11 Beaches in America to Check Out
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Whether you’re looking for big waves for surfing, or calm family-friendly beaches to build sandcastles and read or a quiet place for hiking or birdwatching, here are 11 beaches in America you should check out now.
1. Manhattan Beach, California
Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles’ South Bay region is suitable for you if you like a laid-back and less crowded beach area in California.
The other benefits of this beach are the smooth sand, volleyball nets, and fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean. There’s also a pier and bike and walking paths for those who want even more things to do.
Manhattan Beach is also known to provide a good place to surf, particularly in El Porto Beach, located in the northern part of Manhattan Beach.
2. Siesta Key, Florida
Florida’s
Siesta Key is a short distance from Sarasota and Tampa. It’s the place for enjoying soft-white sand and finding a wide variety of seashells.
Siesta Key, an 8-mile beach area along the Gulf of Mexico, offers the best beaches to view mesmerizing sunsets and also gives you plenty of opportunities to see dolphins swimming in calm waters. There are three beaches in Siesta Key - Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach. For a more secluded setting, go to Crescent Beach, and then to Turtle Beach for the most accessible place to find seashells.
Kayaking, parasailing, snorkeling, boating, swimming, and fishing are some of the activities that all members of the family can take advantage of while visiting Siesta Key.
3. Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Hawaii
White is not the only color of sand you can find in beaches. For the ultimate black sand beach experience, check out
Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Big Island Hawaii.
Located on the southeastern Kau Coast, between Pahala and Naalehu towns, this jet black sandy beach is the venue to see the endangered Hawksbill turtles and green turtles. Summer is the best time to see these turtles. And note that Punaluu Black Sand Beach is not a beach for swimming due to strong rip currents.
4. Emerald Isle, North Carolina
Emerald Isle in the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina is sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Sound. It provides 12 miles of pristine shoreline for families, couples, or anyone wanting a place to get away to enjoy.
You can surf, fish, participate in one of the waterspouts, or enjoy the views of the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Inlet.
5. Miramar Beach, Florida
If you’re living in New Orleans, Mobile or Montgomery, check out Miramar Beach in South Walton,
Florida. In just around a four-hour drive, you can escape to the beach and enjoy the sun and ocean breeze. It is a family-friendly beach offering plenty of water and beach activities for the entire family.
6. Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head, South Carolina
Hilton Head’s best beach is
Coligny Beach Park. It’s a family-friendly beach where kids can swim in the warm water, enjoy dolphin sightings, and look out for sand dollars and starfish.
Note: Visitors are not allowed to remove sand dollars and starfish from the beach.
7. Asbury Park, New Jersey
New Jersey’s historic shore town
Asbury Park is less than a three-hour drive from New York City. The beach has the iconic boardwalk offering excellent views of the coastline and beach area for the family to play and relax. Fishing and surfing are available as well.
8. Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, Maine
Family-friendly Goose Rocks Beach in
Kennebunkport is a three-mile soft sand beach with calm waters that is suitable for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. Some of the fun activities include finding hermit crabs, walking on the rocks, and during low tide, you can walk over to Timber Island.
9. Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach, Michigan
To get to the 2.5-mile secluded long sandy beach in Saugatuck Dunes State Park, you’ll need to walk about a half-hour on sand dunes from the car park and picnic area. Saugatuck Dunes State Park located between
Holland and
Saugatuck has over 1,000 acres of steep slopes, coastal dunes, rolling hills suitable for those who love nature, hiking, birdwatching, and less crowded recreation places.
Take a look at the
map for the shortest route to the secluded Lake Michigan shoreline.
10. Sunken Meadow State Park, New York
Sunken Meadow State Park is the most popular picnic park in
Long Island, New York. The state park has the beach, parks, trails, and boardwalks - plenty of spaces for families to enjoy a day of picnic and swimming in Long Island Sound’s calm waters.
11. Cape Arago State Park, Oregon
Located at the beginning of the southern Oregon Coast, Cape Arago State Park is off the Coast Highway, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific Coast from the cliffs. There are walking trails that lead to a sandy beach, tide pools, fishing area and seals and sea lion colonies.
Besides Cape Arago State Park, which is part of the
Cape Arago Beach Loop, you can also explore Bastendorff Beach,
Sunset Bay State Park, Simpson Beach, and Shore Acres Park and Botanical Gardens.
