Memorial Day is the unofficial kick off to summer, even though the season doesn't officially begin for another three weeks. And summer means the beach to many: a time to play in the sun, build castles in the sand, and swim in some cool blue water. From golden beaches circling lakes to swaths of white sand fronting salty turquoise-tinged ocean, here are our 10 top picks for the best beaches to salute summer on this Memorial Day weekend.
St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Fla.
One of the top beaches in the country, Clearwater Beach in the St. Petersburg area is perfect for a classic beach getaway. It's home to pristine, white sand beaches and warm water, and features Pier 60, which hosts a nightly sunset festival on the Clearwater Beach Pier, complete with live music, street performers, vendors and splendid views across the gulf. Also in the area is Fort de Soto Park, which is a great beach option for families with either two or four-legged children – there's a natural sandbar area that forms a lagoon-like pool for kids to swim in safely, and also a Paw Playground and Dog Beach for canine family members. And if your Memorial Day plans usually include a BBQ, there are grills in the park for epic cookouts.
Amelia Island, Fla.
Florida is a great state for Memorial Day beach celebrations because it's warm enough to swim in May. Amelia Island off the state's northeast corner is a fun and accessible destination with more than 40 public beach access points along 13 miles of coastline. It's a charming little island with plenty of dining, shopping and activity options, making it a great place for families, not to mention the miles of palm-lined bike paths, dunes rolling down into wide stretches of beach and clear, blue ocean for swimming. There are dozens of hotels to choice from. Spoil yourself with a stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, which is poised on a bluff of dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Indiana Dunes State Park , Chesterton, Ind.
Beaches don't always border oceans; some of the best border lakes. And in Chesterton, Ind., you'll find Indiana Dunes State Park, which includes 15-miles of gold sand beaches strewn along the shores of Lake Michigan. What makes this state park such an ideal Memorial Day beach destination is it provides two experiences in one: There's the lake to play in and on, and then there are 70 miles of hiking trails to experience as well. Memorial Day weekend is extra special at Indiana Dunes State Park, with a sunset hike on Friday, a guided 3 Dune Challenge hike, a scavenger hunt and a birds and blooms hike on Saturday, and several other programs over the holiday weekend.
Lincoln City Beach, Lincoln City, Ore.
Heading out west, Lincoln City is located approximately two hours southwest of Portland, along a beautiful 7.5-mile pristine stretch of Oregon Coast that includes one of the longest beaches in the state. Although this isn't really a swimming beach destination, Lincoln City stands out as a great Memorial Day beach destination for beach walkers and combers. Keep your eyes on the sand while strolling, as you may discover everything from driftwood to seashells to glass treasures. Every day from mid-October through Memorial Day, anonymous volunteers known as "Float Fairies" hide colorful hand-made glass art along the beach. And the rule is that whoever finds the art can keep it. On Memorial Day weekend an extra 100 pieces of glass art are hidden to celebrate the end of the season, and a party is thrown with a jumbo float on the beach and a treasure hunt leading to a weekend getaway prize.
Long Beach, N.Y.
From beach volleyball to a free summer concert series, Long Beach, one of only two cities on Long Island, is another unspoiled Memorial Day celebration spot. With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Reynolds Channel on the other, it is a beautifully situated seaside community that boasts a 3.5 mile long beach considered one of the cleanest in the USA. Memorial Day kicks off the summer season in town, and the city is home to all sorts of adventure opportunities including flying on a recreational trapeze school, experiencing the state-of-the-art surf center, playing a few rounds of mini golf courses or just wandering down the two-plus-mile boardwalk filled with all sorts of eating options.
Brigantine Beach, N.J.
If you live between Washington D.C. and New York City and you're looking for an East Coast beach to explore this Memorial Day, consider heading to Brigantine Beach in New Jersey. It's kind of the anti-Jersey Shore, the exact opposite of towns like Seaside Heights. Just north via bridge from Atlantic City, it's a quaint, local beach town that awakens over Memorial Day weekend. Clean, family-friendly and all around chill, it's a bit of an undiscovered gem in the state. Wander up from 14th Street beach to Laguna Grill for a rum runner to sip in the sand, or if you'd rather have an ice cream, brave the line at Auntie B's. For evening celebrations, the jetty on the south end is a front-and-center seat for the fireworks over the casinos, without having to deal with the Atlantic City hubbub.
Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
For one of the most exotic and beautiful beach destinations in the USA, head to Poipu Beach in Kauai this Memorial Day. It's considered one of the best beaches in the world, and offers a delightful environment for swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling or simply relaxing. It’s also a very family friendly destination, and considered one of Hawaii's safest beaches with lifeguards on duty 7 days a week and shallow waters for kids to swim. It's a picture perfect beach too, with all white sand, palm trees and some of Hawaii’s most stunning views. Humpback whales, sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals can also often be spotted.
Hermosa Beach, Calif.
Southern California is synonymous with great beach towns, and Hermosa Beach is no exception. The perfect seaside town to experience the region's quintessential laid-back Cali lifestyle, Hermosa Beach is especially fun over Memorial Day weekend when it throws its annual Fiesta Hermosa, now in its 44th year. The festival draws some 100,000 people and 300 vendors from painters to jewelers, which also makes it the largest arts and crafts festival in SoCal. Best of all, Hermosa Beach is located just 5 miles south of LAX, which means if you're flying in there's no need to rent a car as it's a short Uber ride from the airport.
Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Hilton Head has long been one of the top beach towns in the country, and Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the season on the shoe shaped island measuring 12 miles long by 5 miles wide. Beyond unique hard pack sand that makes its beaches perfect for running, biking or strolls as the sun rises and sets, the resort town has also undergone a lot of renovation recently, meaning whatever resort you book, you're likely to be lodging in newly renovated digs. It's also home to restaurants, shops and activities to meet all tastes and budgets, and works well whether you're on your honeymoon or an extended family holiday.
Duck Beach, Duck, N.C.
In North Carolina's beautiful Outer Banks area, Duck sits on a narrow barrier stretch of land that's another great Memorial Day weekend beach destination. With over six miles of white sand beaches, it offers uninterrupted ocean views and an abundance of open space on the sand to gather with friends or family and kick of the summer season. When you've finished soaking up the sun and sand, head to the town waterfront, which stretches for nearly a mile along the Currituck Sound, and is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. In Duck itself there are dozens upon dozens of unique dining and shopping experiences, as well as plenty of lodging options.
