Courtesy Alabama Gulf Coast


1.) Alabama Gulf Coast, Ala.
Description: White sand and emerald water

Features: Golf courses, seaside restaurants, fishing charters, historic Fort Morgan, and bird watching

Website: www.gulfshores.com

2.) Brunswick and Golden Isles, Ga.
Description: Mainland beach at Brunswick, as well as four barrier islands, called St.
Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island

Features: Golf courses, working shrimp boat cruises, dolphin cruises, kayak tours, fishing charters, museums and art galleries

Website: comecoastawhile.com

3.) Ocean City, Maryland
Description: Ten miles of public beaches with white sand and deep blue water

Features: Famous boardwalk lines beach with restaurants, shopping and the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum

Website: ococean.com

4.) Newport, Oregon
Description: Located on the central Oregon coast, favorite tourist destination since the 1860s and has a variety of beaches, including South Beach State Park’s wide sandy beaches, Cobble Beach’s rocky intertidal pools and Nye Beach’s shops and restaurants.

Features: World famous Yaquina Bay oysters, the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Website: www.newportchamber.org

5.) Daytona Beach, Fla.
Description: About 23 miles of sandy, white public beaches

Features: Handicap accessible beaches, Marine Science Center, shopping and plentiful recreational opportunities

Website: www.daytonabeach.com

For more beaches:

Group-friendly beaches: Shoes optional
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