Best USA Beaches

By | Last Updated:
Contents
  1. Hermosa Beach
  2. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
  3. Garrapata State Park Beach
  4. Fort Ord Dunes State Park Beach
  5. D Street Beach
  6. Big River Beach
  7. Andrew Molera State Park
  8. Huntington Beach
  9. Surfside Beach
  10. Coligny Beach Park
  11. Galveston Beach
  12. Padre Island National Seashore
  13. Surfside Beach
  14. Dry Tortugas National Park
  15. Johnson Beach National Seashore
  16. USA beach map

The Best U.S. Beaches...

  • 316. 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 »

  • 317. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge // Central California

    Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
    © Shawn Milar

    The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes is one of the largest coastal dune ecosystems in California, stretching along the coast between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. This vast and dynamic landscape features towering sand dunes, pristine beaches, and a rich diversity of plant and animal life. It is part of the larger dunes complex and a key site for both conservation and outdoor recreation.

    Visitors can hike through rolling sand hills,… read more »

  • 318. Garrapata State Park Beach // Central California

    Garrapata State Park Beach
    Scottb211

    Garrapata State Park Beach is a rugged and breathtaking stretch of coastline along California's famed Highway 1, just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This wild and unspoiled beach is part of a state park, which includes over 4,000 acres of dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and scenic hiking trails. With its golden sand, crashing Pacific waves, and stunning views, Garrapata captures the essence of Big Sur's raw beauty.

    The beach itself is… read more »

  • 319. Fort Ord Dunes State Park Beach // Central California

    Fort Ord Dunes State Park Beach
    Justin Dolske

    This quiet and expansive stretch of beach is situated near Monterey on California's Central Coast. Once part of the former Fort Ord military base, the four-mile-long beach is now a protected state park.

    The dunes which back the beach provide a natural barrier from the wind and add to the beach's rugged beauty.  The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including migratory shorebirds and coastal foxes with… read more »

  • 320. 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 »

  • 321. 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 »

  • 322. 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 »

  • 323. 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 »

  • 324. 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 »

  • 325. 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 »

  • 326. 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 »

  • 327. 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 »

  • 328. 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 »

  • 329. Dry Tortugas National Park // Florida Keys

    Dry Tortugas National Park
    RuggyBearLA
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling

    Dry Tortugas National Park sits in the Gulf of Mexico close to Florida's Key West and consists of seven islands surrounded by coral reefs. The main beaches are considered to be those on Garden Key, which is also home to Fort Jefferson, a nineteenth-century defensive position.

    Loggerhead Key is best known for its visits by the turtles of the same name, while Loggerhead Reef is one of the region's best dive… read more »

  • 330. Johnson Beach National Seashore // Florida

    Johnson Beach National Seashore
    © NPS
    Great for:
    • Family
    • Snorkeling
    • Fishing
    • Swimming
    • Kitesurfing

    Johnson Beach sits at the center of Perdido Key, a barrier island which spans the Florida / Alabama border. 

    The beach has a lifeguard service, plenty of facilities and a parking lot, all of which makes it ideal for families. Along with a host of water based activities there are also a number of hiking trails here best of which is the Discovery Nature Trail. This raised wooden boardwalk winds… read more »