Best beach towns in the US

Canva Summer vacation is mostly over across the U.S., with kids already headed back to school. So now is the perfect time to start planning next year’s beach vacation. Travelers were busy during summer 2023. On Memorial Day weekend, largely considered the unofficial start of summer, the Transportation Security Administration screened 9.8 million people, surpassing pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Trips abroad spiked in popularity as people made up for time lost during pandemic-era travel restrictions. However, as inflation made travel more expensive, budget-conscious travelers cut costs by driving to their destinations and staying stateside. During the Fourth of July, AAA projected 43.2 million people would travel by car, a new record. Beach destinations are popular this year, according to a survey from vacation rental platform Vacasa, and outdoor recreation remains a top priority. Not only are beaches a great place to unwind and create family bonding moments, but they also boost people’s mental health. So what makes a good beach town? Access to a beach, of course, but also plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained, warm weather, and a long beach season–the average number of days beaches are open for swimming. So perhaps it’s not surprising that Hawaii and Florida cities dominate this list. But besides the Aloha and the Sunshine states, beachgoers can enjoy the sand and surf in places off the beaten path in Texas and on the Eastern Seaboard. To be considered a beach town, each city needed at least one beach on the Environmental Protection Agency’s National List of Beaches. The EPA list includes beaches that are only used recreationally and open to the public for free or for a fee; it has more than 6,000 beaches on the United States’ Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts and on the Great Lakes identified by states and tribes in response to the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000. The act requires states to report water quality monitoring to an EPA database. Stacker determined rankings by a number of factors, with the most weight given to the number of beaches within a quarter mile of a city or town and the total shoreline of those beaches. Weather patterns and the duration of each beach’s swim season affect town scores. The ranking also takes into account the prevalence of beach-related businesses, unemployment rates, and median home prices. The data was analyzed before the devastating wildfires in Hawaii, so the ranking includes Lahaina, which was obliterated by the blaze. Hawaii’s governor estimates it will take years to rebuild the historic site.  Read on to get some vacation planning inspiration. Correction A previous version of this article contained multiple errors in data analysis that skewed the overall ranking of beach towns, including incorrectly identifying the number of beaches in some towns and mischaracterizing some municipalities as beach towns. The article has been updated to correct the errors.   #100. Vero Beach, Florida Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 9 – Beach length: 7.13 miles – Average swim season length: 162 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.4 degrees – Median home price: $253,700 #99. Destin, Florida Jason Finn // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 15.26 miles – Average swim season length: 146 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.2 degrees – Median home price: $346,500 #98. Morehead City, North Carolina Kyle J Little // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 10 – Beach length: 3.01 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.9 degrees – Median home price: $308,900 #97. Atlantic Beach, North Carolina Nourinet // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 7 – Beach length: 8.73 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.9 degrees – Median home price: $461,500 #96. Laie, Hawaii Joshua Rainey Photography // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 4.23 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $891,900 #95. New Smyrna Beach, Florida Justgofamily // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 21.05 miles – Average swim season length: 243 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.6 degrees – Median home price: $299,900 #94. Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina Nina Collection // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 6 – Beach length: 8.06 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.9 degrees – Median home price: $465,600 #93. Kaunakakai, Hawaii Kacey Greening // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 2.59 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $348,900 #92. Riviera Beach, Florida Thomas Barrat // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 3.82 miles – Average swim season length: 122 days – Average county summer temperature: 83.1 degrees – Median home price: $240,300 #91. Deerfield Beach, Florida Cassanas Photography // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 4.74 miles – Average swim season length: 243 days – Average county summer temperature: 83.5 degrees – Median home price: $245,500 #90. Wainiha, Hawaii Eric Broder Van Dyke // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 2.75 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $750,000 #89. Kahului, Hawaii Tim Roberts Photography // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 3.80 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $626,300 #88. Waialua, Hawaii YegoroV // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 8.53 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $795,400 #87. St. Augustine Beach, Florida Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 2 – Beach length: 15.29 miles – Average swim season length: 244 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.7 degrees – Median home price: $464,100 #86. Nanakuli, Hawaii Teri L Wertman // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 1.81 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $419,300 #85. Malibu, California Canva – Number of beaches: 11 – Beach length: 11.55 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 76.9 degrees – Median home price: $2,000,001 #84. Orange Beach, Alabama Canva – Number of beaches: 7 – Beach length: 8.58 miles – Average swim season length: 152 days – Average county summer temperature: 81.7 degrees – Median home price: $344,900 #83. Kalihiwai, Hawaii Billy McDonald // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 4.41 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $1,250,000 #82. Marco Island, Florida Canva – Number of beaches: 6 – Beach length: 11.11 miles – Average swim season length: 182 days – Average county summer temperature: 83.0 degrees – Median home price: $676,000 #81. Long Branch, New Jersey FotosForTheFuture // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 19 – Beach length: 5.65 miles – Average swim season length: 105 days – Average county summer temperature: 76.6 degrees – Median home price: $380,100 #80. St. Augustine, Florida Barbara Smyers // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 17.87 miles – Average swim season length: 244 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.7 degrees – Median home price: $314,000 #79. Kaanapali, Hawaii Felix Nendzig // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 4.37 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $1,385,000 #78. Manasota Key, Florida Mark F Lotterhand // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 7.24 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.5 degrees – Median home price: $746,200 #77. Pass Christian, Mississippi Canva – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 6.75 miles – Average swim season length: 213 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.3 degrees – Median home price: $192,500 #76. Fort Walton Beach, Florida Andriy Blokhin // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 6.65 miles – Average swim season length: 244 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.2 degrees – Median home price: $236,500 #75. Buxton, North Carolina Stephen B. Goodwin // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 2 – Beach length: 9.40 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.9 degrees – Median home price: $333,500 #74. Huntington Beach, California Canva – Number of beaches: 7 – Beach length: 25.88 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 74.0 degrees – Median home price: $865,400 #73. Sargent, Texas Marathon Media // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 1 – Beach length: 9.59 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 85.2 degrees – Median home price: $215,700 #72. Pompano Beach, Florida David Souza // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 5.31 miles – Average swim season length: 243 days – Average county summer temperature: 83.5 degrees – Median home price: $259,900 #71. Pupukea, Hawaii Gustavo Ardila // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 9 – Beach length: 4.27 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $1,116,500 #70. Venice, Florida Billy McDonald // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 7 – Beach length: 6.48 miles – Average swim season length: 312 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.4 degrees – Median home price: $307,600 #69. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina Jill Lang // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 7.29 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.9 degrees – Median home price: $373,200 #68. Laurel, Florida Florida Aerial Pics // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 7.37 miles – Average swim season length: 218 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.4 degrees – Median home price: $389,600 #67. Tampa, Florida Sean Pavone // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 7 – Beach length: 8.14 miles – Average swim season length: 208 days – Average county summer temperature: 83.8 degrees – Median home price: $292,900 #66. Paia, Hawaii Michael Gordon // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 7 – Beach length: 1.59 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $670,500 #65. Salvo, North Carolina Cvandyke // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 8.09 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.9 degrees – Median home price: $325,900 #64. Sarasota, Florida alisafarov // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 8 – Beach length: 10.80 miles – Average swim season length: 182 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.4 degrees – Median home price: $272,200 #63. Jupiter Island, Florida Robert Miller Online // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 7.75 miles – Average swim season length: 243 days – Average county summer temperature: 83.5 degrees – Median home price: $2,000,001 #62. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 12.64 miles – Average swim season length: 153 days – Average county summer temperature: 79.3 degrees – Median home price: $298,900 #61. Hallandale Beach, Florida Anton Pestov // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 2.81 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 83.5 degrees – Median home price: $248,700 #60. Miramar Beach, Florida Kristi Blokhin // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 2 – Beach length: 10.15 miles – Average swim season length: 244 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.0 degrees – Median home price: $436,600 #59. Carolina Beach, North Carolina Fernando Cruz // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 5.13 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 79.8 degrees – Median home price: $409,400 #58. Norfolk, Virginia Kyle J Little // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 10 – Beach length: 7.37 miles – Average swim season length: 136 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.6 degrees – Median home price: $227,100 #57. Kailua, Hawaii Guido Vermeulen-Perdaen // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 6 – Beach length: 23.48 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $1,101,900 #56. Quintana, Texas PaolaV1 // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 8.85 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 85.4 degrees – Median home price: $250,300 #55. Biloxi, Mississippi Canva – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 5.59 miles – Average swim season length: 213 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.3 degrees – Median home price: $180,800 #54. Portland, Texas Edward H. Campbell // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 4.35 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 85.5 degrees – Median home price: $190,600 #53. Wailea, Hawaii Danita Delimont // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 13 – Beach length: 3.43 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $1,101,700 #52. Long Beach, Mississippi J K Laws // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 9.13 miles – Average swim season length: 213 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.3 degrees – Median home price: $163,800 #51. Jacksonville, Florida Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 10.89 miles – Average swim season length: 244 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.3 degrees – Median home price: $215,700 #50. Makaha, Hawaii Brannon_Naito // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 6 – Beach length: 2.69 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $428,100 #49. Ormond-By-The-Sea, Florida JennLShoots // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 2 – Beach length: 13.22 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.6 degrees – Median home price: $261,400 #48. Lower Grand Lagoon, Florida kylet888 // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 2 – Beach length: 11.62 miles – Average swim season length: 244 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.3 degrees – Median home price: $272,600 #47. North Topsail Beach, North Carolina MICHAEL HUBEL // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 10 – Beach length: 13.38 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.7 degrees – Median home price: $384,700 #46. Kaneohe Base, Hawaii 7maru // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 22.03 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $722,500 #45. Waimea, Hawaii Danita Delimont // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 4.16 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $470,000 #44. Avon, North Carolina Kyle J Little // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 2 – Beach length: 8.53 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.9 degrees – Median home price: $263,600 #43. Miami Beach, Florida Francisco Blanco // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 9.46 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 83.6 degrees – Median home price: $449,200 #42. Atlantic City, New Jersey Canva – Number of beaches: 43 – Beach length: 4.30 miles – Average swim season length: 107 days – Average county summer temperature: 75.3 degrees – Median home price: $136,900 #41. Beaufort, North Carolina Dawn Damico // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 7 – Beach length: 2.75 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.9 degrees – Median home price: $234,300 #40. Haena, Hawaii A. Emson // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 3.88 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $892,900 #39. Virginia Beach, Virginia Wirestock Creators // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 24 – Beach length: 33.49 miles – Average swim season length: 144 days – Average county summer temperature: 77.9 degrees – Median home price: $294,100 #38. Lamar, Texas Behind-the-Lens // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: .96 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 85.7 degrees – Median home price: $173,500 #37. Princeville, Hawaii Steve Heap // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 6.52 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $778,400 #36. Waianae, Hawaii Patrick Basuel // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 3.88 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $433,500 #35. St. George Island, Florida Frank Bobe III // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 19.16 miles – Average swim season length: 244 days – Average county summer temperature: 81.6 degrees – Median home price: $541,200 #34. Jekyll Island, Georgia RodClementPhotography // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 8 – Beach length: 9.66 miles – Average swim season length: 213 days – Average county summer temperature: 81.8 degrees – Median home price: $430,900 #33. Los Angeles, California Chones // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 9 – Beach length: 14.86 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 76.9 degrees – Median home price: $711,900 #32. Hanalei, Hawaii Sam Strickler // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 5.36 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $2,000,001 #31. Makena, Hawaii Maui Topical Images // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 7 – Beach length: 7.58 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $1,704,500 #30. Hilo, Hawaii Claudine Van Massenhove // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 10 – Beach length: 3.80 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $370,100 #29. Port Aransas, Texas Cheri Alguire // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 6 – Beach length: 12.17 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 86.1 degrees – Median home price: $448,300 #28. Ocracoke, North Carolina Chansak Joe // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 16.02 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.7 degrees – Median home price: $371,400 #27. Clearwater, Florida Michael Gordon // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 6 – Beach length: 6.83 miles – Average swim season length: 182 days – Average county summer temperature: 84.7 degrees – Median home price: $248,100 #26. South Padre Island, Texas RaulCano // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 8 – Beach length: 9.75 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 86.3 degrees – Median home price: $364,300 #25. Nags Head, North Carolina digidreamgrafix // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 9 – Beach length: 13.93 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.9 degrees – Median home price: $336,900 #24. Maalaea, Hawaii EQRoy // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 5.48 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $388,500 #23. East Honolulu, Hawaii Gordon Fahey // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 19 – Beach length: 16.11 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $976,900 #22. Lahaina, Hawaii Michael Gordon // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 6 – Beach length: 6.27 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $741,100 #21. Fort Lauderdale, Florida Jillian Cain Photography // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 7 – Beach length: 7.75 miles – Average swim season length: 260 days – Average county summer temperature: 83.5 degrees – Median home price: $380,300 #20. Haleiwa, Hawaii Yi-Chen Chiang // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 10 – Beach length: 14.12 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $902,700 #19. Surfside Beach, Texas Droneandy // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 3 – Beach length: 15.33 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 85.4 degrees – Median home price: $198,300 #18. Oak Island, North Carolina CeGe // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 14 – Beach length: 10.87 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 79.3 degrees – Median home price: $283,500 #17. San Diego, California Dancestrokes // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 28 – Beach length: 81.12 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 76.7 degrees – Median home price: $666,100 #16. Emerald Isle, North Carolina Tony Quinn // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 10 – Beach length: 17.69 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.9 degrees – Median home price: $441,900 #15. Palacios, Texas Canva – Number of beaches: 6 – Beach length: 2.37 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 85.2 degrees – Median home price: $161,800 #14. Napili-Honokowai, Hawaii HOLFELTZ Gaetan // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 8 – Beach length: 5.56 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $696,300 #13. Hollywood, Florida Kristi Blokhin // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 8 – Beach length: 8.17 miles – Average swim season length: 258 days – Average county summer temperature: 83.5 degrees – Median home price: $306,500 #12. Urban Honolulu, Hawaii SergiyN // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 28 – Beach length: 18.48 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $734,200 #11. Gulfport, Mississippi Vicki L. Miller // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 6 – Beach length: 8.76 miles – Average swim season length: 213 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.3 degrees – Median home price: $140,700 #10. Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina Sherry V Smith // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 8 – Beach length: 7.76 miles – Average swim season length: 214 days – Average county summer temperature: 78.9 degrees – Median home price: $271,200 #9. Kihei, Hawaii Felipe Sanchez // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 10 – Beach length: 8.36 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 80.9 degrees – Median home price: $644,900 #8. Freeport, Texas Marathon Media // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 15.75 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 85.4 degrees – Median home price: $143,600 #7. Daytona Beach, Florida Sean Pavone // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 6 – Beach length: 15.75 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 82.6 degrees – Median home price: $194,200 #6. Texas City, Texas srhtk // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 8.85 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 85.4 degrees – Median home price: $159,900 #5. Aransas Pass, Texas Canva – Number of beaches: 5 – Beach length: 5.50 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 86.1 degrees – Median home price: $160,900 #4. Jamaica Beach, Texas Mathew Risley // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 4 – Beach length: 20.85 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 85.4 degrees – Median home price: $280,400 #3. Bolivar Peninsula, Texas Dollar Travelers // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 17 – Beach length: 27.21 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 85.4 degrees – Median home price: $244,300 #2. Galveston, Texas Mark Taylor Cunningham // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 17 – Beach length: 49.18 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 85.4 degrees – Median home price: $250,800 #1. Corpus Christi, Texas Roschetzky Photography // Shutterstock – Number of beaches: 40 – Beach length: 53.83 miles – Average swim season length: 364 days – Average county summer temperature: 86.6 degrees – Median home price: $174,800