Take the park shuttle from the Little Creek parking lot to bypass vehicle restrictions and arrive directly at the sand. Comparison of Top US Beach Regions Coastline / Region Standout Feature Best Activities Optimal Season Atlantic Coast Historic boardwalks & cool surf Swimming, biking, shell collecting June – September Gulf Coast Quartz sands & warm, calm waters Sunbathing, wading, family trips April – October Pacific Coast Sea stacks, cliffs & dramatic fog Photography, hiking, tide-pooling July – September Great Lakes Massive freshwater shorelines Dune climbing, lighthouse walks June – August Hawaiian Islands Volcanic backdrops & coral reefs Snorkeling, surfing, wildlife viewing Year-round Uncle Chester's Essential Beach Packing List
: A family-friendly beach with calm waters, white sand, and a lively boardwalk.
Best for long walks, photography, and misty coastal drives. 3. Clearwater Beach, Florida uncle chester us beaches 20 top
Shading is minimal on this beach, so rent an umbrella at the park kiosk to avoid sunburn. 2. Hanalei Bay — Kauai, Hawaii The Vibe: Emerald mountain backdrops and a historic pier.
A marine life conservation district and underwater park, offering some of the best snorkeling in the world. in-depth review of a specific coastal region, or would you like to know the best time of year to visit these spots? EWAlution 96706 - Facebook Take the park shuttle from the Little Creek
In the end, Uncle Chester’s top 20 beaches are not a ranking of opulence, but a roadmap of democracy. They are places where a family of four can spend a week without a second mortgage. They are stretches of shore where the primary entertainment is the horizon, and the primary activity is remembering how to do nothing at all.
These beaches are just as stunning and offer a diverse range of experiences for every type of beachgoer. (Known for 99% quartz sand) Hanauma Bay, HI (Snorkeling in a volcanic cone) Clearwater Beach, FL (Lively, soft white sand) Coopers Beach, NY (Upscale Atlantic escape) Coronado Beach, CA (Historic, wide California beach) Kaanapali Beach, HI (Golden sand with cliff-diving) Grayton Beach State Park, FL (Pristine coastal dune lake) Cannon Beach, OR (Dramatic, mist-covered coastline) Ocracoke Island, NC (Secluded, wild barrier island) Kapalua Bay, HI (Sheltered, calm snorkeling spot) Why These Beaches? Hanalei Bay — Kauai, Hawaii The Vibe: Emerald
Known as the "World’s Luckiest Fishing Village." The water here is a deep emerald green, contrasting with blindingly white sand. It’s a paradise for anglers and snorkelers.
Quaint New England charm. The nearby Marginal Way walking path offers stunning cliffside ocean views. 12. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
The full list from the original SmarterTravel article also includes these additional standout beaches:
As South Carolina’s most popular state park, Hunting Island features a thousands-of-acres marine park complete with a historic lighthouse, dense maritime forests, and boneyard beach traits created by fallen palm trees. Key Takeaways for Travelers Standout Beach Hawaii & West Coast Dramatic scenery, surfing, and active marine life Lanikai Beach, Cannon Beach Gulf Coast & Florida Powdery white quartz sand, warm water, and shelling Siesta Beach, Bowman's Beach East Coast & Mid-Atlantic Historic lighthouses, wild barrier islands, and dunes Cape Lookout, Coast Guard Beach Great Lakes Massive freshwater dunes, clear water, and no salt Sleeping Bear Dunes Quick Tips for a Successful US Beach Road Trip