Best USA Beaches

By | Last Updated:
Contents
  1. Sherwood Island State Park
  2. Sharp Park Beach
  3. Pacific Beach
  4. Long Beach
  5. Hermosa Beach
  6. D Street Beach
  7. Big River Beach
  8. Andrew Molera State Park
  9. Myrtle Beach
  10. Huntington Beach
  11. Surfside Beach
  12. Coligny Beach Park
  13. Galveston Beach
  14. Padre Island National Seashore
  15. Surfside Beach
  16. USA beach map

The Best U.S. Beaches...

  • 286. Sherwood Island State Park // Connecticut

    Sherwood Island State Park
    © Noroton
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    Sherwood Island lies to the south and east of Westport, at exit 18 of the I-95. Sherwood Beach is located on the island's southeast shore, and runs between the outlet of Greens Farms Brook and Sherwood Point, the island's southernmost extent.

    Approximately half a mile in length, Sherwood Beach can have three different colours of sand when conditions on Long Island Sound are right and its waves divide the grains into… read more »

  • 287. Sharp Park Beach // Northern California

    Sharp Park Beach
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Surfing

    Not far from the hectic city life of downtown San Francisco lies one of California's few black sand beaches. Further inland, the grains of sand are finer and as you go towards the water's edge the grains become more pebble-like. A little way back from the beach, there is a narrow strip of land with grass, picnic tables and benches. 

    North of the park is the Pacifica Municipal Fishing Pier.… read more »

  • 288. Pacific Beach // Southern California

    Pacific Beach
    Fastily
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    Pacific Beach is the name of both the beach and this neighborhood of San Diego. Known locally as P.B. this stretch of sand runs between La Jolla and Mission Beach.

    At the heart of Pacific Beach is the Crystal Pier which dates back to the 1920s. The main beach is the area to the south of the pier, whilst the other side is known as North Pacific Beach. 

    Running the entire 3.2… read more »

  • 289. Long Beach // Southern California

    Long Beach
    Greg Gjerdingen
    Great for:
    • Swimming
    • Kitesurfing

    You'll find this golden stretch of sand along California's southern coastline, just a 30-minute drive away from Los Angeles. 

    All the essentials are in place here, including lifeguard posts, showers, restrooms, and lots of parking spots nearby. And there's a promenade backing on to the beach that is particularly popular with cyclists and skaters.

    As for the beach itself, there's usually plenty of elbow room as this isn't the busiest of… read more »

  • 290. Hermosa Beach // Southern California

    Hermosa Beach
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    Hermosa's two-mile swathe of golden sand is one of the most popular stretches in Los Angeles County. 

    With 94 acres of beach to stretch out on and top-notch conditions for surfing, it attracts visitors of all ages.

    At the heart of the beach is the historic pier, which has had pride of place for more than 50 years. If you fancy doing a bit of fishing then this is the perfect place… read more »

  • 291. D Street Beach // Southern California

    D Street Beach
    Tim Buss
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    Located below the cliffs at the end of D Street in Encinitas, just south of Moonlight Beach is D street Beach. A popular spot when the sun is out although it rarely gets as busy as its northern neighbor.

    The beach at D Street is accessed by a set of wooden stairs which wind down the bluff. Many people are content with just taking in the view from the platform… read more »

  • 292. Big River Beach // Northern California

    Big River Beach
    ~jar{}
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Surfing

    Big River beach sits just to the south of the town of Mendocino, within the Mendocino Headlands State Park. The beach here is a wide expanse of pale-golden sand running along the northern bank of Big River as it flows into the Pacific.

    Access to the beach is pretty easy from Highway One, with a bridge crossing the river right above the central part of the beach.

    Big River beach is a… read more »

  • 293. Andrew Molera State Park // Central California

    Andrew Molera State Park
    Brian Cantoni
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    This is the largest state park along the Big Sur coast and since it boasts over 20 miles of hiking trails, it's the perfect destination for avid trekkers.

    Here, you'll find open meadows, high ridges, groves of sycamore and redwood trees, a river, many trails, and one of the best beaches to explore in the area. 

    The beach itself isn't the most accessible, and takes a little effort to get to, but… read more »

  • 294. Myrtle Beach // South Carolina

    Myrtle Beach
    The ed17
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Surfing
    • Kitesurfing

    Since 1949 Myrtle Beach has also been known locally as the Grand Strand, separating it from the city of Myrtle Beach which stands on its landward side for just a small stretch of its staggering 60 miles. Because of its size, its sands are also sometimes subdivided into north, central and south areas, with most of the top attractions located centrally. Its north beach is slightly quieter.

    Visited by approximately… read more »

  • 295. Huntington Beach // South Carolina

    Huntington Beach
    © malgosiaw
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Surfing

    You can get a front row view of the Atlantic Ocean from this pristine and wide-open Grand Strand beach, which is located less than 20 miles from Myrtle Beach. The beautifully clean and white sands feel like butter under your toes and there's plenty of wriggle room too.

    Nature lovers make a beeline for this beach, to get hooked into the finest surf fishing South Carolina has to offer. Bird… read more »

  • 296. Surfside Beach // South Carolina

    Surfside Beach
    © acethom
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    The town of Surfside Beach is a small beach community that features two miles of oceanfront and is located just south of the Myrtle Beach city limits. It's nicknamed "The Family Beach" and the town is known as a place where quality time comes easy.

    This is one of the better beaches around, with clean sand and water - a wonderful spot for some fishing, swimming and picnicking. 

    The town's pier… read more »

  • 297. Coligny Beach Park // South Carolina

    Coligny Beach Park

    This award-winning beach is Hilton Head Island's most popular oceanfront park, offering the chance for locals and tourists alike to step onto the sand and let the sea breeze carry every worry away. 

    Here, you'll be able to enjoy a full beach park with outdoor showers, changing rooms, restrooms and a variety of lounging options. Chairs and umbrellas are available to hire on the beach. There are also swings and wooden… read more »

  • 298. Galveston Beach // Texas

    Galveston Beach
    CJ TravelTips
    Great for:
    • Swimming
    • Kitesurfing

    Galveston has been wowing those heading to the Texas coast for almost 200 years, and there's no great surprise when you consider the island has 32 miles of beachfront to mull over.

    One of the best when it comes to facilities as well as atmosphere is Galveston's Each Beach, which has a pavilion and boardwalk as well as restrooms and children's playgrounds. The broad expanse of Stewart Beach's golden sands provides… read more »

  • 299. Padre Island National Seashore // Texas

    Padre Island National Seashore
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Kitesurfing

    Located off the coast of south Texas, a little over 30 minutes away from Corpus Christi, there are plenty of things that make this area unique. It separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Laguna Madre, which is one of a few hypersaline lagoons in the world - a body of water that's even saltier than most seawater.

    66 miles of coastline, dunes, prairies, and wind tidal flats teeming… read more »

  • 300. Surfside Beach // Texas

    Surfside Beach
    Lance L Lowry
    Great for:
    • Fishing
    • Surfing
    • Kitesurfing

    Locally known as "Surfside" this beach is situated on Follet's Island by the Gulf of Mexico near the city of Freeport. The sand tends to be more wet and compact, so not ideal for building extravagant sandcastles. The beach is divided into one area where there is car access and the other area being only for pedestrian use. 

    Overall, the atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, but it can get a… read more »