Discovery's Travel Channel has rated the top beaches in America, based on the sand, swimming, atmosphere, child-friendliness, and non-beach activities... just in time for a beach vacation:
- Kapalua, Hawaii
- South Beach, Florida
- Hilton Head, South Carolina
- Panama City, Florida
- Santa Barbara, California
- Provincetown, Massachusetts
- Waikiki, Hawaii
- Cape May, New Jersey
- Venice Beach, California
- South Padre Island, Texas
"Kapalua Beach is a gem of golden sand bounded by swaying palm trees and the rolling lawns of Maui's most exclusive resorts. Long peninsulas of black lava shelter the beach from the strong wind and waves that scour Maui's rugged northwest shore. As a result, swimming is safe year-round and the snorkeling is some of the finest in the state, not to mention the view ... the beach faces Molokai Island, where whales are visible cavorting offshore in the winter."
"The American Riviera, Hollywood of the East, Sobe, or the Art Deco District - whatever you call it, Miami's South Beach is hot year-round. The embodiment of excess, South Beach is an international playground offering non-stop nightlife, sandy shores, unique architecture and plenty of eye candy."
"Whether your goal for a beach vacation is to take a few strokes off of your golf game, improve that slicing backhand on the tennis court, or just relax by the shore, Hilton Head Island has it all. One of the largest islands on the East Coast, Hilton Head is perfect for families and individuals who are looking for a large resort area with an array of activities to enjoy."
"A visit to Panama City Beach is about the best way to stimulate all five senses at once. Smell the salty sea breezes from the Gulf; feel the warm water lap against your bare skin; taste some of the best seafood in the country; listen to local bands or top 40 hits at nightclubs; and see enough miles of sandy white beaches, parks and water sports to last a lifetime."
"Only 90 miles stretch between Los Angeles and the tranquil seaside city of Santa Barbara, but somewhere in that distance the artificial gives way to the natural. From the lush hillsides with memorable vistas of the sea to the pristine shoreline, Santa Barbara possesses the beauty most Southern California beachside communities lack. Families looking for a place to play or couples planning a romantic vacation will each find what they seek here."
"There are over 30 miles of beach in Provincetown, all part of the Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS). The two main beaches are Herring Cove and Race Point. Herring Cove is the busier of the two beaches, is calmer and warmer than the shores of Race Point. Each beach is accessible by shuttle bus, bicycle or foot, and if you go a bit farther from the tourists, after passing an occasional strip of nude bathers, you are certain to find peace and isolation."
"Waikiki is no longer a paradise just for the upper-crust. More than 100 years have passed since Waikiki was the exclusive playground of Hawaiian royalty and their chosen friends. Now, cheap hotels and package tours allow just about anyone to visit. These days, however, the playground is of a different sort. From throbbing nightclubs to quiet parks, from gentlemen long-boarders to the lions at the zoo, Waikiki has something for everyone."
"If earlier straw-hatted glitterati were to return to Cape May today, they would instantly recognize many of their old haunts, thanks to the town's status as a National Historic Landmark and its preservation-mad citizens. The locals are passionate about their role as cultural custodians, and it shows. The sand is always raked and the area's signature Victorian trim, which adorns the town like cobwebs, is always fresh with paint."
"Let's begin by making one thing perfectly clear. No beach in the world is like Venice Beach. Sure, other beaches have sand, surf and sunshine. But they do not have a three-ring urban street circus, complete with philosophizing artists, trash-talking hoopsters, preening weightlifters, barefoot sand sculptors and unclassifiable scores of freaks."
Padre Island - "This beach is for the value-conscious traveler. Although the town offers little in the way of luxury or entertainment, there are scores of moderately priced and budget accommodations, including well-known chains and one-of-a-kind motels with more charm than class. Restaurants, bars, shops and a movie theater add to the atmosphere. Water sports abound; just wander the bayside to find combination bar and grills/water sport rental outfits, like Coconuts and Parrot Eyes, that offer deep-sea fishing, diving, dolphin watches and other ecological excursions. Both the town and the beach are clean and safe."
