31 can’t-miss U.S. beaches | CNN

Lanikai Beach, Hawaii —

Lanikai Beach in Kailua, Oahu, features the beautiful waters and sands that make Hawaii famous for its beaches.

Hawaii Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson

<a href="http://www.nps.gov/asis/naturescience/horses.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">Assateague Island National Seashore</a> is home to feral horses. The national seashore is located in Maryland and Virginia, and each state has a herd of horses.

Assateague Island, Maryland —

Assateague Island National Seashore is home to feral horses. The national seashore is located in Maryland and Virginia, and each state has a herd of horses.

Courtesy Gerald Gerlitzki

<a href="http://www.alapark.com/gulfstate/Gulf%20State%20Park%20Pier/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Alabama's Gulf State Park </a>in the city of Gulf Shores features a two-mile white sand beach for swimming; more than seven miles of backcountry trails for walking and biking; and camping and lodging facilities for people who want to spend more time at the park.

Gulf State Park, Alabama —

Alabama's Gulf State Park in the city of Gulf Shores features a two-mile white sand beach for swimming; more than seven miles of backcountry trails for walking and biking; and camping and lodging facilities for people who want to spend more time at the park.

Courtesy Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

South Beach, Florida —

South Beach remains one of Florida's most popular beaches because of the restaurant and club scene, the fabulous Art Deco architecture and, last but not least, the beautiful beach.

ventdusud/Shutterstock

La Push, Washington —

Located on the Olympic Peninsula, La Push is the northernmost of Washington's beaches.

Krzysztof Wiktor/Shutterstock

Bald Head Island, North Carolina —

Bald Head Island is the southernmost of North Carolina's cape islands. Most of its 12,000 acres is set aside as natural preserves. The island's attractions include a salt marsh paddle trail and the historic Old Baldy lighthouse.

From Shutterstock

<a href="http://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">Cumberland Island</a> is Georgia's southernmost and largest barrier island. It has been home to Native Americans, enslaved and freed African Americans and wealthy industrialists. Wild horses and royal terns, pictured, are among the island's residents.

Cumberland Island, Georgia —

Cumberland Island is Georgia's southernmost and largest barrier island. It has been home to Native Americans, enslaved and freed African Americans and wealthy industrialists. Wild horses and royal terns, pictured, are among the island's residents.

From Shutterstock

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware —

Often referred to as the "nation's summer capital," Rehoboth Beach has a mile-long boardwalk.

Couresty Delaware Tourism Office

Siesta Key, Florida —

The beaches on the Siesta Key portion of Florida's Gulf Coast are known for their immaculate white sand.

Courtesy Visit Sarasota

Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan —

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore occupies 35 miles on Lake Michigan's eastern coastline and is home to hiking trails, museums, an 1871 lighthouse and a historic farm district.

Courtesy Pure Michigan

<a href="http://www.acadia.ws/sand-beach.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sand Beach</a> is tucked into 290 yards between the rock-laden shores and the granite mountains of Mount Desert Island at <a href="http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">Acadia National Park</a>. It's one of the most popular spots on the island.

Sand Beach, Maine —

Sand Beach is tucked into 290 yards between the rock-laden shores and the granite mountains of Mount Desert Island at Acadia National Park. It's one of the most popular spots on the island.

Courtesy Maine Office of Tourism

<a href="http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325210" target="_blank" target="_blank">Hammonasset State Park </a>in Madison, Connecticut, has sandy beaches, but it also has rocks -- big rocks. At the end, Meigs Point features an imposing section of rocks and boulders.

Hammonasset State Park, Connecticut —

Hammonasset State Park in Madison, Connecticut, has sandy beaches, but it also has rocks -- big rocks. At the end, Meigs Point features an imposing section of rocks and boulders.

Charley Socci/Shutterstock

Long Beach, Mississippi —

The Mississippi Gulf Coast features 26 miles of gentle ocean beaches, including Long Beach (shown here) just west of the Gulfport-Biloxi area.

Courtesy Alex North

Big Sur, California —

Head to Big Sur via breathtaking Highway 1. The stunning coastal stretch is dotted with scenic beaches.

From Shutterstock

<a href="http://www.hamptonbeach.org/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Hampton Beach State Park</a>'s rugged beauty and pristine waters are what make this beach a state favorite. This rock formation separates the southern end of the New Hampshire state park from its Massachusetts neighbor.

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire —

Hampton Beach State Park's rugged beauty and pristine waters are what make this beach a state favorite. This rock formation separates the southern end of the New Hampshire state park from its Massachusetts neighbor.

Courtesy New Hampshire State Parks

<a href="http://www.easthamptonvillage.org/beaches.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">East Hampton</a>, once a little fishing village with origins dating back to the 1640s, has become a summer home to New York's rich and famous. Main Beach is one of only two beaches in the New York village of East Hampton where you can pay by the day for parking ($25 per day on weekdays, more on weekends). Other town beaches require a village parking permit.

Main Beach, New York —

East Hampton, once a little fishing village with origins dating back to the 1640s, has become a summer home to New York's rich and famous. Main Beach is one of only two beaches in the New York village of East Hampton where you can pay by the day for parking ($25 per day on weekdays, more on weekends). Other town beaches require a village parking permit.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Napali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii —

Accessing the Napali coast in Kauai is challenging, but the area's remoteness only adds to its allure.

Hawaii Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson

Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve, Ohio —

Ohio's longest public beach on Lake Erie is surrounded by Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve, a haven for migrating birds, monarch butterflies and rare dune flora.

Courtesy Carl Stimac, Lake County Visitors Bureau, www.ohiodnr.gov

Cannon Beach, Oregon —

Haystack Rock stands in front of Cannon Beach and can also be seen from Tolovana Beach.

Courtesy Christian Heeb

La Jolla, California —

The beach community of La Jolla, California, is known for its great surfing, but the scenery is pretty nice too.

From Shutterstock

Dunes rise nearly 30 feet above the beach at the <a href="http://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/ponce_de_leon/finding_ponce" target="_blank" target="_blank">Ponce de Leon historical site</a> at Ponte Vedra Beach, about 20 miles southeast of Jacksonville, Florida.

Ponce de Leon historical site, Florida —

Dunes rise nearly 30 feet above the beach at the Ponce de Leon historical site at Ponte Vedra Beach, about 20 miles southeast of Jacksonville, Florida.

Courtesy St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau

Twelve miles off the coast of <a href="http://www.blockislandinfo.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Rhode Island, Block Island</a> features 17 miles of beaches (all free, as is parking) as well as two harbors for boaters. Sunset at Great Salt Pond is shown here.

Block Island, Rhode Island —

Twelve miles off the coast of Rhode Island, Block Island features 17 miles of beaches (all free, as is parking) as well as two harbors for boaters. Sunset at Great Salt Pond is shown here.

Mona Makela/Shutterstock

Edisto Beach, South Carolina —

About an hour southwest of Charleston, the area that includes Edisto Beach, South Carolina, touts itself as family-oriented and not overly developed.

Courtesy Wendie Smith

South Padre Island, Texas —

The Texas barrier island of South Padre is known for its natural setting and laid-back attitude.

Amanda Haddox/Shutterstock

<a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/kip.shtml" target="_blank" target="_blank">Kiptopeke State Park</a> in Virginia is unusual among East Coast beaches because visitors can actually watch the sun go down over the water. It faces west because it's located on the Chesapeake Bay side of Virginia's Eastern Shore. The light in this picture isn't the sun, though. It's a harvest moon, when the moon looks larger and brighter than usual.

Kiptopeke State Park, Virginia —

Kiptopeke State Park in Virginia is unusual among East Coast beaches because visitors can actually watch the sun go down over the water. It faces west because it's located on the Chesapeake Bay side of Virginia's Eastern Shore. The light in this picture isn't the sun, though. It's a harvest moon, when the moon looks larger and brighter than usual.

Courtesy Virginia Tourism Corporation

Washington state's Long Beach Peninsula includes <a href="http://funbeach.com/local-attractions/cape-disappointment-state-park/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Cape Disappointment State Park</a>, featuring rugged cliffs, beaches and North Head Lighthouse (shown here).

Cape Disappointment State Park, Washington —

Washington state's Long Beach Peninsula includes Cape Disappointment State Park, featuring rugged cliffs, beaches and North Head Lighthouse (shown here).

mlwphoto/Shutterstock

Not too far from Galveston Island's new <a href="http://www.pleasurepier.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Pleasure Pier</a> attraction, this Texas town's beach still exudes calm and beauty.

Galveston Island, Texas —

Not too far from Galveston Island's new Pleasure Pier attraction, this Texas town's beach still exudes calm and beauty.

Allyson Kitts

Ocracoke Island, North Carolina —

Home to the second-oldest operating lighthouse in the United States, Ocracoke, North Carolina, was used as a hideout by the infamous pirate Blackbeard.

Courtesy Bill Russ/visitnc.com

Enjoy the lovely beaches in <a href="http://www.capemay.com/aboutcapemay.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">Cape May</a>, New Jersey, and stay at one of its Victorian bed and breakfast inns. The entire town was declared a National Historic Landmark because of its collection of Victorian architecture.

Cape May, New Jersey —

Enjoy the lovely beaches in Cape May, New Jersey, and stay at one of its Victorian bed and breakfast inns. The entire town was declared a National Historic Landmark because of its collection of Victorian architecture.

AppalachianViews/Shuttershock

Head to Oregon's Ecola State Park to enjoy outdoor recreational activities and cross the path of the <a href="http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkHistory&parkId=136" target="_blank" target="_blank">Lewis and Clark Expedition</a>. From the park, visitors can see<strong> </strong>Tillamook Rock Lighthouse about a mile offshore from Tillamook Head on the north coast of Oregon. It's now privately owned and the repository for ashes of the deceased.

Ecola State Park, Oregon —

Head to Oregon's Ecola State Park to enjoy outdoor recreational activities and cross the path of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. From the park, visitors can see Tillamook Rock Lighthouse about a mile offshore from Tillamook Head on the north coast of Oregon. It's now privately owned and the repository for ashes of the deceased.

Christian Heeb/Courtesy TravelOregon.com

Isle of Palms, South Carolina —

Isle of Palms is an easy coastal escape from nearby Charleston, South Carolina.

Courtesy Discover South Carolina

Fabulous U.S. beaches

Story highlights

There's still time to enjoy United States coastal and lake shores

There are lovely swimming spots all over the country

Lower gas prices mean it's more affordable to drive to many beaches

CNN —

The crash of the waves on the shore, the sand beneath your toes and even the smell of suntan lotion are still calling your name.

No matter that there are too few summer days left. There’s still time to squeeze in a trip to a U.S. coastal or lake beach, lay out a towel and enjoy the fading sounds of summer.

Beach photos around the world to make you drool

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Surf's way up in Southern California

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Wanna get away? Five really hot beaches

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And it’s getting cheaper to drive there. For those wanting to hit the road, gas prices for many travelers are the lowest they’ve been at this time of year since 2010, according to AAA. The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline was $3.44 per gallon heading into the Labor Day weekend. Last year the price of gas on Labor Day was $3.59.

20 stunning cliffside beaches

Why not drive to California, Florida or Massachusetts? Or head to peaceful water-focused havens in Oregon, Michigan, Virginia or Washington? Or maybe it’s time to break the bank and go to Hawaii, where the beaches are some of the loveliest in the world.

Risking his life for the perfect wave

Click through the gallery to see a collection of America’s loveliest and most intriguing beaches. What would you add to the list?

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