The 13 American Beaches You Need to Hit This Summer

Huntington Beach, California

Southern California has almost as much coastline as it does Interstate Freeways and people working on screenplays. So choosing just one is tough. But Surf City might offer the most new stuff to see, as it strives to be more than just a great place to catch waves. Granted, this summer will see the annual US Open of Surfing, where the best surfers in the world lead a weeklong party on the sand. Dogs will get into the wave-riding act in September with the Petco Surf City Surf Dog competition. But this year also features the re-invention of Pacific City, a mixed-use space right on PCH that’s boasting one of America’s coolest new food halls at Lot 579, and bringing locals back to the surf alongside the ho-dads.

Surfside, Florida

This little oceanside town north of Miami Beach was until recently the last vestige of “old” Miami Beach. And though Jewish delis, ice cream shops, and art deco structures still line Harding Avenue from 88th to 96th Streets, a wave of new development has made this the coolest new beach in South Florida. A new Four Seasons opened this spring around the historical Surf Club, a Mediterranean-revival villa built in the 1930s by Harvey Firestone. It’s now the centerpiece of the new resort, which along with the new FENDI Chateau have brought an upscale vibe to Surfside. It’s also a huge spot for turtle nesting in the summer, and the city has its own nesting program including a weekly “turtle walk,” plus 13 giant sea turtle sculptures along the beach path. 

Waikiki, Hawaii

In that same Motel 6 study, Hawaii was rated as the state most people aspired to visit, with 14 percent – or over one in eight -- listing the Aloha State as the place they most wanted to visit. And if you haven’t been before, start with the classic at Waikiki. The surf breaks here are easy enough that even a visitor from landlocked America can learn to surf easily, then enjoy sunset cocktails at the iconic Duke’s at the Outrigger. Speaking of Duke’s, this August will bring Duke’s OceanFest, where athletes from across the globe compete in surfing, paddleboarding, and mile swims. And just across Kalakaua Avenue. Maui Brewing has opened up its first Oahu outpost, with Hawaiian beers you won’t find on the mainland. 

Juno Beach, Florida

Florida beaches are fantastic. The main problem with them is you often have to share them with Florida people, who have been known to do some strange things from time to time. The best thing about Juno Beach? You won’t have to deal with too many of them, as this secluded spot on the Treasure Coast is more about nature and turtles than summer-long beach parties. It opened the Loggerhead Marinelife Center where visitors can learn more than they thought humanly possible about sea turtles and other marine life. Then take a stroll on the beach with guides to observe the turtles in “action.” And every second Saturday of the month the 990 foot pie comes alive with live music and kids’ fishing lessons. A tranquil way to enjoy one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Florida. 

Carolina Beach, North Carolina

While Wrightsville Beach gets, right-fully (sorry), much of the hype as the best beach around Wilmington, about 15 miles south of town sits this funky, quirky little beach community on Pleasure Island with a colorful boardwalk. Every Thursday the boardwalk throws a kind of beachside block party with Beachside Blasts, where visitors dance on the planks well into the night. 

Orange Beach, Alabama

While nobody was paying attention, this little slice of the northern Gulf of Mexico became one of the most well-rounded beach destinations in America. It starts with the beach, a turquoise-blue paradise that’s identical to those found in beach-hyped neighbor Florida. Orange Beach also borders Gulf State Park, which just added dozens of miles to biking trails to explore. The city has opened a slew of creative, modern restaurants like Anchor Bar and Big Fish, as well as the Wharf, an entertainment district with a classic surf-side Ferris wheel the annual World Food Championships. This summer, Orange Beach is also America’s best beach and fishing destination, with Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo and Wharf Billfish Grand Championships both coming to town in June.

 

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

This oft-maligned beach community might win the award of “Most Improved Beach Town in America” over the past few years, shedding its redneck bike week image with a new Downtown promenade, and trendy warehouse district called Broadway at the Beach. So if the 60 miles of interrupted coastline isn’t enough of a draw, the events going on in this cleaned-up city definitely make it worth a visit. The East Coast’s largest country music festival kicks off June 8 at the Carolina Country Music Festival, then leads straight into July 4th and its annual boat parade at Murrells Inlet. The summer closes out with one of the biggest barbecue events of the year at the Beach Boogie & BBQ Festival, which also boasts a huge car show and wing contest.

Siesta Key Beach, FL

This beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast once again topped Dr. Beach’s vaunted list of best beaches in the world. And if you haven’t ever been to check it you, summer is the best time to do it. Yes, it’s a little warmer than usual, but summer is also slow season here, and not only will you have far more of this powdered-sugar-on-azure-seas beach to yourself, it’ll be considerably cheaper. It’s a beach that’s quiet and isolated but close enough to St. Petersburg -- one of America’s most underrated drinking cities -- and Clearwater that a day trip is completely doable. But Siesta Key allows you to return to serene silence and small waves, making it the perfect beach vacation for both action and quiet.