The US is home to several stunning beaches. Pictured here is Driftwood Beach in Georgia.Fomo Photography/ShutterstockSome states, like Florida, California, and Hawaii, are known for their beautiful beaches.Others have lesser-known but equally breathtaking beaches, including Michigan and New Hampshire.If you're looking for a beach getaway before summer is over, check out some of these options.Temperatures are high, everyone's tanned or out of town, and the end of summer is knocking at our door: If you haven't gone to a white-sand beach yet, it's about time you do.If a big all-inclusive trip to the Caribbean or a European getaway just isn't in your cards this summer — as they aren't for many US travelers this year — it doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a sunny beach day while the summer lasts.More than half of the US states lie on at least one of the country's coasts, with domestic spots featuring all kinds of coastal sights, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and even the Great Lakes, which offer ample seascapes.While beaches in Florida and California attract tourists from across the world, many other states are home to shores with stunning views, offering ample opportunities for waterfront relaxation.Here are some of the prettiest beaches in the US.Sand Beach in Acadia National Park in MaineSand Beach at Acadia National Park offers visitors access to plenty of activities, including swimming and hiking on nearby trailsdkm725/Getty ImagesSand Beach in Maine doubles as the perfect day and nighttime getaway, where visitors can swim seaside all day and then lie back, relax, and stargaze by nightfall.The beach is also close to three of the park's most popular hiking trails: The Beehive, Great Head Trail, and Ocean Path.Cannon Beach in OregonCannon Beach in Oregon, reflections during a low tide.Andrew S/ShutterstockFamous for its expansive shoreline and the towering Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach in Oregon offers spectacular views and a serene atmosphere.Visitors can explore tide pools brimming with marine life, stroll along sandy stretches, or hike the nearby Ecola State Park trails for panoramic vistas. If you visit the nearby town, check out the boutique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafés.Kā'anapali Beach in HawaiiKaanapali Beach in Maui was voted as Hawaii's best beach.EvaBrowning/Getty Images/iStockphotoHawaii's "postcard perfect" Kā'anapali Beach is the "crème de la crème of beaches," according to Hawaii Magazine, which named it the state's No. 1 beach this year.Thanks to its crystal clear waters, this Maui beach is perfect for underwater exploration, making it a snorkeling hot spot. It's home to a variety of sea creatures, including Hawaiian green sea turtles, colorful corals, and, in winter months, humpback whales.Marconi Beach in MassachusettsMarconi Beach was named after Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian inventor.Design Pics Editorial/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group/Getty ImagesThe beach, located on the shores of Cape Cod, has stunning natural surroundings, including a 50-foot ridge with stairs leading down to the shore.It was named after Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian inventor who successfully communicated a message via wireless connection from President Theodore Roosevelt in the US to King Edward VII across the Atlantic in 1903.Shackleford Banks in North CarolinaAt Shackleford Banks, visitors can expect to share space with a herd of wild horses that roam around the area freely.Rob Byron/ShutterstockShackleford Banks is well-known for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque views. The island is also home to a herd of wild horses that roam freely along the beach, grazing on the shoreline grass.It's an ideal spot for anyone hoping to escape the daily hustle for some seaside quiet.Kiawah Island in South CarolinaKiawah Island is known for its 10-mile coastline.Clayton Hanson/Getty ImagesIn 2024, US News & World Report called Kiawah Island "the closest you'll come to paradise in South Carolina." This year, the beach was ranked as the seventh-best in America by Dr. Beach.Kiawah, which overlooks the Atlantic, is a barrier island that's popular for its 10-mile coastline, wildlife, and golf resort. Visitors can spend the day at either its East or West beach, where they can birdwatch or, in summer, spot sea turtles.Siesta Key Beach in FloridaSiesta Key Beach in Florida has been ranked as the best beach in the US and fourth best in the world.Gianfranco Vivi/Getty ImagesPreviously ranked as the best beach in the US by outlets like TripAdvisor and US News & World Report, Siesta Key Beach is a peaceful and unique beach to visit if you're looking to stay cool under the Florida sun.The beach, located on Florida's Gulf Coast, features pure quartz sand that remains cool even on hotter days. This white-sand beach is also family-friendly, as the waves are calm and visitors — mostly families or older local residents — aren't as rowdy as they might be in other destinations.Driftwood Beach in
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