Best Beach Towns in America: 12 Charming Coastal Getaways
From Cannon Beach to the Outer Banks and Gulf Shores, these are the best beach towns in America for a relaxing coastal getaway.
America's coastline stretches across the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico and even the Great Lakes. These beach towns offer more than sand: charming downtowns, fresh seafood and a slower pace of life.
Atlantic Coast
- Ogunquit, Maine: a sandy beach (rare in rocky Maine) and the Marginal Way cliff walk.
- Chatham, Massachusetts: classic Cape Cod charm, a lighthouse and seals offshore.
- Rehoboth Beach, Delaware: a lively boardwalk, and Delaware has no sales tax.
- The Outer Banks, North Carolina: wild barrier islands, historic lighthouses and the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kill Devil Hills, where the first powered flight took place in 1903.
- Hilton Head Island, South Carolina: wide beaches, bike paths and golf.
Gulf Coast
- Gulf Shores, Alabama: sugar-white sand and family-friendly fun.
- Destin, Florida: famous for emerald-green water and fishing charters.
- Port Aransas, Texas: a laid-back island town known for fishing and beaches you can drive on.
Pacific Coast
- Cannon Beach, Oregon: the towering Haystack Rock, tide pools and art galleries.
- Carmel-by-the-Sea, California: fairytale cottages and a beautiful white-sand beach.
- Laguna Beach, California: coves, tide pools and an arts scene.
Great Lakes
- Saugatuck, Michigan: towering dunes, an artsy downtown and Lake Michigan sunsets.
Beach safety tips
- Swim near lifeguards and pay attention to warning flags.
- Learn how to spot and escape a rip current: swim parallel to shore, not against the current.
- Check the hurricane season (June 1 to November 30 on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts) when booking, and consider travel insurance.
- Reapply sunscreen and stay hydrated.
Prefer small-town charm inland? See 10 charming small towns worth a road trip.
