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Clearwater beach in Florida, USA

Beaches in United States

From the East Coast to the West Coast, Atlantic to Pacific oceans, there are miles and miles of ocean coastline in the U.S. to enjoy. Most states boast four seasons of weather, with cool to cold winters, though strolling along a beautiful waterfront is lovely during any time of year. However, with southern states like Florida and California’s year-round warm weather, you can find a comfortable beach during the wintertime too.

Pensacola Beach, Florida

11 Best Beach Towns to Live in Florida

Florida’s best beach towns are spread throughout this delightful tropical state, so no matter where you’re going, you’ll surely be near one. This southeastern destination is a hub for water sports, azure waters, and soft sandy beaches, which both tourists flock to from around the world and people come to live. The busiest season in …

11 Best Beach Towns to Live in FloridaRead More

Beaches by State

While oceanside beaches get all the hype, there is countless lakeside, and even riverside beaches to relax along. With a vast, varied terrain, the United States isn’t lacking in nature. There are top beach towns found along the Great Lakes, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico, and you can even find some beaches in Alaska on the Arctic Ocean (although the water is a bit frigid).

People on a spring day at the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Beaches in Alabama

Black Sand Beach, Alaska

Beaches in Alaska

Santa Monica beach, California

Beaches in California

Bradley Point Beach, Connecticut

Beaches in Connecticut

Rehoboth Beach in Delaware

Beaches in Delaware

Keys West beach, Florida

Beaches in Florida

Savannah Beach on Tybee Island, Georgia

Beaches in Georgia

Maui beach, Hawaii

Beaches in Hawaii

A lone woman walks along the sandy shores of Holly Beach, Louisiana

Beaches in Louisiana

The Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine

Beaches in Maine

Ocean City, Maryland

Beaches in Maryland

Revere Beach, Massachusetts

Beaches in Massachusetts

White sand level view of Biloxi Beach in Mississippi with a few high-rise buildings in the distance

Beaches in Mississippi

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

Beaches in New Hampshire

A view of the beach at Ocean City, New Jersey looking north at 12th Street

Beaches in New Jersey

Coney Island Beach, New York

Beaches in New York

Kitty Hawk beach, North Carolina

Beaches in North Carolina

Bandon beach, Oregon

Beaches in Oregon

Easton Beach, Rhode Island

Beaches in Rhode Island

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Beaches in South Carolina

Powered paragliding over the sandy beach at sunset, South Padre Island, Texas

Beaches in Texas

Sandbridge Beach, Virginia

Beaches in Virginia

Rialto Beach, Washington

Beaches in Washington

Map of American States with Beaches

Top Beach Towns by State

From the West Coast to the East Coast and Alaska to Hawaii, there are beach towns in all corners of the United States of America. They boast a range of climates, cultures, and populations, assuring something for everyone. Classic beach towns in Hawaii, Florida, and California welcome vacationers year-round, while those in the northern states are lovely for more quiet retreats in the off-season.

Orange Beach, Alabama as seen from the beach

4 Best Beach Towns to Live in Alabama

A man and woman on bikes in Seldovia Alaska with waterfront and mountains in background

8 Best Beach Towns to Live in Alaska

Del Mar Dog Beach California

15 Best Beach Towns to Live in California

Sandy beach in Madison Connecticut

9 Best Beach Towns to Live in Connecticut

Sunset at Indian River Inlet Bridge Delaware Seashore State Park Delaware

6 Best Beach Towns to Live in Delaware

Pensacola Beach, Florida

11 Best Beach Towns to Live in Florida

Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia

3 Best Beach Towns to Live in Georgia

Honolulu, Hawaii

12 Best Beach Towns to Live in Hawaii

Homes built on stilts overlooking Holly Beach in Cameron, Louisiana

3 Best Beach Towns to Live in Louisiana

Rocky shoreline of Marginal Way in Ogunquit Maine

12 Best Beach Towns to Live in Maine

Ocean City, Maryland

8 Best Beach Towns to Live in Maryland

Fishing boat in Plum Island Sound, Great Neck, Ipswich, Massachusetts

12 Best Beach Towns to Live in Massachusetts

Secluded white sand beach with a surf board leaned against a palm tree in Long Beach, Mississippi

7 Best Beach Towns to Live in Mississippi

Couple walking their dogs during sunset on Hampton Beach boardwalk New Hampshire

4 Best Beach Towns to Live in New Hampshire

Sun just rising in the distance of an empty boardwalk in Ocean City New Jersey

11 Best Beach Towns to Live in New Jersey

Surfer leaving the surf at Rockaway Beach New York

7 Best Beach Towns to Live in New York

Emerald Isle beach, North Carolina

11 Best Beach Towns to Live in North Carolina

Lincoln City, Oregon

10 Best Beach Towns to Live in Oregon

Aerial view downtown New Shoreham, Rhode Island

10 Best Beach Towns to Live in Rhode Island

Myrtle Beach Ferris Wheel South Carolina

9 Best Beach Towns to Live in South Carolina

Aerial view of the waterfront and beaches in Rockport, Texas

9 Best Beach Towns to Live in Texas

Virginia Beach

7 Best Beach Towns to Live in Virginia

Rosario Beach, Washington

13 Best Beach Towns to Live in Washington

Featured US Beaches

Sunset from Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California, view of sidewalk and benches overlooking the shores

11 Best Beach Towns to Live in the United States

The United States of America has 12,479 miles of coastline (95,509 miles by the NOAA), which…

11 Best Beach Towns to Live in the United StatesRead More

Guide to Visiting the Beaches in America

Clearwater beach in Florida, USA
Clearwater Beach in Florida, USA. Photo: Matthew Paulson

Beach please.

The United States of America and its territories have an impressive 95,509 miles of coastline, meaning there are many excellent beaches. Each ocean and freshwater shore offers unique characteristics to their area, providing locals and tourists with plenty to do and see.

With beaches on three oceans, two gulfs, and the great lakes, a lot of the USA has an accessible coast within a day’s drive. Many Americans and foreign visitors like to make road trips to the water, especially during the summertime when tourism is at its peak.

Coastal US States with Beaches
Map of coastal states with beaches.

While only 30 states have official coastlines accounted for by the NOAA, many inland regions have lakes, rivers, and other water areas that create lovely beaches for leisure and recreation.

Map Legend:

  • States shaded dark blue have ocean coastline.*
  • States shaded light blue have Great Lakes coastline.*
  • States shaded white have no coastline.
  • * New York has both ocean and Great Lakes coastline.

States with Oceanside Beaches

South Carolina beach
Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Photo: Perry Quan

Here are the states with coasts organized by bodies of water. These destinations are home to some amazing coastal communities, with some of the best beach towns in the US available on the both Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Keep this information in your back pocket for your next trip around the country.

Arctic Ocean

The arctic ocean is the smallest of the world’s five primary ones and also the coldest. Even this far north, some beaches have intriguing features like black sand and frozen coasts. The only state that shares a coast with this ocean is:

  • Alaska

Atlantic Ocean

Covering about 20% of the Earth’s surface, the Atlantic Ocean is the second biggest in the world. It’s home to the largest island on the planet, Greenland. States along the Atlantic shoreline include: (listed north to south)

  • Maine
  • New Hampshire
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • Connecticut
  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Georgia
  • Florida

Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts are also the three states on the Gulf of Maine.

Other states border the Atlantic Ocean through an estuary or a partially closed shoreline with access to the ocean via streams and rivers.

  • Washington D.C. (Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River)
  • Alabama (Gulf of Mexico)
  • Louisiana (Gulf of Mexico)
  • Texas (Gulf of Mexico)
  • Mississippi (Gulf of Mexico)

Pacific Ocean

Monterey beach, California
Monterey Beach, California. Photo: Hanyeon Lee

The globe’s most significant and deepest ocean is on the western side of the country. Even though fewer states border this body of water, some of the most spectacular beaches can be found there.

States that share a coastline with the Pacific include: (listed north to south)

  • Alaska
  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • California
  • Hawaii

States with Great Lakes Beaches

Michigan beach
Central Avenue Beach on Lake Michigan, Indiana. Photo: Tom Gill

Home to the biggest freshwater sand dunes in the world and the most extensive freshwater system on Earth, this part of the USA is home to many popular beach areas.

Sharing an international border with Canada, the Great Lakes Region has eight U.S. states with coastlines along it:

  • Indiana
  • Illinois
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Pennsylvania
  • Ohio
  • Wisconsin
  • New York

Beach Accommodations

US beach resort
Four Seasons Maui beach resort, Hawaii. Photo: Thomas Hawk

No matter which part of the country you travel to, there are some fantastic options for lodging near or on the beach. Vacation rentals are becoming increasingly popular in coastal towns, and developed tourist areas often have resorts by the water. Travelers that enjoy camping can discover many recreation areas, campgrounds, and even primitive beach spots to pitch a tent for the night.

Popular Beach Activities in the United States

surfing USA
Surfing in North Shore Oahu, Hawaii. Photo: Pete Markham

The beach is an easy place to get fresh air and exercise. When planning to participate in water sports, gear rentals or purchases usually have to be arranged ahead of time. Especially during the peak season to visit the coast in the U.S. (May through September), many destinations are prepared with the right equipment to make it easy for visitors to do activities by the water.

To experience a beach in the United States to its fullest, plan an activity such as ocean swimming, fishing, kayaking, surfing, boating, snorkeling, diving, and jet skiing. Some trendy things to do on the sand include beach volleyball, sunbathing, running, flying kites, and fishing from shore.

What else is the US famous for?

Overlooking the Arapaho National Forest and a Boreas Travel Trailer parked on Rollins Pass summer camping in Colorado

Camping in United States

Banana slices beside a stack of pancakes with cinnamon stick on top

Food in United States

Downtown skyline of Richmond Virginia at night in background from the Potterfield Dam Walk, with 2 people walking 2 dogs on the bridge

Living and Visiting the United States

Looking up a gold sculpture in front of The Plaza Hotel New York City

Lodging in United States

Washington Monument United States Historical Site

Sightseeing in United States

Loveland Ski Area, CO

Ski Resorts in United States

Neighboring Countries with Beaches

Aerial close up of an ocean wave along a sandy beach with some red rocks on Cavendish Beach, PEI, Canada

Beaches in Canada

Tourists on the sandy beach in Puerto Vallarta Mexico with hotels and resorts spanning the coast

Beaches in Mexico

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