502 Best Sights in USA

Possibly the state's finest beach, the 50-acre park has a broad white-sand beach, an Olympic-size outdoor pool with a triple waterslide, an 18-hole miniature-golf course, an arcade, a half-mile-long boardwalk, kiddie rides, food concessions, a nature trail, and a picnic area. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.

Part of the spectacular Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, this 3,600-acre coastal playground is one of the few places in California where you can drive or ride off-highway vehicles on the beach and sand dunes. Hike, ride horses, kiteboard, join a Hummer tour, or rent an ATV or a dune buggy and cruise up the white-sand peaks for spectacular views. At Oso Flaco Lake Nature Area—3 miles west of Highway 1 on Oso Flaco Road—a 1½-mile boardwalk over the lake leads to a platform with views up and down the coast. Leashed dogs are allowed in much of the park except Oso Flaco and Pismo Dunes Natural Reserve. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

The 16 miles of undeveloped shoreline here are often considered some of the best beaches in America. These beaches are among the least visited and most beautiful on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The shelling is amazing, the solitude unparalleled. Four public-access areas are along the highway and easy to spot; just look for large brown-and-white wooden signs. The National Park Service has a mid-island campground ($28/night) with bathrooms, where you can park and sleep just behind the dunes.  There are lifeguards only at the day-use beach ½ mile north of Ocracoke Village in late May through early September. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming.

One of the most sensational beaches in Hawaii, Papohaku is a 3-mile-long strip of white sand—so much so that Honolulu once purchased bargeloads of it to replenish the sand at Waikiki Beach. A shady beach park just inland is the site of the Ka Hula Piko Festival, held each year in May. The park is also a great sunset-facing spot that's perfect for a rustic afternoon barbecue. A park ranger patrols the area periodically.  Swimming is not recommended, except on exceptionally calm summer days, as there's a dangerous undertow. Amenities: showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; walking.

At the southern tip of St. Pete Beach, one of the area's most popular beaches epitomizes Old Florida. It skirts the west end of historic Pass-a-Grille, a charming neighborhood with stylish yet low-key mom-and-pop motels and restaurants. There's a sunset celebration each night at a pavilion/snack shop on the stretch of beach between the ends of 9th and 10th Avenues. On weekends, check out the Art Mart, an open-air market showcasing the work of local artists. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; windsurfing.

More than 3 miles of tranquil and natural beach run along the shoreline of Pawleys Island. The surrounding architecture consists only of beach cottages and low-lying resorts, so it's a peaceful retreat. Lack of crowds allows for bicycling on packed sand, shelling, or napping on a hammock. Note that there aren't any lifeguards. Amenities: parking (limited; on side streets). Best for: surfing; swimming; walking. 

At the tip of the Phippsburg Peninsula, Popham Beach State Park faces the open Atlantic between the mouths of the Kennebec and Morse rivers. At low tide, you can walk several miles of tidal flats and also out to small Fox Island, where you can explore tide pools or fish off the ledges (pay attention to the incoming tide unless you want to swim back). Shifting sand and beach and sea dynamics have led to dramatic erosion here, and, in recent years, the sea has taken a big bite out of the beach. There are picnic tables, plus a bathhouse, showers, and toilets. About a mile from the beach, the road ends at the Civil War–era Fort Popham State Historic Site, an unfinished semicircular granite fort overlooking the sea. The site of the Popham Colony, an early 1600s English settlement, is also nearby. Enjoy beach views and some fresh seafood at nearby Spinney's Restaurant.

Surrounded by shade trees, Pupukea Beach is pounded by surf in the winter months but offers great diving and snorkeling in summer (March through October). Its cavernous lava tubes and tunnels are great for both novice and experienced snorkelers and divers, though you must wear reef shoes at all times since there are a lot of sharp rocks. Sharp rocks also mean that this beach isn't the best for little ones. Some dive-tour companies offer round-trip transportation from Waikiki. Equipment rentals and dining options are nearby. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: diving; snorkeling; swimming.

Part of Malibu's most beautiful coastal area, this beach is made up of three minibeaches—El Pescador, La Piedra, and El Matador—each with the same spectacular view. Scramble down the steps to the rocky coves via steep, steep stairways; all food and water needs to be toted in, as there are no services. Portable toilets at the trailhead are the only restrooms. "El Mat" has a series of caves, Piedra some nifty rock formations, and Pescador a secluded feel, but they're all picturesque and fairly private. Amenities: parking (fee); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; sunsets; surfing; walking; windsurfing.  Keep track of the incoming tide so you don't get trapped between those otherwise scenic boulders.

Stretching almost the entire length of the peninsula, this beach is separated into sections according to and labeled with the nearest cross street. In order to prevent erosion that worsened after Hurricane Sandy, certain sections of the beach are closed on various days, so check the website for details. The adjoining concrete boardwalk becomes a see-and-be-seen bazaar in the height of summer. Bikers, strollers, joggers, and rollerbladers all share space with day-trippers trying to spot their friends on the sand. There are also plenty of eateries and some swimsuit and surf shops for browsing. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; lifeguards (in season). Best for: swimming; walking; surfing; partiers.

The most famous beach lining the Columbia River is right below Crown Point. Three miles of sandy beaches, panoramic cascades, and a large swimming area make this a popular spot for lazing on the sand, picnicking, and hanging out with friends. Naturists appreciate that one of Oregon's two designated nude beaches is at the east end of Rooster Rock, and that it's completely secluded and clearly marked—the area has a bit of a party vibe and is hugely popular with the LGBTQ+ community, but all are welcome. The other section of the park, where nudity is not permitted, is also beautiful and draws a good number of families. Rooster Rock is 9 miles east of Troutdale, accessible only via the interstate.

The northernmost and arguably the most breathtaking of Olympic National Park's Kalaloch area beaches, this wild and windswept swath of shoreline is named for the rosy fragments of garnet that color its sands. From an evergreen-shaded bluff, a short trail winds down to the wave-beaten sands where Cedar Creek meets the ocean, and you may spy sea otters along with bald eagles, oystercatchers, cormorants, and other birdlife. Driftwood separates the woods from the sand—it's a good spot to set up a picnic blanket and watch the sun fall over the pounding surf. Up and down the coast, dramatic sea stacks and rock cairns frame the beach, which is a favorite place for beachcombers, artists, and photographers. Amenities: parking; toilets. Best for: sunset; walking.

At this 290-yard-long pocket beach, hugged by picturesque rocky outcroppings, the combination of crashing waves and chilly water (normal range is 50–60°F) keeps most people on the beach. You'll find some swimmers at the height of summer (no lifeguards), but the rest of the year this is a place for strolling and snapping photos. When the official swimming season (mid-June to early September) ends, more activities are allowed, from fishing and surfing to dog walking and boat launching/landing. The park's largest sandy beach is also a hot spot for stargazing: check the park website for summertime ranger-led Night Sky Talks. From May to October, parking at Sand Beach requires the purchase of a park entrance pass, but there are no additional parking fees, and there are toilets.

Of Bahia Honda State Park's three beaches, which also include Calusa and Loggerhead, Sandspur is the largest. It's also regularly declared the best beach in the Florida Keys, and you'll be hard pressed to argue. The sand is baby-powder soft, and the aqua water is warm, clear, and shallow. Mild currents here and at the other beaches make them great for swimming, even with small fry. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Sandstone bluffs tower above this popular beach, whose long fishing pier was, unfortunately, demolished in 2023 following devastating winter storm damage. The 1.5-mile walk north to adjacent New Brighton State Beach in Capitola is one of the nicest on the bay. Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

The 1,000-acre park, which runs from the tip of Orchid Island across the passage to the barrier island just north, is one of the Florida park system's biggest draws, especially because of the inlet's highly productive fishing waters. Views from either side of the tall bridge are spectacular, and a unique hallmark is that the gates never close—an amazing feature for die-hard anglers who know snook bite better at night. Two jetties are usually packed with fishers and spectators alike. The park has two entrances, the entrance in Vero Beach and the main entrance in Melbourne ( 9700 Rte. A1A).

Within the park's grounds, you'll discover a wonderful two-story restaurant that overlooks the ocean, a fish and surfing shop, two museums, guided sea turtle walks in season, 51 campsites with water and electricity, and a marina with powerboat, kayak, and canoe rentals. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; sunset; surfing; walking.

Although it takes some effort to get to, and it can get quite crowded during the peak summer months, this spectacular crescent of beach strewn with massive boulders and otherworldly rock formations is well worth the trek, so allow yourself a full day to experience it. The trailhead and northern section of the beach are on the Makah Reservation, and the hike in is via a scenic 2-mile rainforest trail. Once you're at the beach, it's another 2½-mile trek along the sand to reach Shi Shi's most alluring feature, the Point of Arches—a mile-long wonderland of dramatic sea stacks that look especially cool against the backdrop of the crashing surf and setting sun. The lower end of the beach and Point of Arches are within Olympic National Park. A Makah Recreation Pass (good for one year) is required for parking. To camp on the beach, you need a permit, and reservations must be obtained from the national park's Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles ( 360/565–3100  www.nps.gov/olym). Amenities: parking (fee). Best for: sunset, walking.

This wide beach has nearly 1 mile of nice white sand, plus beautiful coconut palms, picnic areas, and volleyball courts, all of which make it popular with the spring-break crowd. Trucks along the road rent rafts, windsurfers, and other beach "toys." Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers.

One of the best beaches in the Keys has shaded picnic areas overlooking a coconut palm–lined grassy stretch and the Atlantic. Roped-off areas allow swimmers, boaters, and windsurfers to share the narrow cove. Facilities include grills, a large playground, a pier, a volleyball court, and a paved, lighted bike path off the Overseas Highway. Sunday afternoons draw lots of local families toting coolers. The park is accessible for those with disabilities and allows leashed pets. Turn east at the traffic light in Marathon and follow signs to the end; parking is payable at a kiosk with credit card only. Amenities: showers; toilets; parking (paid). Best for: swimming; windsurfing.

The park's gorgeous sandy coves stretch for 17 miles from Bodega Head to 4 miles north of Jenner. Bodega Head is a popular whale-watching perch in winter and spring, and Rock Point, Duncan's Landing, and Wright's Beach, at about the halfway mark, have good picnic areas. Calmer Shell Beach, farther north, is good for beachcombing, tide-pooling, and fishing. Walk part of the bluff-top Kortum Trail or drive about 2½ miles north of Shell Beach to Blind Beach. You'll find harbor seals near the mouth of the Russian River at Goat Rock Beach; pupping season is from March through August. Bring binoculars and walk north from the parking lot to view the seals. Lifeguards are on duty at some beaches during summer, but strong rip currents and heavy surf keep most visitors onshore.  Heed warning signs about dangerous waves.

Hugging the turquoise waters along Ocean Drive from 5th to 15th Streets, this is one of the most popular beaches in America, known for its colorful lifeguard towers and social sunbathers. With the influx of luxe hotels and hot spots from 1st to 5th and 16th to 25th Streets, the stand-and-pose scene is now bigger than ever, stretching yet another dozen-plus blocks. The white sandy stretch fills up quickly on the weekends with a blend of European tourists, young hipsters, and sun-drenched locals. Separating the shore from the traffic of Ocean Drive is palm-fringed Lummus Park, with its volleyball nets and winding bike path. There are access points every few streets, including 14th Street, 12th Street, and so on. Locals hang out on the 3rd Street beach, in an area called SoFi (South of Fifth). Dogs are not allowed on the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; sunrise; swimming; walking.

At the southeastern tip of Panama City Beach, the hotels, condos, and traffic taper off, and a pristine, 1,260-acre park appears, offering a peek at what the entire beach area was like before development arrived. Although swimming is a very popular activity here, the waters around the park also are ideal for fishing, snorkeling, paddling, and surfing. A rock jetty creates a calm, shallow play area that's perfect for young children, and you can hike clearly marked nature trails. You'll also find camping facilities (including glamping tents), a snack bar, and rental concessions. In high season, board a ferry to Shell Island, a 700-acre barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico with still more stretches of pristine beach, as well as piney woods that attract butterflies and migrating birds. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; sunset; walking.

If you crave pristine dunes, charming beach paths, miles (2½ to be exact) of oceanfront beaches, and an expansive, wild maritime forest, Sullivan's Island is calling. The only downside? There are no beachside amenities like public toilets and showers, formal parking, and rentals. There are, however, a number of good small restaurants on Middle Street, the island's main drag. Approximately 30 public-access paths lead to the beach; three of these are wheelchair accessible; the town also loans out beach wheelchairs. "Sully's" is a delightful island with plenty to see, including the Fort Moultrie National Monument. Regarding parking and directions: note that neighborhood blocks are referred to as "stations" here. Station 28.5 is a primary kitesurfing destination and can be busy on windy days; lessons are available from Sealand Adventure Sports. Amenities: none. Best for: sunrise; sunset; walking; windsurfing.

A peninsula that's technically part of Treasure Island, this 2-mile-long outcrop is one of Tampa Bay's best-kept secrets. The northern end has a mixed crowd—from bikers to spring breakers—the middle portion is good for families (there's a pavilion and playground at around 78th and West Gulf Boulevard), and the southern tip attracts the LGBTQ+ crowd. Surfers hit up Sunset Beach on the rare occasion that the Gulf has swells. Once you turn onto West Gulf, you can find multiple paid parking lots. There are several pay lots starting to your right just south of 82nd Avenue. If you opt to take advantage of the neighborhood's abundant side-street parking, make sure you park legally—it's all too easy to unwittingly get a ticket here. Amenities: parking; toilets. Best for: partiers; solitude; sunset.

The beach is broad, the sand is soft, the summer waves are gentle—making for good snorkeling—and the winter surf is crashing. Many love searching this shore for the puka shells that adorn the necklaces you see everywhere. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; surfing.

Surfside Beach, accessible via the Surfside Bike Path (3 miles) or by shuttle bus, is the island's most popular surf beach. This wide strand of sand comes fully equipped with conveniences. It draws teens and young adults as well as families and is great for kite flying and, after 5 pm, surf casting. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

A few miles south of Fernandina Beach, the Talbot Islands State Parks system consists of seven parks, three of which have beach settings. All the oceanfront parks have picnic areas and a small admission charge but free parking. Little Talbot is popular for swimming and beachcombing; however, swimming is restricted on parts of the beach because of swift currents. Sand dollars are often found at the far north end. Big Talbot, with its Boneyard Beach of wind-twisted trees, is not recommended for swimming but is a photographer's paradise. Amelia Island State Park is best known for letting you horseback ride on the beach as well as for the adjacent George Crady fishing pier. Kayak and canoe tours can be booked through the parks system's vendor, Kayak Amelia. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunrise; swimming; walking.

With sandstone cliffs and hiking trails adjacent to the beach rather than urban development, Torrey Pines State Beach feels far away from the SoCal sprawl. The beach and reserve encompass 1,500 acres of sandstone cliffs and deep ravines, and a network of meandering trails lead to the wide, pristine beach below. Along the way enjoy the rare Torrey pine trees, found only here and on Santa Rosa Island, offshore. Guides conduct free tours of the nature preserve Friday through Sunday and holidays. Torrey Pines tends to get crowded in summer, but you'll find more isolated spots heading south under the cliffs leading to Black's Beach. Smooth rocks often wash up on stretches of the beach making it a challenge, at times, to go barefoot. If you can find a patch that is clear of debris, you'll encounter the nice soft, golden sand San Diego is known for. There is a paid parking lot at the entrance to the park but also look for free angle parking along North Torrey Pines Road. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

One of the most beautiful beaches on Oahu, Waimanalo is a local pick, busy with picnicking families and active sports fields. Expect a wide stretch of sand; turquoise, emerald, and deep-blue water; and gentle shore-breaking waves that are fun for all ages. Theft is an occasional problem, so lock your car. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.