10 Best Beaches in America - Full-Time Travel

10 Best Beaches in America

10 Soothing Seaside Getaways in the USA

These American beaches will help you unwind...

When it comes to which landscapes are most conducive to wellbeing, beaches are hard to beat. There’s nothing like a calm, flat expanse of ocean to reduce mind-chatter. In fact, research reveals that proximity to water can boost happiness, lower the heart rate, slow our breathing, and reduce anxiety and stress.

If you’re planning a trip to revive and restore you, these striking coastal destinations are home to the best beaches in the country.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park | Photo by Joe Yates

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California

Named after the pioneer woman Julia Pfeiffer Burns, a rancher and long-time Big Sur resident, this state park is best known for one of the most famous views in California: McWay Falls. A slim 80 ft waterfall cascades off a granite cliff and flows to meet a swirl of turquoise surf. The beach itself is closed to the public, so the view is true to the unblemished photos you’ve swooned over. Afterwards, head to Pfeiffer Beach (which does allow visitors) to check out reflective tide pools and Keyhole Rock – an arch in the center of a huge cliff, which looks particularly stunning illuminated by sunset. 

Where to stay: Space and seclusion are major selling points at Ventana Big Sur, a wellness-centric hotel with guest rooms and suites boasting amenities like hot tubs and open-air showers designed for two.

Ditch Plains, Montauk  |  Photo by Clay Leconey

Ditch Plains, Montauk, New York 

Montauk, the hippest beach town in the Hamptons, also has one of the area’s best beaches. Ditch Plains is a wide sandy stretch fringed by dunes and dense greenery that’s popular with surfers for its excellent breaks. Situated at the far eastern end of Long Island, Ditch Plains never gets crazily crowded, and Montauk’s cluster of cafes and restaurants (many with outdoor dining) offer great refueling options when you’re feeling hungry. 

Where to stay: The Breakers Motel has individual units with key-code entry for contactless check-in. Lounge by the pool or borrow a bike and cycle all the way to the Montauk lighthouse.

Grayton Beach State Park  |  Photo by @_seanmullins

Grayton Beach State Park, Florida

It’s hard to pick just one top beach in a state like Florida, but there’s something special about Grayton Beach State Park. Here, rare coastal dune lakes filled with dark-burgundy brackish water, feed down and blend with the emerald green ocean like a painting. Elsewhere in the 400-acre park, explore forested trails, steep dunes and quiet salt marshes. 

Where to stay: Located right on the edge of the park, the Watercolor Inn is the area’s most luxurious hotel. Sixty rooms are nestled between a pine forest and the vibrant Gulf of Mexico.

Cannon Beach  |  Photo by Tim Mossholder

Cannon Beach, Oregon 

As beautiful on a blustery, misty day as it is in the clear, bright summer sunshine, Cannon Beach in Oregon is one of the country’s most distinctive bays. The majestic dome of Haystack Rock, waterfalls drenching the sand at Hug Point, and miles of reflective, shallow pools revealed by the tide also make it one of the most photogenic. 

Where to stay: The Awtrey House bed and breakfast was designed by renowned architect James Cutler, and is owned by retired NBA player, Dennis Awtrey. It’s located on pretty Neahkahnie Beach, about a 20-minute drive from Cannon Beach.

Outer Banks  |  Photo by Timothy Klingler

Outer Banks, North Carolina

North Carolina’s Outer Banks are a slinky chain of barrier islands with a storied history, as evidenced by the 3000+ shipwrecks just offshore (now popular dive sites). Explore these secluded beaches dotted with nature reserves and lighthouses, taking time to stop in some of the tiny towns for kitschy souvenirs and ice cream. 

Where to stay: There aren’t many accommodation options on the barrier islands themselves, so opt for Burrus House Inn – a boutique spot with hammocks and water sports equipment – on adjacent Roanoke Island, instead.

Makua Beach  |  Photo by @mitchbrownphoto

Makua Beach, Kauai, Hawaii 

Kauai’s lush mountains descend steeply to a crescent of golden sand at Makua Beach (AKA Tunnels Beach). Not only one of the most beautiful beaches on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Makua is also home to one of its best snorkeling and scuba diving spots; just offshore you’ll find a vast coral reef, lava tubes, and caves, which amount to a unique underwater experience.

Where to stay: Located a 40-minute drive from Tunnels Beach, on a jungle hilltop, The Palmwood is a hidden retreat inspired by ryokans – the country inns of Japan.

Ogunquit  |  Photo by Justin Bisson Beck

Ogunquit, Maine

In the language of its original settlers, the Algonquin Indians, Ogunquit translated as ‘beautiful place by the sea,’ which is hard to refute. This quaint fishing village is famous for its beach - a 3.5-mile stretch of pale sand with gentle surf that makes it popular with families. At the beach’s southern end, the Ogunquit River flows into the ocean, and it’s not unusual to see friends floating this stretch of freshwater on inner-tubes and other inflatables. 

Where to stay: Book a room or your own 2-bedroom cottage at Anchorage by the Sea, a nautical resort with a pool and unobstructed ocean views.

Cahoon Hollow Beach  |  Photo by @mandaythompson

Cahoon Hollow Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

The thing that distinguishes Cahoon Hollow from Cape Cods' many other beautiful beaches is its imposing sand dune backdrop, which looks like it was transported from the Sahara Desert. Descending 75 yards to the golden shoreline is fairly easy, but the climb back to the top at the end of the afternoon is not so fun. Luckily The Beachcomber, a beloved restaurant with outdoor seating, is a good place to reward your exertion with oysters and drinks. 

Where to stay: A 30-minute drive away, snuggled in the Provincetown hook, is AWOL Hotel – a beautifully designed and decorated spot with a heated pool, fire pits, and a private outdoor space adjoining every room.

Driftwood Beach  |  Photo by Zack Reiner

Driftwood Beach, Georgia 

As the name implies, Driftwood Beach is famous for its otherworldly tree skeletons, revealed by years of erosion. Located in Jekyll Island, part of Georgia’s Golden Isles, Driftwood’s unique landscape is irresistible to photographers. It’s also a popular wedding location, so anticipate a few bride-and-groom shoots. 

Where to stay: At the Jekyll Ocean Club, the beach is right in your backyard. Wake up to watch sunrise from your private balcony and enjoy a sunset dinner at the resort’s outdoor seafood restaurant.

Cape May  |  Photo by @bonniebonsall

Cape May, New Jersey

The pale-sand beach at Cape May is lovely enough, but the real selling point of this section of New Jersey coastline is the architecture. Cape May has one of the country’s largest collections of 19th Century framed buildings – candy colored, fairytale-like homes with turrets, towers and wrap-around porches. 

Where to stay: Billed as a “micro beach resort,” Lokai offers studios and 2-bedroom suites with amenities including a grilling station, saltwater pool, mobile beach kits with coolers and towels, games, and a lounge chair and umbrella set-up service.

"This sculpture is called "Transmission" by artist Daniel Popper. Its a reminder that we are all rooted in love, unity and the divine. She stands a towering 28 feet tall and is located on Mojave Moon Ranch in Joshua Tree. The land is private property, so you can see it from the viewing platform off of Sunfair Road. And take it from me, it's best viewed at sunset."

Reel: @johnofah
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There's more to Greece than the white and blue buildings and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. If you're planning a visit, check out these places below!

📍Kokkinopilos. Preveza
📍Verliga Dragon lake, Thessaly
📍Ithaca island, lonian Sea
📍Aoos springs lake, Epirus
📍Lake Prespes, Macedonia
📍Balda di Stringa waterfalls, Epirus
📍Meteora, Thessaly
📍Pelion, Thessaly
📍Lake Zorika, Epirus
📍Mt Lakmos
📍Crete island, Aegean Sea
📍Gistova Dragon lake, Macedonia

Reel: @farawayfarers
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Swim or kayak through the limestone cliffs of the Twin Lagoon, a must-visit destination for those traveling to Coron, Palawan, Philippines. It is called "twin" lagoon because it consists of two lagoons separated by a limestone cliff, with one lagoon on top of the other. The water in the inner lagoon is warm and clear, with a stunning turquoise color that makes it popular for swimming and snorkeling.

Reel: @travelifejournal
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Take a dip in a series of seven saltwater lagoons located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The Lagoons of Baltinache are known for their beautiful turquoise waters and unique geological formations. The high concentration of minerals in the water gives it a unique buoyancy that makes swimming in the lagoons a unique experience.

Reel: @everchanginghorizon
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Watching the sun rise above the clouds at Haleakalā National Park is one of the most memorable experiences you could have. Haleakalā is a Hawaiian name that means “House of the Sun” and is an awesome place to watch the clear night sky and stars fade away as the sun lights up the sky and the earth.

Reel: @girlchill_sunset
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Just 1 hour from Shanghai by train, Cherry Blossom Valley is a popular tourist destination, particularly in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The valley is named after the thousands of cherry blossom trees that cover the area and create a stunning display of pink and white flowers. The trees were originally planted in the 1980s by a group of Japanese experts who were invited to China to help with reforestation efforts. The best time to visit is typically in late March or early April. Get there early to beat the crowds!

Reel: @cyncynti
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New Zealand is unbelievable. See it for yourself:

1. Fiordland National Park
2. A classic backcountry hut trip
3. Blue Pools walk
4. Hooker Lake
5. Milford Sound
6. Lake Pukaki

Reel: @kylekotajarvi
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Surrounded by lush greenery, towering karst mountains, and the river flowing through, the Detian Waterfall is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the close relationship between China and Vietnam. It is the largest waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest cross-border waterfall in the world.

Reel: @sophoebelous
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Escape to a serene and peaceful oasis away from the bustling city of Marrakech at Le Jardin Secret—a beautiful and historic garden where visitors can escape the noise and chaos and enjoy the beauty of nature. The garden was originally built in the 16th century and is home to many different species of plants, including exotic flowers, citrus trees, and palm trees.

Reel: @hypermiggzz
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For a magical moment and bucket list travel experience, visit the end point of the annual monarch butterfly migration. Starting in August, the monarchs travel 2,800 miles south from Canada, making a temporary home amid the towering trees of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, where the two most popular sanctuaries to view them are el Rosario in the state of Michoacan and Piedra Herrada in Estado de México. Standing in silence while thousands of delicate wings beat in unison is something you'll never forget.

Reel: @juliiathompson
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There's just something beautiful about snow covered landscapes like this popular attraction in southwestern Utah. Known for its unique geology, @brycecanyonnps_gov consists of a series of natural amphitheaters, called "hoodoos," formed by erosion of the rock layers.

Photo: @nathanleeallen
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As we experience a couple more weeks of winter, we can't help but dream of tropical destinations like Hawaii. The warm water, sunny skies, and consistent waves make it an ideal destination for surfers. Hawaii has a vibrant surf culture and community and is also a beautiful place to explore outside of the water, with lush green mountains, stunning beaches, and unique cultural experiences.

Reel: @christopherballadarez
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5 PLACES IN THE U.S. THAT FEEL LIKE ANOTHER PLANET:
1. @sequoiakingsnps, California
2. @canyonlandsnps, Utah
3. @olympic_nps, Washington
4. @whitesandsnps, New Mexico
5. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
6. Knik Glacier, Alaska

Reel: @nathanleeallen
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