For the 38th edition of our Readers’ Choice Awards, respondents from across the globe weighed in on all things travel—from hotels and resorts to cruises and spas, the friendliest cities to the foodiest. In total, a whopping 757,109 of you answered, and we heard you loud and clear. When it comes to the short list of the best beaches in the US, the candidates did not disappoint. From St. Augustine’s dazzling boardwalk to the aptly named and ultra chill Siesta Beach, your picks run the gamut of family-friendly fun, romantic seclusion, fly-and-flop convenience, and off-grid escape. America’s shores are as varied as the 50 states themselves, and you’ve found gems glinting with their own light from coast to coast. Without further ado, here are the best beaches in the US, from Alabama to the Virgin Islands, according to you.
15. Coronado Beach, California
Deserving of its spot on the list of best beaches in America, Coronado is praised for its sparkling, pillow-soft sand; ample space on the beach; and Zen vacation getaway vibes. Driving over the Coronado Bridge feels as if you’re leaving San Diego and traveling to an entirely new locale. Head to the storied Hotel del Coronado for a sustainable seafood dinner at Serẽa or happy hour at Sun Deck Grill, and keep an eye out during low tide to see a sunken ship peak out of the water. At the north end of the island, Coronado’s Dog Beach is a favorite with those who wish to let their pup run off-leash. Free parking is available on Ocean Boulevard (come early to get a spot), and you’ll see families unpacking everything from surfboards to coolers. Beach accessible wheelchairs are available at the Central Beach Lifeguard Tower, free of charge. It’s the California vibe the movies always promised you, plain and simple. —Kai Oliver-Kurtin
14. St. Augustine Beach, Florida
This northern Florida beach town likes to call itself the oldest city in the country, and it certainly has the historical charisma to back it up. Wander about its ambling brick streets and take a self-guided walking tour of the Spanish colonial architecture and remarkably preserved fortresses, some of which date back to the 17th century. True, the beach is home to the warm white sands and surfable waves many great beaches lay claim to, but what places St. Augustine over the top is its family-friendly boardwalk that has a little something for everyone. With a population just shy of 16,000 residents, St. Augustine offers idyllic small-town vibes.
13. Lake Havasu State Park, Arizona
Count this lakeside park as the wild card of the bunch. Who would have thought one of your favorite beaches would be seated right at the edge of the landlocked state of Arizona? The absolute picture of a mirage waiting at the end of miles upon miles of arid desert, Lake Havasu’s gin-clear blue-green waters are quite the sight to behold. But this dark horse isn’t just riding on its looks—its placid waters make it an ideal playground for water sports, 26 mini replicas of iconic lighthouses around the world dot the shoreline, and the Mojave Sunset Trail makes for a great opportunity to respectfully view the local wildlife.
12. Coligny Beach, Hilton Head, South Carolina
If there ever was an RCA darling, Hilton Head would certainly have flowers to collect. Voted one of the best islands in the US nine years in the running, this belle of the Lowcountry never goes out of style. Coligny Beach is “a prime, five miles of perfect, Atlantic coastline cutting across the southern half of Hilton Head, and it’s damn near perfect.” Fit with sand showers, shops, restaurants, and well-appointed restrooms, Coligny packs a mighty punch in its compact coastline.
11. South Padre Island, Texas
Texas’s South Padre Island may be a haven for partying college students during spring break, but over the rest of the year, a mellower vibe prevails. Drive north of town for the quietest stretch of beachfront, and if the weather’s right, head to the jetties closer in to do a little surfing. From April to August, keep an eye out for nesting sea turtles. Crews from Sea Turtle Inc. scan the dunes, looking for eggs, which they relocate into protected corrals and release after they hatch. At the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary, visitors can stroll on a boardwalk elevated over 43 acres of marshland and ponds where stilt-legged birds, colorful butterflies, and about 50 rescued gators make their home. If you’re hoping for a redfish dinner, grab your rod and head to the shallows at the south end of the island to reel in your catch.
10. Orange Beach, Alabama
Repping Alabama’s colorful Gulf Coast, Orange Beach cracks into the top 10. Loaded with plenty of beach town charm, epic water sports are the name of the game here, whether you’re itching to hang 10, rip across the waves on a jet ski, or leisurely paddle board while working on your tan. Outside of the beach itself, history buffs can get their fill of niche local lore at The Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum, which specializes in Native American history and maritime traditions. Should you fancy yourself more of a hiker, strap your sneakers on for the Backcountry Trail that moseys through Gulf State Park’s beaches in nearby Gulf Shores. Lastly, one and all should commemorate a visit to Orange Beach with a souvenir from The Wharf, the town’s central shopping district.
9. Trunk Beach, US Virgin Islands
There’s a good reason Trunk Beach is the most popular stretch of sand on St. John. Located within the pristine Virgin Islands National Park, the turquoise waters of the Caribbean flow easy here, and the sand feels like warm silk. While the verdant greenery and postcard horizons provide ample visual interest above water level, you’d be remiss to not venture into the sea. The nearby Coral Reef Snorkeling Trail teems with candy colored sea life from darting squid and stalking barracuda to waving anemones and cruising green sea turtles.
8. Siesta Beach, Florida
Siesta Beach recently celebrated recognition as not only one of the best beaches in the US, but also the title as one of the best in the world. The Sarasota County beach was recently ranked the 12th best beach in North America and 42nd best globally on The World’s 50 Best Beaches list for 2025. It’s one of three fabulous beaches on Siesta Key, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Sarasota. According to the World’s Best team, Siesta Beach stands out thanks to its “powdery, blindingly white sand, made up of 99% pure quartz from the Appalachian Mountains.” And it’s true, unlike many other beautiful beaches in the US, Siesta’s sand has a silky, sugar-fine texture. For some OOO time that keeps up with the best of ’em, Siesta Beach is plucked straight from our daydreams.
7. Kailua Beach Park, Hawaii
There’s a running joke in Oahu that visitors haven’t truly been until they’ve documented their sea-kayaking adventure to the Mokulua Islands. The iconic twin rock piles are located off of Kailua’s stunning shoreline, and they appear to be floating away on the blue-green waters of the Pacific. And, really, whether you’re searching for your next best shot to grid or not, you haven’t been to Oahu until you at least hop in a kayak and give it a go. Guided tours are available with Kailua Beach Adventures, a reliable outfitter with a landing permit for the islands, which are part of a heavily restricted wildlife refuge.
6. Ka’anapali Beach, Hawaii
With three miles of powder-white sand and crystalline water, it’s no wonder that Ka’anapali is the most popular beach in West Maui. Though it’s strung with resorts, it remains one of Hawaii’s most picturesque beaches, and is spacious enough to never feel too crowded. There’s a lot to do, too, from snorkeling to jumping off Black Rock, a 16-foot cliff on Ka’anapali’s northern end—keep an eye out for green sea turtles! Stay the night at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, which reopened in November 2020 after a completely transformative $120 million renovation. Its handsome Hōkūpa tower is arguably the most luxurious offering on Ka’anapali.
5. Hapuna Beach State Park, Hawaii
Seated on Hawaii’s Big Island, Hapuna Beach State Park is where bigger really does mean better. The beach sits on the largest stretch of white coral sand on the island, which means the water as far as the eye can see is as clear as it is azure. With predictably serene waters with shallow coves to explore with the kids, Hapuna is just what the doctor ordered when it comes to idyllic calm. The beach is also stocked with a cornucopia of convenient amenities such as picnic tables, showers, restrooms, a handful of cafés, and even camping areas.
4. Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach), Hawaii
A quarter-mile crescent of powder-soft white sand, Kaunaoa, or Mauna Kea Beach, embodies Kohala coast breeziness. The beach’s famously calm waters bring in more than just the regular crowd of visitors each summer. Come nightfall, clouds of plankton swarm Kaunaoa’s waters, bringing flocks of feasting manta rays to the shallows. Catching these gentle giants of the sea right at sunset as an ethereal palette of pinks, oranges, and purples streaks across the beach’s rocky outcroppings is nothing short of natural poetry.
3. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
No beach is more synonymous with the idea of a Hawaiian beach vacation than Waikiki, and while the Honolulu neighborhood is no secret, it can’t be overstated that there’s a whole lot to love. Firstly, you can’t beat the drama of the landscape—Diamond Head peeks over the horizon, showing off its craggy edges. And with an unbeatable resort scene with decades of experience, you’ll never want for a stay fit for royalty. In other words, they had us at “aloha.”
2. Navarre Beach, Florida
At this Florida panhandle beach, adventure exists all around you. Underwater, scuba down to the artificial reefs of Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary, where swarming schools of fish, sting rays, and sharks swim among the coral. Once you’ve dried off, take the scenic route and savor the sea views just a little longer on a stroll down the pier, the longest in northwest Florida. With leg room aplenty for even the largest crowds, Navarre is a balmy sandbox waiting to be explored.
1. Pensacola Beach, Florida
Taking the top spot on this list, Pensacola is so much more than its beach. Venture beyond its perpetually summery sands and discover a thriving arts and culture scene well worth its own full itinerary. The so-called “Festival City of the South,” Pensacola has a fully booked dance card of cultural programming to catch, including Mural Fest, the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, and the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival, all of which happen in November and showcase a wide range of regional artistic talent. Add on a revitalized nightlife scene plus a culinary landscape where you can tell the chefs are having fun, and you have the ingredients for a formidable Readers’ Choice Awards winner.
