When the heat begins to shimmer off the asphalt and every conversation revolves around “getting away,” it’s time to point your compass toward the coast. The United States boasts a kaleidoscope of beaches, each with its own rhythm—some buzz with boardwalk energy, others whisper with dune-grass solitude.
As a travel writer who has chased sunsets from Key West to Kauaʻi, I’ve whittled the list to 8 Best U.S. Beaches that never disappoint. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, leave your worries in airplane-mode, and get ready to dig your toes into perfection.
1. Clearwater Beach, Florida
Sugar-fine quartz sand squeaks beneath every step at Clearwater Beach, creating a gleaming white stage for the emerald Gulf of Mexico. Pier 60 hosts a nightly sunset festival—complete with street performers, craft stalls, and live music—so the whole shoreline feels like a block party. Dolphins frequently surf the wakes of the sightseeing boats, and the gentle shallows make even timid swimmers grin ear to ear. When hunger strikes, Frenchy’s grouper sandwich is practically a local rite of passage. Pro tip: arrive before 10 a.m. to snag parking and watch pelicans dive for breakfast.
2. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Waikiki marries city chic with island soul, letting you swap skyscraper views for turquoise rollers in a single stride. First-timers can nab a surf lesson on the same break that once carried Hawaiian royalty, while Kalākaua Avenue tempts with shave ice, designer boutiques, and late-night ukulele jams. Diamond Head frames sunrise like a living postcard, and free hula shows at Kūhiō Beach whet your appetite for luau feasts later. Even amid the buzz, the spirit of aloha keeps everything unhurried and welcoming. Insider hint: paddle out at dawn for glassy conditions and turtle sightings before the crowds awaken.
3. Coronado Beach, California
A quick hop across the bridge from downtown San Diego lands you on Coronado’s broad golden ribbon, where the historic red-turreted Hotel del Coronado adds Victorian romance to every selfie. The shoreline is famously flat, making it stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, and the mica-flecked sand gleams like it’s sprinkled with fairy dust. Locals gather for beach volleyball while Navy SEALs jog discreetly in training, lending an only-in-San Diego vibe. After sunset, grab a fire-pit s’mores kit from the hotel and toast marshmallows as the Pacific hushes to sleep. Travel-writer’s pick: rent a beach cruiser and pedal the 6-mile Silver Strand Bikeway for panoramic bay and ocean views.
4. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
With sixty uninterrupted miles of coastline dubbed the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is the Southeast’s summer playground. The oceanfront boardwalk mixes nostalgic charm—think arcade skee-ball and saltwater taffy—with modern thrills like the 187-foot SkyWheel. Calm Atlantic waters invite long, lazy floats, while nearby Brookgreen Gardens offers a serene sculpture walk when you crave shade. Evening brings all-you-can-eat seafood buffets and shag dancing to live beach-music bands. Local hack: head to Huntington Beach State Park for quieter sands and a chance to spot loggerhead turtle nests.
5. Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
Cape Cod’s outer arm feels blissfully untamed, where dune-fringed beaches such as Coast Guard Beach trade boardwalk bustle for wind-whipped serenity. Seals pop their heads above the cool Atlantic, and if you’re lucky you might glimpse migrating whales just offshore. Wooden staircases descend from kettle-pond overlooks, revealing dramatic horizons that inspired Thoreau’s coastal musings in the 1800s. After a beach day, cycle the Province Lands Trail for cranberry-bog vistas and end in Provincetown for lobster rolls and art-gallery crawls. Expert note: sunset here lingers almost theatrically—bring layers and watch the sky turn sherbet pink against the lighthouse silhouettes.
6. Siesta Key Beach, Florida
Step onto Siesta Key and you’ll swear someone swapped sand for confectioner’s sugar—its nearly pure quartz makeup stays cool even under Florida’s fierce midday sun. Shallow, translucent water begs for paddle-ball matches and carefree wading, making it a magnet for families. On Sunday evenings, the legendary drum circle gathers, blending tribal beats with spontaneous hula-hoop and fire-dance performances as the sun melts into the Gulf. The village just over the bridge serves killer fish tacos and live island music long after the last glow fades. Seasoned suggestion: schedule a midweek visit for lighter crowds and front-row parking at the main pavilion.
7. Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach trades bikinis for cozy hoodies and dramatic, mist-shrouded panoramas—a moody Pacific Northwest dreamscape anchored by 235-foot Haystack Rock. Low tide unveils starfish-studded tide pools, while puffins nest on the rock’s grassy ledges from April to early August. Quaint bookstores, espresso bars, and glass-blowing studios line the cedar-shingled downtown, perfect for post-beach wandering. Evening bonfires spark along the shore, where the scent of driftwood mingles with sea spray under a sky streaked with watercolor purples. Writer’s wisdom: pack a thermos of hot cocoa and arrive at Ecola State Park for a cliff-top whale-watching hike before exploring the sand.
8. South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre delivers a fiesta of activity: parasails dot the horizon, anglers chase redfish in Laguna Madre, and beach bars pulse with Tejano beats well past sunset. Yet pockets of tranquility remain—kayak the bird-rich mangroves of the Birding & Nature Center or watch rescued sea turtles rehabilitate at Sea Turtle Inc.. Warm Gulf currents make the water swim-ready by May, and midsummer evenings glow with fireworks over the bay. Fresh-caught snapper tacos and chilled horchata refuel you for another round of beach volleyball. Bonus tip: book a sunrise horseback ride to claim bragging rights for the ultimate Lone Star beach memory.
