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Does anything sound more dreamy and perfect than a beach vacation? For me, it’s always hard to beat especially if I am looking for relaxation and to slow down the pace. I clearly have not been to all of the beaches in the US but I have been to quite a few and I thought I’d share my top 5 best beaches in the US to help you pick your next gateway.
#5 – Cologny Beach, Hilton Head, South Carolina
We had an amazing family vacation in Hilton Head many years ago. We rented a property located in a residential area and had access to a less touristy part of the beach. Because we were in a more residential area and because we went in early June the beach was not crowded. It was the most relaxing beach! My son who was 1 at the time fell asleep multiple times as you can see in the picture below. The are many tidal pools on this very wide beach and we saw small sharks, stingrays, dolphins and many varieties of fish.
In June the weather was great although the water was still a little cool. On average, the water temperature is around 75F in the spring, 85F in the summer, and around 65F in the fall. This is a great beach for a young family or people who enjoy long walks on the beach.
#4 – Ocean Beach, San Francisco, California
This one was a huge surprise to me. To be honest, San Francisco didn’t use to come to mind at all when thinking about beaches. However, on a recent trip to San Francisco, we stumbled upon this gorgeous beach. This beach extends 3.5 miles of beautiful white sand. It is “hidden” behind some sandy grassy dunes in a neighborhood area with no hotels, shops, or any of the typical touristy beach stuff. Several surfers were out on that day and I wish we would have been equipped to make it a beach day.
Of course, if your goal is to swim in the ocean, this is likely not your best bet because the water is frigid no matter when you go. But if like me, you enjoy walking on the beach or reading a book and listening to the waves, this is perfect. If we go back to San Francisco during the summertime, we will plan a day at Ocean Beach.
#3 – Tigertail Beach, Marco Island, Florida
If you are looking for warm water to enjoy the ocean to the fullest, Tigertail Beach on Marco Island is a great pick. It is one of only two public beaches on beautiful Marco Island. This beach is really wide and although it can get quite busy, there is a lot of space to spread out. Like most beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, the water is a beautiful turquoise and usually quite clear.
You can find many seashells and we found tons of sand dollars when we visited. They were everywhere. The beach also has several tidal pools which are always great if you have young children. There are many good restaurants located near the beach if you don’t want to pack food. Because Marco Island isn’t huge, parking can be a little tricky since there are only 2 public beaches. All in all a definite must to add to your list if you visit the area.
#2 – Orange Beach, Alabama
Orange Beach is also located on the Gulf but facing south rather than west. This means that you can admire both the sunsets and sunrises! Most of the beach is bordered by high-rise hotels and condo towers but there are a few public access points. It is quite easy to find a place to stay directly on the beach which offers beautiful ocean views. We have enjoyed many mornings sipping our coffee from our balcony dolphin watching. Make sure to bring your binoculars.
Although it’s best to visit late spring, summer, or early fall, the water temperature is quite enjoyable most of the year rarely going below 60F in the winter but getting as warm as 85F in the summer. It is a great beach for walking but we’ve had little luck with adding to our shell collection. The general area is laid back and quite touristy. Great family destination and beach to try.
#1 – Silver Key Beach, Sanibel, Florida
My personal favorite is Silver Key Beach on Sanibel Island. The truth is, my favorite thing to do on the beach is walk and collect seashells. This is by far the absolute best beach to build up your shell collection. The water is crystal clear, waves are moderate and everyone is on slow Island mode.
Sanibel is not the easiest place to get to if you are not staying on the Island. We visited only for a day while in Naples and we were glad we arrived early. Traffic gets really backed up as you are dealing with a one-way road (each way) to get on the Island. So just be patient if you are doing a day trip. Because it is quite far south, the water temperature will be pretty warm all year long just like on Marco Island. If you love seashells, definitely add Silver Key beach and Sanibel Island to your bucket list.
In conclusion…
I hope this article gave you ideas about new beaches to visit in the coming years. It was really difficult to narrow the list to only the 5 best beaches in the US! As we continue to visit new areas, I will make sure to update this list as needed.
And please share your favorite beaches with me!
Happy travel!
Cat xx