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Carmel-by-the-Sea, California -

Carmel-by-the-Sea oozes small-town charm. Known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history, this picture-book destination with its yesteryear ambiance is stocked with restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, and even boasts a historic late 18th-century mission. Fringed by a coast blessed with white sandy coves, Carmel is popular with tourists and celebrities: Clint Eastwood and Brad Pitt rank among the A-listers associated with this enchanting retreat.

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Cannon Beach, Oregon -

Distinguished by the landmark Haystack Rock, a mighty basalt sea stack that juts out along the coast, Cannon Beach is one of Oregon's best-known beach town destinations. Swathes of pristine beach provide a tranquil backdrop for swimming, kayaking, walking, and observing wildlife.

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Ogunquit, Maine -

Ogunquit's beach is only accessible at low tide; it practically disappears come high water. But that means you have plenty more time to explore this engaging resort town with its run of boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, theaters, and wine-driven seafood eateries. And in case you're wondering, Ogunquit means "beautiful place by the sea" in the indigenous tongue of the Algonquin people.

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Block Island, Rhode Island -

Anchored south of mainland Rhode Island and accessible by ferry, Block Island is a popular summer tourist destination. It's appreciated for its bicycling, hiking, sailing, fishing, and a near complete ribbon of sand that encircles a rolling green interior.

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St. Augustine, Florida -

Historic St. Augustine has a whiff of Europe about it. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, it is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the country. Coastal nature and colonial culture go hand in hand here, and the ambiance is distinctly Old World.

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Ocracoke, North Carolina -

No bridges connect Ocracoke Island to the mainland: it's accessible only by boat or ferry. Seclusion suits Ocracoke—this is one of the most distant of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Once serving as a hideout for pirates, among them the infamous Blackbeard, the island today captures an influx of tourists drawn to fine, sandy beaches, several bars, dozens of restaurants, and a good selection of hotels.

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Provincetown, Massachusetts -

Provincetown congregates at the extreme tip of Cape Cod. In summer, this normally quiet and unassuming community overflows with spirited holidaymakers ready to hit the beaches and indulge in Provincetown's lively cultural and commercial scene.

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Friday Harbor, Washington -

An island village nestling among the San Juan Islands archipelago near Seattle, Friday Harbor exudes a natural, more free-spirited vibe. No neon-lit boardwalk attractions here. Instead, this is where to tread pebble-strewn beaches overlooking wide bays and inlets where orca pods gather.

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Edisto, South Carolina -

One of South Carolina's Sea Islands, Edisto and its town are named after the historic Edisto people, a sub-tribe of the Cusabo Indians. Exploring the destination is to discover the Edisto Beach State Park, where boating, birding, and hiking number among the outdoor activity options.

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Cape May, New Jersey -

Located where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, Cape May is one of the country's oldest vacation resort destinations. The town melds a fascinating collection of Victorian-era homes, cottages, and hotels featuring elaborately detailed embellishment, known as gingerbread trim, with a wonderfully vintage vibe.

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Capitola, California -

Capitola positively dazzles. This delightful seaside town in Santa Cruz County is splashed with color, its waterfront a kaleidoscope of rainbow hues. Capitola is located on the northern shores of Monterey Bay, its local flavor enhanced by fine seafood restaurants and lively bars and pubs.

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Anna Maria Island, Florida -

Anna Maria Island is manatee territory. In fact, the county in which this destination is located is named for these gentle aquatic mammals. Anna Maria overflows with Old Florida charm and works mostly as a retreat for those into watersports and nature.

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Port Aransas, Texas -

Port Aransas is a fishing, beach, and resort village that swells tenfold during the summer months. Vacation literature describes the destination as the "Fishing Capital of Texas," and for good reason. Anglers have 18 miles (28 km) of beach from which to cast their lines. And there are numerous deep-sea excursion options for those hoping to reel in a whopper.

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Bald Head Island, North Carolina -

Remote, peaceful, and quiet, the seclusion offered by Bald Head Island is what makes it so appealing to anyone looking to escape the city. They don't even allow cars, so guests nip around in golf carts. Much of the island is blanketed by protected pine forest rimmed by carpets of golden sand, a habitat for nesting sea turtles.

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Newport, Rhode Island -

More seaport than town, Newport nonetheless deserves inclusion on this list as one of America's most prestigious summertime destinations. Forever associated with the Gilded Age and the likes of the Astors and Vanderbilts, Newport also drew presidents Kennedy and Eisenhower to the region. For the casual visitor, the region's recreational activity options extend to following the famous Cliff Walk as it twists and turns over windswept coastal bluffs and promontories.

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Virginia Beach, Virginia -

Virginia Beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. For decades it has enjoyed a reputation as an appealing family summer vacation hub with a crowded boardwalk and, according to Guinness World Records, the longest pleasure beach in the world, about 35 miles (56 km) long. Looming large over this impressive band of sand is a huge statue of a muscular Neptune.

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Tybee Island, Georgia -

Just a 30-minute drive from Savannah, Tybee Island is a seaside haven known for its broad, sandy beaches and one of the most famous lighthouses in the region. The island, set at the easternmost point of Georgia, is especially busy in May, when the popular Beach Bum Parade takes place, held over the weekend before Memorial Day weekend.

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Sanibel Island, Florida -

A barrier island moored on Florida's Gulf of Mexico side, Sanibel is a nature lover's paradise. Much of the island is a protected wildlife reserve, home, among other animals, to bobcats, loggerhead turtles, and over 220 native species of birds. Visitors to the refuge can walk, bike, or kayak its many trails and tidal flats.

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Solana Beach, California -

Unpretentious Solana Beach is often overlooked by tourists, and that's their loss. The town itself may not win prizes for looks, but its down-to-earth character is quite authentic. Solana's vast and uncrowded beaches are served by some wonderful oceanfront eateries and trendy wine bars. And if you want to work up an appetite beforehand, hike off in the hills that loom up behind the town.

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Saugatuck, Michigan -

Saugatuck and Douglas, its sister town across the river, rank among Michigan's best beach destinations. Saugatuck is especially known for its vibrant arts scene. A small harbor and marina provide a haven for visiting yachts and boats.

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San Clemente, California -

Sitting roughly midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, San Clemente overlooks a sparkling Pacific Ocean, a fact that draws swimmers and surfers alike to the town's powder-fine beaches. Others, meanwhile, can absorb a wonderfully mellow vibe wandering San Clemente's narrow streets and admiring Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

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Haleiwa, Hawaii -

Way out in the middle of the Pacific is Haleiwa, a North Shore surf town on Oahu, Hawaii's third-largest island. The Haleiwa Beach Park is where to hang ten, and is at its busiest during the winter months when large rolling waves thunder into the shoreline.

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Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina -

Kill Devil Hills was developed on the the site of the Wright brothers' first controlled, powered airplane flights on December 17, 1903, the gusts coming off the beach helping to propel them into the history books. Visitors can also indulge in fishing, kayaking, surfing, parasailing, or bracing walks across the dunes.

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Orange Beach, Alabama -

A top Gulf of Mexico resort destination, Orange Beach enjoys mild to warm winters but can boil over in summer, with the mercury often hitting 104°F (47°C). Plush hotels overlooking flashy mariners help lend the destination an exclusive air, but Orange Beach is essentially a family-orientated destination. The Wharf and its magnificent Ferris wheel is one of the main tourist attractions.

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Kaanapali, Hawaii -

The resort community of Kaanapali is one of the longest established tourists destinations on the island of Maui, having been developed in the mid-1960s. Kaanapali Beach is the star attraction, which is actually composed of three beaches.

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Manasota Key, Florida -

Manasota Key is home to the community of Englewood Beach, a tranquil retreat that represents a throwback to Florida's simple and idyllic lifestyle. Fishing is the favorite pastime for many taking a vacation here, but adventure also awaits those following the many trails and canals that crisscross the Key.

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Jupiter Island, Florida -

Jupiter Island is known for its celebrity population. Some of the wealthiest people in the United States have homes here, names that include golfer Tiger Woods. Jupiter enjoys a combination of breathtaking beaches and luxury amenities and, while a stay may burn a hole in your pocket, it'll be worth it simply for the experience.

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Avon, North Carolina -

The town, some might say village, of Avon has a population of less than 800 souls. Bordered to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and to the west by Pamlico Sound, Avon really is a place to lose yourself in, perhaps on one of its two beaches that have a combined length of 8 miles (12 km).

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Marco Island, Florida -

Marco Island is the largest barrier island in Southwest Florida's Ten Thousand Islands area. One reason for hanging out in Marco is its six beaches, though a couple of these are private. Another reason is that the destination serves as a handy base from which to explore the wider region, an area of wilderness popular with experienced hikers and seasoned canoeists and sea kayakers.

Sources: (Travel + Leisure) (BuzzFeed) (Guinness World Records) 

See also: Discovering hidden gems of the USA

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