22 Most Beautiful Beaches in the US That Rival Any International Destination
When dreaming of shimmering turquoise waters, silky sand between your toes, and fiery red sunsets, you might instinctively think of far-off islands or tropical paradises abroad. Yes, many are concentrated in Hawaii, Florida, and California, but some of the country’s most stunning beaches may be hiding right here in your neighboring state.
As someone who has van lifed coastlines from the rocky shores of Washington and was a digital nomad on Hawaii’s golden sand (and plenty of tropical getaways overseas), many of the most beautiful beaches in the US stand up even against those dreamy international spots.
1. Hanalei Bay, Hanalei, Hawaii
Long before George Clooney paddled here in The Descendants, this crescent of sand earned the top slot on Dr. Beach’s list in 2009.
Backed by mist-covered mountains that rise more than 4,000 feet above sea level, Hanalei Bay is one of the most visually dramatic beaches in Hawaii. The two-mile crescent of golden sand offers calm waters in the summer, while winter draws surfers chasing larger waves.
2. Trunk Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Trunk Bay is part of Virgin Islands National Park and one of the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean. However, as an island paradise among America’s territories, you’ll need to get a flight, but won’t be needing to pull out a passport.
A 225‑yard underwater snorkeling trail lines the seafloor here, complete with signage explaining the coral and fish species. It’s essentially a national park museum you can swim through.
In 2024, Trunk Bay jumped to No. 1 on The World’s 50 Best Beaches list, edging out Mediterranean and Southeast Asian darlings. Having dipped my feet and marveled into the horizon myself, the sand really is that white and water so inviting.
3. Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
Beyoncé practiced yoga here on tour downtime, and the beach has never stopped trending. Sitting in a quiet residential neighborhood in Kailua, the half‑mile strand placed 14th on the 2024 World’s 50 Best Beaches list.
Offshore, twin islets known as the Mokuluas tempt kayakers; onshore, powder‑fine sand parts beneath your toes. Early birds can catch sun‑gold sand framed by a glowing Koolau range in relative peace.
4. Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, California
Tucked down an unmarked road in Big Sur, Pfeiffer Beach is known for its unusual purple-streaked sand, thanks to manganese‑rich garnet that washes out of the cliffs.
Photographers come all over the coast in December to shoot the iconic Keyhole Rock, a natural arch where the setting sun shoots a beam straight through its arch.
The surf here is rough and not ideal for swimming, but it’s a great spot for walking, exploring tidepools, and watching the waves crash against the cliffs. With no cell service and limited facilities, this California beach feels wild and remote.
5. Waiʻanapanapa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
Maui’s, the Road to Hana’s most dramatic pit stop pairs onyx sand with foamy, cobalt water. Hawaiian royalty once camped in the seaside lava tubes, and today, the state park requires timed reservations to one of the most striking black sand beaches in Hawaii.
The sand is made of tiny lava pebbles. Blowholes spout like mini‑Old Faithfuls when the swell is right. Visitors can swim, hike along the coastal trail, or explore the lava tubes.
6. Papakōlea Beach, Nā‘ālehu, Hawaii
One of only a handful of green sand beaches in the world, Papakōlea on Big Island, Hawaii, gets its color from olivine crystals in the surrounding cliffs. Only three other beaches worldwide share the color.
Reaching it requires a 2.5-mile hike across windswept terrain or a ride from locals offering 4×4 shuttles. The descent into the small cove is steep and sandy, and the surf is usually too strong for swimming, but the setting is unlike anything else in Hawaii.
7. Cannon Beach, Oregon
Haystack Rock shoots 235 feet skyward and made its film debut in The Goonies (1985). National Geographic even slotted Cannon Beach into its “100 Most Beautiful Places in the World” list back in 2013.
About a 90-minute drive from Portland, Oregon, the waters of the Pacific Northwest may be too cold for swimming most days, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most photographed places in Oregon.
It can get crowded, but there’s a long stretch of sand to explore, and tidepools around the rocks reveal starfish, anemones, and crabs.
8. Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
Perched on the eastern edge of Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes masquerades as the Caribbean until you toe the chilly fresh water. One dune rises roughly 450 feet. Legend says a mother bear scaled it while searching for her cubs, giving the park its name.
The 35‑mile Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail draws cyclists; sand‑boarders eye the steep slopes. The beach at the bottom is wide and clean, but know that getting up is a lot harder than going down.
9. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida
Siesta’s quartz sand measures 99 percent pure and is so cool that it never burns bare feet, even in July. Known for having some of the whitest, softest sand in the United States, Siesta beach tops some lists of the continent’s best beaches every year.
This Florida beauty is wide and gently sloping, with calm, shallow water that make it especially popular with families. Sunday evenings bring a legendary drum circle that starts at sunset.
10. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, Florida
Reaching Caladesi means a ferry ride, kayak paddle, or a low‑tide beach hike from Clearwater, making it one of Florida’s most unspoiled beaches.
Once there, you’ll find clean, white sand, calm waters, and miles of nature trails through coastal hammocks and mangroves. Mangrove tunnels hide manatees while shorebirds patrol the wrack line for snacks.
11. Kāʻanapali Beach, Lahaina, Hawaii
Kaanapali Beach is a three-mile stretch of soft sand and clear water that was once a retreat for Hawaiian royalty and is now one of Maui’s most popular beaches.
It’s easy to spend an entire day snorkeling around Black Rock, taking beach walks, and visiting nearby resorts that offer everything you need. There’s a ceremonial cliff dive from Black Rock every evening just before sunset.
12. El Matador State Beach, Malibu, California
Malibu’s photogenic star has appeared in The Notebook and more music videos than we can count. Being an LA gal, this beach is my go-to to take visitors to impress them with the beauty of the Californian coast.
Located off the Pacific Coast Highway, sea caves and sea stacks create natural frames for golden‑hour shoots. Walking down a series of stairs is required, but the views are worth the effort, especially at low tide.
13. Clearwater Beach, Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater Beach combines wide, groomed sand with calm, warm water along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Pier 60 is the main hub, offering a nightly sunset celebration with music, food vendors, and street performers juggling fire.
The beach is backed by a walkable promenade, lined with restaurants, hotels, and shops, making it one of the most accessible beaches for families. Dolphin-watching tours and parasailing are popular activities.
14. Carmel Beach, Carmel‑by‑the‑Sea, California
Where else can off‑leash dogs sprint against a backdrop once sketched by Ansel Adams? Below cypress-dotted bluffs, Carmel Beach is a serene stretch of white sand with views of Point Lobos and the Pebble Beach Golf Links.
The water is cold and the surf strong, so it’s more for strolling than swimming. A short walk from the beach takes you to downtown Carmel, where cafes and galleries are tucked into storybook-style buildings.
15. Ruby Beach, Forks, Washington
On the western edge of Olympic National Park, Ruby Beach is known for its rocky sea stacks, smooth driftwood piles, and foggy atmospheric beauty. Drift logs stack like Jenga pieces beneath fog‑kissed evergreens, while sea stacks serve as bald‑eagle perches.
Twilight fans swing by Forks, but tidepool fans stay for anemones and agates.
16. Grayton Beach, Grayton Beach, Florida
Tucked along Florida’s scenic 30A, Grayton Beach is known for its powdery sugar‑white quartz along a dune‑backed mile of Gulf shoreline.
It’s located within a state park, which helps preserve the natural setting. Western Lake, a rare coastal dune lake, sits steps away and flips between fresh and salt with each storm. The water here is usually calm, and the beach is large enough to feel peaceful even during peak season.
17. Moshup Beach, Aquinnah, Massachusetts
Located on the southwestern tip of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, the Wampanoag tribe guards these 150‑foot clay cliffs, streaked in rust, ochre, and cream. Protected as a National Natural Landmark, the sand here is soft, and the waves tend to be moderate.
A short trail leads from a small parking area to the beach, and many visitors stop at the nearby Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook before or after their beach visit.
18. Baker Beach, San Francisco, California
Baker Beach stretches along the western edge of San Francisco with sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands. While the water is cold and the current strong, the beach is still popular for photographing the morning fog watching over the bay.
There are picnic tables, restroom facilities, and nearby trails through the Presidio. On clear days, the view of the bridge framed by the Pacific is one of the best in the city.
19. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Part of the Outer Banks National Seashore, Cape Hatteras in North Carolina features miles of undeveloped beach, dramatic sand dunes, and one of the most iconic lighthouses in the US.
The wide beaches here are excellent for surf fishing, kiteboarding, and shell collecting, with consistent ocean breezes and powerful Atlantic waves.
20. Assateague Island Beach, Maryland
More than 300 feral ponies roam this freely across the 37‑mile barrier island of dunes and marshes. The beach itself is long and relatively undeveloped, with clean sand and steady surf. Night skies qualify as International Dark‑Sky status.
The island straddles two states and charges two different park fees, so bring extra cash or America the Beautiful passes. Mosquitoes arrive by the squadron in July.
21. Sand Beach, Acadia National Park, Maine
Just 290 yards long, this pocket of pale shell fragments sits wedged between pink granite headlands. It’s one of the few sandy beaches along Maine’s rocky coast. However, Atlantic temps hover near 55 °F even in August.
Popular hiking trails like the Beehive Trail and Ocean Path begin nearby, allowing visitors to combine a beach visit with a scenic hike. The beach is easily accessed from Park Loop Road.
22. Gulf Shores, Alabama
Along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, thirty‑two miles of quartz‑white sand stretch from Fort Morgan to Perdido Key, a shoreline long enough to host Hangout Fest’s 40,000‑person crowd each May.
The main public beach offers shaded pavilions, volleyball courts, and a long fishing pier that extends out into the Gulf. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, visitors can go on dolphin cruises, explore nearby nature preserves, or sample fresh Gulf seafood in local restaurants.
Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.
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