If you love taking photos, the right beach changes everything. Some beaches just have that magic—unique views, wild textures, and natural light that makes your pictures pop.
Honestly, a few U.S. beaches just nail the mix of scenery and atmosphere for unforgettable photos. Whether you’re shooting with your phone or lugging around a DSLR, these places let you capture the coast in your own style.
9. La Push Beaches, Washington
There are three beaches near the La Push community, collectively called the La Push Beaches. They are characterized by the surrounding vegetation, like lots of evergreen trees, that run along the shoreline.
The beaches are called First, Second, and Third Beach. First Beach is the only one with direct car access, you’ll have to stroll a little to get to the other two, more secluded beaches. Second Beach has great woodland trails and sea stacks, and Third Beach is a great place to come tidepooling (try and spot the colorful starfish that stick to the rocks!).
Come and admire the fallen trees along the beach, and intricately twisted roots that have been shaped by the sea and time. There are scenic views of the ocean, woodlands, and rocky shoreline from all three beaches.
8. Mohegan Bluffs, Block Island, Rhode Island
Mohegan Bluffs offers an island, countryside and beach experience all in one. Bear in mind it’s not a white sand beach, in fact it’s quite rocky. But it’s still somewhere you can comfortably swim and even surf.
The most incredible thing about this beach is the location and the views. You’ll spend your beach day at the base of the 200-foot tall Mohegan Bluffs on Block Island, and it’s worth the 141 steps you’ll have to walk to get there.
From here there are stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, and on clear days you can even see the tip of Long Island! The beach is also part of the Block Island Bicycle Tour if you fancy a cycling adventure.
7. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
Curving around the coast and protected by two hearty reefs, Hanalei Bay is one of the best places to swim on the island. The sand runs for two miles and its width grows well over 100 feet in certain parts. This helps to spread out the crowds who come in large numbers to the popular beach.
Aside from looking out to the far horizon, beachgoers will enjoy beautiful views of the vast mountains of Kauai. If you’ve come on a calm, windless day, the surface is like glass and begs you to dive in for a swim. For surfers, you can enjoy lively waves towards the beach’s eastern end.
6. Carmel Beach, California
© Gavril Margittai / DreamstimeThe dazzling white sands of Carmel Beach are lined with picturesque green hills, and strolling amid the spectacular scenery while taking in the ocean views is a lovely experience.
Certainly one of the most beautiful beaches in California, Carmel Beach is blessed with incredible sunsets and is much quieter and more relaxed than many other beaches in the state.
As it lies right next to Carmel-by-the-Sea, there are many restaurants, bars, and hotels for visitors to check out – although, in truth, most people come for the solitude and the spectacular scenery.
5. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
On the banks of Lake Superior, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a prismatic display of nature’s artistic talent. The kaleidoscopic cliffs made this the first national lakeshore in the United States and, even for returning visitors, it’s never lost its splendor.
There are many beaches along the lakeshore that not only provide a front-row seat to the colorful cliffs but also the chance to enjoy the beautiful lake. Two popular locations are Twelvemile Beach and Miners Beach. These also offer fantastic nature walks that allow you to explore the surrounding forest. Scuba diving is also a popular option to see the Alger Underwater Diving Preserve.
4. Sand Beach, Acadia National Park, Maine
As it is home to a myriad of awe-inspiring landscapes, scenery and nature, Acadia National Park has long been one of Maine’s most popular destinations. It boasts a dramatic coastline and breathtaking rocky headlands, and one of the top spots is the gorgeous Sand Beach.
Tucked away in the peaceful Newport Cove, its sheltered sands look a treat as rugged rocks and verdant woods rise up about the beach. After having snapped some pics from either its overlook or oceanside trail, relax and unwind by sunbathing or swimming in the quiet cove.
Before heading back to nearby Bar Harbor, make sure to leave some time for exploring what is New England’s only national park. Just a stone’s throw from the beach you can find the Thunder Hole and Otter Overlook, which are two of Acadia’s most spectacular natural sights.
3. Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina
Even closer to the center of Charleston is serene Sullivan’s Island. Set at the mouth of the city’s harbor, the charming town, island and beach lie only twenty minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
Left in a natural state with no facilities or resorts bordering it, the pristine beach particularly appeals to those looking to escape Charleston’s crowds for the day. Besides sunbathing and splashing about in its shallows, you can also go kayaking, kitesurfing and paddleboarding along the shore.
In addition to its ample outdoor activities and glittering white sands, Sullivan’s Island also has some interesting historic sites to check out. At Fort Moultrie, for instance, visitors can hear about the role it played in the American Revolution while plenty of pretty old buildings also dot its historic district.
2. Indian Beach, Oregon
Within Ecola State Park, Indian Beach is a beloved surf and one of the film locations for the movie Twilight. Many of the state park’s trails guide you along the classic Oregon coast where sea stacks rise out of the ocean spray like planes through a cloud.
Indian Beach is a short drive from Portland, meaning it is both easy to access and popular among locals. If you want to get a prime beach spot, we suggest arriving early. But for the beach hikers among us, the coastal trails are best complemented by a dip in the ocean and a scramble on the stacks before continuing.
When the swell picks up, those on the sand will be able to enjoy the free entertainment, as surfers look to tame the mighty Pacific.
1. Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
Featuring almost twenty miles of untamed beaches, the Cumberland Island National Seashore can only be reached by boat. Leave the car at home and jump on the Cumberland Island Ferry to the most southern of the state’s Golden Isles.
Upon disembarking the ferry, you’ll discover an untouched paradise with just a few historic examples of human habitation. With no traffic, no restaurants or bars, you can forget the real world for a day and bask in pure serenity.
You can spend all day in the beach chair soaking in the views and swimming in the Atlantic. But much of the fun here is exploring the uninhabited island. Go for a hike and discover almost two dozen ecosystems, the Dungeness Ruins of the Plum Orchard Mansion.
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