999, the 208-foot black-and-white spiral lighthouse is climbable (March to October) to reveal views of shoaling waves that resemble turquoise tiger stripes. Loggerhead turtles come in summertime; night patrols help hatchlings navigate with red flashlights. Shoulder seasons (May to early June, September) mean warm water without the crowds, but nor’easters can provide the most dramatic wave action for surf photography.

Tiny villages line the highway 12, where you can bring home fried soft-shell crab from Buxton’s Orange Blossom Café or peruse the kite shops of Rodanthe. Camping under billions of stars, light pollution not being a thing, tops days chasing drum and bluefish through tumbling Atlantic surf — evidence that wild coastlines still exist on the U.S. East.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is a manifestation of your holiday dreams, a hybrid of roller coasters, mini-golf chalets, and a 60-mile stretch of beach, in addition to the dazzling The SkyWheel, which provides a sunset panorama and at night, beams LED light patterns across the sky. We like to come in the mornings because it has a much calmer vibe with surfers fishing on the jetties at sunrise, sandpipers running around on the shore, and the stunning golden light dancing on the water.

During June-August, tourists from all around wait for the moonlight fireworks and free ocean concerts here every night, but if you’re on a budget, it’s worth waiting to visit here between late September or mid-April when hotel prices here are half the peak time prices and the temperature is still a pleasant 25 °C. As with other hotels, you’ll have to shell extra Rs 50 for renting chairs and umbrellas, but Zone 21, with their availability, will seal the deal for you, though the option of bringing your own is the best choice.

If you’re in need of a station breather, a five-minute walk will get you to Ripley’s Aquarium, which features beautiful, tunneling sharks as well as amusing penguins. Regional delicacies include hot boiled peanuts from stands, and she-crab soup at Captain’s House, built in the sand dunes of the ‘30s. Whether or not, you will be bored on your entire vacation while visiting Myrtle Beach with its own brand of wacky combination of endless summer and retro shore.

Clearwater Beach, Florida

From the very beginning, Clearwater is trying to guilt you,“take Sunset seriously,” they threaten as though you’d let the fucking sun’s sun-setting go to waste. The solution they have is rather unorthodox, in that they host an entire festival celebrating the slow descent of the sun into the Gulf, with buskers, craft vendors and live music at pier sixty every night. LITERAL sugar-fine sand squeaks under your toes, which thread into aquamarine shallows that drop away at a near demure rate, the occasional gray-mantad gliding below to skim a hand’s width from your ankles.

Lively dolphin watching cruises depart every hour and thrill seekers enjoy the high speed ‘Sea Screamer’ with its hallowed roar prowling off in the distance in a sprightly water plume. Cabanas include their own individual playground; on-site lifeguards are there to serve families throughout the entire year, and remote workers are able to connect to free WiFi located directly on the beach.

This is Clearwater at spring break — which is quite the incentive to stay away, I’d think. If you’re riding off into the sunset in October, into early November, you get 26 degree water, no humidity, seafood festivals and no competition for parking spots with garage space taken up by ten a.m. grounds crew.

If you want to spend less than a tidbit on lunch, take it to Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, where you’ll be well-fed with a tasty grouper sandwich and a key-lime ale as you feast on sea breezes. Surf shops line up alongside ice cream parlors and lights are turned on, as people can walk the beach at night and see the palm trees that are lit, as well as the art clad promenade.

Add the genuinely fun carnival vibe Clearwater seems to carry on, and the peaceful, perfectly mixed cooler Gulf waters that become surprisingly — we’d say arguably, if we had the energy to argue with 98,000 more of y’all — family-friendly across the board.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Where the temperate rainforest of the Pacific Northwest meets the crashing surf, Cannon Beach plants its flag with the 235-foot Haystack Rock — a monolith of basalt that is framed by tufted puffins each spring. Morning fog adds film-noir drama, tide-pools share sea stars, goose-neck barnacles, and neon anemones that are escorted to safety via marine-garden status (observe with eyes only!).

Afternoons in summer can climb past 24°C, but evening hours call for hoodies and bonfires dug into the sand. Art galleries, indie bookstores and craft-beer pubs occupy Hemlock Street one block inland; have Pelican Brewing’s “Sea’N Red” ale with Dungeness-crab mac-n-cheese. Photographers chase low-tide reflections that mirror Haystack into the wet sand while sunset backlights Needles twin spires.

Dogs wander sans leash with voice control, adding a happy chaos to the mix. Off-season storms attract “storm-watchers” renting ocean-view rooms just to witness 20-foot breakers pounding basalt headlands. Cannon is one of the few beaches where geological grandeur wed small-town charm like a zillionaire marrying the girl next door.

South Beach, Miami, Florida

Pastel lifeguard stands meet thumping Latin beats and designer shades on South Beach. By day, tumbling turquoise Atlantic rollers lure swimmers, kite-surfers and paddle-board yogis posing in warrior. The mint-green and coral-pink glow of the Art Deco facades on Ocean Drive — a 1930s-era time capsule protected and presided over by preservationists. When the weather peaks in winter (25˚C on land; 24˚C in the water) and celebs party poolside, while shoulder months May and October feature half-price hotel rooms and balmy temps.

Hire CitiBikes to pedal the Miami Beach Boardwalk north to Surfside, or take a detour to Española Way for café Cubano and croquetas at Havana 1957. At night, the city glows both with neon flickers and a stand-in-line club culture — Mango’s Live pumps salsa until 5 a.m., while Faena Theater stages cabaret under gilded unicorns. Street-parking is brutal — and it’s $20-$40 a day in the garages. But nowhere else in town do slices of sand come with architectural eye-candy, tropical water and nonstop nightlife, the way “SoBe” (don’t cringe) does.

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia

Time turned Driftwood Beach into a celestial graveyard: Live oaks felled by erosion lie, bleached and tortured, against slate-blue Atlantic, a stark tableau for sunrise nuptials and astrophotographers. If you make it an hour before dawn — the purple-orange slash above the contorted trunks seems like primeval time. At low tide, tidal pools are revealed, where whelks and Atlantic stingrays come to rest; at high tide, roots are submerged, providing photo ops that can get even moodier.

No fees, no facilities — bring the goods with you: water, bug spray and an eye out for sand gnats. Jekyll’s 10-mph speed limit and miles of bike paths make it the perfect spot to explore on two wheels; bikes rent at Beach Village. Brunch post-shoot at The Pantry in historic Jekyll Island Club — consider pecan sticky buns in a nod to Georgia’s nutty pride. Loggerhead turtle patrols cordon off nests May to August, so tread lightly. At least, not to sunbathe, or to play boardwalk games, no, but for pensive walks while nature’s entropy turns into art.

Assateague Island, Maryland & Virginia

Straight out of the gate, Clearwater tries to make you feel guilty, “take Sunset seriously,” they implore you, as if you are about the let the sun’s sunset be the end for it. Their solution is really rather audacious: a whole festival dedicated to the slow, seductive descent of the sun into the Gulf, complete with buskers, craft stalls, street performers and live music on pier sixty every night of the week.

There’s sugar-fine sand that squeaks under your toes as you walk into aquamarine shallows, with gray mantas, gliding by just below the water’s surface to skim by inches from your ankles, every now and then. Whale watching cruises depart on the hour, but if you are more of a thrill seeker then thrill rides on the ‘Sea Screamer’ a speed-boat which leaves you in no doubt about its power as it chunders out engulfed in a vast plume of spray.

Cabañas with their own play area are available for families to use, on-duty lifeguards are present throughout the year, and work-from-home employees can take advantage of the free WiFi available on the beach. This is Clearwater, spring break — and that’s all the reason I need to stay away. If you look at October and into early November, you have 26 degrees, very low humidity, seafood festivals and no parking competition with your garage space gone by 10am.

Lunch is a bargain at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill where you’ll be fed a tasty grouper sandwich washed down with some key-lime ale, all while feeling a refreshing sea breeze in your hair. After dark, surf shops next to ice-cream parlours throw open for business and people Walk the Beach under light-strung palm trees and art-clad promenade.

The magical carnival atmosphere that seems to saturate Clearwater — and quiet, tamer, better-mixed cooler Gulf waters — gets pretty, if not overly, family friendly fast with the classic beach town to boot.

Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

Waikiki is not just a beach, but the birthplace of surfing where Duke Kahanamoku taught the sport of kings on koa boards that were heavier than some of the tourists. The bronze statue of Duke now overlooks the throngs of tourists trying to learn the art of surfing the perpetual ankle biters at Queen’s Surf. To the southeast lies Diamond head crater which provides the frame for the sunrise sup sessions.

While Hawaii’s high-rise hotels might feel like Vegas-on-Sea, there is still some genuine Aloha captured during sunset catamaran cruises or hula shows on Kuhio Beach. December through March is the best for humpback whales breaching offshore, while late April and October is perfect due to warm weather and slight crowds. Budget-friendly beach picnics get solved at ABC stores due to $1.50 spam musubi, while local Roy’s Waikiki elevates the local catch into macadamia-nut crusted decadence.

Every Friday Night at the Hilton’s, there are bursts of fireworks that go off above the outrigger. The promenade around Waikiki, along with the call boxes and lifeguards makes it one of the safest urban beaches around the globe. Yes, it is crowded, but the history, surf culture and the non-ending turquoise waters make it very clear that crowded does not equal clichè.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Who could ever think the water of the freshwater lake could pass off as a teal colored Carribean? Looking over Lake Michigan, the Sleeping Bear Dunes rests at an elevation of 450 feet. The view of the Manitou Islands and the hardwood forest stays vibrant orange during October. With its 3.5 mile stretch, the Dune Climb tests endurance, but rewards the best surrenderer’s bowls which are perfect for sand-sledding.

Families are seen in the crystal clear waters of the Platte River and they are now floating with inflatables. They are able to view bald eagles and salmon on the move. Glen Township, once a logging town, showcases blacksmith demos together with 1920s cherry-canning.

The summer lake temperature is measured at 21C which is lower than the temperature around the southern seas, but if you want to get into the water, beware: climbing down the dunes is simple, but the journey back takes hours.” Rescuers stationed around the area say I can nab a QR code with medical advice on it. Filled campgrounds can be reserved 6 months in advance, but don’t forget to book early.

To refuel, stop by the Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, and don’t miss out on the cherry salsa served on whitefish tacos. If there’s any doubt the bear sleeps, it’s because the Midwest holds claim to jampacked beaches that can outdo any salted beach in America – during jellyfish and hurricane season of course.

Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

Protected by offshore reefs, Poipu transforms into a crescent of biscuit-colored sand where toddlers splash amid convict tangs. Hauling out to snooze, endangered Hawaiian monk seals spend their winters at Nukumoi Point where volunteers erect perimeters—disturbing them incurs furious fines. Beneath the surface, snorkelers glide over coral reefs teeming with life, including green sea turtles and Moorish idols, while bodyboarders take on the “Lefts” break. Experienced surfers revel in 20-foot south swells during the December to March season.

Fill your lungs with molten gold sunsets and get the huli huli chicken at Keoki’s Paradise after the glowing orb goes down the horizon. Poipu is adorned with Kauai’s sunniest microclimate, granting the place with half the average rainfall of the island, making it a treasure year-round. Free parking gets occupied in a flash, and those using Poipu Shopping Village for overflow parking must brace themselves for a five-minute walk. Suitable for children, endemic wildlife, and a near certainty of sunshine makes Poipu the “best all-ages beach” on the Garden Isle.

Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Part of Cape Cod National Seashore, Coast Guard Beach combines classic New England dunes with the drama of the Atlantic Ocean. Longboarders worship the sandbar which funnels the waves into peeling lines, and seal bobbing beyond the breakers is a classic sight. Although the heart of the ocean may be home to the great white shark, surfers alongside the borders of the surfing zones bound by flags can safely enjoy the waves.

From the end of June to the start of August, the Old Colony Shuttle bus makes getting there easier which is a treat during the peak months. Shredded carmine-colored marshes make for an enticing view which the off-peak season parking allows. After enjoying the beach, kids can enjoy the brisk -peak water which is 21° C—sun-warmed tidal pools. Riding on the 1.6-mile Nauset Marsh Trail is a great way to spend the day alongside the overflowing meadows which are home to snow egrets.

The prime location also features Ben & Jerry’s, an ice cream shop in Eastham, which serves up delicious dessert dirt cups with mud and creamy peanut butter for a well-deserved reward. At the end of it all, Coast Guard Beach bunddles everything Cape Cod stands for, from its peppery-spray dunes, water to the mouthwatering tang of sea air reminds you of childhood summers.

Interactive Map & At-a-Glance Table

Refer to our Google My Map, linked below, to see all 15 of the beaches, driving distances and times, and the closest airports. The quick-reference table summarizes the best months to visit, signature activities and if lifeguards are present on duty. It’s easier to navigate the Outer Banks or the backroads to Sleeping Bear when cell service is unavailable, so download the map onto your phone for offline navigation.

Beach-Day Packing Checklist

• Suncare that does not harm the reef (Hawaii prohibits oxybenzone and octinoxate). 

• Polarized sunglasses and wide-brim hats. 

• Many parks are now plastic-free; therefore, a stainless steel water bottle is ideal. 

• Quick-drying rash guard and microfiber towel. 

• Local equipment: quartz sand scoop (Siesta), windbreaker (Cannon beach), bug spray (Assateague), and collapsible sled (Sleeping Bear). 

• Waterproof pouch and portable phone charger. 

• Clean and responsible mesh trash bag; eco-friendly conservation “leave-no-trace” practices everywhere.

Responsible Travel Tips

Beaches flourish when they are not overcrowded with tourists. Take only pictures and leave only footprints. Observe a 50-foot distance from monk seals, sea turtle nests, wild ponies and other wildlife. Refrain from using sunscreen at Kaanapali and Poipu, as coral polyps need protection.

Use the walkways as the dune grasses help hold the shorelines reducing erosion. Skip the single-use plastics and refill your water bottles at the available fountains. Buy from eco-certified operators or donate to local conservation groups such as Surfrider chapters. This way, you ensure that the ocean is preserved for the future travelers—along with ecosystems that existed untold years before hashtags.

Conclusion: Your USA Beach Bucket List Awaits

Honolulu’s birthplace of surfing, Oregon’s foggy monoliths, and Michigan’s cliffs overlooking inland seas all boast stunning shorelines. They each offer something for everyone from resort luxury and boardwalk entertainment to nature where foot traffic outnumbers parasols. The interactive map lets you follow the seasonal guides, so make sure to pack only what’s necessary.

From dawn snorkelling, fiery sunsets from the height of cliffs, to making friends around the bonfire late at night, it’s amazing how those simple moments transform people into lifelong companions. Add your favorite lesser-known beaches to the comments or share them online with the hashtag #USABeachBucketList. Every warm shore has a story waiting to be shared and each tale inspires new adventures. I’ll see you at the beach, toes in the sand, saltwater washing away all my stress.

Frequently Asked Questions about the 15 Best Beaches in the USA