Top 10 Favorite Beaches in the U.S.

We're fortunate to have lived in several cities that are in the vicinity of some of the best beaches in the U.S. Cruising up and down the East Coast and along Florida's gulf coast has given us the chance to discover many hidden gems and secluded stretches of shoreline. With so many beautiful beaches out there, we're always eager to explore new spots and uncover future favorites. For now, here are our top 10 favorite  beaches - listed in no particular order.

Thanks to our cousins who live in San Francisco, we got to visit the stunning Baker Beach one January. The huge waves are excellent for surfers, not so much for swimming. Rip currents also pose a danger. But Baker Beach is perfect for fishing, strolling and people watching. And the view of the Golden Gate Bridge is absolutely breathtaking. 

Baker Beach, San Francisco, CA

There isn't a beach on Cape Cod we don't like. If we have to choose one, we'll pick Race Point Beach, on Cape Cod National Seashore in Provincetown, where we went last summer. We're not fond of the cold waters of the Atlantic, but the towering sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see  is simply amazing. as you make the drive from Province Lands Visitor Center to Race Point Beach. If you're lucky, you may see seals, whales, and even sharks. The beach is pristine and so relaxing, especially after visiting the LGBTQ+ capital Provincetown.

Race Point Beach 

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware exudes old-fashion charm, a reminder of the good old days when life was simpler and safer. Aside from the beach, the mile-long boardwalk is lined with ice cream and taffy shops, arcades and thrill rides. It is so safe you or your kids can hang out all night long without any worries, but bring lots of quarters for parking! At least, that was the case the last time we were there.

Rehoboth Beach

Another national seashore we absolutely adore is Assateague National Seashore in Berlin, Maryland. Not only is the beach fantastic,  the wild horses roaming around freely are quite a spectacle. We had a memorable family reunion here one August, see blog post Horsing around Assategue, not far from Rehoboth Beach.

South Ocean Beach, Assateague Island National Seashore, Md

Forget Sanibel. Seven miles of pristine beaches littered with shells await you at Cayo Costa State Park, south of Boca Grande, west of Fort Myers, Florida. As of October last year, ferry service and overnight camping are no longer available, but it is still open to private vessels - boats, dinghies and kayaks. You'll find not only shells, but wildlife galore.

Cayo Costa State Park, Florida

We love Longboat Key and have anchored on Sarasota Bay several times. How can we forget the time when we were out exploring the beach by dinghy, a water police ticketed us for not having enough life jackets for everyone? We've never been fined before, but acquiesced knowing this area gets very rowdy in the summer time. A blogger we follow has more detailed information on Longboat Key and anchoring here.

Longboat Key on the gulf side (photo credits: Phan Thai)

Partygoers on Memorial Day weekend

Every year around Thanksgiving Treasure Island plays host to the sand sculpture competition Sanding Ovation. Three miles of expansive beaches with sparkling sand line the gulf, making it the perfect venue for the event. No need to sweat the parking, there is plenty around. Across the street from the beach is the Publix supermarket, where you can pick up your lunch or snacks. Talk about convenience!

Treasure Island Beach Sand Sculpture Competition

The next three beaches on my top 10 favorite beaches list are Caladesi State Park, Siesta Beach and Fort DeSoto Park. They are usually on Dr Beach's list of top 10 beaches in America, an annual list that comes out on Memorial Day weekend. This year Caladesi made the list again, at number 4.  I have written many posts on these beaches over the years, see links below.

Caladesi State Park

Fort DeSoto North Beach

Siesta Beach

What's your favorite beach?

Cheers, and stay cool! 

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday, Little Things Thursday and Through My Lens.

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Best Beach in America: Caladesi Island State Park	Exploring Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts	Best Beach in America: Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fl

Exploring Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts

Updated: Sep 4, 2025

We’ve got two sets of boater friends cruising around New England this summer—and interestingly, both skipped Cape Cod entirely! Honestly, we get it. Summer on the Cape means peak prices, packed marinas, and crowds just about everywhere. With so much to explore in New England, it’s nearly impossible to see it all in one season. Perhaps next time, the Cape will make the cut.

Speaking of Cape Cod, I’m reminded of an older post that always brings back fond memories of our summer exploring the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Original Post
And what a summer it's been so far! It’s only July, and the East Coast has already weathered at least two heat waves, with temperatures soaring into the 90s and even reaching the low 100s °F. As if that wasn’t enough, just last Tuesday, an EF-1 tornado with 110 mph winds touched down on Cape Cod, causing significant damage and widespread power outages. Boats certainly had a wild ride during the storm (see video). I’m sure our friend Joe is mighty glad he moved his boat out of the Cape a few years ago.

We still hold sweet memories of Cape Cod in our hearts. We've explored the peninsula from tip to end—from Provincetown to Falmouth—by car, bicycle, and boat. It's a classic summer destination, not just for Bostonians, but also for celebrities and even past U.S. presidents. In fact, President John F. Kennedy’s hometown is Hyannis, and it was his vision that led to the creation of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Thanks to his foresight, we now enjoy forty miles of protected sandy beaches, salt marshes, and coastal ponds—a perfect place to relax, reconnect with nature, and soak in the beauty of the Atlantic coast.

We visited one summer day in June a few years ago. The Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham is a wonderful starting point—it features an outstanding museum and offers magnificent views of Salt Pond, Nauset Marsh, and the Atlantic Ocean. From there, we enjoyed a short but scenic hike along the Nauset Marsh Trail, where the peaceful landscape and ocean breeze made for a perfect afternoon. 

Idyllic scenery along the Nauset Marsh Trail

Pretty view of the marshes

Nauset Light and path from parking lot to the beach

walkway from the tall dunes to the beach

Dunes and drama of the ocean surf

You can't possibly leave the Cape without savoring some local seafood. In the past few years, we have been patronizing Kreme and Kone, a laid-back, family-style spot known for its fabulous fried scallops, clams and fish.

Fried scallops

Fried clams with belly

Family-style restaurant where you line up to order at the counter

You can sit outside and watch kayakers glide by on Swan Pond River

It’s still blazing hot in many places, and sometimes the best way to cool down is with a refreshing dip in a river or pool. Whether you're by the coast or inland, staying cool is a must!

How are you dealing with the heat this summer? Share your favorite ways to beat the heat in the comments—I’d love to hear them!

Information you might find helpful
Salt Pond Visitor Center
50 Nauset Road, off Route 6, Eastham

Nauset Marsh Trail, Eastham
Length: 1.3 mile loop
Skill Level: Easy

Kreme and Kone
961 Main St West Dennis, MA 02670

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Image-in-ing.

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Port of Call: Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

A popular weekend getaway from Boston is Cape Cod, or the Cape, as it is affectionately called. However, during the summertime, the traffic getting to the Cape is horrendous! One of the reasons we love boating in New England so much is because there is no traffic on the water whatsoever. At least not until you get to the harbor of your destination. Only then will you encounter boats maneuvering in tight quarters.  

Edgartown Lighthouse in the background

One Labor Day weekend found us in Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard. We had left Marina Bay in Quincy on a nice sunny day, but as Mai Thai pounded its way south, the rolling waves proved too uncomfortable for my sister- in-law. She and her husband were our guests for the long weekend holiday. She suffered from a severe bout of seasickness, so right off the bat, the trip had bad omen written all over it.

Oak Bluffs Marina, Martha's Vineyard

Sunrise at Martha's Vineyard

We had reserved a slip at Oak Bluffs Marina in Martha's Vineyard. We were delighted with the marina and its location. There's a hotel across the street, and the town is a few minutes walk away. The next morning, we grabbed breakfast at a cafe in town, rented some bicycles and went out to explore the island. We spent the entire day biking the scenic island, stopping at beaches and the charming Edgartown. When we returned, we found the marina shower/restroom facilities closed! It was only 7 p.m. on a Saturday night. A tad early on Labor Day weekend, don't you think? We were four adults on a 28 footer with a 3 day reservation, so of course, we needed to use the facilities. We walked to the closest public restroom only to find it closed also. We were baffled. Oaks Bluff is a resort town and this was one of the biggest holiday weekend! I remember checking out the hotel, and they were charging $5 for a shower. Per person, of course.

We left Martha's Vineyard on a late Monday morning. While topping off the tank at the fuel dock, we learned that a storm was heading our way. Just then, we realized Mai Thai was the only boat around; most transient boaters apparently had already taken off.

No sooner had we left the marina than the storm came. Thunder, lightning, followed by rain. Buckets of it. It rained so hard water was literally dripping through the canvas. In a frantic effort to keep the driving station and ourselves dry, we held towels against the canvas to soak up the rain water and wringing it into a bucket. My mind, however, was on the electronics. I wasn't sure if we could find our way home if we lost the GPS and the radar to the lightning. The only consolation was that we were not alone. There was a sailboat with a really tall mast bobbing nearby. We stayed close to her and waited nervously for the storm to subside.

After what seemed like hours, the storm finally cleared. We breathed a sigh of relief and continued our trip back to our slip at Marina Bay. It certainly was an adventure, one we will never forget. 

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