A beach day is on many a summer bucket list. From the warm sun to the soothing waves, a day at the beach soothes people. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. features 100,000 miles of coastline. With all the beaches across the US, visitors can find a beach to fit their needs. From inky black to pure white sand beaches to beaches that are wildlife sanctuaries to the perfect beach for shelling, beachgoers can spread out for a much-needed beach day. Here is a list of the best beaches in the U.S. for families.
17 Best Beaches in the U.S. for Families
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Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Island of Hawaii
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Papakōlea Green Sand Beach, Island of Hawaii
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Gulf State Park, Orange Beach, Alabama
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Grayton Beach State Park, Florida
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Waimānalo Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
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Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
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Hapuna Beach, Big Island of Hawaii
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Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, Texas
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Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego, California
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Hearst San Simeon State Park, San Simeon, California
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Lime Kiln Point State Park, San Juan Island, Washington
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Kalaloch Beach 4, Olympic National Park, Washington
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Sanibel Island, Florida
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Silver Strand State Beach, Coronado Island, California
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Moonstone Beach, Hearst San Simeon State Park, California
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Coronado Beach, Coronado Island, California
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Will Rogers State Beach, Pacific Palisades, California
Best Beaches for Colored Sand
Thanks to its varied geography, the U.S. offers beaches of many colors. Beachgoers will find pure white, straw-colored, black, pink, and one very rare green sand beach. The Island of Hawaii offers both a black and green sand beach and is one of the most remote islands in the world.
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Island of Hawaii
Another colored sand beach in Hawaii, this one is also made of eroded lava. The black sand is a stunning contrast to the deep blue water. Coconut palms frame Panalu’u Beach, which also offers a food trailer.
Located south of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park off Highway 11 at the end of Ninole Loop Road, a few miles south of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Find street parking nearby.
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach, Island of Hawaii
This remote beach gets its unusual color from olivine crystals formed during the Mauna Loa eruption 49,000 years ago. To reach it, a 5.5-mile hike is required, and it doesn’t offer any services.
Located at the southern tip of the Island of Hawaii, exit off Highway 11 between mile marker 68 and 70 and hike to the beach.
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White Sand Beaches
Gulf State Park, Orange Beach, Alabama
Along the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama offers white sand beaches that feature soft sand and squeak when beach-goers walk on them. Gulf State Park offers a pavilion with restrooms and showers for an easy beach day.
Located at 20115 State Park Rd., Gulf Shores. All-day parking is $10.
Grayton Beach State Park, Florida
On Scenic Highway 30-A, from Pensacola to Panama City on Florida’s panhandle, families can find miles of sugar-white sand beaches. A family favorite for years, the beaches remain uncrowded except around the larger towns.
Located 375 Main Park Rd. Parking is $5, and find rinse-off showers.
Waimānalo Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
On the windward side of the island, this park is far from the crowds of Waikiki. Find a three-mile stretch of sand, popular with photographers.
Located 41-741 Kaleniana’ole Highway. Features off-highway parking.
Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
On the North Shore, this area is known for its big waves during the winter. The summer offers calmer water and an uncrowded long stretch of straw-colored sand.
Located north of Pūpūkea-Paumalū Forest Reserve. Parking along the Highway 83.
Hapuna Beach, Big Island of Hawaii
One of the most scenic beaches near Kona. It is a popular spot with tourists and locals alike.
Located north of Kona along Highway 19. Find restrooms and rinse off showers.
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Best Beaches for Animal Watching
Kids love beaches as much as kids love animals. So find beaches that combine both.
Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, Texas
Kids are crazy for sea turtles. Padre Island National Seashore offers five different varieties of the Gulf of Mexico sea turtles, including the Kemp’s ridley. Hatchling releases happen in the spring and offer families the opportunity to see the tiny turtles make their way to the water, unaided.
Located at 20301 Park Road 22. Admission is $10 for a one-day pass.
Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego, California
Kids love to discover tiny ecosystems, so don’t miss this unique West Coast experience when visiting San Diego. Cabrillo National Monument offers one of the top places to tide pool in California.
Cabrillo features one of the best protected and easily accessible areas to explore with kids. With several different tide pool zones, families can see more animals.
Located at 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr. Admission is $20 per vehicle.
Hearst San Simeon State Park, San Simeon, California
Elephant Sea lions nap along the beach in a large rookery. The Hearst San Simeon State Park offers a boardwalk to safely watch the massive seals. During our visit in June, the males fought each other for mating rights with bellows and battles.
Located at 500 San Simeon-Monterey Creek Rd. Find off-highway parking.
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Lime Kiln Point State Park, San Juan Island, Washington
Whale watching usually requires a boat except on San Juan Island, a short ferry ride from the Seattle area. Lime Kiln State Park offers seasonal orca whale watching from their shore. San Juan National Historical Park-American Camp offers another spot to catch the resident pod of orcas.
Located at 1567 West Side Rd. A one-day pass is $10.
Kalaloch Beach 4, Olympic National Park, Washington
My kids scampered over rocks and waded through shallow water to explore the tide pools. We found ribbed limpets, acorn barnacles, and giant green anemones. My kids loved this experience and talked about it for days.
Located at 167422 U.S.-101.
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Best Beaches for Shelling
Sitting in the beach chair reading bubblegum fiction pretty much equals a perfect day for me. However, take a moment and dig deeper by collecting some shells, or consider visiting a beach known for shelling.
Sanibel Island, Florida
Sanibel Island is a barrier island near Ft. Myers, Florida. Because of its east-to-west orientation, the beach offers some of the best shelling.
Silver Strand State Beach, Coronado Island, California
During a recent visit, I was delighted to find several whole sand dollars during my walk. Though protected by state law, I found lots of shells along the beach.
Located at 5000 California Highway 75. A one-day pass is $12 to $20, depending on season.
Moonstone Beach, Hearst San Simeon State Park, California
Beaches offer more than shells. At Moonstone Beach, I found tiny tumbled moonstone, jade and bloodstone along the waterline. Dig a little deeper for larger stones.
Located off Highway 1 in Cambria. Parking off-street.
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Best Beaches for Catching a Sunset
West Coast beaches can’t be beat for sunsets. Catch the fiery sun as it drips below the horizon and watch the sky fade from aubergine to indigo.
Coronado Beach, Coronado Island, California
With the Victorian Hotel del Coronado as a backdrop, it’s San Diego’s most picturesque beach. On the largest stretch of sand, families can rent chairs, fly a kite or make a sand castle. The Hotel del Coronado offers rentals and restaurants for day visitors.
Located at 100 Ocean Blvd. Street parking is located close by.
Will Rogers State Beach, Pacific Palisades, California
This is a popular beach near Santa Monica where families can watch the sun fall below the horizon in a kaleidoscope of color. It offers more parking than nearby beaches.
Located at 17000 CA-1. A one-day parking pass is $4 – $15.
Know Before You Go
- Pack a cooler full of snacks if spending the whole day, like fresh fruit and lots of water.
- Parking is always an issue at the beach on summer weekends.
- Arrive early and bring cash for parking.
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