The Coast List

Wide scenic beach backed by cliffs and meadows, with trails for hiking and opportunities for whale watching and birding.

Secluded beach on the barrier island known for wild horses, tidal flats, and a peaceful atmosphere with plenty of birdwatching opportunities.

Remote beach known for its crystal-clear waters, great for snorkeling, swimming, and scenic picnicking with views of the surrounding Keys.

A pristine stretch of sand with no crowds, offering opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, including wild horses and sea turtles.

Popular beach with access to scenic hiking trails in the coastal mountains, offering views of Malibu and the Pacific Ocean.

Known for its striking rock formations and purple sand, this remote beach provides an otherworldly setting perfect for photography and beachcombing.

Secluded beach surrounded by lush cliffs, perfect for hiking, snorkeling, and watching the sun set behind the Na Pali Coast.

A remote and tranquil beach area where the freshwater swamp meets the Gulf of Mexico, with opportunities for wildlife watching and quiet reflection.

Charming beach near the mouth of the Columbia River, offering unique tide pools and scenic views of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.

Pristine beach with access to sea caves, tide pools, and wild coastal cliffs along Oregon's southern coast.

A serene stretch of beach, perfect for camping, fishing, and enjoying the beautiful coastal landscape of San Diego.

Remote beach near the Point Reyes Headlands, known for its dramatic cliffs and secluded, quiet atmosphere.

A beautiful barrier island known for its quiet beaches, kayaking, and wildlife sightings, including manatees.

Popular beach with access to a coastal lagoon, known for its surfing culture and pristine shoreline.

Remote, secluded beach known for great camping, surfing, and wildlife viewing in the Santa Barbara area.

Rugged coastline with scenic overlooks, tide pools, and crashing waves, perfect for photographers and hikers.

A clean, less-crowded beach with fantastic views, known for great surfing and family-friendly amenities.

Five miles of pristine, undeveloped beach backed by maritime forest and salt marshes. Features include the historic 1875 lighthouse, nature trails, a fishing pier, and abundant wildlife such as loggerhead sea turtles and diverse bird species.

A lively beach with a classic boardwalk, lighthouse, and excellent swimming on Lake Michigan.

Vast, undeveloped beaches with excellent surf, fishing, and wildlife watching on the Outer Banks.

Wild beaches famous for their roaming ponies, great for camping, kayaking, and shell hunting.

The longest undeveloped barrier island in the world, ideal for birding and remote beach driving.

Accessible only by ferry, this pristine island offers quiet beaches, wild horses, and historic ruins.

Historic dunes and lighthouses meet clean Atlantic beaches with whale watching and biking nearby.

White sugar-sand beaches and clear water stretch across islands and historic forts.

Car-free beach escapes just outside NYC, known for its dunes and inclusive communities.

Undeveloped shoreline with rocket launches, sea turtles, and solitude between Daytona and the Space Coast.

Rugged Pacific beach with driftwood, tide pools, and frequent bald eagle sightings.

A remote hike-in beach with sea stacks, tide pools, and unforgettable sunsets on the Pacific Coast.

Popular yet wild beach with iconic sea stacks, ideal for backpackers and beach campers.

Wide, sandy beach backed by dunes, perfect for OHV riding, kite flying, and long walks.

Scenic views of Haystack Rock with forested headlands and tide pooling opportunities.

Long, quiet stretch of sand with access to dramatic headlands and forested hikes.

A rare sandy beach in Maine nestled between rocky cliffs in a stunning coastal setting.

A peaceful alternative to crowded Cape beaches, ideal for walking, birdwatching, and solitude.

One of Hawaii’s largest white sand beaches with excellent swimming and snorkeling.

Dramatic, undeveloped beach on Maui popular for bodyboarding and sunset views.

Unique black sand cove along the Road to Hana, surrounded by sea caves and lava cliffs.

A protected marine life conservation area perfect for snorkeling among coral reefs and tropical fish.

Remote and vast beach at the edge of the Nā Pali Coast, ideal for sunsets and solitude.

Family-friendly beach with calm waters, great snorkeling, and frequent monk seal sightings.

One of Oʻahu’s most picturesque beaches, known for turquoise waters and views of the Mokulua Islands.

Popular urban beach north of Miami known for its clothing-optional section and scenic dunes.

Postcard-perfect beach in the Florida Keys with turquoise water, snorkeling, and old bridge views.

A remote island beach accessed only by boat or seaplane, featuring coral reefs and Civil War-era Fort Jefferson.

Uncrowded barrier island beach with white sand, birding, and starry night skies.

Gulf-front beach surrounded by dunes, rare coastal dune lakes, and excellent paddling routes.

A family-friendly, easily accessible beach with soft white sand and clear emerald waters near Destin.

Sprawling beach park with historic fort ruins, kayaking trails, and excellent shelling near St. Petersburg.

Lowcountry barrier island beach with gentle surf, shell-strewn shores, and salt marsh trails.

Quiet section of a busy coastline, with fishing pier access and a maritime forest backdrop.

Laid-back surf town beach near Charleston with popular pier and wildlife-rich marshes.

Tranquil beach with historic ruins, bike paths, and the famous driftwood-strewn “Driftwood Beach.”

Just outside Savannah, this beach offers pier fishing, marine education, and calm swimming.

Accessible by ferry, this undeveloped beach is ideal for paddling, shelling, and camping.

Remote and peaceful barrier island beach, accessible by ferry, with some of the best stargazing on the East Coast.

Wild and undeveloped beach with lighthouse views, 4x4 access, and world-class surfcasting.

A lesser-known coastal forest with access to paddling and beaches along the Bogue Sound and Neuse River.

Quiet bayside beach with access to paddling and birding near Assateague Island.

The only true surf beach in Pennsylvania, with sandy shores along Lake Erie and a lively boardwalk scene.

Miles of wide Lake Michigan beach backed by steep dunes and forest trails for climbing and exploring.