lisa

"US Please": Yes, St. Thomas is located in the U.S. Virgin Islands -- so are the islands of St. John and St. Croix.

Meow

MEOW! MEOW LISA!!! Mexico is definitely not in the US and the author was referring to beaches in the Continental US which disqualifies the Virgin Islands. Please don't be so catty honey!

lisa

I wasn't being "catty," just correcting the previous poster's mistaken assertion by pointing out that St. Thomas is, in fact, in the U.S. (sometimes we Americans are a bit weak on geography, that's all, no big deal, certainly didn't mean to offend). And by the way, the original question reads, "Where would you find the best beaches in the U.S.?" It doesn't restrict it to the continental U.S., and others have mentioned Hawaii and Alaska, which aren't in the continental U.S. either, but are certainly in the U.S. -- so if someone's favorite beach is in St. Thomas, why do you care so much about ruling it out of bounds, when clearly it meets the requirements of the original post? (And even if it didn't, who cares?)
But you're right, Mexico is definitely not part of the U.S. I never said it was. Although if someone's favorite beach is there, I don't actually mind them telling me so.

NadeneCros

You are so right, I was mistaken, of course Mexico is NOT in the US. I did not answer the question correctly. Perhaps a public flogging is in order?

Brett

Just found this on the City of Miami Beach Website:

For the second year in a row, Miami Beach’s beach has been named Top Urban Beach. South Beach was named as America’s Top Urban Beach according to a nationwide environmental study conducted by the Surfrider Foundation; an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the world’s coastal resources. Last year, The Travel Channel selected South Beach as one of the top 10 beaches in the world - the only beach in the continental United States to be honored with this recognition.

"It’s the hottest beach in the country for activities and offers some of the best swimming on the mainland," said Dr. Stephen Leatherman (a.k.a. Dr. Beach), the foremost expert on beaches and the director of the International Hurricane Center at Florida International University.

Other beaches to make the Top 10 list are: Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii, Panama City Beach, Florida, East Beach, Santa Barbara, California, Newport Beach, California, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, South Padre Island, Texas, Cape May, New Jersey, Main Beach, Santa Cruz, California, and Seaside Beach, Oregon.

Meg

There was an article in our Sunday paper, (The Times-Picayune, New Orleans) about the best beaches named by Dr. Leatherman, the self-proclaimed "Dr. Beach." The feature story was on St. Joseph Peninsula State Park in Florida (150 miles east of Pensacola) which is number two behind Kaunaoa Beach in Hawaii. Perdido Key (on the AL/FL line) was named 14th best beach. Grayton Beach, FL was the winner in 1994. I haven't been to any of these places but will be in the vicinity of Grayton and the state park in a few weeks in Seagrove. In the past, I have enjoyed Navarre which is between Pensacola and Destin - no miniature golf courses, no amusement parks, - just great beach.

jen

I would have to say that the best would be Destin, FL to Panama City----tied with Newport and Cannon Beach Oregon. Oregon is quiet and magical, no matter what weather...

Mikki

Canaveral National Seashore(just north of Cape Canaveral in FL) is gorgeous...all natural, nothing commercial, beautiful dunes, etc.

I also have to vote for Captiva on the Gulf coast of FL.

Irene

I live in Florida, and Sanibel/Captiva, the Panhandle etc. are good. BUT, I've got to go along with the votes for St. John, V.I. Gorgeous!

bob

I have been to over 200 beaches in the U.S. and over 50 off the mainland but the only religious experience I have had was in MAUI...see it once before you die....

Sara

I'm a bit prejudiced, having spent every summer of my youth on the panhandle of Florida, which kind of spoiled me for most other beaches. The sugar-white sand, torquoise blue water, dunes,surf, and warmth of the gulf are hard to beat. That said, my next favorite beach is in New England - Crane Beach, on the North Shore of Massachusetts. The water is pretty cold for swimming, except for a very hot day in mid to late summer, but the scenery is spectacular, and you can walk for miles. I love Cape Ann and the entire North Shore; Plum Island, Wingaersheek Beach, Good Harbor Beach (now, that's cold water for you!) - all are lovely and different.

kalena

One that has special significance for me is Hookena, on the Big Island. When I was nine months pregnant and fairly buoyant, I, along with my also-pregnant and buoyant sister-in-law swam out slightly off shore. Within a few short minutes we were enveloped by a school of about twenty dolphins. I am convinced they knew there was something special about us, since they swam underneath us repeatedly, cheeping loudly, but never got quite close enough for us to be able to touch them. It was awsome! When we returned back to shore and told our family, the pod swam off, and they happily arched off into the horizon. It's never happened again, and I'll always treasure the memory!

Claire

I would say that Clearwater Beach in Florida, about 2 hours from Orlando, is one of the best.

kam

I'm not a beach person, but Sanibel Is. FL and the Mauna Kea on the Big Island come the closest to being where I want to spend time.

LHP

I have to vote for Ke'e Beach in Kauai's North Shore. Nothing can beat the beautiful vista of green moutains, blue sky and beautiful Pacific Ocean. The water is warm and calm (in the morning) - great for snorkeling and swimming. Love the soft white sand. It is a great place to be...

Lisa

My vote is for Pacific or Mission Bch in San Diego but now I have to visit Hawaii and Destin, FL to make a final decision! Also discovery.com under the Travel Channel section had a list of best beaches in the U.S. and a list for the world.

Dick

The nude beach at Black Beach, California is the best. Great place for eye-balling trim.

Snidley Whiplash

I just want to go there and masterbate to the trim !!!

tg

No doubt about it. Lake Michigan beaches in Michigan.

AAAA

No wonder the USA still retains its death penalty - perverts like those who infiltrate genuine websites and abuse the internet system, get back to the websites that cater for greaseballs like yourselves. There are places for people like you and they ain't on this planet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!