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There are a lot of people who are curious about the best beaches in the United States. First, understand that the United States has one of the largest coastlines in the world. It is a unique country in that it has beaches on two separate oceans. This includes the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. As a result, there are tons of states in the country that have plenty of coastline, but what are the best beaches available? There are several options that stand out from the crowd.
California is synonymous with beaches. Even though it sits on the colder Pacific Ocean, there are still plenty of great options from which to choose. While there is plenty of opportunity to debate this issue, the best beach in California could be La Jolla Shores. It is located in San Diego, and there are plenty of activities available. Some people are interested in playing beach soccer, while other people might be interested in playing beach volleyball. There are even people who try their hand at surfing. Because there are so many activities available, and because there is plenty of space to spread out, La Jolla Shores could be the best beach in California.
Florida is called the Sunshine State for a reason. It has plenty of beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and on the Gulf Coast. Even though it is difficult to beat the tropics of the Florida Keys, there are a lot of people who overlook Cape San Blas. It is not necessarily as developed as some of the other beaches, such as Panama City, but that means that you have plenty of opportunities to spread out. It is also a barrier peninsula, so you will have plenty of opportunities to go snorkeling and scuba diving. If you are looking for a beach that will give you more opportunities to relax, you might want to consider checking out Cape San Blas.
South Carolina is another state that is synonymous with beaches. With plenty of warm water available, there are lots of opportunities to go sunbathing and scuba diving. There is plenty of room for debate, but Hilton Head Island is arguably the best beach in South Carolina. It is also one of the best beaches in the country. From the Harbour Town Lighthouse to the Salty Dog Cafe, and from the luxury of the shipyard to the rural areas of the docks, this is an island that has something for just about everyone. With lots of delicious food, plenty of sunshine, and an endless array of activities for people of all ages, it is easy to see why people come from all over the world to visit Hilton Head Island. It is a gorgeous place to explore throughout the year, and there are plenty of opportunities for people to take advantage of.
State | Total # of Beaches | Total Beach Length (Mi) | Best Beach Name | Best Beach Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
Washington | 1,228 | 1053.6 | Alki Beach | Seattle |
Michigan | 598 | 469.2 | Cheboygan State Park Beach | Cheboygan |
Massachusetts | 576 | 152.8 | Crane Beach | Ipswich |
Florida | 575 | 909.2 | Destin Beach | Destin |
New Jersey | 454 | 196.8 | Cape May Beach | Cape May |
Hawaii | 406 | 289.3 | Kaanapali Beach | Maui |
New York | 354 | 122.8 | Jacob Riis Beach | Jacob Riis Park |
California | 252 | 327.5 | Pfeiffer Beach | Big Sur |
North Carolina | 216 | 335.9 | Emerald Isle Beach | Emerald Isle |
Alaska | 208 | 316.5 | Black Sand Beach | Prince William Sound |
Wisconsin | 195 | 53.7 | Big Bay Beach | Madeline Island |
Texas | 168 | 331.9 | Port Aransas Beach | Port Aransas |
Maine | 105 | 40.4 | Ogunquit Beach | Ogunquit |
Oregon | 89 | 224 | Cannon Beach | Cannon Beach |
Rhode Island | 82 | 28.1 | Narragansett Town Beach | Narragansett |
Minnesota | 81 | 58.6 | Lake Carlos Beach | Lake Carlos State Park |
Ohio | 79 | 45.8 | Headlands Beach | Mentor |
Connecticut | 73 | 15.4 | Ocean Beach Park | New London |
Maryland | 65 | 20.1 | Assateague Island Beach | Ocean City |
Illinois | 57 | 16.7 | Illinois Beach State Park | Zion |
Virginia | 47 | 36.6 | Virginia Beach | Virginia |
Georgia | 38 | 84.5 | North Beach | Tybee Island |
Indiana | 26 | 26.6 | Indiana Dunes | Indiana Dunes National Park |
Alabama | 24 | 28.3 | Gulf Place | Gulf Shores |
Delaware | 24 | 24 | Fenwick Island | Fenwick Island State Park |
Louisiana | 24 | 21.9 | Grand Isle Beach | Grand Isle State Park |
Mississippi | 21 | 34.5 | Gulfport Beach | Gulfport |
South Carolina | 21 | 91 | Kiawah Island Beaches | Kiawah Island |
New Hampshire | 16 | 8.8 | Hampton Beach | Hampton |
Pennsylvania | 13 | 3.1 | Black Moshannon State Park Beach | Black Moshannon State Park |
Arizona | Lone Rock Beach | Lake Powell | ||
Arkansas | Lake Ouachita Beach | Mountain Pine | ||
Colorado | Medano Creek | Great Sand Dunes National Park | ||
Idaho | Cascade Lake | Lake Cascade State Park | ||
Iowa | Emerson Bay State Beach | Milford | ||
Kansas | Glen Elder State Park Beach | Glen Elder | ||
Kentucky | Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Beach | Dawson Springs | ||
Missouri | Fugitive Beach | Rolla | ||
Montana | Brush Lake State Park Beach | Dagmar | ||
Nebraska | Lake McConaughy Beach | Ogallala | ||
Nevada | Sand Harbor Beach | Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park | ||
New Mexico | Elephant Butte Beach | Elephant Butte Lake State Park | ||
North Dakota | Lake Metigoshe Beach | Lake Metigoshe State Park | ||
Oklahoma | Tom Steed Reservoir Beach | Kiowa County | ||
South Dakota | Sylvan Lake Beach | Custer | ||
Tennessee | Rock Island State Park Beach | Rock Island State Park | ||
Utah | Sand Hollow State Park Beach | Sand Hollow State Park | ||
Vermont | Sand Bar State Park | Milton | ||
West Virginia | Summersville Lake beach | Summersville Lake | ||
Wyoming | String Lake Beach | Grand Teton National Park |
The state with the most beaches is Washington, with 1,228 beaches.