You Can't Make This Stuff Up!

[Lee Stewart]

While many people think of California or Florida when thinking of beaches in America, the country's longest coastline is much farther north. Not only is Alaska by far America's largest state (more than twice as large as second-place Texas), it boasts the nation's longest coastline at 33,904 miles. Florida is way behind in second place at 8,436 miles.

[Lee Stewart]

While shark attacks are exceedingly rare, they happen more in the United States than any other country. And the beach that lays claim to the dubious honor of hosting the most shark attacks in the world is New Smyrna Beach near Daytona, Florida, known as "the world's shark bite capital." In Volusia County, where the beach is located, there have been 312 confirmed shark bites since 1882.

[Lee Stewart]

It is perhaps unsurprising that America's first public beach is just 5 miles from downtown Boston in a town named after Paul Revere. But it's true. Revere Beach, in the town of Revere, lays claim to the honor of "America's First Beach." The 3-mile beach was founded in 1896, one year after a rail link to the beach was established along the Boston, Revere Beach, & Lynn Railroad

[Lee Stewart]

On the southern tip of the Big Island of Hawaii, Papakolea Beach is one of only four green sand beaches in the world. The sand gets its unique coloring from crystals created by the mineral olivine, which can be found in the surrounding volcanic rock — with the beach itself carved into a 49,000-year-old volcano.

[Lee Stewart]

While nude sunbathing is still not as commonplace or socially acceptable in America as compared with Europe, there are still dozens of beaches in the States where it is legal to strut your stuff in the buff. Haulover Beach near Miami is one of the country's most popular nude beaches, while Black's Beach near San Diego is one of the most beautiful. Just remember to wear sunblock.

[Lee Stewart]

While the beaches along Florida's eastern shore get most of the attention (and tourists), Florida's lesser-visited Gulf Coast contains a wealth of natural gems such as Sanibel Island near Fort Myers. The beaches are known for some of the finest shelling in the world, with the "Sanibel Stoop" a popular phrase depicting the hunched-over posture of beachgoers combing the sand for shells.

[Lee Stewart]

While surfing in America originated in Hawaii, the title of "Surf City USA" is claimed by Huntington Beach, California. One of America's most popular beaches known for its terrific year-round surf conditions, Huntington Beach is home to the International Surfing Museum and hosts the annual U.S. Open for Surfing every summer.

[Lee Stewart]

While drinking is legal on a number of beaches in America, few are more beautiful than Sand Harbor perched on the shores of picturesque Lake Tahoe. Also known as Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, this gorgeous stretch of paradise is known for its crystal clear Mediterranean-styled waters shimmering against a glorious backdrop of alpine trees and mountains. Crucially, you can also buy booze from a concessionaire just off the beach.

[Lee Stewart]

Welcoming more than 19 million visitors a year, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the most-visited beach destination in America. Los Angeles' Venice Beach comes in second place at 16 million visitors a year, with Miami's world-famous South Beach in third place at 15 million visitors a year. The Myrtle Beach area, known as the Grand Strand, encompasses 14 communities and 60 miles of beach along the South Carolina coast.

[Lee Stewart]

Within Big Talbot Island State Park near Jacksonville, Florida, Boneyard Beach is known for its vast accumulation of bleached oak tree skeletons that can be found all over its sand. The beach is also home to a number of tree-sized fossils recently discovered by park archaeologists.