Best Family & Kid Friendly Beaches in USA

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  • Clearwater Beach // Florida

    Clearwater Beach
    ©Elena Petrova

    Clearwater is yet another fantastic Florida beach situated on the barrier islands of the Gulf Coast. Located on the Pinellas Peninsula this white sand beach stretches for over 3 miles (5 km) along the calm, clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Clearwater beach is one of Florida's best rated family beaches and there is plenty to back this up. Along with the great amenities and safe swimming there are plenty of activities going on; beach volleyball, pier fishing, cruising the Beach Walk promenade.

    At the heart of Clearwater… read more »

  • Singing Beach // Massachusetts

    Singing Beach
    ©Vitor Pamplona

    A picturesque crescent of soft golden sand between rocky headland is what makes Singing Beach one of the most popular on the North Shore. At around half a mile in length the beach here is backed by grassy slopes and woodland giving it a somewhat sechluded and peaceful feel.

    Singing Beach is one of a select few beaches globally where the sand "sings". We put that in quotes because it is actually more of a squeak than some sort of choral performance! It is only the dry sand that emits this… read more »

  • Hanauma Bay // Hawaii

    Hanauma Bay
    ©Banzai Hiroaki / CC BY

    The sandy beach of Hanauma Bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu. Given the wealth of beautiful beaches in Hawaii, what makes this one so special?

    Well, firstly it is a bit of a stunner. The crescent of golden sand looks out onto the near circular bay formed from two sunken volcanic craters. When the bay formed it would have been completely enclosed with the Pacific waves eventually breaking through around 35,000 years ago.

    Hanauma Bay is very well protected from the currents… read more »

  • Santa Monica State Beach // California

    Santa Monica State Beach

    Just west of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica State Beach stretches for an astonishing 8 miles of soft sand. Cleaned and raked on a daily basis, it will host the beach volleyball competition of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

    The archetypal West Coast beach town, Santa Monica State Beach has a pier with an amusement park that contains a carousel dating from 1922 and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. There is also an aquarium making the beach a great options for families.

    There is a children's playground to the… read more »

  • Fort Lauderdale Beach // Florida

    Fort Lauderdale Beach
    ©DANIEL ALFARO C.

    Fort Lauderdale beach is a beautiful stretch of white sand that runs alongside the crystal clear blue waters of the ocean. It is quieter than Miami, with more of a family-friendly feel than a wild college party destination. The promenade that runs behind the beach is lined with palm trees and there is always plenty going on.

    This beach at Fort Lauderdale is clean with generally calm waters that are safe for kids. Also it's a big enough beach that even in the middle of the summer you won't… read more »

  • Wingaersheek Beach // Massachusetts

    Wingaersheek Beach
    ©liz west

    Wingaersheek Beach is located in the western part of Gloucester county at the mouth of the Annisquam River on Ipswich Bay. It is possibly the best beach in the area with its white sands and clear waters. Wingaersheek is recognizable by the huge rocks that jutt out from the center of the beach and into the river. At high tide the rocks are surrounded by water but you can climb around on them as the tide goes out.

    The tides are big here and the water remains shallow for long… read more »

  • Crane Beach // Massachusetts

    Crane Beach
    ©Vitor Pamplona

    Crane Beach is one of the finest beaches on the U.S. East Coast. It has clean water and miles of golden sand backed by beautiful countryside. Part of the Crane Estate, the beach is managed by the Trustees of Reservations and is known for conservation as well. It has more than five miles of marked trails through the coastal sand dunes, and it is an important nesting site for the piping plover. The center piece of the estate is Castle Hill, an imposing early 20th century mansion.

    The sand at Crane… read more »

  • Ko Olina // Hawaii

    Ko Olina
    ©Michelle Maria

    Ko Olina is a gorgeous 2 miles stretch of coastline with a series of sandy coves and several natural and manmade lagoons. The name "Ko Olina" means "fulfillment of joy" and was originally a fishing camp for native Hawaiian rulers.

    Just a short distance from Honolulu and the North Shore, Ko Olina is a popular and beautiful beach to visit on the drier western side of Oahu. Non-resident guests are welcome at the master-planned luxury resort of the same name which borders the beach.

    Ko Olina Beach is divided into… read more »

  • Hammonasset Beach // Connecticut

    Hammonasset Beach
    ©rickpilot_2000

    Just over a hundred years ago, in July 2020, Hammonasset Beach State Beach opened to the public. It has been a popular destination ever since. Easy to access from I-95 Exit 62 and close to Madison, CT it attracts over a million visitors each year.

    Once a settlement for native American Indians, the name "Hammonasset" means "place where we dig holes in the ground". By 1898 the Winchester Rifle Company was using it as a firing range to test their weaponry.

    Today this 2 mile stretch of soft golden sand is… read more »

  • Old Orchard Beach // Maine

    Old Orchard Beach
    ©Paul VanDerWerf

    Set in Saco Bay, towards the southern end of Maine's Atlantic coast is the thriving little resort town of Old Orchard Beach. The town has a long and colorful history and was once dubbed "The Garden by the Sea" which featured, you guessed it, an orchard!

    However it wasn't until the late 1800s that the town took off as a holiday resort, with the near seven mile stretch of sand as the main attraction. Old Orchard Beach soon became hugely popular and along with a pier, hotels and boardwalk it was… read more »

  • Zuma Beach // California

    Zuma Beach
    ©tmastro

    One of largest and most popular beaches in Los Angeles County, Zuma Beach has clean waters and wide sands that extend for a total of around two miles. The location for the famous final scene in the original 1968 version of Planet of the Apes, it is now better known by the surfing community for its breaks, with Zuma Beach hosting several major competitions each year. Kite surfers tend to gather at the northern end of the beach in the late afternoons.

    Its Pacific waters can be quite cold, and the… read more »

  • Hollywood Beach // Florida

    Hollywood Beach
    ©Tamanoeconomico

    With its gorgeous white sand reaching out to turquoise waters, Hollywood Beach is a South Florida gem. Located between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, the beach here stretches for 2.5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. A boardwalk runs the length of the beach and is lined with all kinds of cafes, attractions and shops. If that isn't enough, then there is a trolley to take you from the beach to downtown Hollywood. It's also a great place for just sitting on the beach and people watching.

    Hollywood Beach is popular… read more »

  • Panama City Beach // Florida

    Panama City Beach
    ©jsclark.net

    Stretching for 27 miles, Panama City Beach has white sands that meet clear turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Along this expansive shoreline are two state parks, waterfront restaurants, and a great range of attractions. You will find scuba divers and fishermen enjoying the artificial reefs offshore, and plenty of people relaxing on the beach.

    Panama City Beach has practically every water sports you can think of, from boating to parasailing to diving and more - although the relatively sheltered waters of the Gulf don't make for great surf. You… read more »

  • Mayflower Beach // Massachusetts

    Mayflower Beach
    ©Kenneth C. Zirkel

    Located in the mid-Cape, Mayflower beach is off of Dunes Road in Dennis. The views from the tidal flats during low tide allow for some great photos, and the sunsets can be pretty amazing. The beach is large with lifeguards and plenty of room for games. You will find public restrooms, a boardwalk, a picnic area, and parking as well.

    You can stay in a variety of accommodations from little shanties to large mansions along the beach. You will find mini golf and golf nearby, and there is a shopping… read more »

  • Waikīkī Beach // Hawaii

    Waikīkī Beach
    ©skeeze

    The calm blue waters and two miles of pristine white sands attract millions of visitors to Waikiki Beach each year. Tourists flock to the shores for the mellow ocean and year-round, nice temperatures.

    Waikiki Beach offers something for everyone. Swimming, surfing, dining, shopping, and live events are just a few of the highlights. 

    On one side of the shore, you have the beautiful ocean while the other side is overlooked by high-rises and small boutique resorts mingled with commercial strips.

    The ocean remains relatively calm throughout most of the year. Surfers love the… read more »