Five Most-Visited Beaches in the United States

I love going to the beach. My Facebook memories remind me of that quite often. As often as I can, I find a way to escape to the beach for some relaxation and fun. Apparently, I’m not alone in my love for the beach. Millions of people visit beaches every single year.

My love for the beach prompted me to use my energy to research the most-visited beaches in the United States.  It’s a way for me to cure my curiosity and maybe even give you guys some inspiration for your next beach trip!  So, keep reading to find out which beaches in the United States lure the most beachgoers each year!  

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What are the most visited beaches in the US?

According to Newsweek, some of the world’s most visited beaches are located in the United States. People from all over the world travel to the U.S. to relax on some of the most beautiful beaches. From Panama City Beach, Florida to Santa Monica, California, America has an estimated 90,000 beaches and the number of visitors has yet to be definitively determined. So, it’s difficult to say exactly which beach has the most visitors.

However, based on estimates, the most visited beaches in the US are beaches located in Florida and California. Beaches in these two states boast the highest numbers of tourists year after year. Beaches in Hawaii and South Carolina attract several thousand visitors annually, too.

South Beach, Miami

Miami attracts about 15 million visitors a year, and most of them find their way to South Beach at some point during their trip. With beautiful white sand, blue sea and plenty of restaurants nearby, it’s not surprising this is one of the most visited beaches in the country.

South Beach not the most peaceful beach to visit, but this might be an excellent choice for you if you enjoy a fun party atmosphere. Expect high crowd levels if you are visiting during spring break, when the music and parties are taken up a notch!

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Located on the most popular of the Hawaiian islands, Oahu, Waikiki beach is visited by most tourists to the island. Waikiki has an endless choice of hotels and is used as a base for most visitors to explore the island. It’s also close to the airport, which makes it a popular choice for visitors, too.

Waikiki Beach stretches a good distance and gets quieter as you head out of the main tourist area. You can access restaurants and shops within minutes from the beach, so it’s the perfect place to visit at any time of the day. Make sure you don’t miss the incredible views of Waikiki from the Diamond Head hike nearby!

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Santa Monica, California

Located close to Venice Beach, and about thirty minutes from Los Angeles, Santa Monica receives over 7 million visitors each year. Visitors love to take in the Santa Monica Pier with its fun rides and attractions. Relaxing on the beach is another activity that visitors to Santa Monica love. Don’t miss out on Muscle Beach, an excellent spot for people-watching!

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

A popular spot with locals and visitors alike, Myrtle Beach offers a more laid-back beach experience and a more refined vacation destination. The area is renowned for fresh seafood, and there is plenty to keep families busy along the beachfront. This is the perfect spot to rent a vacation home with your extended family. You can relax and enjoy a view overlooking the crashing waves.

Clearwater Beach, Florida

In the perfect location for a day trip from Orlando, Clearwater Beach receives sunshine almost every day of the year! The perfect escape from the local theme parks, this is a naturally beautiful beach and allows for a relaxing day out. You can enjoy water sports and outdoor dining here, and make sure you take a trip to Pier 60 to watch the sunset. This is a great beach for all ages and is a good twin-center vacation option to pair with Orlando.

What family beach essentials should you have?

If you travel to the beach frequently, there are certain items that you should have on hand. Quality sunglasses, swimwear, towels, and sunscreen top the list. But, there are also things you might not have thought about that may help you have a better experience while you’re at the beach.

Check out my list of beach essentials to make sure you pack everything you need for your next escape to the sea!

Beach items also make great gifts for the people in your life who love the beach.

There you have the most-visited beaches in the United States. Have you visited any of these beaches before? Where do you have planned for your next beach trip? Let me know in the comments below!