The United States offers incredible diversity from coast to coast, featuring world-class cities, stunning national parks, vibrant cultural scenes, and iconic landmarks. Experience everything from New York's skyline to California's beaches, from the Grand Canyon to tropical Hawaii.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in United States.
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- Iconic urban beach with Diamond Head backdrop and lively atmosphere
- surf rentals
- beach chairs
- hotels
- restaurants
- showers
- lifeguards
Waikiki Beach
Hawaii's most famous beach stretches two miles with calm warm waters perfect for swimming and beginner surfing. The beach is lined with luxury hotels, restaurants, and surf rental shacks.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 8am to claim a free public sand spot before resort-side chair rows dominate the prime central section
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- Glamorous Art Deco beach with celebrity hotels and vibrant scene
- lifeguards
- sunbed rentals
- restaurants
- beach bars
- showers
- changing rooms
Miami Beach (South Beach)
South Beach blends white sand and turquoise water with the famous Ocean Drive Art Deco Historic District. The beach is wide, clean, and busy with beautiful people, volleyball players, and tourists.
Editor’s tip. Head to the quieter South Pointe Park end of the beach (south of 5th Street) for a far less crowded experience than the Ocean Drive section
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- Classic California beach with pier and boardwalk energy
- amusement pier
- bike rentals
- volleyball courts
- restaurants
- parking
- lifeguards
Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica's wide sandy beach anchored by the famous Pacific Park pier and Ferris wheel is the quintessential Southern California beach experience. Muscle Beach bodybuilding area and bike path along the sand add to the scene.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 9am on summer weekends — beach parking lots fill by mid-morning and cost $12–18 per day; the Big Blue Bus Line 1 costs $1.25 from downtown LA
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- Classic New England beach with dunes and lighthouse scenery
- parking
- restrooms
- visitor centers
- rangers
- picnic areas
Cape Cod National Seashore
40 miles of protected Atlantic coastline with dramatic dunes, salt ponds, and charming seaside villages. The water is refreshingly cold but the scenery and seafood are unmatched in New England.
Editor’s tip. An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers the $25 vehicle day fee and pays for itself in under four visits across US national parks
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- Family resort town with lively boardwalk and warm Atlantic waters
- boardwalk
- amusements
- restaurants
- hotels
- mini golf
- shopping
Myrtle Beach
The Grand Strand stretches 60 miles of Atlantic coast with wide sandy beaches, boardwalk amusements, and hundreds of restaurants. One of America's most visited beach destinations for families and couples.
Editor’s tip. Head to Myrtle Beach State Park (3 miles south) for a dramatically quieter beach experience with more shade and fewer vendors
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- Dramatic Pacific coast scenery with Haystack Rock and artsy village
- tide pool exploration
- restaurants
- galleries
- dog-friendly
- kite flying
Cannon Beach
Oregon's most iconic coastal destination features the 235-foot Haystack Rock sea stack rising from the Pacific. The charming art gallery town behind the beach has excellent restaurants and boutique hotels.
Editor’s tip. Check Oregon Coast tidal charts and arrive 1–2 hours before the lowest tide to explore Haystack Rock's tidal pools at their most accessible
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- Award-winning Gulf Coast beach with calm warm waters
- lifeguards
- sunbed rentals
- parasailing
- dolphin tours
- restaurants
- pier
Clearwater Beach
Consistently rated one of America's best beaches for its brilliant white quartz sand and calm Gulf of Mexico waters. Pier 60 hosts nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 festival with street performers and artisans.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 9am on summer weekends — Coronado Drive parking lots fill to capacity and attendants charge $4–6 per hour from early morning
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Cape Cod National Seashore, Assateague Island (wild ponies), Olympic National Park's Ruby Beach in Washington for dramatic solitude
Family
Family-friendly
Clearwater Beach FL, Virginia Beach VA, Myrtle Beach SC — all have gentle surf, facilities, and easy access from cities
Sport
Active & sporty
Santa Cruz CA for surfing, Huntington Beach CA (Surf City USA), Kailua Beach Oahu HI for kayaking and windsurfing
Social
Lively scene
South Beach Miami FL, Waikiki Oahu HI, Santa Monica CA for the classic American beach party atmosphere
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in United States memorable.
Surfing
Surf culture is deeply embedded in California and Hawaii. The North Shore of Oahu is the world's most famous big wave location, while Malibu, Mavericks, and Rincon are California legends.
Waikiki for beginners, Huntington Beach CA, Rincon Point CA, Mavericks CA for experts
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Hawaiian waters offer world-class snorkeling with sea turtles, tropical fish, and coral reefs. Florida Keys has the only living coral reef in the continental US.
Hanauma Bay Oahu HI, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park FL, Kaanapali Beach Maui HI
Beach Volleyball
Invented in California, beach volleyball is a staple at most major US beaches. Santa Monica's courts are legendary, while Miami Beach has professional tournament courts.
Santa Monica CA, South Beach Miami FL, Hermosa Beach CA
Whale Watching
Coastal boat tours spot humpback whales in Hawaii December-May, gray whales along California December-April, and humpbacks off Cape Cod July-October.
Maui HI, Monterey Bay CA, Provincetown MA
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Year-round in Hawaii and South Florida; May-October for most US beaches; Pacific Coast coldest even in summer
Getting there
Most beaches are public. Some parking areas require fees of $5-25/day. National Seashores charge $25-35 per vehicle for weekly pass.
On-beach facilities
Major beach destinations have full facilities including parking, restrooms, lifeguards, and food vendors. State beaches vary widely.
Costs to budget
Beach access usually free; parking $10-25/day; sunbed rentals $15-25/day; surf lessons $75-120 for 2-hour group class
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about United States’s coast.
Is Waikiki Beach safe for swimming?
Yes. The protected reef keeps inshore water calm and shallow, making it suitable for all swimming abilities. Lifeguards patrol daily from approximately 9am to 5:30pm. Occasional Portuguese man-o-war warnings are posted at beach entrances after northerly swells.
From the Waikiki Beach editorial.
Is parking easy to find at Waikiki Beach?
Parking within Waikiki is limited and expensive, averaging $1.50 per 30 minutes. Most visitors arrive via TheBus Route 8 ($3 from downtown Honolulu) or hotel shuttle. Ride-share services are also widely available throughout the day and evening.
From the Waikiki Beach editorial.
Is South Beach free to access?
Public beach access is free. Lifeguard-patrolled sections, public restrooms, and outdoor showers at each tower are available at no charge. Sun lounger and umbrella rentals typically cost $30–50 per day depending on the operator.
From the Miami Beach (South Beach) editorial.
Is South Beach safe for swimming?
Generally yes — the lifeguard system is robust, operating roughly 9am to 5pm daily. Water conditions are calm for most of the year. Rip currents can develop after Atlantic storms; warning flags are posted at lifeguard towers and should be observed.
From the Miami Beach (South Beach) editorial.
Can visitors swim at Santa Monica Beach?
Yes, the beach is open for swimming year-round. Water temperatures are cool (17–20°C in summer) due to the California Current. Lifeguards patrol from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on winter weekends; flags indicate current conditions.
From the Santa Monica Beach editorial.
Is Santa Monica Beach free to access?
Public beach access is free. Parking in city lots costs $12–18 per day depending on the lot and season. The pier is free to walk; rides at Pacific Park are individually priced from around $5 per attraction.
From the Santa Monica Beach editorial.
Is there a fee to enter Cape Cod National Seashore?
Yes, a vehicle day pass costs $25 (2025 rates) at staffed beach entrances during summer. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry to all national parks and federal recreation lands. Some beaches are free outside the staffed peak season.
From the Cape Cod National Seashore editorial.
Are sharks a concern at Cape Cod beaches?
Great white sharks are present in outer Cape waters, particularly from July through October, attracted by the local grey seal population. The National Park Service posts daily shark activity updates and beach flags. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's Sharktivity app provides real-time sighting data.
From the Cape Cod National Seashore editorial.