The Best Beaches in United States

United States packs 278 beaches worth the detour into our atlas. The coast leans sandy, with a wild feel that shapes most days here. The window around June is when the sea is at its kindest.

The 10 Best Beaches in United States

Andrew Molera State Park Beach1United States
Andrew Molera State Park Beach
California Coast · United States
Anna Maria Island Beaches2United States
Anna Maria Island Beaches
Florida Gulf · United States
Avalon Beach3United States
Avalon Beach
California Islands · United States
Bahia Honda State Park Beach4United States
Bahia Honda State Park Beach
Florida Keys · United States
Biloxi Beach5United States
Biloxi Beach
US Gulf Coast · United States
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area6United States
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
Pacific Northwest · United States
Cape May Beach7United States
Cape May Beach
US Mid-Atlantic Coast · United States
Coquina Beach8United States
Coquina Beach
US East Coast · United States
Coronado Beach9United States
Coronado Beach
California Coast · United States
Dewey Beach10United States
Dewey Beach
Mid-Atlantic Coast · United States

Best Beaches in United States by Region

California Coast

Andrew Molera State Park BeachUnited States
Andrew Molera State Park Beach
California Coast · United States
Coronado BeachUnited States
Coronado Beach
California Coast · United States
East BeachUnited States
East Beach
California Coast · United States
El Matador State BeachUnited States
El Matador State Beach
California Coast · United States
Glass BeachUnited States
Glass Beach
California Coast · United States

Hawaii

Hamoa BeachUnited States
Hamoa Beach
Hawaii · United States
Hanalei Bay BeachUnited States
Hanalei Bay Beach
Hawaii · United States
Hanauma Bay Nature PreserveUnited States
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Hawaii · United States
Hāpuna BeachUnited States
Hāpuna Beach
Hawaii · United States
Ho'okipa Beach ParkUnited States
Ho'okipa Beach Park
Hawaii · United States

Florida

Haulover BeachUnited States
Haulover Beach
Florida · United States
Lighthouse BeachUnited States
Lighthouse Beach
Florida · United States
Bal Harbour BeachUnited States
Bal Harbour Beach
Florida · United States
Blind Pass BeachUnited States
Blind Pass Beach
Florida · United States
Indian Rocks BeachUnited States
Indian Rocks Beach
Florida · United States

Pacific Northwest

Cape Kiwanda State Natural AreaUnited States
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
Pacific Northwest · United States
Short Sand BeachUnited States
Short Sand Beach
Pacific Northwest · United States
Ruby BeachUnited States
Ruby Beach
Pacific Northwest · United States
Second BeachUnited States
Second Beach
Pacific Northwest · United States
Bandon BeachUnited States
Bandon Beach
Pacific Northwest · United States

US Northeast

Jetties BeachUnited States
Jetties Beach
US Northeast · United States
Nauset BeachUnited States
Nauset Beach
US Northeast · United States
Otter BeachUnited States
Otter Beach
US Northeast · United States
Provincetown Harbor BeachUnited States
Provincetown Harbor Beach
US Northeast · United States
Race Point BeachUnited States
Race Point Beach
US Northeast · United States

US East Coast

Coquina BeachUnited States
Coquina Beach
US East Coast · United States
Folly BeachUnited States
Folly Beach
US East Coast · United States
Ditch Plains BeachUnited States
Ditch Plains Beach
US East Coast · United States
Frisco BeachUnited States
Frisco Beach
US East Coast · United States
Kirk Park BeachUnited States
Kirk Park Beach
US East Coast · United States

Best Beaches in United States by Vibe

Family

Coquina BeachUnited States
Coquina Beach
US East Coast · United States
Coronado BeachUnited States
Coronado Beach
California Coast · United States
Hanauma Bay Nature PreserveUnited States
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Hawaii · United States
Harry Harris BeachUnited States
Harry Harris Beach
Florida Keys · United States

Surf

Cape Kiwanda State Natural AreaUnited States
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
Pacific Northwest · United States
Folly BeachUnited States
Folly Beach
US East Coast · United States
Hamoa BeachUnited States
Hamoa Beach
Hawaii · United States
Hanalei Bay BeachUnited States
Hanalei Bay Beach
Hawaii · United States

Wild

Andrew Molera State Park BeachUnited States
Andrew Molera State Park Beach
California Coast · United States
Bahia Honda State Park BeachUnited States
Bahia Honda State Park Beach
Florida Keys · United States
Cape Kiwanda State Natural AreaUnited States
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
Pacific Northwest · United States
El Matador State BeachUnited States
El Matador State Beach
California Coast · United States

Romantic

Lanikai BeachUnited States
Lanikai Beach
Hawaii · United States
Bay St. Louis BeachUnited States
Bay St. Louis Beach
US Gulf Coast · United States
Butterfly BeachUnited States
Butterfly Beach
California Coast · United States
Greenwood State BeachUnited States
Greenwood State Beach
California Coast · United States

When to Visit United States

Peak swimming conditions cluster around June.

Digital Nomad-Friendly Beaches in United States

Pacific BeachUnited States
Pacific Beach
California Coast · United States
Waikiki BeachUnited States
Waikiki Beach
Hawaii · United States
Mission BeachUnited States
Mission Beach
California Coast · United States

Frequently Asked Questions

Which United States region has the best beaches?

California Coast stands out for variety and access; Andrew Molera State Park Beach is the headline beach there.

Are United States beaches free to access?

Most public beaches in United States are free to access; some managed or private-concession sections charge for facilities or sun-loungers.

What's the best month for United States beaches?

Peak swimming conditions cluster around June. Aim for June, September, July, August for the warmest, calmest water.

Are United States beaches sandy or pebble?

Coastlines in United States are mostly sandy / mixed; check each guide's beach-type tag for the exact surface.