Summer travel destinations: Dr. Beach’s 10 best U.S. beaches in 2010
Coopers Beach, set amid of the grandeur of the Hamptons, takes top honors this year. The beach offers white sand, dunes and proximity to a historic church. Coopers Beach ranked No. 3 in 2009.
Southampton info: www.southamptonvillage.org/interest.asp (Kathy Willens / Associated Press)
Dr. Beach praises Siesta Beach for having the “finest, whitest sand in the world” and for its “clear, warm waters that serve for ideal swimming.” A perennial contender for Dr. Beach’s top three spots, Siesta Beach ranked No. 2 in 2009 and No. 3 in 2008.
Sarasota info: www.siestachamber.com
Sarasota travel guide: www.latimes.com/travel/orl-travel-cityguide-sarasota,0,6301078.storygallery (Glen Hastings / Associated Press)
This is one of six beaches in Cape Cod National Seashore. It’s a popular swimming spot but also offers places for bird-watching and seal spotting.
Coast Guard Beach info: www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/coast-guard-beach-eastham.htm
Cape Code info: www.capecodchamber.org/ (Margo Tabb / Associated Press)
This beach is tucked away off Hana Highway near the eastern tip of Maui. Visitors access this crescent-shaped beach, which is below a cliff, by descending a staircase that starts on Haneoo Road.
Maui travel guide: www.latimes.com/travel/destinations/maui
Read about Maui:
• 20 cheap eats under $20 on Maui
• The keeper of the flame in Maui (Ron Dahlquist / Associated Press)
With clear and calm waters, this beach is an ideal spot for swimmers. The beach and surrounding park are good for camping, canoeing, kayaking and biking.
Cape Florida State Park info: www.floridastateparks.org/capeflorida/
Key Biscayne info: www.keybiscayne.fl.gov/ (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press)
