Discover Your City

Summer is fast approaching and with it comes all the excitement and sunny escapes of the season. Many people are starting to plan their first beach trip of the year. But it can be hard to choose the best beach to visit in the US.

From the soft white sands of Florida to the black volcanic shores of Hawaii, the U.S. has over 95,000 miles of coastline. This incredible variety of beaches makes it difficult to choose the perfect summer destination, so we’ve created this list of interesting, picturesque locations to help you out. Here are our picks for the 5 best beaches to visit this year:

La Jolla Beach & Cove, California

This rocky stretch of the California coastline, just outside of San Francisco, is a perfect spot for any type of beach lover. Swimmers and sunbathers can relax along the sandy shore, where lifeguards patrol all year. The gentle waves that come in from the Pacific are great for improving your surfing skills. There are also many great hiking trails around the coastal cliffs where you can work up a sweat before cooling off in the ocean.

The marine life found at La Jolla Beach and Cove also enjoys resting in the sun-soaked shallows as the surface level heats up. Most visitors delight in spotting harbor seals and sea lions playing in the rocky cove. Those who venture into the water to snorkel will be rewarded with a memorable view of the leopard sharks or if you’re really lucky, a dolphin. The delightful blend of idyllic shores and adorable wildlife makes this La Jolla paradise one of the best beaches to visit this year.

Punalu’u Beach, Hawaii

The breathtaking black sand of Hawaii’s Punalu’u Beach was formed by lava rapidly cooling when it reached the ocean through underwater vents. Most travelers come to this remarkable beach to see the dark sand and to witness the water’s swirling colors. The oil-spill effect, which comes out in the right light, is created by the mixing of the Pacific ocean with the constant stream of fresh spring water which empties out near the beach. This means that the water temperatures are low, but that becomes a pleasant relief when the black sand starts baking under the summer sun.

Swimmers can wade into the shallows if they’re careful as the underwater currents can get very strong at certain times of the day. Punalu’u Beach is also known as a resting point for migrating sea turtles, who wade onto the hot sand to warm themselves up after their long journey. The black sand and churning sea mean Punalu’u is known as one of the best and most interesting beaches to visit this year.

Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan

Sunbathe in style this summer along the ridges of the amazing Sleeping Bear Dunes. These steep sandy dunes provide a comfortable resting spot for weary travelers and the soft beaches disappear seamlessly into the clear, warm waters of Lake Michigan. Swimming is encouraged here and you can even rent a small motorboat, pedal boat, or canoe if you want to explore the vast lake. This sunny in-land oasis is one of the best beaches to visit this year for anyone seeking a mix of relaxation, boating, and peaceful country walks.

Many people come here to camp in one of the nearby campgrounds because one day at the dunes is never enough. There are many miles of walking and hiking trails surrounding Sleeping Bear Dunes where you can spot deer, porcupines, and foxes roaming through the woodlands.

Fort Bragg Glass Beach, California

This colorful pebble beach near Fort Bragg owes its existence to the town’s historic dumps, where glass and garbage were once discarded onto the rocky coastline. After a century of erosion, the trash heap has transformed into a beautiful kaleidoscope of pebbles, shells, and smooth sea glass.

A rare sight, the glass beach draws in couples and families who come to walk along the vibrant seafront. Indeed, the steady stream of tourists who visit the beach each year has reduced the amount of glass you can see between the pebbles. However, the beach still lights up in a rainbow of colors when the sun starts shining. Efforts are even being made to bring new sea glass to Fort Bragg. Its history as a dump means it’s not safe to swim at the glass beach, instead, you can find sandy swimming beaches and crab-filled tidepools only a short walk away.

Moshup Beach, Massachusetts

On the island of Martha’s Vineyard in the south of Massachusetts, the secluded shores of Moshup Beach are a welcome haven for every visitor. This sandy stretch, over a mile long, looks like a Mediterranean paradise when the summer arrives. The perfect sun-soaked shores make Moshup the best island beach to visit this year. While the Atlantic waters are colder than their Pacific counterparts, the calm shallows can be refreshing on a baking hot day.

Moshup Beach is highlighted by the colorful Gay Head Cliffs that overlook the seafront and offer stunning views over the island. Many visitors walk along the beach and cliffs to see the vibrant layered clay that makes up this natural landmark, before having a picnic on the grass. Walk far enough along Moshup Beach and you might find some people enjoying the warm sand without their clothes getting in the way.