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Walking on the beach can be romantic or exhilarating. There are so many great American beaches to walk on, it’s hard to choose just ten. My criterion was quite simple: the beach had to be on an ocean, not a lake, the beach had to be near shops or a square and, certainly, ice cream; and the longer the better. Here are my picks for the top ten beach walks in America.
10. Hampton Beach, NH. Upon entering the Neil R. Underwood, Jr. Memorial Bridge, which opened in 1949, visitors can enjoy Hampton Beach and its famous boardwalk. After strolling along the beach, walkers can cross Ocean Boulevard and pass the many shops that line the street. Winter is not the best time to cross the boulevard because many stores close after the summer tourists leave. On the beach side of Ocean Boulevard there is a bandstand with nightly concerts. A big draw is the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom.
Looking north, you can see Boar’s Head, which stands as a gateway to North Beach, which
it is as long or longer than Hampton Beach. Don’t expect shops there, just stately homes.
9. Ogunquit Beach, Maine, “Beautiful Place by the Sea” is the motto of the city of Ogunquit, which is an apt description of this charming seaside town. Ogunquit, which means “coastal lagoon,” was established in 1641 and made famous by the Ogunquit dory.
No trip to Ogunquit is complete without a stop at Perkins Cove. Due to the ease of getting to Ogunquit and Perkins Cove from all over New England, they have become a year-round attraction. Whether you’re looking for a lobster roll with fries, a spicy Bloody Mary, or just lounging around a quaint fishing village, this area of Maine is a great place to use as a getaway.
8. Craigville Beach, Cape Cod, MA. Cape Cod beaches are different from other New England beaches. Maybe it’s because the Cape Peninsula is located where it is. Certainly the water is warmer than the beaches further north. Located on Vineyard Sound, Craigville is truly a public beach, charging only a daily fee to use instead of a residents-only sticker. A lifeguard, showers and toilets are available; there is food nearby.
7. Deerfield Beach, FL. Deerfield Beach, on Florida’s Atlantic side, offers an ocean rescue summer surf camp each summer. Children ages 7 to 13 can sign up for instruction in surfing, ocean awareness, snorkeling, and beach games. The beach has a fishing pier and is right in front of the shops.
6. Hanalei Bay, Kaua’i. HELLO. This two-mile-long crescent beach has a backdrop of mist, waterfalls, and majestic mountains. After walking along the beach, you may want to snorkel, surf, or paddle.
After enjoying that beautiful beach, it will be time to enjoy the rest of the island by traveling to the north coast of the island to explore the city of Hanalei and its museums and historical places.
5. South Padre Island, TX. At 34 miles in length, South Padre Island is without a doubt the longest beach on our list. It borders the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Bay. Children will enjoy the Schlitterbahn Beach water park with its rides and water slides. On South Padre Island, you can visit sea turtles, bungee jump, have a cocktail, hike a nature trail, and much more.
4. Kailua beach, Oahu, HI. This beautiful beach is best known for its fine sand; the park has a concession stand, showers, telephones, lifeguards and picnic areas. A steakhouse is located across the street. There is body surfing, snorkeling and kayaking.
Very popular on weekends, free but limited parking fills up early. Stingrays can be a problem, but lifeguards mark the beach with signs when they appear.
3. Huntington beach, CA. Like Gaul, Huntington Beach is divided into three parts. The central part, maintained by the city, is called Huntington City Beach. Bolsa Chica State Beach occupies the northern part, while Huntington State Beach covers the southern part. The beach is located in Orange County, Southern California.
two. Crystal Beach, Fort Bragg, CA. Glass Beach is the most exclusive beach on this list, if not in the entire United States. It is definitely made of glass. Located about 175 miles north of San Francisco, the beach is in Mendocino County.
During the 20th century, local residents dumped their trash, including glass, down the cliffs onto the beach. In 1967, the practice stopped, but over the years since then, the action of the waves hitting the shore has transformed the glass into smooth, colored pieces that now cover the beach. It goes without saying that thick-soled shoes should be worn when walking this beach.
1. Bandon Beach, Bandon, OR. To be honest, it is unfair to choose the best beach walk in this part of the world, as the Oregon coast is one of the most beautiful in the world. The coast is dotted with an enviable number of state parks with access to sand dunes and beautiful beaches. Located at the mouth of the Coquille River, the town of Bandon is known as a strong producer of blueberries. Manufacturing of wood products, fishing, tourism and agriculture round out Bandon’s economy.
