Best Beaches in America
From the powdery white sands of the Gulf Coast to the dramatic cliffs of the Pacific shoreline, America's beaches offer an incredible variety of natural beauty and coastal culture. With thousands of miles of coastline to choose from, picking the best is no easy task — everyone has their own favorite stretch of sand. Cast your vote and help decide which beach truly deserves the title of best in America!
What counts: Sand, water, setting, and the feeling you get walking on. Ratings are approximate; the crowd decides the order.
Quartz-white sand so fine it squeaks and stays cool underfoot — the Gulf beach every best-of fight ends with.
State: FloridaSand quality: 10/10Water clarity: 8.5/10Summer water temp: 86 °FCrowd level: 6/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist Editorialin 2 rankingsSiesta Beach
6Sugar sand, calm Gulf water, and a sunset festival every single night at Pier 60.
State: FloridaSand quality: 9/10Water clarity: 8/10Summer water temp: 86 °FCrowd level: 8/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist Editorialin 2 rankingsClearwater Beach
4Waikiki Beach
The world's most famous learn-to-surf wave with Diamond Head standing over it.
State: HawaiiSand quality: 7.5/10Water clarity: 8.5/10Summer water temp: 79 °FCrowd level: 9/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist Editorial
3Powder sand and turquoise flats facing the Mokulua islets — Hawaii's postcard.
State: HawaiiSand quality: 9.5/10Water clarity: 9.5/10Summer water temp: 78 °FCrowd level: 5/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist EditorialLanikai Beach
0Kauai's sunny south-shore crescent where monk seals nap beside snorkelers.
State: HawaiiSand quality: 8.5/10Water clarity: 9/10Summer water temp: 77 °FCrowd level: 5/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist EditorialPoipu Beach Park
0A mile of glittering mica sand under the grand old Hotel del Coronado.
State: CaliforniaSand quality: 9/10Water clarity: 7/10Summer water temp: 68 °FCrowd level: 6/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist EditorialCoronado Beach
0Sea lions, snorkel-clear water, and sandstone cliffs in San Diego's jewel.
State: CaliforniaSand quality: 7/10Water clarity: 9/10Summer water temp: 68 °FCrowd level: 7/10Family friendly: —
added by Yourlist EditorialLa Jolla Cove
0Haystack Rock rising from misty sand — the Pacific Northwest's moody masterpiece.
State: OregonSand quality: 8/10Water clarity: 6/10Summer water temp: 58 °FCrowd level: 5/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist EditorialCannon Beach
0Wild Atlantic surf and the striped lighthouse on the edge of the Outer Banks.
State: North CarolinaSand quality: 8/10Water clarity: 7/10Summer water temp: 75 °FCrowd level: 3/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist EditorialCape Hatteras
0Nags Head Beach
Old-school Outer Banks: wide sand, big dunes, and hang gliders off Jockey's Ridge.
State: North CarolinaSand quality: 8/10Water clarity: 7/10Summer water temp: 75 °FCrowd level: 4/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist Editorial
0Art Deco skyline, warm teal water, and the people-watching capital of America.
State: FloridaSand quality: 8/10Water clarity: 8/10Summer water temp: 85 °FCrowd level: 9/10Family friendly: —
added by Yourlist Editorialin 2 rankingsMiami Beach
0Destin Beaches
The Emerald Coast's namesake green water over blinding white quartz sand.
State: FloridaSand quality: 9.5/10Water clarity: 9/10Summer water temp: 84 °FCrowd level: 7/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist Editorial
0Gulf Shores Beach
Alabama's sleeper: sugar-white sand without the Florida crowds or prices.
State: AlabamaSand quality: 9/10Water clarity: 8/10Summer water temp: 84 °FCrowd level: 5/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist Editorial
0Sixty miles of boardwalk-backed sand — the East Coast's summer machine.
State: South CarolinaSand quality: 7/10Water clarity: 6/10Summer water temp: 79 °FCrowd level: 9/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist EditorialMyrtle Beach
0Coopers Beach
The Hamptons' wide, dune-backed strand that tops national rankings yearly.
State: New YorkSand quality: 9/10Water clarity: 7/10Summer water temp: 70 °FCrowd level: 6/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist Editorial
0Ogunquit Beach
Maine's three-mile sandbar where the river meets bracing Atlantic blue.
State: MaineSand quality: 8.5/10Water clarity: 7.5/10Summer water temp: 62 °FCrowd level: 5/10Family friendly: ✓
added by Yourlist Editorial
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