Which beach do you wish you could visit right now?
With thousands of miles of coastline to explore, visiting beaches in the United States is a great way to take in the natural beauty that this country has to offer. From the palm tree-lined beaches of California to the white sand shores of New Jersey, there are beaches out there for every interest and preference. You can enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful shorelines on a family-friendly vacation, romantic getaway, or adventure-filled trip.
With so many beaches to visit, it can be difficult to decide where to go. So, we’ve narrowed the field by having a panel of experts nominate their favorite beaches across seven states. Now, you get to rank the 10 best in each one by voting for your top picks. Voting ends on Monday, May 20 at noon ET, and you can vote once per day, per category.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best Beach in California
With 840 miles of coastline stretching from Mexico to Oregon, the Golden State is no stranger to beaches. There are over 400 of them scattered along the Pacific Coast, many known for their stellar surfing and even better sunsets.
An expert panel has nominated their top picks for the best beaches in California. Which beach is your favorite?
Best Beach in Florida
From the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, the Sunshine State boasts 825 miles of beaches, many of which are ranked among the best on the planet. And an average of 230 days of sunshine a year make Florida’s shoreline hard to resist for vacationers looking for sun, sand, and sea.
An expert panel has nominated their favorites beaches in Florida. Which beach is your go-to destination?
Best Beach in Michigan
With shoreline on four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan offers visitors hundreds of miles of family-friendly freshwater beaches, perfect for summer vacation. From spectacular sunsets to awe-inspiring dunes, there’s a beach for every taste.
An expert panel has nominated their must-visit beaches in Michigan. Which beach gets your vote?
Best Beach in New Jersey
New Jersey offers beachgoers 130 miles of coastline dotted with beaches, barrier islands, lighthouses, and scenic views. Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the white sand beaches of the Jersey Shore each year, and it’s easy to see why.
An expert panel has nominated their picks for the best beaches in New Jersey. Which beach do you return to year after year?
Best Beach in North Carolina
North Carolina is home to two national seashores, seven coastal lighthouses, and some 300 miles of barrier island beaches — nearly all of it open to the public. Sandy expanses in the Tar Heel State are often remote and rarely crowded, and a charming Southern coastal town is seldom far away.
An expert panel has nominated their favorite beaches in North Carolina. Which beach is your top pick?
Best Beach in South Carolina
Warm sand, blue water, and refreshing Atlantic Ocean breezes — these elements await visitors to the sandy shores and barrier islands of South Carolina. The Palmetto State’s coastline is dotted with picturesque beach towns, each with its own unique character, from family-friendly beaches to uncrowded stretches of sand.
An expert panel has nominated the best beaches in South Carolina. Which beach is your favorite?
Best Beach in Texas
Texas is known for many things — cowboys, barbeque, and wide-open spaces — which may be why its 300-plus miles of sparkling coastline along the Gulf of Mexico is so often overlooked.
The saying “everything’s bigger in Texas” is true of the beaches too; the Lone Star State is home to the world’s longest barrier island, as well as some of the best coastal bird-watching in the country.
An expert panel has nominated their top picks for beaches in Texas. Which beach would you most like to visit?
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on Wednesday, May 29.
