Best Beaches in America

Best Beaches in America — Yourlist

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.

Siesta Key Beach▲ Rising
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 IJR
6
Clearwater Beach
Sugar 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 IJR
4
Waikiki 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 IJR
3
Lanikai Beach
Powder 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 IJR
0
Poipu Beach
Kauai'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 IJR
0
Coronado Beach
A 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 IJR
0
La Jolla Cove
Sea 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 IJR
0
Cannon Beach
Haystack 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 IJR
0
Cape Hatteras
Wild 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 IJR
0
Nags 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 IJR
0
Miami Beach
Art 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 IJR
0
Destin 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 IJR
0
Gulf 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 IJR
0
Myrtle Beach
Sixty 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 IJR
0
Coopers 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 IJR
0
Ogunquit 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 IJR
0