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Beaches to Photograph in the USA

350 beaches in 32 states, each with computed light, night-sky and weather data for planning. Pick a state, or start with the most documented locations below.

Top beaches

Baker BeachBeach
Baker BeachCity and County of San Francisco, CA
Coney IslandBeach
Coney IslandKings County, NY
Coquina BeachBeach
Coquina BeachDare County, NC
Coast Guard BeachBeach
Coast Guard BeachBarnstable County, MA
Ocean BeachBeach
Ocean BeachCity and County of San Francisco, CA
Lanikai BeachBeach
Lanikai BeachHonolulu County, HI
Glass BeachBeach
Glass BeachMendocino County, CA
Ruby BeachBeach
Ruby BeachJefferson County, WA
Revere BeachBeach
Revere BeachSuffolk County, MA
Cabrillo BeachBeach
Cabrillo BeachLos Angeles County, CA
Goat Rock BeachBeach
Goat Rock BeachSonoma County, CA
Rockaway BeachBeach
Rockaway BeachQueens County, NY
Nantasket BeachBeach
Nantasket BeachPlymouth County, MA
Rodeo BeachBeach
Rodeo BeachMarin County, CA
China Beach, San FranciscoBeach
China Beach, San FranciscoCity and County of San Francisco, CA
Crane BeachBeach
Crane BeachEssex County, MA
Marine Street BeachBeach
Marine Street BeachSan Diego County, CA
Orchard BeachBeach
Orchard BeachBronx County, NY
Zuma BeachBeach
Zuma BeachLos Angeles County, CA
Bowling Ball BeachBeach
Bowling Ball BeachMendocino County, CA
Kehena BeachBeach
Kehena BeachHawaii County, HI
Alki Beach ParkBeach
Alki Beach ParkKing County, WA
Glass BeachBeach
Glass BeachKauai County, HI
Kauapea BeachBeach
Kauapea BeachKauai County, HI

By state

Map

How to photograph beaches

Beaches facing east suit sunrise and west-facing beaches suit sunset; wet sand mirrors the sky color during golden hour.

  • Time visits around low tide to reveal tide pools, sea stacks and reflective sand — check the tide widget below.
  • Slow shutter speeds (0.5–2 s) turn receding waves into streaks that lead toward the horizon.
  • Watch for sneaker waves; never turn your back on the ocean on exposed coasts.
  • Salt spray coats lenses quickly; wipe often and rinse gear afterward.
  • Fog and marine layers can make minimalist images; don't give up on grey days.

Season: Winter storms bring dramatic surf on Pacific coasts; summer and autumn sunsets are popular on Atlantic and Gulf beaches.