Best USA Beaches
The Best U.S. Beaches...
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211. Gibson Beach // Central California
Eric Chan This is a top spot for nature lovers. Gibson's Beach is the southernmost beach in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and can be reached by car in around 10 minutes from Carmel. The scenic drive alone is well worth the time spent.
It's a wide sandy stretch about a quarter of a mile long and access to the beach can be challenging, but the reward of seclusion and some nice wave… read more »
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212. Fan Shell Beach // Central California
Clotee Pridgen Allochuku Fan Shell Beach is a picturesque little stretch of coastline along the famous 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. With its rugged beauty, soft white sand, and stunning ocean views, this beach is a favourite stop for visitors exploring the Monterey Peninsula.
During spring and early summer, the beach is a key nesting site for Brandt’s cormorants, making it an excellent location for birdwatching. The surrounding rocks and tide pools are home… read more »
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213. San Clemente State Beach // Southern California
Bennilover Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
Found at the southern end of the city of San Clemente in California, San Clemente State Beach is a favourite with water sports enthusiasts. Set below attractive cliffs, its light-coloured sands continue for some over a mile in length, although much of its breadth can be lost with the high tide.
Family-friendly and accessible to those with reduced mobility it is no surprise that San Clemente State Beach can become particularly… read more »
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214. Windansea Beach // Southern California
Chad McDonald Great for:- Surfing
Located in the charming coastal town of La Jolla, Windansea Beach is found at the west end of Westbourne and Nautilus streets. It takes its name from the phrase "wind and sea" and there was once a hotel of the same name which burned down in the 1940s.
In the same era, the legendary Windansea Surf Club was formed which was as much about partying as it was surfing. Many… read more »
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215. Ocean Beach, San Diego // Southern California
Brooke Anderson Great for:- Fishing
- Swimming
- Surfing
Ocean Beach extends south from San Diego River to Sunset Cliffs and is popular for surfing and sunbathing. Known locally as OB, this beautiful sandy city beach has the archetypal laidback SoCal beach vibe.
There are various different section including an area for surfing only, swimming only and there's a dog-friendly section although pets must be kept on a leash.
At the south end of the beach, the ½ mile… read more »
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216. Ocean Beach // Northern California
K Danko Great for:- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
Stretching for over three miles between Cliff House and Fort Funston is Ocean Beach. The beach runs along much of San Francisco's westerly suburb, the aptly named Sunset. Despite this Ocean Beach still feels pretty wild, particularly towards the southern end where it is backed by dunes.
Like the rest of San Francisco's beaches the weather can be somewhat hit and miss. It's generally a miss during the summer months… read more »
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217. Marshall's Beach // Northern California
© Frank Schulenburg Located in San Francisco's Presidio park, which encloses an area of historic military installations at the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marshall's Beach is the closest beach to this icon of California and the United States.
Offering exemplary views of the bridge, as well as of sunsets over Helmet Rock and the Pacific Ocean, its rich golden-brown sands are reached via boardwalk-style steps that lead down the low cliffs.… read more »
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218. Lands End Beach // Northern California
Willis Lam Close to San Francisco, Lands End Beach is a clothing-optional beach which is particularly quiet and private during weekdays.
To reach it, drive west along Geary Blvd and take a right at the fork onto Point Lobos Ave. You can park by continuing along to a large car park or by turning right again onto El Camino del Mar and parking at the end. There's a trail leading down… read more »
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219. Cayucos State Beach // Central California
Adam Sofen Great for:- Fishing
- Surfing
Set just off the scenic Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County, Cayucos State Beach is a classic California coastal destination. This wide, sandy beach stretches alongside the charming town of Cayucos, offering a laid-back vibe, great surf, and stunning ocean views. With its historic pier, tide pools, and rolling waves, the beach is perfect for a whole host of activities.
The beach is popular for surfing, with consistent waves that… read more »
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220. Morro Rock Beach // Central California
© David Mark Great for:- Surfing
Nestled in a secluded spot along California's northern coastline, Morro Rock is one of the state's most naturally beautiful beaches.
The Morro Rock itself stands at around 576 feet tall and was formed millions of years ago from volcanic rock. Until the mid-sixties it was regularly mined, partly for breakwaters, but by the end of the decade it had been recognised as a California State Landmark and a California Registered Historical… read more »
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221. Avila Beach // Central California
Scooterboss Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
This secluded little spot sits on California's central coast, approximately halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The beach itself is a stunning unspoilt stretch of white sand and crystal clear water that's around half a mile long, with a near 1700-feet pier at the heart of it that's been standing for more than a century.
It's partially closed for restoration works so you won't be able to walk all… read more »
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222. Redondo Beach // Northern California
btwashburn Great for:- Surfing
Forming the third point in a triangle alongside San Francisco to the north and San Jose to the east, Redondo Beach is part of a continuous string of sand beaches on Half Moon Bay that each have their own name and ambience.
One of the quieter stretches of bleached sand on the bay, Redondo Beach is still close to a variety of stores and food outlets. It's backed by cliffs forming… read more »
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223. Gray Whale Cove State Beach // Northern California
Christopher Michel When you hear that Gray Whale Cove State Beach is on an area of coastline known as "Devil's Slide" this should help convey that the descent to the beach is steep and tricky.
Just 18 miles south of San Francisco, situated between Pacifica and Montara, this state beach is popular for whale watching during the spring migratory season, hence its name. Great white sharks have also been seen… read more »
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224. Montara State Beach // Northern California
Vadim Manuylov Great for:- Surfing
Located a little over 30 kilometres south of San Francisco, west of Highway 1 and nestled between bounding low hills, this beach boasts a sandy shore and high bluffs. Montara Mountain, also known as McNee Ranch, looms above to the east.
Beachgoers here can enjoy basking in the sun and recharging their batteries. People also flock here to take a relaxing stroll on the soft sand along the seashore. Although… read more »
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225. Thornton State Beach // Northern California
Peter Kaminski Great for:- Fishing
Birds in search of a tasty morsel can be seen along the shoreline of this brown sandy beach just south of San Francisco. Positioned below tall bluffs, this park is popular with hikers, boasting equestrian trails on the bluff terraces high above the waterline. There's only a few parking spots nearby and the locals like it that way so it doesn't get overcrowded. You won't find the hordes of… read more »
USA Regions
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California
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Florida
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Hawaii
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Maine
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Massachusetts
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North Carolina
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Oregon
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Rhode Island
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South Carolina
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Texas
USA Cities
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