Travel The 25 Best Beaches in America, According to You! By Lauren Phillips and Susan Hall Mahon Susan Hall Mahon Susan Hall Mahon got her start in journalism as a garden department intern at Southern Living in 2003, and has been passionate about researching, writing, and editing gardening, food, home, health, and travel stories ever since. Prior to going freelance, Susan was the editorial director at Allrecipes.com, the executive editor at MyRecipes.com and CoastalLiving.com, and the associate editor at Health magazine. Susan's writing has appeared in these titles as well as Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles and Flower magazine. Susan graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in journalism. Susan has written and edited hundreds of articles, galleries, and social posts in her nearly 20 years as a lifestyle journalist. She has interviewed culinary, nutrition, gardening, health, interior design, and travel experts to inform her stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 26, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Courtesy of La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards ranks the 25 best beaches in the United States, from California to Florida (not to mention Hawaii). On these beaches, visitors discover the unfiltered beauty of the region's coastlines in all their varieties. From rocky oceans near the Pacific Ocean to white-sand beaches near the Gulf Coast, the preserved landscapes appear as if they are only images on a postcard rather than the real deal. Family-friendly vacation spots have become a tradition to visit every summertime up and down the coasts. These places are fantastic, but there are also many hidden gems around the country worth exploring. The restaurants, shops, and activities lining up next to these beaches are a few reasons you should know about these places, but their beautiful beaches are the only reason you need to convince yourself to book your next trip. 01 of 25 #25: Waikiki Beach, Hawaii Courtesy of TripAdvisor Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii Best time to go: Year-round This well-known stretch of sugar-like sand (two miles of it!) is one of the busiest places on Oahu. Don't let its popularity hold you back. Waikiki offers plenty of activities, from surfing to snorkeling to catching radiant sunsets, to keep everyone in an aloha state of mind. 02 of 25 #24: Clearwater Beach, Florida NeonJellyfish / Getty Images Clearwater, Florida Best time to go: Year-round Clearwater's water, as the name implies, is absolutely clear. The white-sand beach on the Gulf Coast is the perfect spot for relaxing under the sun. Keep an eye out for passing dolphins, and check out Pier 60 for a nightly sunset celebration on the 1,080-foot fishing pier and recreational park. 03 of 25 #23: Ogunquit Beach, Maine Oleg Albinsky / Getty Images Ogunquit, Maine Best time to go: June – September Ogunquit translates as "beautiful place by the sea." The Abenaki people named this glorious, dune-fringed 3.5 miles of coastline. It has sandbars and safe, shallow waters, and it's one of our favorite beaches in all of Maine. 04 of 25 #22: St. Pete Beach, Florida Courtesy of TripAdvisor St. Pete Beach, Florida Best time to go: Year-round With five miles of clear Gulf waters and pale sand, it's no wonder visitors adore this Florida escape. St. Pete Beach offers endless activities just down the coast from Clearwater. On the southernmost end of St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille'shistoric district has boutiques, art markets, and rooftop bars to admire the scenic surroundings. The old Florida-style community is also known for excellent offshore fishing. 05 of 25 #21: Panama City Beach, Florida Courtesy of TripAdvisor Panama City Beach, Florida Best time to go: Year-round This perennially popular Gulf vacation destination has attractions for all ages along its 27-miles of sand. During the late fall and winter off-season, visit for excellent weather without the summer crowds. Don't even think about leaving without sampling the excellent seafood dives in the area. You can enjoy fresh foods while overlooking the lagoon at some of the area's best beach bars and restaurants. 06 of 25 #20: Port Aransas Beach, Texas Robbie Caponetto Port Aransas, Texas Best time to go: March - November The sandy beach on the Texas coast of the Gulf of Mexico is known for its plentiful wildlife, ocean and air, and family-friendly activities. Located on Mustang Island, Gulf water is ideal for surfing, parasailing, paddleboarding, and other water activities. Visit the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center overlooking salt marshes and spanning alligator-inhabited wetlands. 07 of 25 #19: Treasure Island Beach, Florida Aaronholck / Getty Images Treasure Island, Florida Best time to go: March - April and November A short drive from St. Petersburg and Tampa, this Gulf Coast treasure has more than just pristine beaches. There are activities for the entire family, including a pirate-themed boat ride and an annual kite-flying festival. Eat and drink at one of the beachfront locales and feel the sand between your toes as you sip on your tropical cocktail. 08 of 25 #18: Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida mariakraynova / Getty Images Fort Lauderdale, Florida Best time to go: Year-round Separated by a snaking "wave wall," the seven miles of Atlantic beach is lined by a paved walkway full of upscale shops and restaurants. This beach is a great place to snorkel because wildlife covers two-thirds of the area. Close to the Everglades, an airboat ride will offer a glimpse into the exotic environment and perhaps an alligator or Florida panther. 09 of 25 #17: Ka'anapali Beach, Hawaii Courtesy of TripAdvisor Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii Best time to go: Year-round This gorgeous Maui beach is on the island's northwest side, with three miles of white sand and crystal clear water. It was once a retreat for Maui's royalty and is bordered by world-class resorts today. Be sure to catch the daily cliff-diving ceremony during your visit. 10 of 25 #16: Coligny Beach, South Carolina Courtesy of TripAdvisor Hilton Head, South Carolina Best time to go: May - October Coligny Beach is one of the more popular beaches on Hilton Head—and for a good reason. With plenty of facilities to make your trip easier, including bathrooms, a shopping center, and hard-packed sand ideal for bike riding, Coligny should be on the shortlist for your next vacation destination. Chairs and umbrellas rentals are available on-site so that you can be prepared to lounge by the ocean all day. 11 of 25 #15: Coronado Beach, California Tobiasjo / Getty Images Coronado, California Best time to go: Year-round The crowning glory of this idyllic island community is Coronado Beach. Across the bay from San Diego, the 1.5-mile long, generously wide strand sits in front of rows of beautiful beach houses and the historic Hotel del Coronado. You can even invite your four-legged friends to the Coronado Dog Beach on the western side. 12 of 25 #14: St. Augustine Beach , Florida Joshua Moore / Getty Images St. Augustine Beach, Florida Best time to go: March – October This Florida community has history and beautiful beaches. Being one of the oldest European settlements in America, one TripAdvisor reviewer described St. Augustine as "Endless white beaches. Fantastic scenery. We did miles of walking without seeing the end of the beaches." Nearby Anastasia State Park works to conserve wildlife and the environment, which you can observe overnight at one of the 138 campsites available to visitors. 13 of 25 #13: Ocean City Beach, Maryland Getty Images Ocean City, Maryland Best time to go: May - September Every year, visitors flock to this family-friend community as it has become more of a tradition than a vacation. Known for its saltwater taffy, mini-gold, and boardwalk games, Ocean City is in a prime location for residents of Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. If you ask East Coast residents where they vacation, there's a good chance it is Ocean City, but they know it just as "the beach." 14 of 25 #12: Henderson Beach State Park, Florida Bibhash Chaudhuri / EyeEm / Getty Images Destin, Florida Best time to go: April - May Henderson Beach State Park is unlike most oceanfront travel spots because the 30-feet dunes transform the sands into miniature mountains. As a protected area, the natural scenery is untouched by modern construction. There are trails, fishing, and campsites that are available to visitors. 15 of 25 #11: Pensacola Beach, Florida Amanda Billhartz / EyeEm / Getty Images Pensacola Beach, Florida Best time to go: Year-round Pensacola Beach is on Santa Rosa Island, a barrier island reached by crossing Pensacola Bay. Another historic Florida gem, Pensacola, is home to rigorously preserved architecture and glorious white sand beaches. Fishing fans will love the crystal clear waters. 16 of 25 #10: Ho'okipa Beach Park, Hawaii Ron_Thomas / Getty Images Ho'okipa Beach Park, Paia, Hawaii Best time to go: Year-round This ocean sports and recreation haven is a popular surfing spot with breathtaking views. Windsurfing competitions are held here, but there are always amazing athletics in the water even when it's not. Along with its beautiful beaches, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles relax on the beach most days. 17 of 25 #9: La Jolla Cove, California Photo: dancestrokes / Getty Images La Jolla, California Best time to go: July - October This picturesque village draws the attention of artists to this seaside village. Along with its average of 266 sunny days a year, this town has restaurants, shops, and relaxation spots that make visitors want to relocate. Nicknamed the "Jewel of San Diego," La Jolla has upscale resorts and charming seaside cottages, both with sweeping views of the coastline. 18 of 25 #8: Cannon Beach, Oregon Doug Ogden / Design Pics / Getty Images Cannon Beach, Oregon Best time to go: July - September The Pacific Northwest has a reputation for grey skies and endless rain, but on a day when the sun shines on its beaches, you wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Only 90-minutes from Portland, this coastal town has coves, sea caves, and a lighthouse that will earn you a top photographer title when captured in the right light. It's also a safe haven for tufted puffins around early April during migration. 19 of 25 #7: Ruby Beach, Washington Getty Images Olympic National Park, Washington Best time to go: July - August In the coastal section of Olympic National Park, Ruby Beach is a wildlife refuge. Driftwood and the reddish sands form sea stacks, lining the rocky Pacific coast. During the summer (July and August), you can hike the trails to see the wild alpine flowers growing on the mountain top. 20 of 25 #6: Driftwood Beach, Georgia Courtesy of TripAdvisor Jekyll Island, Georgia Best time to go: March-September This stretch of sand on one of Georgia's aptly named Golden Isles has the worn remains of pine and water oak trees scattered across it, giving it an eerie beauty that pairs perfectly with the undisturbed natural splendor of the island. Picnic areas around the beach offer a perfect place to view the area's wildlife. The serene atmosphere on Driftwood Beach is a reminder of the beaches' history as relics wash ashore and find new homes on the sands. 21 of 25 #5: Kailua Beach Park, Hawaii Dylan Murray / Getty Images Kailua, Hawaii Best time to go: Year-round Surrounded by the Koolau Mountains and Kailua Bay, this island spot is home to wetlands and endangered waterbirds. Like in other parts of Hawaii, high-rises and busy resorts are not a part of this community's atmosphere, which you want when planning a private island getaway. The small-town charm of this island has quaint bed and breakfast accommodations and family-owned restaurants. 22 of 25 #4: Moonstone Beach, California Image Source / Getty Images Cambria, California Best time to go: September – October There's no shortage of vantage points on the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk. This one-mile stretch is ideal for spotting marine life, including whales and dolphins. Next to the beach, Shamel Park is open for visitors to spend the day, eat lunch, and swim. 23 of 25 #3: Poipu Beach Park, Hawaii kumakuma1216 / Getty Images Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii Best time to go: Year-round This series of golden sand crescents on Hawaii's lovely Kauai looks out over cerulean waters. Humpback whales and sea turtles frequent these waters, and seals often sunbathe on the sand. It's a great spot to snorkel, swim, or surf. 24 of 25 #2: Siesta Beach, Florida HABesen / Getty Images Siesta Key, Florida Best time to go: Year-round A 99 percent quartz sand beach means comfortable toes even on the sunniest days. This Gulf retreat near Sarasota has characteristically clear, turquoise waters, making this stretch of beach picture perfect. From nightlife to family-friendly activities, there are many activities in Siesta Key that you'll want to book a return trip as soon as you leave. 25 of 25 #1: Hapuna Beach, Hawaii Simon Dannhauer / Getty Images Waimea, Big Island, Hawaii Best time to go: Year-round Deep blue waters and golden sands make Hapuna Beach unbelievably picturesque. Lush surroundings only add to the tropical beauty, and a position on the western edge of Hawaii's Big Island means sunsets are breathtaking. Hiking is also an option near Hapuna Beach as it is a part of the Ala Kahakai coastal trail. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit