502 Best Sights in USA

This is a great beach to sit and people-watch as diving and fishing boats, kayakers, and canoe paddlers head out to sea. Shore and throw-net fishermen frequent this harbor as well. It's not a particularly large harbor, so it retains a quaint sense of charm, unlike Nawiliwili Harbor or Port Allen. The lawn is a good picnic and ball-tossing spot, and the bay is a nice protected area for limited swimming, but with all the boat traffic kicking up sand and clouding the water, it's not good for snorkeling. Outside the breakwater, there is a decent surf spot. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: picnics; sunset; swimming.

This is one of San Diego's most popular beaches due to its wide sandy shore, gentle waves, and incredible views of La Jolla Peninsula. There's also a large grassy park, and adjacent to La Jolla Shores lies the San Diego--La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, 6,000 acres of protected ocean bottom and tidelands, bordered by the Seven La Jolla Sea Caves. The white powdery sand at La Jolla Sands is some of San Diego's best, and several surf and scuba schools teach here. Kayaks can also be rented nearby. A concrete boardwalk parallels the beach, and a boat launch for small vessels lies 300 yards south of the lifeguard station at Avenida de Playa. Arrive early to get a parking spot in the lot near Kellogg Park at the foot of Calle Frescota. Street parking is limited to one or two hours. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

At the mouth of Quileute River, La Push is the tribal center of the Quileute people. In fact, the town's name is a variation on the French la bouche, which means "the mouth." Offshore rock spires known as sea stacks dot the coast here, and you may catch a glimpse of bald eagles nesting in the nearby cliffs.

Towering coconut trees provide some shade and lend a touch of tropical beauty to this pretty little beach park, which may well be the Big Island's most intriguing stretch of sand. A migratory beach of sorts, it can disappear when strong surf washes away the small white-sand parcel (hence the name "Magic Sands"). Then suddenly, all the sand can reappear within days. You'll know you've found it when you see the body and board surfers. It's often quite crowded, no matter what time of year. Large shore breaks here can be dangerous, so always listen to lifeguard instruction. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing.

Protecting much of the lake's eastern shore from development, this park consists of several sections that stretch from Incline Village to Zephyr Cove. Beaches and trails provide access to a wilder side of the lake, whether you're into cross-country skiing, hiking, or just relaxing at a picnic. With a gently sloping beach for lounging, crystal clear water for swimming and snorkeling, and a picnic area shaded by cedars and pines, Sand Harbor Beach sometimes reaches capacity by 11 am on summer weekends. A handicap-accessible nature trail has interpretive signs and beautiful lake views. Pets are not allowed on the beach from mid-April through mid-October. Parking is $10 for cars with Nevada plates, $15 for out-of-state cars. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming; walking.

Swimmers have access to the warm, relatively shallow, brackish Lake Tashmoo from this beach—or cooler, gentler Vineyard Sound. It's a favorite spot for surf casters. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming.

Lake View Beach features picnic shelters with charcoal grills. The beach earns its name from the expansive views of Lake Michigan. Amenities: parking (entrance pass required); toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

This public beach bustles with beachgoers of all ages thanks to the prolific family offerings. The waterfront retail promenade—the old-fashioned nongambling Lake Worth "casino"—has a Mulligan's Beach House Bar & Grill, a T-shirt store, a pizzeria, and a Kilwin's ice cream shop. The beach also has a municipal Olympic-size public swimming pool, a playground, and a fishing pier—not to mention the pier's wildly popular daytime eatery, Benny's on the Beach (open for dinner weekends in season). Tideline Ocean Resort and Four Seasons guests are steps away from the action; Eau Palm Beach guests are a short bike ride away. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming.

The Panhandle is home to the Florida District of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the longest tract of protected seashore in the United States. At the Fort Pickens area of the park and on the Gulf-side tip of Santa Rosa Island, this beach is one of the top spots to experience the unspoiled beauty and snow-white sands for which this area is known. Keep an eye out for wildlife of the flying variety; the Fort Pickens area is known for its nesting shorebirds. A large covered pavilion is great for picnicking and a few minutes of shade. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; sunrise; sunset; walking.

The long wide fringing reef is this beach's trademark. The waters near shore are generally too shallow for swimming; if you go in, wear a rash guard to protect against prickly sea urchins and sharp coral on the bottom. This area is known for its tricky currents, especially during periods of high surf, and has been the site of numerous drownings. It can be dangerous to snorkel here. There's some nudity at the western end. Accessing this long strand of coarse white sand requires hiking down a steep rocky trail that is slippery when wet. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; sunrise; walking.

This small, rarely crowded beach, the southernmost in Malibu, is known for its groins (metal gates constructed in 1929 to protect against erosion) and has good swimming, diving, and fishing conditions and a rocky coastline that wraps elegantly around Pacific Coast Highway. Watch out for high tides and parking along PCH. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards. Best for: solitude; swimming.

On the very edge of Ventura County, this narrow beach is better for exploring than for sunning or swimming (watch that strong undertow!). If you do plan to swim, stay north of lifeguard towers 2, 4, and 5, but be sure to ask lifeguards about water conditions when you arrive. On your own or with a ranger, venture down at low tide to examine the tide pools among the rocks. Sequit Point, a promontory dividing the northwest and southeast halves of the beach, creates secret coves, sea tunnels, and boulders on which you can perch and fish. Generally, anglers stick to the northwest end of the beach; experienced surfers brave the rocks to the southeast. Campgrounds are set back from the beach; campsites must be reserved well in advance. Amenities: parking; lifeguards (seasonally); toilets; showers. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

This beach is guarded by the frequently photographed Sanibel Lighthouse, built in 1884, before the island was settled. (Although it's not currently open to the public, there's talk of refurbishing the lighthouse so visitors can climb to the top.) The surrounding park curves around the island's eastern tip, so there's waterfront on both the Gulf and the bay, where a fishing pier draws avid anglers, and shaded nature trails connect the two shores. The park is listed on the Great Florida Birding Trail because of its fall and spring migration fallouts. Amenities: parking (fee); toilets. Best for: sunrise; walking; windsurfing.

What is sometimes called “the Oceanside Beach” offers an excellent view of Henry Flagler’s old railroad bridge. A small rock island not far from shore is easy enough to kayak around (rentals are available elsewhere in Bahia Honda State Park), and there are plenty of snorkeling opportunities in the clear waters. This beach doesn't have  picnic pavilions, and its comparative lack of amenities makes it less crowded and more rustic than other park beaches. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

Just as its name implies, this soft-sand beach that is half in Rockport, half in Gloucester is long, and it's also broad. It draws crowds from the houses that border it, particularly on weekends. Pay attention to the tide schedule, or you may find there's no beach to sit on. Cape Ann Motor Inn is nearby. Parking is very limited. Don't even think of parking on neighborhood streets if you don't have a town parking sticker—you will be towed. However, there is a lot on the Gloucester side. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming; walking.

In the peak of summer, each day sees thousands of visitors along this swath of white sand, which stretches for more than a mile. They come to sunbathe, surf (in designated areas), play volleyball, and explore tide pools. You can rent umbrellas and rafts here, but you'll have to walk to nearby restaurants for a bite to eat. Dogs are allowed (however, between late May and late September, only before 8 am and after 6:30 pm). Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (fee); toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

The site of an ancient fishpond, this remote white-sand beach offers majestic views of West Maui and Kahoolawe and is a great place for a picnic. The channel's current is far too strong for swimming. Although you'll see surfers in the waters here, this spot tests the mettle of even the sport's most experienced practitioners. To get here, take Highway 440 to its eastern terminus, turn right onto a dirt road, and continue south for 7 miles. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunrise; walking.

Named in honor of the first Native Hawaiian schoolteacher, this beach is on the western bank of the Waimea River. It is also where Captain James Cook first came ashore in the Hawaiian Islands in 1778. If that's not interesting enough, the sand here is not the white powdery kind you see along the South Shore. It's a salt-and-pepper combination of pulverized black lava rock and lighter-color reef. Unfortunately, the intrigue of the beach doesn't extend to the waters, which are reddish and murky (thanks to river runoff) and choppy (thanks to an onshore break). Don't swim here after heavy rains. Instead, watch the local outrigger canoe club head out or stroll the Waimea State Recreational Pier, from which fishers drop their lines, about 100 yards west of the river mouth. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; walking.

Famous as the beach where Nurse Nellie washed that man right out of her hair in South Pacific, Lumahai is picturesque, with a river and ironwood grove on the western end and stands of hala (pandanus) trees and black lava rock on the eastern side. In between is a long stretch of olivine-flecked sand that can be wide or narrow, depending on the surf. The beach can be accessed in two places from the highway; one involves a steep hike from the road. Avoid swimming and water activities here—the ocean can be dangerous, with a snapping shore break year-round and monster swells in the winter; in addition, the current can be strong near the river. Parking is very limited, along the road or in a rough dirt lot near the river. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.

This is by far the best family beach park on Kauai: the waters off the beach are protected by a hand-built breakwater, creating two boulder-enclosed saltwater ponds for safe swimming and snorkeling most of the year. Heavy rains upriver do occasionally deposit driftwood and clog the ponds, and strong trade winds can cause waves to wash over. The smaller of the two ponds is perfect for keiki. Behind the beach is Kamalani Playground; children of all ages—that includes you—enjoy the swings, lava-tube slides, tree house, and open field. Picnic tables abound in the park, and pavilions for day use and overnight camping are available by permit. The Kamalani Kai Bridge is a second playground, south of the original. (The two are united by the Ke Ala Hele Makalae bike and pedestrian coastal path.) This park system is perennially popular; the quietest times to visit are early mornings and weekdays. Amenities: lifeguards; pavilions; camping; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; sunrise; swimming; walking.

Known to locals as "Mad Beach," this lively barrier island town occupies the southern tip of Shell Key. The beachfront consists of a long stretch of soft, shell-strewn sand, and it's often crowded with families as well as clusters of twentysomethings. You can here via numerous public access points, but your best bet is to park at the municipal beach parking lot and head to the sand from there. It's easily accessible from Treasure Island, northern St. Petersburg, and Clearwater Beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.

In the late 19th century, Madison Park, east of Capitol Hill on the shores of Lake Washington, was the most popular beach in the city, with a promenade, floating bandstands, gambling halls, and ship piers. Now it's a lakefront park with sloping lawns, a swimming area, playgrounds, and tennis courts. The whole area is usually bustling with activity—there are a number of upscale coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques nearby. As the closest beach to densely populated Capitol Hill, it serves a wide audience. The beach has picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and lifeguards on duty in summer, and there's a playground across the street. From Downtown, go east on Madison Street; it'll take you straight down to the lake.

Several beach parks and green spaces front the lake along Lake Washington Boulevard; Madrona Park is one of the largest. Lifeguards are on duty in the summer, and young swimmers have their own roped-in area, while teens and adults can swim out to a floating raft with a diving board. The trail along the shore is a great jogging spot. Grassy areas encourage picnicking; there are grills, picnic tables, phones, restrooms, and showers. From Downtown, go east on Yesler Way about two miles to 32nd Avenue. Turn left onto Lake Dell Avenue and then right; go to Lake Washington Boulevard and take a left.

Snorkelers and divers often make exciting discoveries in the clear waters of this park, now a swimming hole and an underwater museum of sorts. Amazingly, it's also home to a dormant, submerged shield volcano of the same name with a summit of 9,500 feet, showcasing just how deep it gets right offshore. Long ago, when sugar was the economic staple of Kohala, this harbor was busy with boats waiting to make overseas shipments. Now remnants of shipping machinery, train wheels and parts, and what looks like an old boat are easily visible in the clear water. There's no actual beach here, but a ladder off the old dock makes getting in the water easy. Venture out only on tranquil days, though, when the water is calm; conditions can get windy and the ocean choppy.

A popular place with locals, Mahukona is busy on weekends. A camping area on the south side of the park has picnic tables and an old covered pavilion. A trail also leads to nearby Lapakahi State Park, about a ½-mile hike. Amenities: showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Of all Fernandina Beach beach access points, this is likely to be the most crowded—but it's also the most fun for kids and teens. Not only are there shaded playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, a beachfront playground, picnic tables, and a multipurpose court at the park itself, but there's old-school fun to be had at the adjacent skate park and vintage miniature-golf course, whose concession stand sells cold drinks, ice cream, and snow cones. A casual restaurant and bar are right on the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

This beach provides a slice of local life that most visitors don't see. Families string up tarps for the day, fire up hibachis, set up lawn chairs, get out the fishing gear, and strum ukulele while they "talk story" (chat). Legendary waterman Buffalo Keaulana can be found in the shade of the palms playing with his grandkids and spinning yarns of yesteryear. In these waters, Buffalo not only invented some of the most outrageous methods of surfing, but also raised his world-champion son, Rusty. He also made Makaha the home of the world's first international surf meet in 1954, and it still hosts his Big Board Surfing Classic. With its long, slow-building waves, the beach is a great spot to try out longboarding. The swimming is generally decent in summer, but avoid the big winter waves. The only parking is along the highway, but it's free. Amenities: lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming.

The big attraction here is tiny Goat Island, a bird sanctuary just offshore. At low tide the water is shallow enough—never more than waist-high—for you to wade out to it. Wear sneakers or aqua socks so you don't cut yourself on the coral. The beach itself is fairly narrow but long enough for a 20-minute stroll, one-way. The waves are never too big, and sometimes they're just right for novice bodysurfers. The entrance gates, which close at 7:45 pm in summer and 6:45 pm the rest of the year, are easy to miss, and you can't see the beach from the road. It's a great rural getaway: families love to camp in the groves of ironwood trees at Malaekahana State Park, and there are also cabins here, though they are undergoing renovation as of fall 2023, which may last a year. Unfortunately, theft is an increasingly serious issue here, so be aware of your surroundings and do not leave any personal property unattended. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking. 

Bird-watchers, take note: in this 5-acre marshy area near Malibu Beach Inn you can spot egrets, blue herons, avocets, and gulls. (You need to stay on the boardwalks so as not to disturb their habitats.) The path leads out to a rocky stretch of Surfrider Beach and makes for a pleasant stroll. The sand is soft, clean, and white, and you're also likely to spot a variety of marine life. The lagoon is particularly enjoyable in the early morning and at sunset—and even more so now, thanks to a restoration effort that improved the lagoon's scent. The parking lot has limited hours, but street-side parking is usually available at off-peak times. The on-site Malibu Lagoon Museum reveals local history. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; walking.

Steady 3- to 5-foot waves make this beach, just west of Malibu Pier, a surfing paradise. (So much so that it's been declared the world's first surfing reserve.) Water runoff from Malibu Canyon forms a natural lagoon that's a sanctuary for 250 species of birds. Bird-watch, play volleyball, or take a walk on one of the nature trails, which are perfect for romantic sunset strolls. Guided tours of the surrounding wetlands are available seasonally. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; windsurfing.

Consisting of both Gulf and Intracoastal Waterway frontage, this beach is best reached on foot from Caspersen Beach. By road, it's a lot less direct. Features include a boardwalk, boat launch, and picnic shelters. Amenities: showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.