I'm talking general regions here, not necessarily single beaches.
5. The Washington coast. Wild, solitary, littered with driftwood, often cold and windy, the beaches along the Washington coast are not so much for picnics and bonfires, but more for taking in the amazing things Mother Nature can throw at you.
4. Lake Michigan. Nice for a change of pace, particularly if you like perch.
3. The Bahamas. Great, great beaches everywhere, including on the tiny uninhabited islands, some of which are owned by cruise lines (Great Stirrup Cay, left, is one such island). On our last visit to the Bahamas in December, 2008, we wandered about Freeport until we came upon a resort that was completely empty of people (below). We enjoyed the lounge chairs, the pool, the beach and the solitude.
2. Pebble Beach. The Monterey Peninsula is one of the most beautiful place on earth.
1. The Oregon coast. Whether it's Cannon Beach (left) or Bandon (below), or anywhere in-between, the Oregon coast is beautiful, diverse, fun, and has miles and miles of publicly owned beaches that never get too crowded, even in the height of summer.
